Yo randyt58 welcome to SMF.
I am going to make some comments that you will feel most likely throws cold water on your recent purchase, please understand that I only want to clarify and not abuse or insult.
The recommendations in the SMF Electric forum have pretty much been specifically for one electric smoker the MES (
Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse), either the 30" or 40", with digital control.
Masterbuilt makes another electric model their "Electric Analogue" also know as an electric smokehouse. While both are electric there are significant differences.
► Cabinet: Digital = double wall and insulated "Analogue" = Single wall NOT insulated
Metal Digital = Stainless insides, some models stainless outside, "Analogue" = Powder coated galv metal.
► Controls Digital = Digital controller with Inside Cabinet Temp Sensor, some models additional Meat Sensor Temp Prob. In addition has on/off timer, and will automatically cycle on/off to maintain temp.
"Analogue" No control except for manual temp similar to electric frying pan, no auto sensing and cycling based on inside cabinet temp.
If you read through the electric forum the only recommendation that is repeated in hundreds of posts is for the MES Digital model.the reason is in the parts I listed above. First the double wall construction with insulation layer, is so superior to the single wall, and when outdoor ambient temps begin to drop the difference is magnified, the single wall just can not hold temp. In addition the double wall/insulated cabinet in general provide a more stable platform in most outdoor ambient temps that allow a cook to have consistent results. Next the digital controller take the MES to the next level, it allows the cook to set it and forget it, because the heat elements will be properly cycled off when set temp is achieved. This is NOT true with the Analogue model, the temp control is a simple reostat which is not sensing the cabinet temp to regulate temp, instead it regulates the current to achieve different temps. Reostats can be calibrated and accurate but that is NOT typical in low end cooking devices. As a result the cook has to tweak and figure out where to set the control to achieve temp, whereas the digital cook simply set the temp he wants and it automatically is controlled by the digital controller.
Without the insulated double wall cabinet and the digital controller, an electric smoker is just like a lot of propane smokers with a different source of heat and prone to all the problems accurately described by hkeiner above. Is the digital MES the only electric smoker with the double wall inslated cabinet and digital control? NO there are several other brands, but for the price, quality and features the
Masterbuilt is the one most often recommended by a large majority of SMF members in the electric forum.
So while you saved money, unless your model and brand of electric has the features mentioned above for the digital MES, you may find yourself upgrading in the not to distant future after you get a few smokes under your belt and then understand why so many are recommending the digital MES.
One last point, it is the cook not the cooker that makes great BBQ. So while you might not have the highly recommended digital electric smoker, you still can turn out great Q, though the digital MES would make it a bit easier.
