Masterbuilt ThermoTemp XL - model 20051316

[whatdyisit]

Masterbuilt ThermoTemp XL - model 20051316

Anyone know anything about this model? It comes up on Amazon's and Home Depot's site but that's really it. I have a gift card to Home Depot so was hoping to pick it up there but they aren't able to bring it locally to me for some reason. I like the single burner feature, seems like it would get ride of the lack of smoke from their 2 burner model. I also like the temp control idea, if it works.

The lack of info on this model is surprising. It's not even on Masterbuilt's site.

Anyone have anything on this guy? I'm ready to pick up a new smoker and this one looked interesting. Suggestions in this price range ($300-400) are also welcome.

Thermotemp1.jpg

• whatdyisit
• Jan 30, 2017

Thermotemp2.jpg

• whatdyisit
• Jan 30, 2017

 

[daveomak]

It's their new thermostatically controlled propane smoker....   I'm looking at it on TV on the pre bowl game show, in Dallas, on Fox and Friends..

 

[travisty]

Im interested in more info on this one too. It looks awesome!
Ive been wanting to get a propane smoker for a while, but I just hate to leave the easy of my electric smokers. This one seems to be advertising the best of both worlds. If anyone has worked with one of these yet let us know!

 

[kastur troi]

I recently purchased mine from Lowe's.. it's the not the XL version but is listed at 719 sq in. It is great so far, with no smoke leaking except for the dampener. Only have done one test smoke with 4 racks, cut down to the width of the door.

Some notes on the first smoke (I came from a 22" Smoky Mountain) :

1. Installation took 2 hours, but I was also going in and out of the house watching my kids

2. I had to fiddle with the temp control to get the gas to stay on. I am sure it is an installer error (me) but I had to resort to tape to keep the temp knob pushed down (and gas flowing)

3. I was smoking at 1 am and the temp was in the high 40s. Knob was at 275F to get to 225F internal temp (oven thermometer inside)

4. I had to increase the temp to get the wood chips to smoke but I assume that is expected

5. Added chips every hour. The chip pan is a little flimsy and sits on an even flimsier tray holder by the door. Looking to see if it can hold a cast iron pan next time

6. Somewhere during hour 4 of the smoke, the tape gave out and I lost my gas :(

Overall, okay for the first smoke. It would be more fun if it was warmer and I can work on the issues that came up. It's hard to assess things with the patio light in the dark.

Pros:

1. Nice heavy duty feel. And it has wheels!

2. No smoke leakage so far

3. I can fit enough meat for a small party of 6

Cons:

1. Doesn't take a full rack of ribs, so I am sure I will have to cut down my brisket to fit it

2. Racks seems flimsy

3. Temp knob. The only instruction was to insert it where OFF is aligned to the marker. It's pushed in all the way but still loses gas when you let it go. Knocking it as a con until I can go back to the store to see how they have it installed

 

[travisty]

Wow Kastur!

Thanks for the detailed information! I also have another MES that has the similar wheel base, and though the wheels are nice, they did take forever to get installed.

 

[travisty]

hey Kastur, Be sure to head over to the Roll Call page and introduce yourself. Lots of great people on here!

 

[travisty]

Are the sidewalls insulated like most masterbuilt smokers, or are they just metal?

 

[kastur troi]

Are the sidewalls insulated like most masterbuilt smokers, or are they just metal?

It's not insulated that much, but it is not just a sheet of metal though. I finally got to emailing Masterbuilt about my gas range issue and after checking my flame sensor, it was definitely my shoddy handy work that caused the flame to go out. I just didn't tighten the nut for the sensor tight enough.

I've completed a few more smokes on this thing... really like the hands free type of smoking. My only complaint is the size. I have to do a lot of trimming or planning to get ribs in... I was able to find a rib rack that was wide enough to sit flush in the smoker's rails but then I can now use only 2 racks. I wrote food for a small party of 6 and yes, that still is correct. Just no leftovers (not with the way I eat).

This unit is now my recipe testing smoker. I will still use my 22" double stacked WSM for the real job.

 

[ross95655]

I have this unit as well...it is my 2nd smoker - the first one being a CharBroil unit that had no thermostat to keep the temps consistent.

While it's not "insulated" like you may think, it is double-walled (a silver interior attached to the black exterior), so it holds heat pretty well.  No door insulation to force smoke out of the vent in the back...but it still smokes pretty good.

I'm not sure why the one poster said he needed to refill the wood every hour...I can run ribs (3-2-1 method) and I don't need to add wood.  The wood chip dish has a lid that is designed to keep the chips from burning instead of smoking...I know some people over-fill the chip dish so the lid won't fully close and that lets in air that helps burn the chips...so maybe he slightly overfilled the dish?  I know this unit practically sips wood as compared to my CharBroil that would suck up an entire bag just doing one day of ribs - this one uses about 1/3rd of the wood.

The thing the other poster talked about - holding the knob down...that is SUPPOSED to only be needed when you first light it...I think it kind of overrides the valve setting to put full flame out of the burners and warm the system up to sense the flame.  This unit automatically turns off the gas if it flames out...I THINK that's what you are warming up by holding the knob down...but that usually only takes maybe 30-45 seconds to do.

I find that using a digital thermometer, the unit runs about 25-50 degrees colder than the knob (at least mine does)...yours may vary.

Personally even though it's small, I love this little unit.  Yes, you have to cut your rib racks in half, but if you get two of the vertical holders, you can do about 5 racks at a time in this unit.  

 

[kastur troi]

I added chips every hour for the first 3-4 hours since they were basically burnt and no longer producing any smoke. I want to eat smoked ribs, not baked ribs.

My last post updated my initial review... my copper sensor was not fully inserted into the probe and was not fully engaged with the dial. Once I reinserted it and screwed it back on, it only takes 5 seconds of holding the knob to keep the fire going.

All in all, this is the 4th smoker on my totem pole. Basically a warmer or when I am too lazy to buy charcoal and wood.

 

[chmodx]

I just bought this smoker, having an issue like above where the flame goes out unless I hold the knob down.

Even if I try waiting 30 seconds of flame time it goes out.

I've verified my sensor wire is pushed all the way in and the nut is tight. Is there a specific height the sensor should be at the burner as well?

This is my first Masterbuilt and I'm really frustrated, any suggestions? I emailed masterbuilt buy it's the weekend so I'm hoping for a solution in the meantime.

 

[chmodx]

I typed a reply before but apparently it didn't post.

I just bought this smoker and the burner won't stay lit unless I press the knob in. I made sure the flame sensor was pushed all the way in and the nut is tight.

Pretty frustrated and disappointed, any suggestions as to what to do? I'm pushing the knob for at least 5 seconds when igniting too.

 

[kastur troi]

I would disassemble the flame sensor and reinsert it because that's what I was experiencing too. If not, email Masterbuilt and explain what is going on. That's where I got my help from. They are pretty quick with responding.

 

[chmodx]

0812171749.jpg

• chmodx
• Aug 12, 2017

I just pulled mine out, does yours also have this flat area on it? I'm wondering if it's a crimp that isn't supposed to be there.

 

[chmodx]

I drove out to Lowes and looked at theirs. It is supposed to be flat in that spot. Oddly their display had the flame sensor copper line detached.

Either way I've fired off an email for help to masterbuilt, hopefully they can help.

 

[ross95655]

On have the smaller unit and it has the same ignition burner system. I have to push my knob in for between 15 and 30 seconds depending on how cold it is. I find keeping the top door closed lowers the time. I think maybe the temp sensor needs to detect heat and feed that back to the valve...so 5 seconds may not be long enough in cooler or breezy conditions.

 

[chmodx]

How tight did you make the nut around the flame sensor when you connected it?

I made it firm but not too firm since it's brass. I have tried pushing the knob for several minutes with no success. Even got wood to smoke holding it so long just to see what kind of air leaks the unit had in the meantime.

 

[kastur troi]

Mine is finger tight. Maybe try it tighter?

 

[chmodx]

I sent an initial email to masterbuilt over the weekend, got no response. Called on Tuesday, even though I mentioned I had athermotemp xl, rep really did not help at all unless I had the exact model and serial number(I wasn't at home).

I got it to stay on for a few moments today but then it cut out and won't work anymore. I've sent a second email at this point but I am getting the feeling masterbuilt is not going to help me.

I'm wondering if I have a $350 piece of crap on my deck now.

 

[kastur troi]

Mine sat unused for two months before I tipped the smoker on its back and reconnected the flame sensor wire and it worked. I felt really dumb afterwards, to be honest. Here is the response I got (later that day!)

Thank you for contacting Masterbuilt Customer Support. Based on the information provided, it sounds like the flame sensor wire (copper tube) is not fully tightened to the valve. Please see page 27 in the manual and verify it is assembled correctly. After doing this, if you are still encountering the same issue, please call us directly at 800.489.1581 so we can troubleshoot for further corrective actions.