Looking to replace my Masterbuilt PRO smoker

[jbinfla]

After 5 or 6 years this smoker is giving up the ghost. Given that I keep it outside, and don't cover it, I'm surprised it lasted this long. So, I'm wanting to get a new smoker soon.

I have a good grill, at least one I really like and am not looking for a "grill" type pellet smoker. Traeger, Austin XL, those types. I'd like another vertical smoker, but my experience has been with propane. I'm actually thinking of another Masterbuilt just because they're cheap and worked for me but I'd like something bigger if possible. I like to cook ribs and the smoker I had topped out at about 6 racks of baby backs. I had to cut them in half to fit, so 12 half racks.

Anyway I would have to check on the gas grill every hour or so to make sure it wasn't spiking or dipping in temp. It was pretty consistent but I never felt like I could do a brisket overnight as there is zero chance I can stay up all night now sleep. But from what I hear a good pellet smoker will maintain temp so I can try the 16+ hour smokes. Sooo... Here I am

To be honest, as a guy reading the marketing material, the Pitt Boss 7-series looks awesome. So does the Platinum Brunswick they make. And so does that Louisiana Grill they make. But. I've seen a bunch of things that make me sketched out that they have a lot of known issues. Granted, most those post are a little older so maybe you guys can tell me their vertical smokers have been sorted and are good out of the box. I'm not a modder, just want it to work and I'll tweak how I use it to get the results I want. The Camp Chef looked good but they don't make it any more. Several others I've been looking at seem to be out of production. I also don't care much for the glass window but I guess that's seems to be something common and I will not say no because it has one, just that it's not important to me. I also think I need the water pan, I've seen smokers without, but always seems to do wonders.

I'm not married to a Pitt Boss, that just seems to be a good price I can swing ($600 or so). I like the Pellet Pro because I haven't heard any kind of issues, but at twice the price it's a bit pricey for me. I do plan to get a cover for this smoker so I hope it'll last more than a couple years but I guess if it's cheap enough (like a Masterbuilt) I can replace every few years. Since I live in Florida I smoke year round, no real issues with weather as a "cold spell" is 50-degrees and to be honest feels wonderful after months of 90+ degrees and 99% humidity. So, with the desire to keep prices "sub $1k", maybe even less, what do you recommend that is generally considered a reliable smoker in my price range? Need it big enough to do at least 6 racks of ribs, but more is better. I don't use the lay-on-their-side racks but I guess I could and get more but I'd really love if I could put a whole rack in there and not have to cut it in half.

Thanks for any tips!

 

[ostrichsak]

After MUCH research on what my next pellet smoker would be I finally opted for a RecTeq RT-590 and while it just arrived and I haven't even had a chance to use it yet I can say that my first-hand inspection and assembly confirms everything I read about them. This thing is incredible. The fit, finish, materials and design are second to none. The app is simple, well thought out and feature rich. I'm super stoked about this thing and I would highly recommend checking out their offerings. The RT-590 is roomy (more than enough for my needs) but may not be quite big enough for what you describe but the RT-700 would be. It will be slightly above that budget you were looking at but it would be money well spent for what you get in terms of quality for that investment. I'm sure others will be along shortly to echo this sentiment because that was a pretty common thread that I noticed in topics like this one... the happy Recteq customers are numerous. I'm happy to now be included in that group.

 

[TuckersBarbeque]

After MUCH research on what my next pellet smoker would be I finally opted for a RecTeq RT-590 and while it just arrived and I haven't even had a chance to use it yet I can say that my first-hand inspection and assembly confirms everything I read about them. This thing is incredible. The fit, finish, materials and design are second to none. The app is simple, well thought out and feature rich. I'm super stoked about this thing and I would highly recommend checking out their offerings. The RT-590 is roomy (more than enough for my needs) but may not be quite big enough for what you describe but the RT-700 would be. It will be slightly above that budget you were looking at but it would be money well spent for what you get in terms of quality for that investment. I'm sure others will be along shortly to echo this sentiment because that was a pretty common thread that I noticed in topics like this one... the happy Recteq customers are numerous. I'm happy to now be included in that group.

I have the 590 as well, and am quite impressed with the quality compared to similar pellet grills. Traeger and them don't even come close. RecTec is a middle upper class product, with emphasis on upper. You best break it out of the box soon!

After 5 or 6 years this smoker is giving up the ghost. Given that I keep it outside, and don't cover it, I'm surprised it lasted this long. So, I'm wanting to get a new smoker soon.

I have a good grill, at least one I really like and am not looking for a "grill" type pellet smoker. Traeger, Austin XL, those types. I'd like another vertical smoker, but my experience has been with propane. I'm actually thinking of another Masterbuilt just because they're cheap and worked for me but I'd like something bigger if possible. I like to cook ribs and the smoker I had topped out at about 6 racks of baby backs. I had to cut them in half to fit, so 12 half racks.

Anyway I would have to check on the gas grill every hour or so to make sure it wasn't spiking or dipping in temp. It was pretty consistent but I never felt like I could do a brisket overnight as there is zero chance I can stay up all night now sleep. But from what I hear a good pellet smoker will maintain temp so I can try the 16+ hour smokes. Sooo... Here I am

To be honest, as a guy reading the marketing material, the Pitt Boss 7-series looks awesome. So does the Platinum Brunswick they make. And so does that Louisiana Grill they make. But. I've seen a bunch of things that make me sketched out that they have a lot of known issues. Granted, most those post are a little older so maybe you guys can tell me their vertical smokers have been sorted and are good out of the box. I'm not a modder, just want it to work and I'll tweak how I use it to get the results I want. The Camp Chef looked good but they don't make it any more. Several others I've been looking at seem to be out of production. I also don't care much for the glass window but I guess that's seems to be something common and I will not say no because it has one, just that it's not important to me. I also think I need the water pan, I've seen smokers without, but always seems to do wonders.

I'm not married to a Pitt Boss, that just seems to be a good price I can swing ($600 or so). I like the Pellet Pro because I haven't heard any kind of issues, but at twice the price it's a bit pricey for me. I do plan to get a cover for this smoker so I hope it'll last more than a couple years but I guess if it's cheap enough (like a Masterbuilt) I can replace every few years. Since I live in Florida I smoke year round, no real issues with weather as a "cold spell" is 50-degrees and to be honest feels wonderful after months of 90+ degrees and 99% humidity. So, with the desire to keep prices "sub $1k", maybe even less, what do you recommend that is generally considered a reliable smoker in my price range? Need it big enough to do at least 6 racks of ribs, but more is better. I don't use the lay-on-their-side racks but I guess I could and get more but I'd really love if I could put a whole rack in there and not have to cut it in half.

Thanks for any tips!

My 590 will do 6 racks, maybe more. I haven't actually tried. I do know that I can do two turkeys in it.

As for tower smokers, your cheapest route is going to be a masterbuilt. I had one for years and then gave it to a friend and they still have it years later. For the money, the value is second to none, but I might have lucked out with the age of mine. Simplistically, it's a box with a cheap china burner on the bottom. Replacement parts are easy.

If you are looking for more bells and whistles, this is where the money comes into play. I'd look at Pit Boss, they are a great entry level smoker with more quality than most. My two cents of course.

For the water pan, any smoker can technically have a water pan. Water pans are absolutely best for regulating temperature... think of it as a warm version of a giant ice block in a cooler... so these are great for charcoal and stick cooks, not so much for pellet smokers. If you pour boiling water into a pan for a pellet smoker, you should get your humidity levels where you want them.

 

[jbinfla]

Thanks. I have a grill and don't want another "grill" out back. Plus the vertical smokers usually have a lot of space. Anyway, I'm glad to hear you mention PitBoss. I like their 7-series but the internet seems to be full of people who have had problems which scares me. But, I also am well aware most people that get something that just works don't say anything so you only hear the complainers. I would be willing to go above that amount if it were a good smoker. The Pellet Pro has me intrigued because it's what I want, pretty much exactly, and I hear nothing but good stuff. But, the price. Can I swing it? Sure, but I would like to stay under $1k.

The masterbuilt is my backup, I'd get another propane smoker and just be done with it. $200. But I'd like to mess with briskets and seems I might be able to get some shut eye at night with a quality pellet smoker whereas I'd never leave my gas grill unattended for more than an hour or two.

- Joe

 

[TuckersBarbeque]

Totally understand the grill, and I have yet to use my 590 for "grilling". Yes, it can get up to 400+ degrees, but at the cost of a whole lot of pellets for a very short cook? No thanks, propane is the most cost effective solution and the quickest. I don't have to wait 30 min to get my grill up to temp in the winter as I would a pellet smoker.

So the Pit Boss does have it's issues, like most entry levels do. You are right that the complainers are the loudest, but also look out for all the fixes people have. Whether that is some extra insulation in the right places, or a tweak of a valve there...

For exactly the reason you mentioned, I can leave my pellet alone. That is why I got it. Ever since Covid hit and I work from home now, I thought it was an awesome time to get more smoking in... but since I'm on calls all day, it's really hard to step away for 5 min, stoke some flame or adjust some vents and get back, and I can't be doing it in the background... enter the set it and forget it pellet cooker.

 

[Winterrider]

Something like this model and a $150 PID controller and you will have one of the better smokers out there. Overnight would not be a problem, and you would maintain consistent temps.
tallbm has walked many of us through the very simple rewire.
It would remain within your budget so you could spend more on meat

Let us know you're not a robot - Sam's Club

www.samsclub.com

 

[tallbm]

@

After 5 or 6 years this smoker is giving up the ghost. Given that I keep it outside, and don't cover it, I'm surprised it lasted this long. So, I'm wanting to get a new smoker soon.

I have a good grill, at least one I really like and am not looking for a "grill" type pellet smoker. Traeger, Austin XL, those types. I'd like another vertical smoker, but my experience has been with propane. I'm actually thinking of another Masterbuilt just because they're cheap and worked for me but I'd like something bigger if possible. I like to cook ribs and the smoker I had topped out at about 6 racks of baby backs. I had to cut them in half to fit, so 12 half racks.

Anyway I would have to check on the gas grill every hour or so to make sure it wasn't spiking or dipping in temp. It was pretty consistent but I never felt like I could do a brisket overnight as there is zero chance I can stay up all night now sleep. But from what I hear a good pellet smoker will maintain temp so I can try the 16+ hour smokes. Sooo... Here I am

To be honest, as a guy reading the marketing material, the Pitt Boss 7-series looks awesome. So does the Platinum Brunswick they make. And so does that Louisiana Grill they make. But. I've seen a bunch of things that make me sketched out that they have a lot of known issues. Granted, most those post are a little older so maybe you guys can tell me their vertical smokers have been sorted and are good out of the box. I'm not a modder, just want it to work and I'll tweak how I use it to get the results I want. The Camp Chef looked good but they don't make it any more. Several others I've been looking at seem to be out of production. I also don't care much for the glass window but I guess that's seems to be something common and I will not say no because it has one, just that it's not important to me. I also think I need the water pan, I've seen smokers without, but always seems to do wonders.

I'm not married to a Pitt Boss, that just seems to be a good price I can swing ($600 or so). I like the Pellet Pro because I haven't heard any kind of issues, but at twice the price it's a bit pricey for me. I do plan to get a cover for this smoker so I hope it'll last more than a couple years but I guess if it's cheap enough (like a Masterbuilt) I can replace every few years. Since I live in Florida I smoke year round, no real issues with weather as a "cold spell" is 50-degrees and to be honest feels wonderful after months of 90+ degrees and 99% humidity. So, with the desire to keep prices "sub $1k", maybe even less, what do you recommend that is generally considered a reliable smoker in my price range? Need it big enough to do at least 6 racks of ribs, but more is better. I don't use the lay-on-their-side racks but I guess I could and get more but I'd really love if I could put a whole rack in there and not have to cut it in half.

Thanks for any tips!

Hi there and welcome!

Winterrider brings up an alternative you may not have thought of. You could get something like a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker (MES). The 40 inch will allow you to do at least 4 full racks of spare ribs and possibly 6-8 racks of St. Louis or Babybacks. If you get a good rib rack you could do a ton of ribs in it like 4 per rack for 16 total.

Now for price. To me the best MES you can get is a used MES40 you get on Craigslist or Facebook and as long as the heating element works you are ok.
You take it to the car wash and wash it out sensibly.
Then you do the simple rewire (cut 4 wire ends and wire nut/splice to make 2 wires) and you buy a $150 Auber PID controller + the A-Maze-N Pellet Smoker (AMNPS) tray to produce perfect smoke from pellets for up to 12 hours.
This smoker then beats the CRAP out of any brand new electric smoker you could buy.

It will hold temp right on or within 1-3 degress of your set temp. You can truly set and forget for overnight sleeping while smoking briskets and pork butts (the only way I do those cuts).
You can now do bacon and sausage without risk of causing "fat-out" because you don't have swinging temps and you can tightly control your temps. The AMNPS generates perfect smoke from wood pellets from 1hr-12 hours and a bag of pellets lasts FOREVER!

The only limitation with this option is that it has a max operating temp is listed as 275F but you could push 295F for smokers that are under 4 hours no problem. At 301F the safety switch should kick in and cut power because it is a safety measure to not let it heat up that high. I swapped my safety switch for one that allows me to smoke at 325F for quick and hot poultry smokes to get the skin right but you don't have to be a rebel like me haha.

I find MES40 units in my area for like $40-50 on Craigslist a few times a year and tell my friends and family about them so they can do this :D

I hope this gives you some food for thought :)

 

[Kevin Braker]

Camp Chef makes the XXL and Masterbuilt has a charcoal Vert one. Already have the XXL, had i known, the MB would of gotten a close look.

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[mike243]

cost of fuel will never influence my cooking choices, pellets give way more flavor than gas but it takes a few minutes longer to get fired up

 

[jbinfla]

I always got good flavor with my gas, but I use chips in the pan (with foil covering) and would have billowing smoke the whole time. But I had to keep an eye on it and replenish the chips every couple hours. The lure of the pellet smoker to me is the set it and forget it. Since I always smoke low and slow (225-ish) smoke shouldn't be a problem, if I ever need to do chicken I'd probably smoke it and finish on the grill. I do my ribs that way sometimes.