New guy with lots to learn and my smoker just quit with a pork loin rubbed and ready

[okanagan]

You have already taught me some good stuff as I cruised around looking for help. I bought a Masterbuilt Sportsman Elite a couple of years ago mainly to smoke salmon, which we have handy here in Southern British Columbia, Canada. Have also smoked quite a bit of venison jerky and branched into pork ribs etc. this summer.

An hour ago I went out to start pre-heating and the smoker shuts itself off before heat or time can be set. The first try it stays on 15-20 seconds and after that it merely flashes a blink and clicks, does not come on. From searching this forum I discovered that is apparently a fairly common problem. Hope there is a common fix. I have liked the unit and really enjoyed smoking and cooking meat with it. Am disappointed. Too late on East Coast time to phone Masterbuilt. Pork loin back in the fridge for now.

Retired, enjoying grandkids, hunting and fishing, picking wild berries, cooking pies and grilling good meat.

 

[submariner]

Welcome to the Forum and I hope you get your smoker issue figured out.

 

[tropics]

 
You have already taught me some good stuff as I cruised around looking for help. I bought a Masterbuilt Sportsman Elite a couple of years ago mainly to smoke salmon, which we have handy here in Southern British Columbia, Canada. Have also smoked quite a bit of venison jerky and branched into pork ribs etc. this summer.

An hour ago I went out to start pre-heating and the smoker shuts itself off before heat or time can be set. The first try it stays on 15-20 seconds and after that it merely flashes a blink and clicks, does not come on. From searching this forum I discovered that is apparently a fairly common problem. Hope there is a common fix. I have liked the unit and really enjoyed smoking and cooking meat with it. Am disappointed. Too late on East Coast time to phone Masterbuilt. Pork loin back in the fridge for now.

Retired, enjoying grandkids, hunting and fishing, picking wild berries, cooking pies and grilling good meat.

Sorry to see no one responded yesterday. You may as well cook it in the oven it will take time for you to get the parts needed

Welcome to SMF

Richie

 

[SmokinAl]

I moved this to the electric smoker section, so maybe you will get some help there.

Al

 

[stephan28]

Everything I've seen so far indicates that you have a controller on the fritz. I got a new 40" for Fathers Day and it does the same thing. I never even got to season it. Mine turns off randomly between the time when I turn it on to the time I try entering a cook time. I can never even get it to start warming up. Masterbuilt is sending me some replacement parts. My model # is 20070311.

I'm not really sure which model # you have. If you look on the data plate it should give a model number that might help someone chime in. Right now probably your best bet is to call Masterbuilt's customer service number and talk to them. They can help determine what may be faulty.

 

[okanagan]

Thanks for the info.  There is an old thread on this topic of shutting itself off and I posted more direct info there.  My model number is 20071914.  Meanwhile I have phoned Masterbuilt and ordered a replacement control panel.  Great gal on the phone, unusually helpful in my customer service experience. She told me that humidity and moisture is the problem, and that even though mine is under eaves plus has a waterproof cover, it still is subject to moisture.   She recommended that I remove the control panel (two screws and two plug-ins) and take it inside the house when not in use, not just to an unheated garage.  I really like my Sportsman Elite and love the smoked meat it produces.  You'd think Masterbuilt would make a more robust and moisture/humidity proof control unit since most smokers are used outside on a deck, porch etc. 

 

[dr k]

 
Thanks for the info.  There is an old thread on this topic of shutting itself off and I posted more direct info there.  My model number is 20071914.  Meanwhile I have phoned Masterbuilt and ordered a replacement control panel.  Great gal on the phone, unusually helpful in my customer service experience. She told me that humidity and moisture is the problem, and that even though mine is under eaves plus has a waterproof cover, it still is subject to moisture.   She recommended that I remove the control panel (two screws and two plug-ins) and take it inside the house when not in use, not just to an unheated garage.  I really like my Sportsman Elite and love the smoked meat it produces.  You'd think Masterbuilt would make a more robust and moisture/humidity proof control unit since most smokers are used outside on a deck, porch etc. 

Wow!  That is extremely disturbing.  Gen 2 and 2.5 that come with controllers installed in the front are more substantial than the Gen 1's that the owner installs!?  The CSR clearly hasn't assembled a Gen 1 and is now recommending additional steps to use the gen 1 and is giving us a chore!?  The Gen 1 controller with that PITA set screw on the bottom takes the most time in the assembly process.  Once it's on, that's where it's staying.  I look forward to the next syllable from the all powerful MB CSR with great anticipation.  Let see.  Could it be, "only take your smoker out of your house when you intend to use it?" If it was intended to be a plug/unplug and play controller, it would be in the instructions.  I hope I don't appear to be too bitter but all MB CSR's need to stick to the same script. 

-Kurt

 

[okanagan]

Good news, or at least interesting news.  I got the old defective controller to work.

Mine is a Gen I Sportsman Elite, with controller unit on top of the smoker at the back:   two screws and two electrical plug ins.  I took it off of the smoker and took the controller panel inside our house.  I put it out of the way on our kitchen counter and left it for three (or four?) days.  Today I put it back on and it worked as new.  I powered up the smoker and smoked a venison roast for 2 1/2 hours.  Primo.

I already have a new controller on the way for which I have paid Masterbuilt.  I think I will keep the new one and have an extra.

My controller would shut off before I could set time or temp, and then would simply click if I tried again.  The solution was to take the controller unit in the house for a few days.  Apparently that dries off the humidity that has built up inside the unit and is causing the short out and shut off. 

 

[dr k]

Good news, or at least interesting news.  I got the old defective controller to work.

Mine is a Gen I Sportsman Elite, with controller unit on top of the smoker at the back:   two screws and two electrical plug ins.  I took it off of the smoker and took the controller panel inside our house.  I put it out of the way on our kitchen counter and left it for three (or four?) days.  Today I put it back on and it worked as new.  I powered up the smoker and smoked a venison roast for 2 1/2 hours.  Primo.

I already have a new controller on the way for which I have paid Masterbuilt.  I think I will keep the new one and have an extra.

My controller would shut off before I could set time or temp, and then would simply click if I tried again.  The solution was to take the controller unit in the house for a few days.  Apparently that dries off the humidity that has built up inside the unit and is causing the short out and shut off. 

That's good to know. If the connectors to the controller are substantial enough to plug and unplug every smoke, then I may bring it in everytime and just hand tighten the screws when smoking for a no tools needed set up like people with a PID.
-Kurt

 

[okanagan]

That's good to know. If the connectors to the controller are substantial enough to plug and unplug every smoke, then I may bring it in everytime and just hand tighten the screws when smoking for a no tools needed set up like people with a PID.
-Kurt

Kurt, the connectors are a pain to unplug and require so much force and grip on the tiny latches that I have to take care not to suddenly jerk a wire loose.  I am tempted to grind/cut off the little locking lugs since I am going to disconnect it each time.  Far from ideal but so far it has worked.  We don't live in a particularly humid climate say compared to New Orleans, but it rains here a LOT.

Mixed feelings.  I LOVE smoking stuff that is soooo good to eat, and this thing is fun... as long as it works.