Best electric

[smokeinnm]

I kind of want an electric smoker for winter, I keep hearing Masterbuilt and Bradly, I figured that you veteran smokers could give me some advice.

 

[chef willie]

Many now are using the Smokin' It line, myself included. There is a long thread of discussion on them here...just type in Smokin It in the search bar. Not familiar with Bradleys but know many are not happy with using only their pucks and I do know the new generation Masterbuilts are troublesome with many issues. IF I was to do it again, and I still may get one, I'd look seriously into a pellet smoker rather than straight electric. There are some very happy users on here that have them. Just my 2 cents......Willie

 

[seenred]

Many now are using the Smokin' It line, myself included. There is a long thread of discussion on them here...just type in Smokin It in the search bar. Not familiar with Bradleys but know many are not happy with using only their pucks and I do know the new generation Masterbuilts are troublesome with many issues. IF I was to do it again, and I still may get one, I'd look seriously into a pellet smoker rather than straight electric. There are some very happy users on here that have them. Just my 2 cents......Willie

Hey Willie!  Long time, Brother!

I agree...for straight electric, Smokin' It or Smokin' Tex seems to be trending up over MES and Bradley.  Many would say that Cookshack makes the best electrics on the market (both SmokinIt and Smokin'Tex are Cookshack clones)...but they are seriously more expensive.

I also agree with Willie's statement about pellet pits.  I really like my pellet smoker...IMO its the best of both worlds: I get the convenience and ease of use of an electric, while still cooking on a wood-fired pit.

Red

 

[chef willie]

Thanks Red.....it's been a while. Been doing a move & rehab on a place since Christmas...finally moved in and able to not be working full time on this. On the pellet burners.....found me a Char Griller pellet smoker in a local 'little bit of everything' store called Bi-mart here and it looked pretty well made with a price of only $400 bucks. MUCH better than any Traeger I've seen at Costco & obviously half the price. Have been scouring the Net for feedback/info on them & so far most reports have been good....except for the occasional computer brain crash. I just have to pull the trigger and get it. Then, I'll be looking to join your group of dark siders.

 

[geerock]

Yeah, if you want electric I second Reds suggestion of the Smokin It line. Beware the Masterbuilt. I've owned them and I can't give a good recommendation. I also have a pellet muncher and its just about as much set and forget as an electric. If Chef Willie Has found a new line for $400 I'd definitely take a peek.

 

[Bearcarver]

I've had 2 MES, and they are both Great.

I started with an MES 30---1st Gen, and it was Great, but a little small, so 3 years ago I got my All Stainless Steel inside & out, with window in door, remote control up to 500 feet MES 40 1st Generation. That baby is Perfect. Cost me $349, but I've seen them with All SS for as low as $299.

However you have to get the Generation 1. Gen 2 is mostly a POS.

Bear

 

[nozzleman]

I'll throw another vote for the smoking-it line of smoker, I recently got the #3 model and have just used it a couple times so far. I can tell you it had great reviews when I looked around and one saying I saw more than once where people said that it is built like a tank and I would have to agree.

I had a MES 30 and it served me for several years but started needing mostly electrical wiring repair where it joined the heating element about 1 1/2 years in to it's life.  Now it is heating up as hot as it can go just by plugging it in.

 

[lantern]

If the question really is "Best" electric my vote is hands down Cookshack. They cost more, but are made in America not China and have the Ability to get to 300 degrees which is really nice when you're cooking chicken. 

 

[seenred]

Thanks Red.....it's been a while. Been doing a move & rehab on a place since Christmas...finally moved in and able to not be working full time on this. On the pellet burners.....found me a Char Griller pellet smoker in a local 'little bit of everything' store called Bi-mart here and it looked pretty well made with a price of only $400 bucks. MUCH better than any Traeger I've seen at Costco & obviously half the price. Have been scouring the Net for feedback/info on them & so far most reports have been good....except for the occasional computer brain crash. I just have to pull the trigger and get it. Then, I'll be looking to join your group of dark siders.

It's good to see ya posting again Willie. If you do pull the trigger on that Char Griller, I'll be very interested in hearing your review.

Red

 

[old sarge]

Good seeing you back again and finished with the move. The SI line has really taken off in the last year or so and seems to be doing well judging from the posts here and at the SI site.

Interesting abut the Char Griller Pellet.  I found nothing on their site, but did did see some reviews at Pellet Head. Let us know how it goes.

 

[chef willie]

Hi Sarge...thx for the welcome mat. Yes, info is spotty on the Char Griller but there are some comments here on SMF on the initial release...the usual mix, some love theirs & some got a lemon brain chip & returned it. Lowes is selling them now for $449 I believe so my local place is $50 less. I was hoping for a 'sale' to hit but maybe not at that lower price to begin with. The original model was a 4020 I believe and the ones out now are model 4030. According to Char Griller on a question posed by me on FaceBook there is no difference but I would hope/expect some form of an update for the new model? I've also seen them on line at various shops but they are mostly asking $500 plus S&H. After actually seeing the Traeger & Green Mountain line up close & personal the build on the Char Griller seems much better for half the price. Only thing I'm finding 'iffy' is the computer....Wille

 

[old sarge]

Willie,

My only concern would be the absence of info on the Char Griller site (or I am blind).  But from what I have read here and at pellet heads, it seems like a capable unit at a good price.  And as you pointed out, some likes, some dislikes.