Looking for new Electric Smoker

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

davet102

Newbie
Original poster
Jun 18, 2011
22
10
Ohio
I am in the market for a electric smoker. I currently have a propane one. bought it to see if smoking was something I wanted to do. Well the answer is YES.

With my propane smoker I have a very difficult time keeping the temp on point. It always seems to run high. I have tried a ton of variations in keeping the heat under control. None really working that well.

So I figured with and electric smoker and thermostat that problem would be eliminated.

Can I get some advise, pro and con, for electric smokers from the forums??

Brands, models that you would suggest. Price range would be around $350.

Thanks in advance.

Bob
 
Gen 1 at Academy $300 plus shipping

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mas...c-smokehouse-with-window?repChildCatid=638908

Gen 1 at Amazon $319 free shipping


-Top controller is Gen 1.

Gen 2.5 Cabela's $350 plus shipping

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...ByFilter=AllProducts&x=10&y=6&Ntt=masterbuilt

-Front Controller with Bluetooth is the Gen 2.5

Most people on this forum who have the experience will tell you to avoid the Gen 2 and go with either the Gen 1 or Gen 2.5.

Hope this helped,

Craig 
 
 
Gen 1 at Academy $300 plus shipping

http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mas...c-smokehouse-with-window?repChildCatid=638908

Gen 1 at Amazon $319 free shipping


-Top controller is Gen 1.

Gen 2.5 Cabela's $350 plus shipping

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...ByFilter=AllProducts&x=10&y=6&Ntt=masterbuilt

-Front Controller with Bluetooth is the Gen 2.5

Most people on this forum who have the experience will tell you to avoid the Gen 2 and go with either the Gen 1 or Gen 2.5.

Hope this helped,

Craig 
Gen 2.5 at Sams Club $329. This unit has a glass door and also has legs with rollers.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/masterbuilt-smoker/prod15560335.ip?searchTerm=masterbuilt
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the information.

I have looked at the reviews for the Masterbuilt 40 Gen 1.

Tons of good ones but there were a few that I found troubling.

1. That the elements failed and you can't replace them. How valid is this and has it been fixed??

2. The glass door shattering and not able to replace it. Fixed or not.

3. The smoke build up on the interior glass. This is a problem with a fire place glass door. How is it remedied??

Also, is there a Masterbuilt that is the same as the 40 Gen 1 that does not have the glass door??

Thanks

Bob
 
+1 for the MES BT 40.  Get the Cabelas version without the glass door.  I see too many threads about complaints about cleaning the window (others will vividly disagree AKA BEAR!!!!).  It's a great unit.  $350 right now but you can get it cheaper with discounted gift cards and coupons etc.  I got mine for $285 out the door.  Im really enjoying it. 
 
 
+1 for the MES BT 40.  Get the Cabelas version without the glass door.  I see too many threads about complaints about cleaning the window (others will vividly disagree AKA BEAR!!!!).  It's a great unit.  $350 right now but you can get it cheaper with discounted gift cards and coupons etc.  I got mine for $285 out the door.  Im really enjoying it. 
Include me with being on Bear's side as I have no problem cleaning the glass and love the glass door as I want to see what is going on inside the smoker and not sitting there hoping all is going ok. 
 
Come to the dark side..... get a charcoal smoker..... you can get a 22.5 WSM for 400 or a 18.5 for 300 or a 14.5 for 200 .really easy to use no electric parts you have to worry about giving up on you....its just an option....
 
These are all good references!!!

But back to the original questions:

Is there a problem with the element in the 40? Can it be replaced if it goes bad?

Is there a problem with the glass shattering?? Can it be replaced if it does shatter??

Cleaning the glass is not a big problem to me, just noticed that there we a lot of complaints about it.

Bob
 
 
These are all good references!!!

But back to the original questions:

Is there a problem with the element in the 40? Can it be replaced if it goes bad?

Is there a problem with the glass shattering?? Can it be replaced if it does shatter??

Cleaning the glass is not a big problem to me, just noticed that there we a lot of complaints about it.

Bob
Is there a problem with the element in the 40? Can it be replaced if it goes bad?   .... YES

Is there a problem with the glass shattering?? Can it be replaced if it does shatter??   .... No problem with glass shattering

Cleaning the glass is not a big problem to me, just noticed that there we a lot of complaints about it. ... ​It is easy to clean if cleaned after smoking, but some people don't do that and clean days or weeks later and then it more difficult to clean. Lots of methods of cleaning it have been posted and all seem to work. One of the latest ones to be mentioned is the Magic Eraser. I've tried it twice and it does indeed work.

Bob
 
 
Include me with being on Bear's side as I have no problem cleaning the glass and love the glass door as I want to see what is going on inside the smoker and not sitting there hoping all is going ok. 
When you clean the window when it's hot, it's ok but after 14+ hrs. of smoking that's the last thing on my mind is cleaning (I have cleaning erasers, oven cleaner and vinegar etc.)  I have a window and to tell you the truth I can't see crap until the sun goes down and use the interior light.  When you walk down the street during the day. the light is brighter outside so you can 't see in people houses.  At night they are all fish bowls and you can see everything.  Well, if you can see inside or not,  there are a several therm cables going in the vent.  That is what I look at.  A 40" Gen 1 was what I wanted and since it was SS with window and RF remote @ $273 delivered I jumped on it.  Tired of cleaning! 

-Kurt
 
 
When you clean the window when it's hot, it's ok but after 14+ hrs. of smoking that's the last thing on my mind is cleaning (I have cleaning erasers, oven cleaner and vinegar etc.)  I have a window and to tell you the truth I can't see crap until the sun goes down and use the interior light.  When you walk down the street during the day. the light is brighter outside so you can 't see in people houses.  At night they are all fish bowls and you can see everything.  Well, if you can see inside or not,  there are a several therm cables going in the vent.  That is what I look at.  A 40" Gen 1 was what I wanted and since it was SS with window and RF remote @ $273 delivered I jumped on it.  Tired of cleaning! 

-Kurt
Kurt, I wish I could help you to see thru your window better, but not knowing why you can't, I don't know what to tell you. I have no problem at all seeing thru the window in the daytime on my old Gen 2.0 nor my new BT 2.5. 
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Hot Threads

Clicky