Help me choose

[runway1]

I'm an avid cook but have only smoked a few items on  an old "Smokey Joe" chimney.  I think I'm *leaning* toward an electric to start.  I know everybody says the Masterbuilt 20070910 30-Inch (small capacity is fine), but what do you think of the Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker?


Saw one at HD and thought ...."finally, a full width drip shield!"  What's with these drip pans that only cover the center of the racks?  My slab o'ribs will drip all around the edges and it seems like that would be a mess.  Also, super well insulated and a solid door seal.  How are these compared to the MES 0910?

Thanks al!

 

[smoke-it-all]

I had the masterbuilt electric 30 for several years. Was a very nice smoker and the probe and smoker thermometer were surprisingly close to accurate. The whole bottom is the drip tray that leaks out the back into a pan. And the tray itself and pan in back is removable. It also has a really big water pan that catches a lot of the drippings. But I did regret not getting the 40 ( which I just upgraded to.) For example I had to cut my rib racks in half. But you can still easily do 4 racks. 6 if you trim right. Also I had to cut big briskets down or in half also. The 40 is taller and wider. The racks are a couple inches longer which should fit rib racks whole. Plus the 40 has six racks rather than 4 on the 30. I forgot what the total sq in. Difference is but the 40 is about double (if I remember correctly) then the 30. The 30 worked great, but I did wish I got the 40. And when the element burnt out on my 30 I used that for an exscuse to get the 40. Also the 40 also has the whole bottom for a drip pan. I've never owned the charbroil so I can't give you a comparison, but that's my 2 cents on the 2 I've owned

 

[runway1]

I had the masterbuilt electric 30 for several years. Was a very nice smoker and the probe and smoker thermometer were surprisingly close to accurate. The whole bottom is the drip tray that leaks out the back into a pan. And the tray itself and pan in back is removable. It also has a really big water pan that catches a lot of the drippings. But I did regret not getting the 40 ( which I just upgraded to.) For example I had to cut my rib racks in half. But you can still easily do 4 racks. 6 if you trim right. Also I had to cut big briskets down or in half also. The 40 is taller and wider. The racks are a couple inches longer which should fit rib racks whole. Plus the 40 has six racks rather than 4 on the 30. I forgot what the total sq in. Difference is but the 40 is about double (if I remember correctly) then the 30. The 30 worked great, but I did wish I got the 40. And when the element burnt out on my 30 I used that for an exscuse to get the 40.

Good points, thanks.  Was that the #20070910 30-Inch?  This one?


They have other 30" models and I want to make sure which you're commenting on.

 

[smoke-it-all]

Yes I had the same one as the one in your link. Worked flawlessly for about 3 years. I believe it is just the element that burned out, which is 30 bucks online and a 15 min job. But I've been waiting for an exscuse to get the big boy.

 

[runway1]

Thanks, that puts a few more points in the MES column.  Still hoping to hear something on the Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric

 

[smoke-it-all]

No problem.