The Aldis Range Master electric smoker

[steves8860]

I have limited space and wanted to get into using an electric smoker. I went with the Aldis one mainly just to get something inexpensive.

So I have it and used it once agter seasoning it. Seems to meet my needs. Curious of others experiences, ideas, improvements etc.

I figured I can always throw in a pellet tube if it doesn't smoke well. And I ordered things to hopefully make the temperature control better than an analog normally would do.

 

[olaf]

As you can see not much experience with these on this site although I have seen them discussed here before. The cost of any mods can definitely bring the price up so it may not be that great deal. Good smoke can be hard to achieve but it's the most important. Are you getting enough smoke?

 

[steves8860]

As you can see not much experience with these on this site although I have seen them discussed here before. The cost of any mods can definitely bring the price up so it may not be that great deal. Good smoke can be hard to achieve but it's the most important. Are you getting enough smoke?

Yes. Actually a bit surprised.
After seasoning it Ive used it once last week for about 4 hours on some rib tips.
As a backup I have a pellet tube that I use on a grill. Didn't have to use it.

Ordered a temperature controller that can handle 30 amps. Will try setting that up soon.

Compared to my portable propane one its huge. 2xs cook area. Of coarse takes longer to heat up than propane. I really don't have anything to compare it to. Figured for the price it was worth trying. Hopefully I get some use out of it with decent results and Ill learn something by the time I would want to upgrade.

 

[steves8860]

I have limited space and wanted to get into using an electric smoker. I went with the Aldis one mainly just to get something inexpensive.

So I have it and used it once agter seasoning it. Seems to meet my needs. Curious of others experiences, ideas, improvements etc.

I figured I can always throw in a pellet tube if it doesn't smoke well. And I ordered things to hopefully make the temperature control better than an analog normally would do.

Update
This looks like this no longer available Dyna-Glo but has a glass door.


After experimenting with different methods of getting smoke, I have a picture of what seems to work. I took out the bottom grate and set the water pan where it would normally be (i don't fill it. I just read that you shouldn't remove it probably so the element is heating something?).

I took a smoker box and set it on the element.
This seems to work at 225 degrees even. I've only done very short smokes where I had no need of adding chips. If i were to i would just swap another box in. That's the reason I removed the grate (to make a quick exchange would be quick). So I lose the convenience of the chip door.

In the future I may do a mailbox modification. But at this time I have it going well enough.

I can use the grate to fill in the extra slot I have and put drip pans on it.

I have some lava lock sealer coming and I put together a way to control the temp.

Overall I have been satisfied with this. I'm a newbie and have had to learn some things.

I appreciate this forum and thought this may be helpful for someone.