If you could buy a new electric smoker for up to $500, which one would it be?

[husker3in4]

I have a couple of MES that have worked well for the most part but they have died or about to die. Entertaining the idea of getting a new smoker and have some gift cards I can use. I have a budget of of up to $500 although spending less would be ok too. If you were in my shoes and your choices were all electric, 40" smokers only.. what would your choice be?

 

[JC in GB]

I would use the $ to refurb my old smoker then go get another MES or a Pit Boss...

I have an electric smoker refurb kit available for under $100. Installs in less than 15 minutes.

JC

 

[radioguy]

I would invest in a PID controller, mailbox mod and Amazin smoke tray. Auber makes a number of plug and play controllers. You can buy a new electric today, but you will be buying another one when it dies. Sorry Im old school and a lot of stuff today has little quality. Disposable vs repairable,
I built a Heatermeater controller for my dead electric, it is by far the best temperature control option in my option.

https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14_28

RG

 

[johnmeyer]

You just started the identical thread several weeks ago:

Best Electric Smoker? MES or not...

So Im on my 3rd electric smoker.. My first was a 30" Bass Pro Shop special, made by masterbuilt. Made alot of good food out of it, but the thing kept blowing the hi/low temp shutoff sensor and taking off the back to replace it (and some of the wiring at times) got to be a pain so it was retired...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

 

[husker3in4]

While I havent done the PID controller, Ive done the mailbox mod and the smoker tray. The tray is pretty much useless for me. I can never keep it lit. Ive baked or nuked the pellets first to dry them out, let the flame burn for 10m first etc. Followed all the instructions, tips/tricks and it always goes out. At one point I drilled more holes in my mailbox, and it caught fire. So no more mailbox mod for me. On the flipside, Ive used the smoking tube a few times and it works fine, now its just getting the controller to keep temp.

I would invest in a PID controller, mailbox mod and Amazin smoke tray. Auber makes a number of plug and play controllers. You can buy a new electric today, but you will be buying another one when it dies. Sorry Im old school and a lot of stuff today has little quality. Disposable vs repairable,
I built a Heatermeater controller for my dead electric, it is by far the best temperature control option in my option.

https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14_28

RG