It's time for retirement

[ps0303]

Well after about 10 years it is time to replace my Master Forge propane smoker. The bottom is almost completely rusted out among other things. Now comes the dilemma. Do I get another propane or go electric. I've been doing a bit of research on the electric and I'm just not sure which way to go.

One thing I know for sure, it has to be a wide unit. The current one doesn't allow for me to smoke ribs in full length slabs and very many of them. So wide and deep is what I need from the new one. I want to be able to place at least two full slabs of ribs on each smoking rack.

So throw out some ideas and pros/cons on propane vs electric. I've looked at the MES 40 electric and a Masterbuilt XL Propane Smoker.

So what say you smoker folks??

 

[gmc2003]

WSM 22", oh wait you said electric or propane. :D

Chris

 

[weev]

Pit Boss Copperhead 7 Series Its kind of electric

 

[browneyesvictim]

Do you have other smokers or grills? Personally, I would go electric between the two choices, but that would also depend on other factors as well. Propane smokers can be portable- electric not so much. Temp ranges. I believe the propane smoker will allow higher than 275' for certain cooks, like chicken. The MES electric will have a limit. Check out Smokin-it or other better electric units if you can swing the price point.

Hee hee.. I say vertical charcoal,

 

[RiversideSm0ker]

Offset, You can do a crap load of ribs if you get the right unit. OR and offset with with the vertical chamber as well. What can I say, I love my manual method, lol.

George

 

[ps0303]

Offset, You can do a crap load of ribs if you get the right unit. OR and offset with with the vertical chamber as well. What can I say, I love my manual method, lol.

George

LOL. I actually have an offset stick burner of which I am selling. I don't need something that big any more. I'm a tough sell!

 

[RiversideSm0ker]

LOL. I actually have an offset stick burner of which I am selling. I don't need something that big any more. I'm a tough sell!

I had to try. I don't have any experience with the electric models but just based on Bear's info if I were going to choose any model it would be the MES40. I trust his advice and so did Masterbuilt. Sounds like the ideal smoker as far as electric is concerned. I doubt that I would ever choose a propane model just because I don't like the hassle of running out of propane during a cook. Electric is all good unless there is a power outage and then I guess you could do solar for power if you had to. I'm sure whatever you go with will be fantastic.

George

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

I have an MES40 and also a Smoke Vault 24. Both wide bodied and one electric and one propane. There are pro's and con's to both.

I can get higher temps on my gasser if I was to do wings or a whole bird which is nice. I can get 6-8 whole racks of ribs in it and never had a problem. Only thing is as you know you have to keep adding wood chunks every 45 minutes or so and you always have to keep an extra tank on hand in fear of running out.

The MES40 is more convenient you could say. I can set my temp and light the AMNPS I put in it and not have to touch the smoker until the TP20 goes off. I do a lot of overnight smokes in the MES. Its great for low and slow...briskets and boston butt's. Plus it has a ton of room in it. Just as much as my SV24 if not more. But there are more components to than the propane so you run the risk of things going bad.

Just my $.02. Don't think you could go wrong either way but maybe that will help you.

 

[SonnyE]

I say electric, but then, I am biased, I've spent 50 years dabbling with electric smokers.
But there can be a catch George, Most of today's smokers have a definite range they work best in.
And from what I've seen and experienced, that range was not where I liked to smoke.
So I bought an entry level, but digital, basic smoker then modified the living hell out of it to make it my own.
But it does not take my dabbling to find nirvana. Simply adding an AMNPS to a stock and standard MES 40 can be awesome. I gives you a full range of temperature to play in.
I like the infinite control ability of electric, myself. Whether you have to add a separate control like the Auber or Inkbird, or not, is up to you. And if you want manufacturer meat probes, Bluetooth, WiFi, or telecanetics is your choice as well.
I went in knowing I'd need to change things to suit myself. So I got my digital MES 30, then made it go fro "Bach to Rock (&Roll)" for me.
Typically MES smokers operate in 100 to 275 degree range, but smoke in 200 to 275 degrees. The sweet spot is 225-275.
Also, an electric is not likely to rust out like a gas burner will. There is a natural moisture content to gas burners, and it causes things to deteriorate.
But whatever you choose is up to you and based on your experience. None of us will be living with your choices. So it is up to you and what you'd like from your new smoker.
Have fun shopping and get what appeals to you. ;):D

 

[ps0303]

I have an MES40 and also a Smoke Vault 24. Both wide bodied and one electric and one propane. There are pro's and con's to both.

I can get higher temps on my gasser if I was to do wings or a whole bird which is nice. I can get 6-8 whole racks of ribs in it and never had a problem. Only thing is as you know you have to keep adding wood chunks every 45 minutes or so and you always have to keep an extra tank on hand in fear of running out.

The MES40 is more convenient you could say. I can set my temp and light the AMNPS I put in it and not have to touch the smoker until the TP20 goes off. I do a lot of overnight smokes in the MES. Its great for low and slow...briskets and boston butt's. Plus it has a ton of room in it. Just as much as my SV24 if not more. But there are more components to than the propane so you run the risk of things going bad.

Just my $.02. Don't think you could go wrong either way but maybe that will help you.

Why don't you use the AMNPS in the propane one? I use the 12" tube in my current propane unit and would go for the tray AMNPS for use in the next smoker.

I do like the ability to go higher temps with propane as I do love some smoked wings. I also have two propane tanks as I have a gas grill that I use a lot for normal cooking. Uh oh, It almost sounds like I'm talking myself into the propane unit. LOL

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

I don't have tube but I hear they are perfect for the propane units. From what I understand the trays wont stay lit in the gassers. I'm normally doing shorter higher temp smokes on my SV24 so I don't mind to toss in wood chunks. My neighbors smell the smoke and have to pop their heads over the fence to see what I'm cooking.

Havent used a masterbuilt propane but I can attest to the camp chef SV24. Its kind of a thin construction but it will get the job done and haven't had a problem out of it in 3 years.

Hey if you like the propane units I say go for it! I enjoy using mine. Or better yet get both haha

 

[SonnyE]

Or better yet get both haha

Or keep the old and get a new...
A Twofer...