Thinking of jumping into the world of smoking....

[debz114]

Hi all,

I've been tempted to buy an electric smoke for at least a year (specifically the Masterbuilt Smokehouse 3 rack electric smoker from QVC), the problem is that the only people I know who own smokers, have the charcoal ones and claim that the electric ones are no good.  I know nothing about lighting or cooking with charcoal and quite frankly, I'm not committed enough to smoked meats to tend to the smoker for hours on end (especially if those hours are in the dead of night or in the wee hours of the morning which seams to be when all my smoker friends do their smoking).  So my first question is, does anyone know if the Masterbuilt electric smokers are any good?  And do you still have to tend to the electric smokers or are they more of a set it and forget it deal?  Secondly, those same people also told me that you really can't smoke just a single chicken or brisket, etc. but that you have to fill the smoker with various meats for it to really turn out good.  Is this true?  Being part of a family of 4 with limited freezer space, I don't actually know that I want to be doing 20+ pounds of meat at a time.  Can anyone help?

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Thanks!

Deb

 

[whistlepig]

Hi all,

I've been tempted to buy an electric smoke for at least a year (specifically the Masterbuilt Smokehouse 3 rack electric smoker from QVC), the problem is that the only people I know who own smokers, have the charcoal ones and claim that the electric ones are no good.  I know nothing about lighting or cooking with charcoal and quite frankly, I'm not committed enough to smoked meats to tend to the smoker for hours on end (especially if those hours are in the dead of night or in the wee hours of the morning which seams to be when all my smoker friends do their smoking).  So my first question is, does anyone know if the Masterbuilt electric smokers are any good? My MES 30 is a year old and I haven't had any problems with it.   And do you still have to tend to the electric smokers or are they more of a set it and forget it deal? The chip hopper has to be filled every thirty minutes or so. As far as temps go mine is pretty much set it and forget it. I do use a remote thermometer to monitor the meat temps.  Secondly, those same people also told me that you really can't smoke just a single chicken or brisket, etc. but that you have to fill the smoker with various meats for it to really turn out good.  Is this true? Not with my smoker.   Being part of a family of 4 with limited freezer space, I don't actually know that I want to be doing 20+ pounds of meat at a time.  Can anyone help? 

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Thanks!

Deb

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Hi all,

I've been tempted to buy an electric smoke for at least a year (specifically the Masterbuilt Smokehouse 3 rack electric smoker from QVC), the problem is that the only people I know who own smokers, have the charcoal ones and claim that the electric ones are no good.  I know nothing about lighting or cooking with charcoal and quite frankly, I'm not committed enough to smoked meats to tend to the smoker for hours on end (especially if those hours are in the dead of night or in the wee hours of the morning which seams to be when all my smoker friends do their smoking).  So my first question is, does anyone know if the Masterbuilt electric smokers are any good?  And do you still have to tend to the electric smokers or are they more of a set it and forget it deal?  Secondly, those same people also told me that you really can't smoke just a single chicken or brisket, etc. but that you have to fill the smoker with various meats for it to really turn out good.  Is this true?  Being part of a family of 4 with limited freezer space, I don't actually know that I want to be doing 20+ pounds of meat at a time.  Can anyone help?

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Thanks!

Deb

Welcome to the SMF

Masterbuilts are good. I dont use one anymore i use Bradleys.

1. Yes the MES will serve you well. Yes you will need to watch your smoker as no smoker is a Ron Popeil set it and forget it item.

2. The folks who have talked to you dont know much about smoking, you can smoke just 1 of anything and do not need the smoker loaded fully..

Hope this answered your questions.

 

[debz114]

Thank you so much!  I suspected that they didn't know what they were talking about, I'm just so glad I found this forum to get real info from people who actually know about smoking.

 

[s2k9k]

I don't have an MES but I read a lot about them on here and they are a very well liked smoker.

I see this is your first post here, when you get a minute would you do us a favor and go to Roll Call and introduce yourself so we can get to know you and give you a proper welcome, also would you add your location to your profile, we like knowing where you are when we talk to you, Thanks!

 

[redheelerdog]

I have an MES 30 and I love it.

With my MES I have done with great success:

• Pork Butt - Pulled Pork
• Bacon

• Beef Brisket

• Beef Pastrami

• Baby Back Ribs

• Whole Chicken

• Summer Sausage, Kielbasa, etc

• Slim Jim Snack Sticks
• etc...

I did have to work on the element wiring once (it got hot and melted on side of the connection)

There are a ton of people that use an MES here.

Have fun!