New and having issues.....

[smokelady]

Hey, found this by doing a few searches and it kept popping up. We have an electric masterbuilt cookmaster (I think) and having trouble with it getting hot. i've had it on high all day and its only gotten to 300 maybe once. We are in the 60's here today. Its staying around 200-225....I do have water in the pan, I did read from some to maybe dump the water. it has no vents (that I have found) looks like a solid box just the drain hole at the bottom, water pot and the smoke fuel box. do have some wind but nothing to big.....do these just run cooler and not usually get very hot or do I need to get a new control box or element? Or am I doing something wrong.....

thanks!

 

[Fueling Around]

Welcome SMF
There are a lot of Masterbuilt users on the forum. I’m not one of them so cannot offer any firsthand advice
Good luck

 

[Redicans]

Welcome to a great forum. Never used your type of smoker but someone here should have some answers for you. If you get some info stick around for all the other incredible info this site and its members offer up!!!

 

[normanaj]

Is this the smoker you have?

 

[smokerjim]

Think I would ditch the water, do you have an independent thermometer your checking temps with.

 

[smokelady]

Is this the smoker you have?

yes

 

[smokelady]

Is this the smoker you have?

 

[smokelady]

Think I would ditch the water, do you have an independent thermometer your checking temps with.

no I do not

 

[BigW.]

I wouldn't trust the gauge in the door. How hot do you want to get? Smoking in the 225-275 range is fine for most things. I shoot for 275 for pulled pork and brisket. Will go higher for chicken wings to crisp up the skin.

 

[smokerjim]

no I do not

Ya might want to try a different thermometer, just to make sure of temp. Some of these factory thermometers can be off.

 

[zwiller]

A pit and meat thermometer are a MUST if you want good results. I used this one a long time and worked great and inexpensive. From here, get you a smoke tube or tray and ditch the water pan/ line with foil.

https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Wire...-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

 

[checkdude]

I have one also besides other. Smokers generally are used at lower temperatures as they are not designed for high temps.you can run it at 300 350 but not for long time. For anything past 300 I would just use a bbq. And also get decent temp probe. I know on my analog smoker the temps showing on smoker and extra one can be 30*f of. Good luck, you'll get better.

 

[normanaj]

I'm only familiar with Masterbuilt's digital smokers (aka MES) but that being said if the analog like you have is similar in it's temp range (275 top end) the problem you may be encountering is the safety limit switch which will shut down the smoker if it exceeds 275,once the smoker cools down enough the switch resets and the smoker will once again start heating until it exceeds 275 which may explain why your average temp is well below the temp you set.

A separate therm will certainly help verify if the built in therm is accurate.

Others more familiar with the analog will certainly chime in.