Total beginner needs advice

[mnguy62]

Hello all! I'm turning 73 and just getting into this smoking thing. Have done a little last summer with a charcoal water smoker. Then bought a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.
Worked most of last summer and then it seems the temperature control ceased working properly. Contacted Masterbuilt and got an email back with a Case #. Said they would contact me within 3 days. Been 10 days and no response. Looking at getting a different unit. Considering the
Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker, 1000 Square Inch
Could anyone give me an opinion on this unit? Any other suggestions certainly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any time spent in response. Sincerely appreciated.
Stay safe and healthy. May the smoke be with you!
Steve

 

[BigW.]

If the MES is under warranty still I would continue to bug them until fixed. What do you usually like to cook. What did you like about MES, not like. That may help in a recommendation for another smoker. I wonder if a pellet smoker may be a better fit. Still easy to use with little babysitting needed, but can go to a higher temp. Welcome to the site!

 

[mnguy62]

If the MES is under warranty still I would continue to bug them until fixed. What do you usually like to cook. What did you like about MES, not like. That may help in a recommendation for another smoker. I wonder if a pellet smoker may be a better fit. Still easy to use with little babysitting needed, but can go to a higher temp. Welcome to the site!

I smoke a variety of things including Salmon, Pork and Beef Ribs. Vegetables sweetcorn, tomatos etc. I like the option of setting the time and temperature and not having to check often. Gives me more time to play with the little grandkids. With a pellet smoker I assume you have to buy pellets rather then just regular wood chips? Thanks again for any time spent in response. It is sincerely appreciated.
Steve

 

[oldsmokerdude]

I would agree with BigW: keep bugging Masterbuilt until you get a response. Even if no longer under warranty, replacements parts would likely be significantly cheaper than a new smoker. That said, sometimes you just need an excuse to buy new toys, and in the $350 price range the Charbroil makes a fine smoker.

 

[smokerjim]

definitely keep on masterbuilt but if not and your a little bit handy check into a pid controller you can install on your mes, search tallbm post on pid instillation , may save you some money. just a thought.

 

[BigW.]

With a pellet smoker I assume you have to buy pellets rather then just regular wood chips?

Correct. Pellets come in several flavors. Grill temps are usually in the 150-400* range with some going higher. They are equally easy as far as supervision goes. Spend time with grand kids, not babysitting smoker.

 

[tallbm]

Hello all! I'm turning 73 and just getting into this smoking thing. Have done a little last summer with a charcoal water smoker. Then bought a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.
Worked most of last summer and then it seems the temperature control ceased working properly. Contacted Masterbuilt and got an email back with a Case #. Said they would contact me within 3 days. Been 10 days and no response. Looking at getting a different unit. Considering the
Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker, 1000 Square Inch
Could anyone give me an opinion on this unit? Any other suggestions certainly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any time spent in response. Sincerely appreciated.
Stay safe and healthy. May the smoke be with you!
Steve

Hi there and welcome!

It's a shame that your MES has crapped out on ya. Honestly the best MES unit is one where you do a simple rewire to bypass the controller then buy and use an Auber PID controller.
If these does not seem like something you want to do I understand. If Masterbuilt messes you around, you are in the Dallas, TX area, and want someone to dispose of that non-working MES let me know I'll take it off your hands :D

If you want a no hassle set and forget smoker and the money is not an issue then the Smokin-It 3D would be one to look into. It's electric, with a PID controller, and I believe it is already setup to burn pellets for smoke generation, not heat generation. Also no one ever complains about Smokin-IT smokers messing up or failing to do what they want so the track record seems really good.

I hope this info helps!