Electric Smoker Which one????

[dsturino]

Looking at investing into an electric smoker and I think I have narrowed it down to a few. Looking for feedback and user reviews on the following units: Smokin-it model 2 or 3, Smokin tex 1400, and iron chef kitchen smokers. Any and all feedback greatly appreciated

 

[themule69]

I have a MES40 and love it.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[old sarge]

You have zeroed in on the all stainless steel models. I would look carefully at warranties, who has what and for how long such as 3 years, 2 years, etc. Also look at the standard features such as wheel size and cord length, number of door latches, heating element wattage, rack size, and the like.  Check out each site for owner comments, pro and con. Look at their accessory list and parts list pricing. 

Use the search bar at the top of this page for each brand of smoker you have mentioned. I think you will find that of the brands mentioned by you, the Smokin-it line is a lot of smoker for the money with a very strong following. Just keep in mind that these smokers are analog, not digital, and temperature swings of 20 or 30 degrees high and low of your set temperature are completely normal and explained in the  frequently asked questions section of the manufacturers site. If you want digital accuracy to within a couple of degrees of your set cooking temperature, you can always add a digital controller.  Another aspect to consider is capacity.  You can always smoke less in a large smoker but cannot smoke more in a smaller smoker. Just something to consider.

 

[bmaddox]

It looks like you have also zeroed in on analog models. My FIL has an analog electric smoker and has had some problems with controlling the temp. I recently got switched to a MES 30 and one of my favorite features are the digital controls. It makes it quick to set and quick to verify temps and once it is running there are no temp adjustments needed.

old sarge has a good point about the element size. I'm not sure what kind of weather you will be smoking in but if the heating element is too small you could be fighting to maintain temps. My old brinkman electric smoker took forever to get to up to temp and you could forget about using it in cold weather.

 

[old sarge]

dsturino - Something else if you are looking at the Smokin-it model 3:  The company sold out and more are on their way. It is a very popular and large capacity smoker at a very good price. There is a social store on the Smokin-it Facebook page where you can save 5% if you order there.  Also, in my pointing out the temperature swings I neglected to say that all analog smokers, not just those from SI, operate this way.  It is a simple system that works very, very well.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Looking at investing into an electric smoker and I think I have narrowed it down to a few. Looking for feedback and user reviews on the following units: Smokin-it model 2 or 3, Smokin tex 1400, and iron chef kitchen smokers. Any and all feedback greatly appreciated

I've been happy with my MES 40 (Generation #1) for over 4 years now. (I paid $349 for mine)

Here's a whole bunch of things I've done with it, and how to do them:

Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

Bear

 

[old sarge]

Just found out the Smokin-it model 3 will be back in stock 9 JAN 2015 and the owner is accepting orders.  

 

[hemi57]

I made a mistake in my first post in Roll Call. I asked for information about an natural Gas smoker and that is about as far as you can get for what I'm looking for. I'm looking for an electric smoker and where is the best place to order one. I hope someone sees my correction and will help me find a good smoker from the right place. Thanks

 

[old sarge]

hemi57 - Look at the smokers from Smokin-it. All stainless steel inside and out, heavily insulated. Also look at the Cookshack smokers. 

http://www.smokin-it.com

http://www.cookshack.com/store/Smokers_2

 

[slo joe]

Ditto on what sarge said, I own a Smokin-it #2 and love it, load it, set it, and let er go.

 

[jamesedw1]

Masterbuilt is the way to go!!!

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Masterbuilt is the way to go!!!

If ya do the MES 30, just be sure to do the Generation 1 !