Electric smoker recommendations (maybe open to pellet)

[Esox07]

I picked up an Outers Hickory electric smoker (basically a clone of the Little Chief Smoker) for $20 last week and did my first fish smoking on it. It came out superb. I plan to it more and more often. However, I love to do beef Jerky as well, but have always done it in a dehydrator with Liquid Smoke. I would love to do real smoked jerky. The Outers is too small to really do jerky. It doesn't have an adjustable thermostat either. I am wondering if something like the Masterbuilt 30" would be a good option and allow me more versatility in my smoking endeavors. I plan to mostly use it for jerky and fish. I have gas grills that I use with a smoke tube for ribs, brisket and other larger meats. I don't want a pellet grill with a large footprint. I like the simplicity and control that the electric ones use.
If the masterbuilt is a good choice, would you recommend the model with the glass window, or is that kind of a useless feature?

Let me know what you guys think.

 

[normanaj]

The stock MES has it good and bad points.

On the good side is a well insulated cabinet and they're pretty easy to use.

On the bad side the electronics are little on the weak side and have their failure points. They tend to have temp swings which can be an issue depending on what you might be smoking. If you don't mind loading chips into the loader every 45 minutes that really isn't an issue but many find after several long smokes that can become a PIA.

All that being said there a couple of mods that are easy to do that can eliminate all the negative issues and make the MES an incredible electric smoker, those being adding an aftermarket PID controller that will hold temps +/- a few degrees of set temp. The other mod is the "mailbox mod" which allows for use of a pellet tube/tray outside of the unit and can allow for up to 10-12 hours of continuous smoke. The controllers can be expensive though.

If you decide to go with a Masterbuilt I would suggest looking for one on FB marketplace or Craigslist and grab a used one as this can make the outlay of money to do the above mods much easier and would still be cheaper than buying a new unit. Finding a free one that doesn't work is the best because you can do the simple rewire and add the PID controller and have a fully functioning unit.

Lastly go with the 40"er. Bigger is just better with these units.

 

[Winterrider]

Agreed 100% with all said above. I am in the 40" camp with the mods, love it.

About $160 for the Auber PID

 

[Esox07]

Thanks, Guys. I am thinking about this idea. I just don't want to lay out that kind of money right now. I am thinking I will go with a used Big Chief and see how it goes and maybe upgrade down the road.

On the Masterbuilt, is the version with the glass doors a good idea or no?

 

[normanaj]

On the Masterbuilt, is the version with the glass doors a good idea or no?

It really doesn't matter.

 

[zwiller]

Before buying a smoker I would first check out Owen Meats jerky mixes. FANTASTIC stuff. If you go down this rabbit hole you will find only a few guys man enough to admit that the dehydrator is better. I consider Hickory Farms elite level and none of their stuff is smoked/use liquid smoke. Rolling real smoke is no guarantee for a better product.

 

[1MoreFord]

Pit Boss makes electric smokers and some pellet smokers with a similar footprint to the MES electrics. Camp Chef did too but Camp Chef's web site is suspiciously short on pellet grills and smokers right now. It's the end of the season and sometimes WallyWorld marks down their Pit Boss cookers for cheap.

Vertical Smokers | Pit Boss® Grills

Browse our catalog of gas, electric, and wood pellet vertical cabinet smokers with advanced technology to redefine BBQ in your backyard.

www.pitboss-grills.com

 

[Esox07]

1MoreFord:
That Pitboss electric digital smoker looks pretty nice. I see wallyworld has it for $325 right now.

Pit Boss 42" Digital Vertical Smoker with Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® - Walmart.com

Buy Pit Boss 42" Digital Vertical Smoker with Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[Winterrider]

@Esox07 , the glass door is no benefit. I used to clean mine after every smoke but it gets so filmed up within a couple hrs can't see thru anyhow.

 

[Esox07]

What are people's thoughts on this Masterbuilt smoker. It was barely used...still has the protective film on the digital display. Seller said SHE won it in a drawing.

Facebook

www.facebook.com

 

[912smoker]

Jump on it quickly!

Keith

 

[912smoker]

Pit Boss makes electric smokers and some pellet smokers with a similar footprint to the MES electrics. Camp Chef did too but Camp Chef's web site is suspiciously short on pellet grills and smokers right now. It's the end of the season and sometimes WallyWorld marks down their Pit Boss cookers for cheap.

Vertical Smokers | Pit Boss® Grills

Browse our catalog of gas, electric, and wood pellet vertical cabinet smokers with advanced technology to redefine BBQ in your backyard.

www.pitboss-grills.com

Read an article that said they are on the way out. Sad news for sure.

Keith

 

[Elf@shore]

I picked up an Outers Hickory electric smoker (basically a clone of the Little Chief Smoker) for $20 last week and did my first fish smoking on it. It came out superb. I plan to it more and more often. However, I love to do beef Jerky as well, but have always done it in a dehydrator with Liquid Smoke. I would love to do real smoked jerky. The Outers is too small to really do jerky. It doesn't have an adjustable thermostat either. I am wondering if something like the Masterbuilt 30" would be a good option and allow me more versatility in my smoking endeavors. I plan to mostly use it for jerky and fish. I have gas grills that I use with a smoke tube for ribs, brisket and other larger meats. I don't want a pellet grill with a large footprint. I like the simplicity and control that the electric ones use.
If the masterbuilt is a good choice, would you recommend the model with the glass window, or is that kind of a useless feature?

Let me know what you guys think.

HI! Electric smoker: Possible pellet grill?
FYI: Grilla grills has their OMG on sale @ $600 and change.
Its a small footprint and additional racks can be added.
I have a Chimp tailgate model, got it on a closeout for $700 with a cover shipped to my door.
Not sure if the OMG is what yur looking for ?
BBQ Labs has videos on Grillas grills, also discount codes.
Hope this helps you?
ELF

 

[Esox07]

Thanks, I just ordered the Pit Boss 30" digital electric smoker from Lowes.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Pit-Boss-DX-880-Sq-in-Black-Smart-Electric-Smoker/5016613563