Cabela's 40" Black Smoker by Masterbuilt

[Bearcarver]

Thanks for that.

I've got it on hold for him to pick up. Regarding the model itself, there should be no way it's a gen 2. Looking at the online video and also knowing its a 6 rack bluetooth, it's a gen 2.5 for sure (right? lol).

The one you're showing in your Post #1 is a Gen #2.5, in the Cabelas Link & in the Masterbuilt Video.
If that's the one your getting, you'll be good to go!!

Bear

 

[Thundamonkey]

The one you're showing in your Post #1 is a Gen #2.5, in the Cabelas Link & in the Masterbuilt Video.
If that's the one your getting, you'll be good to go!!

Bear

That's the one I put aside (based on the item number online). The price the cashier told me was the same as the online price (304.36 USD all in) so I should be good. Fingers crossed lol.

Thank you

 

[Bearcarver]

That's the one I put aside (based on the item number online). The price the cashier told me was the same as the online price (304.36 USD all in) so I should be good. Fingers crossed lol.

Thank you

Once you get it, this may come in handy:
Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

All are Step by Steps, and all smokes were done in MES units.

Bear

 

[f14tomcat5]

I just bought this exact smoker today, couldn't pass up the price. I can't wait to get it seasoned and try my hand at smoking.

 

[heubrewer]

Agree with the Gen 2.5. Hope that my post did not come off wrong. Definitely get the Gen 2.5. With Bluetooth. My point was that even the Gen 2 despite its flaws produces great smoked meats.

I don’t even use an Amps or any mod. Just load the chip tray up as much as it takes and let it rip. After 4hrs I empty the tray in a old metal coffee can and reload the tray

 

[Rings Я Us]

Get the dam smoker and have fun!!!

 

[Thundamonkey]

Thanks all, It is slated to be picked up tomorrow and then I will going over to Vancouver to get it in a few weeks when I go over for work. Sucks to wait a few weeks but don't feel like spending another 200 to get it early lol. Cheers all

 

[Thundamonkey]

Well, I picked up the unit from my friend and will be putting it together/seasoning it this weekend (hopefully). Had a big hole in the box (a downside to when other people pick up items for you - they're potentially less picky) but it doesn't appear to be damaged. Fingers crossed :)

 

[Thundamonkey]

EDIT: Double post, oops

 

[Bearcarver]

Well, I picked up the unit from my friend and will be putting it together/seasoning it this weekend (hopefully). Had a big hole in the box (a downside to when other people pick up items for you - they're potentially less picky) but it doesn't appear to be damaged. Fingers crossed :)

Luck be with you.
I've gotten boxes shipped that had huge gouges in them, but most were fine inside. That's shows whether they were packed good or not.
Keep us posted.

Bear

 

[Thundamonkey]

Luck be with you.
I've gotten boxes shipped that had huge gouges in them, but most were fine inside. That's shows whether they were packed good or not.
Keep us posted.

Bear

Unboxed it yesterday and assembled it. Not very pleased. Front (where the hole in the box was) was all scuffed. about 16x8 area with widespread markings. Given this if the front of the smoker, it isn't very nice to see but at least it isn't structural.

Also, while putting the front feet/bases on, the R side had some issues. The bottom sheet metal was crooked and made it so the R foot wouldn't seat/thread. I had to get my tin snips out and take the top edge off and then rubber mallet it down smooth in order for the piece to line up. Since the bottom sheet metal is riveted in, I had no ability to adjust it, so I had to make it work.

Due to this being a cross-border item, returning it isn't feasible, so I have to make it work. The size is great, and will do the seasoning run today, but not very impressed so far. Fingers crossed...

 

[meatsweats86]

Me last weekend - "I'm going to buy an electric smoker honey".
Wife - "You already have 4 smokers, you don't need another".
Me - "Ok, this is for our son so he can learn to master the art of smoked meats.
Wife - "You're ridiculous.....You're son is only 1.5 years old and does not need to master meats "
Me-

 

[Bearcarver]

Me last weekend - "I'm going to buy an electric smoker honey".
Wife - "You already have 4 smokers, you don't need another".
Me - "Ok, this is for our son so he can learn to master the art of smoked meats.
Wife - "You're ridiculous.....You're son is only 1.5 years old and does not need to master meats "
Me-

1.5 years old already!!!
You better get those classes going!!

Bear

Unboxed it yesterday and assembled it. Not very pleased. Front (where the hole in the box was) was all scuffed. about 16x8 area with widespread markings. Given this if the front of the smoker, it isn't very nice to see but at least it isn't structural.

Also, while putting the front feet/bases on, the R side had some issues. The bottom sheet metal was crooked and made it so the R foot wouldn't seat/thread. I had to get my tin snips out and take the top edge off and then rubber mallet it down smooth in order for the piece to line up. Since the bottom sheet metal is riveted in, I had no ability to adjust it, so I had to make it work.

Due to this being a cross-border item, returning it isn't feasible, so I have to make it work. The size is great, and will do the seasoning run today, but not very impressed so far. Fingers crossed...

If anything needs replacing, I would take pics of the problem & call them. They might want to see the Pics & send you replacement parts. Have your Model Number & serial number ready.

Bear

 

[meatsweats86]

I picked mine up from Cabela's and everything was good. Only issue was someone jammed the racks in there without them going in the slides and they were slightly stuck and bent when I pulled them out. I just straightened them out.

I made 10 lbs of beef sticks last weekend and it was 4° out and started snowing. The snow was starting to pile up on the top which tells me it's pretty well insulated. Hopefully that control board on top is sealed well so snow or rain can't seep in.

I put in my 5x8 AMNPS tray on the bottom rack to the right and pulled the wood chip loader out half way. The AMNPS would not stay lit for whatever reason. I microwaved the pellets for 3 minutes to dry them out and still didn't want to stay lit. I pulled the chip loader all the way out and it seemed to help it a little. I've got 2 aluminium mailboxes so I'll be doing the mailbox mod shortly

Over all no complaints yet. Even being that cold it held temps very well and the meat probe seems to be accurate. for $275 on Sale at Cabela's I would call it a good purchase. I could have bought a new 30" MES for $100, but to me the extra space was well worth the extra money.

 

[Bearcarver]

I picked mine up from Cabela's and everything was good. Only issue was someone jammed the racks in there without them going in the slides and they were slightly stuck and bent when I pulled them out. I just straightened them out.

I made 10 lbs of beef sticks last weekend and it was 4° out and started snowing. The snow was starting to pile up on the top which tells me it's pretty well insulated. Hopefully that control board on top is sealed well so snow or rain can't seep in.

I put in my 5x8 AMNPS tray on the bottom rack to the right and pulled the wood chip loader out half way. The AMNPS would not stay lit for whatever reason. I microwaved the pellets for 3 minutes to dry them out and still didn't want to stay lit. I pulled the chip loader all the way out and it seemed to help it a little. I've got 2 aluminium mailboxes so I'll be doing the mailbox mod shortly

Over all no complaints yet. Even being that cold it held temps very well and the meat probe seems to be accurate. for $275 on Sale at Cabela's I would call it a good purchase. I could have bought a new 30" MES for $100, but to me the extra space was well worth the extra money.

I never let mine out in rain or snow. Water & Electric never seem to like each other for me.

I used to have an electric drill I had to lay on a board, because if I laid it in the grass, it would kick the breaker, even if the grass was dry.

Bear

 

[Thundamonkey]

So, I have issues. I just did the seasoning and the damn thing wouldn't turn off. I had it at 275 (as directed) and the first few hours it would cycle on and off (although it was in the 270-295 range the whole time).

Nearing the end of my run, I check the app, the smoker, and also my dual wireless probes, and they were off the charts. The smoker and app stop at 310, but my probes were going higher and higher. At 350, 560, 380, even 403, it was still "heating" as both the indicator light and element were still on. It would have gone higher if I didn't shut it down.

Lord only knows when/if it would have cut off. I tried calling Masterbuilt and they are closed for the day, so will have to try again later, but I am quite frustrated given the condition it arrived in and now the thing appears to be a fire waiting to happen.

 

[Bearcarver]

So, I have issues. I just did the seasoning and the damn thing wouldn't turn off. I had it at 275 (as directed) and the first few hours it would cycle on and off (although it was in the 270-295 range the whole time).

Nearing the end of my run, I check the app, the smoker, and also my dual wireless probes, and they were off the charts. The smoker and app stop at 310, but my probes were going higher and higher. At 350, 560, 380, even 403, it was still "heating" as both the indicator light and element were still on. It would have gone higher if I didn't shut it down.

Lord only knows when/if it would have cut off. I tried calling Masterbuilt and they are closed for the day, so will have to try again later, but I am quite frustrated given the condition it arrived in and now the thing appears to be a fire waiting to happen.

I would call them Monday, and considering the shape it got there in, and now it sounds like you have a bad controller, I would tell them you want the whole Smoker replaced. They should have you cut the cord, take a picture of the cut cord & the Plate on the back with the serial number. Send that to them & they send you another one.

At the very least you should get a new controller sent to you to replace. I hate seeing you have those problems, because I recommend MES units all the time. Ticks me off!!!

Bear

 

[Thundamonkey]

I would call them Monday, and considering the shape it got there in, and now it sounds like you have a bad controller, I would tell them you want the whole Smoker replaced. They should have you cut the cord, take a picture of the cut cord & the Plate on the back with the serial number. Send that to them & they send you another one.

At the very least you should get a new controller sent to you to replace. I hate seeing you have those problems, because I recommend MES units all the time. Ticks me off!!!

Bear

My worry is that I will have to send it back due to me being in Canada and the cost to ship it back is more than the cost of the smoker itself. I was very fearful of this kind of issue coming up due to the risk I took of bringing it over the border. Guess I will have to see what they say and go from there. Pretty shitty way to spend my birthday weekend as I had planned on breaking it in for the dinner tomorrow :(


EDIT: Thank you for the prompt response Bear

 

[Bearcarver]

My worry is that I will have to send it back due to me being in Canada and the cost to ship it back is more than the cost of the smoker itself. I was very fearful of this kind of issue coming up due to the risk I took of bringing it over the border. Guess I will have to see what they say and go from there. Pretty shitty way to spend my birthday weekend as I had planned on breaking it in for the dinner tomorrow :(

EDIT: Thank you for the prompt response Bear

I'm not sure, but I think that's why they have you cut the cord. I don't think they made the guys in the past send theirs back. They just cut the cord & showed them they did that. I think some of them turned the box into a cold smoker only unit.

Bear

 

[Clay McDaniel]

I had the exact problem with high temps on my new Cabela’s MES 40 2 weeks ago. They sent a new high temp cutoff and controller board. Seems to be ok now. MB customer service was a pleasure to deal with. I have little doubt that they will make you happy if you call.