Bradley or Masterbuilt?

jnzenterprises@earthlink.

Newbie

Original poster

May 5, 2008

9

10

East Orlando

• Nov 18, 2009

• #1

I am debating on purchasing a new smoker. Other than the cost of the smoker and having to buy bradley smoking bisquettes, is it really worth it to buy that smoker over the MES? I can get the MES for about 188.00. The standard bradley runs about 288.00. The fully automatic digital model runs about 438.00. I appreciate all opinions.

 

hillbillysmoker

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Feb 7, 2007

1,078

10

Cabins, WV

• Nov 18, 2009

• #2

I have a Bradley original and love it. I will gladly answer any questions and concerns if you wish to message me. This is a great Bradley forum site for information. The folks there are like a family.

http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/

 

fishawn

Smoking Fanatic

Jan 8, 2008

736

10

Olympia, WA

• Nov 18, 2009

• #3

I have had a MES 30" for about 2 years. I use it a lot & love it. Chips & wood are available just about anywhere & you don't need any special "pucks" that are expensive (Do price them before you buy a Bradley).

That said, I have had to repair my MES (electrical connections burn up) 2 times, which is really a pretty simple fix, just a PITA. Ask the people on this forum, it is a very common problem with the MES, but really quite simple to correct.

Good luck!

 

beer-b-q

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

May 1, 2007

10,099

40

• Nov 18, 2009

• #4

I have the Bradley Digital 6 Rack and have used it twice and I wish I had purchased the MES 40" instead...

It won't get over 200º and when i contacted Bradley they sent me a part and I have to take the smoker apart to put in the new sensor in hopes that fixes it... I guess their warranty is only for parts and you figure out how to install them...

I would go with the MES 40" if I were you...

 

hoser

Smoking Fanatic

SMF Premier Member

Jul 11, 2008

452

10

Cumberland, Rhode Island

• Nov 18, 2009

• #5

Don't own one yet....but I'm all over the Masterbuilt.

 

fire it up

Smoking Guru

OTBS Member

Feb 24, 2009

5,167

14

South Jersey

• Nov 18, 2009

• #6

My vote would go for the MES as long as it is a 40"
Have heard and seen many great things come out of them, don't know much about the Bradley but do know the MES is a great unit.

 

bbq bubba

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Feb 12, 2007

3,646

12

new baltimore, mi

• Nov 18, 2009

• #7

Why not build a drum?

 

xxlt250rxx

Fire Starter

Feb 4, 2009

46

10

North West Alabama

• Nov 18, 2009

• #8

How about a combo? Master Built with a Bradley smoke generator. If I am going to be around home I feed it wood chips myself. If I need to leave or want to smoke overnight I use the Bradley smoke generator. Also perfect for cold smoking. The best of both worlds.

 

nozzleman

Smoking Fanatic

Aug 13, 2009

331

14

Texas-near Dallas

• Nov 18, 2009

• #9

I love my MES, I have had it 8 months now. It is about as simple and easy to use as it gets and turns out fantastic results.

 

formerlyfatguy

Smoke Blower

SMF Premier Member

May 14, 2008

128

10

• Nov 19, 2009

• #10

I've had a Bradley 4 rack, and a Bradley 6 rack and 2 40" MES units.
I got rid of them all in favor of a much more expensive Cookshack Amerique.
If you can afford a Cookshack, that's what I would go for, heads and tails over the others mentioned when it comes to build quality and insulation.
If you can't afford one I'd stick to the 40" MES.

 

charlied20

Fire Starter

SMF Premier Member

May 20, 2008

34

10

Rehoboth, MA

• Nov 19, 2009

• #11

I have a 40" MES and had problems with the doors at first but they have fixed that problem. I would recommend the MES over the Bradley all day long!

 

meskc

Meat Mopper

Mar 9, 2009

180

158

Kansas City

• Nov 19, 2009

• #12

Just so you know. On black friday Bass pro has the MES for $129.94. Just got the ad today. I lov my MES.

 

ronp

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Apr 27, 2008

5,433

21

• Nov 19, 2009

• #13

MES Hands down. Cheap to operate and the wood is cheap. No pucks involved. And to think the Bradley chucks the pucks into the water pan after 20 minutes is unacceptable and just a way to force you to buy their pucks. Bad business in my book.

 

kurtsara

Smoking Fanatic

OTBS Member

Jun 11, 2007

411

11

Princeton, Minnesota

• Nov 19, 2009

• #14

I was in Cabela's yesterday and they have allot of 30" Black MES on the floor, I wonder what their sale price is going to be?

 

cruizer

Smoking Fanatic

SMF Premier Member

Feb 7, 2009

342

10

Southeastern Arizona

• Nov 19, 2009

• #15

Love my MES 11 months and going strong.

 

dnovotny

Smoke Blower

Nov 21, 2005

95

10

norfolk, ne

• Nov 19, 2009

• #16

I Have A Bradley 6 For The Last 4 Years And Live Where It's Cold And I Use Mine All Year Long I Love It... For Cold And Hot Smoke It's The Best.. I Had A Ms And Didn't Like .. Everyone Has A Opinion... This Is Mine.. Bradley 6

 

meskc

Meat Mopper

Mar 9, 2009

180

158

Kansas City

• Nov 20, 2009

• #17

Here is Cabela's black friday sale on the MES.

Masterbuilt Electric Smoker - Stainless Steel - $229.99

 

ronp

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Apr 27, 2008

5,433

21

• Nov 20, 2009

• #18

That page is decieving showing the stainless. That appears to be the 30'. It is 199 for black and it comes in stainless for 299.

 

beer-b-q

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

May 1, 2007

10,099

40

• Nov 20, 2009

• #19

They have the 40" SS on sale but it is $399.99.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...0072261519373a

 

gruelurks

Smoking Fanatic

Apr 23, 2009

445

11

Oakland County, MI

• Nov 20, 2009

• #20

I'd say go for the MES, being a MES owner myself. I looked at a Bradley too, but the puck thing put me off. I'm going to buy a 2nd MES on Black Friday.