89 of 91 people found the following review helpful:
Great for novice and experienced
The Masterbuilt smoker is a wonderful product for the price. Whether you're new to smoking, or an experienced smoker who wants a less hands on, labor intensive smoke, this is simply the best you can get for the $$.
Pros:
1. Digital thermometer: If you've smoked much, you know keeping the smoker at the right temperature is often what takes the most...
33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
Fine until it breaks
This is a good product...until it breaks. My heating element went out so I thought it would be simple to get a replacement. I was wrong. The sympathetic people in Customer Support told me the heating element cannot be replaced. The entire unit except for the racks and electronic control had to be replaced. They said they could not quote me a cost since they had no...
This review is from: Masterbuilt 20070106/20070910 30-Inch Electric Smokehouse Smoker, Black (Lawn & Patio)
The Masterbuilt smoker is a wonderful product for the price. Whether you're new to smoking, or an experienced smoker who wants a less hands on, labor intensive smoke, this is simply the best you can get for the $$.
Pros:
1. Digital thermometer: If you've smoked much, you know keeping the smoker at the right temperature is often what takes the most attention. As an electric smoker with a built in thermometer, you can set your preferred temperature and then just focus on keeping the woodtray filled, the contents mopped, and you're good to go. (You will still want to use a digital thermometer on the meats themselves to check their internal temperatures, but that's a different matter.)
2. Well insulated: Unlike a traditional side smoker, bullet or most other form factors, the masterbuilt is nicely chunky and really doesn't care overly what the outside temperature is at (within reason)
3. Capacity: Four racks (though with chickens, big roasts, shoulders and ribs you may only end up using two at a time. Still, I've loaded it up 30+lbs of meat at a time which for a product that often drops under $200 when on sale, is not bad at all.
4. Economy: It runs on electricity and with small amounts of wood relatively speaking. Rather than going through large amounts of wood and charcoal, you have a much more affordable smoke, which if you want to smoke regularly (or smoke small batches) is great.
5. Customer Support: You'll find repeated reviews of this online, but Masterbuilt's customer support is second to none. Its hard to find companies that stand behind their products the way Masterbuilt does. If something is defective, they will fix it with little to no questions asked.
So why don't I give it a 5 stars?
1. Size: Masterbuilt has a 40" version, but it is very hard to find. Really, if they made the 40" the standard, that extra little bit of space would allow you to use all four racks more often even with larger cuts.
2. Temperature Range: The Masterbuilt only goes up to 275. This is excellent for red meats which will often cook between 220 and 250 and fish, but not as good for poultry, where you want it up to 350 to get the fat in the skin to render (and avoid chewy skin).
3. Power: The Masterbuilt's electric heater sometimes doesn't seem to have quite enough oomph if you really load it with meat. I've had a hard time keeping the temp up when its full. There are people online who add their own heating elements to help boost it.
4. Needs direct plug: Masterbuilt requires you plug directly into an outlet. So, given the relatively short electrical cable that means you need to install an outdoors outlet if you believe them. I did use it fine with an industrial extension cord, but talking to their customer support, they felt it might be a reason for problem #3 above.
So, what do you have? A great form factor for a smoker, with good capacity, that maintains a set temperature, with multiple racks for different products, and that gives a consistently result. On the other hand, they have a slightly larger product that is only distributed much more limitedly, and they have odd limitations on the product based on max temp and wattage to the heating element. Given the price difference between the Masterbuilt and its nearest competitors, perhaps these limitations are forgivable. I still regularly recommend it to friends, and have many, including some who run a couple of well respected restaurants loving the products that come out.
Things I'd love to see from Masterbuilt as aftermarket products or even just upgrades:
1. External smoke box that attaches to the wood feed hole, so that you can do cold smokes for sausages, cheeses and salmon and other products.
2. A higher wattage heating element that can be swapped out for the standard one.
3. A higher max temperature so I don't need to take the chickens and game hens out 30 minutes before done and toss them in the oven to crisp the skins.
Regardless, to come full circle. If you want to dabble in smoking and are intimidated (which is easy), this is a perfect smoker to make things easy. And if you are experienced in smoking and just want to have either a more affordable smoke so you can do it more often, or a less labor intensive one, once in a while, this is the perfect supplement to your existing set up.
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This review is from: Masterbuilt 20070106/20070910 30-Inch Electric Smokehouse Smoker, Black (Lawn & Patio)
Hello Folks,
I read all the product reviews and agree that this is one great smoker, no need for me to post, the subject is well documented.
However I would like to comment on the customer service I encountered when I had a problem with my unit. I use my MES often, and long smokes 12-14 hrs. are common. A couple of weeks ago I had a problem with my heating system. This smoker is almost 2 years old and well beyond warranty, my thinking was to contact Masterbuilt and see if they would give me a good price on the parts I need for the repair. Well as it turned out Masterbuilt is replacing my smoker with a new one.
In these times when customer service is usually an outsourced formality it's reassuring to do business with a company still takes care of the customers.
I recommend Masterbuilt without reservation.
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This review is from: Masterbuilt 20070106/20070910 30-Inch Electric Smokehouse Smoker, Black (Lawn & Patio)
This is a good product...until it breaks. My heating element went out so I thought it would be simple to get a replacement. I was wrong. The sympathetic people in Customer Support told me the heating element cannot be replaced. The entire unit except for the racks and electronic control had to be replaced. They said they could not quote me a cost since they had no replacement units in stock but hoped to get some in stock "in a few months". So if you buy this product expect to throw it away in a year or so!
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This review is from: Masterbuilt 20070106/20070910 30-Inch Electric Smokehouse Smoker, Black (Lawn & Patio)
A friend of mine has a Masterbuilt smoker that looks very similar to this one and it works very well. His experience, along with everything I've read is very positive for all Masterbuilt smokers, with the notable exception of heating element replacement. Given that, my decision on which model to purchase will be based on whether the heating element can be replaced without replacing a large segment of the smoker.
From my research it seems the heating element is the one part that's most likely to fail, so you'd expect them to be replaceable. After reading in these Amazon reviews that the heating element of this model may not be replaceable, I swapped e-mail with a Masterbuilt rep and here's what I found.
The rep claimed the heating element can be replaced on all of their smokers, although some require a new body assembly - and replacement parts are no longer made or stocked for some of their older models. All of the electric smokers sold on their website allow for replacement of just the heating element. The heating element of this model (#20070106) requires a new body. (sixty bucks plus s&h)
The rep made it clear that model #20070910 is their newest 'standard' 30" electric smoker, and it does allow for easy replacement of just the heating element. It's hard to find on their website, so just search the web for the model #.
The rep also told me there's no way to know when a particular smoker, and thus replacement parts, will be phased out. She said some of their models have been sold for over five years, implying that's a long time.
The following models were mentioned in our correspondence.
30" Electric Smokers
====================
> Model #20070106; sold here on Amazon.
For heating element replacement, you must replace the entire body - and the customer can do this. The cost for the new body is $60.00 plus shipping and handling.
> Model #20070110; smoker with window and meat probe
The heating element alone can be replaced by the customer.
> Model #20070910; standard 30" edition
The heating element alone can be replaced by the customer.
40" Electric Smokers
====================
> Model #20070710; smoker with window and meat probe
The heating element alone can be replaced by the customer.
The rep I corresponded with was very helpful, and I still plan on purchasing a Masterbuilt smoker - just not this one.
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This review is from: Masterbuilt 20070106/20070910 30-Inch Electric Smokehouse Smoker, Black (Lawn & Patio)
March 2010 UPDATE: I am SO VERY glad Amazon allows for editing and changing reviews. After having this thing for just over a year, it has quit working. Research has led me to find out they have VERY poorly made wiring which results in shorting out. Mine was difficult to get started this morning, then it went out completely. It gets power but the heating element is kaput, probably due to wiring issues. Masterbuilt will do NOTHING about this!!!! I am surprised we haven't heard of this thing setting houses on fire from being too close during use. This was a GREAT product when it worked, and was used less than 20 times over the past year since it was new. I humbly apologize for my initial glowing review. This is a BAD product.
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This review is from: Masterbuilt 20070106/20070910 30-Inch Electric Smokehouse Smoker, Black (Lawn & Patio)
The Masterbuilt 30" smoker is a nice little unit that is easy to use and does a good job but there are flaws.
First is the wiring and connectors have issues. Most of the reviews you see where the heating element went out was not a burnt out element but a cheap slip on connector that caused arcing and burned out the wire. They should really put screws on the back of this unit because you will have to drill out the rivets at some point and take the back off to fix it. All it takes is new wires with better connectors to fix this problem. Less than $10. Depending on which wire burns out could make the difference between a dead smoker and a live wire so be careful and unplug it if it quits heating.
Because the heating element is in the back right corner it creates a hot spot in that corner. Unless you want to constantly rotate your food a simple baffle or heat shield can be fashioned to diffuse the heat and correct this problem.
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This review is from: Masterbuilt 20070106/20070910 30-Inch Electric Smokehouse Smoker, Black (Lawn & Patio)
I studied electric smokers on quite a few websites for days and found that this smoker had the best reviews. So, I went for it and am so glad I did. I've never smoked before but everything that I've smoked turned out absolutely delicious. When I bought it, my husband was very skeptical that I'd use it very often or that the smoked meat would be so much better than making it on the grill. I smoked pork ribs first, and after one bite he said not to make it any other way from now on. I smoked a turkey next for Thanksgiving and everybody raved. I couldn't believe how moist and tender it was and even leftovers stayed moist!
PROS:
1. VERY easy to use
2. Digital temperature control is great! It keeps consistent temp--
even on really cold days!
3. Don't have to open door to add more wood chips
4. Plenty of shelves so you can smoke a lot at one time or
remove 2 trays to smoke 2 large turkeys or hams
5. Shelving is made so that you can smoke even small items on
them and they won't fall thru
CONS:
Wish the unit had wheels on it, so I could wheel it in and out of garage when I want to use it. BUT, unit is extremely light so it's not something that would keep me from buying it.
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This review is from: Masterbuilt 20070106/20070910 30-Inch Electric Smokehouse Smoker, Black (Lawn & Patio)
I purchased this version of the smoker a few months ago and have been very pleased with the results.
The smoker holds the temperature well, can still get to 225 degrees in cold weather - it had no problem when it was 35 degrees outside -, and the thermostat is right-on. The electronic timer and temperature control are wonderful to have built in and work well. The wood lasts quite a while. I've been able to let it go and not have to replace the wood chips but once every two hours or more in many cases. The side chute to replace the chips is great... you do not have to open the smoker to replace the chips. It's easy and a great idea.
The only problem that I did have was that the latch on the side broke slightly. One of the rivets popped out, and while still usable, I just have to be careful when closing the smoker as to not pop the latch out again. So, if you purchase one, just go easy on the latch. Other than that, this is an excellent value, and a great smoker to have whether you're a beginner, or have done smoking before and just want the convenience of electric.
I would have rated this 5-stars if it wasn't for the latch. I wish I could give it 4 1/2 stars, but I will settle for 4. You will not be dissapointed, especially at such a low price for a great first or second smoker.
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This review is from: Masterbuilt 20070106/20070910 30-Inch Electric Smokehouse Smoker, Black (Lawn & Patio)
I've had this smoker for about 8 months now. I knew I wanted to smoke meats, but couldn't make a vertical water smoker work for me. Well, this little beauty solved that. My pulled pork, ribs and brisket are now family and neighborhood favorites.
What I love about it:
So easy.
I work a lot. I play a lot. And yet I can make great BBQ. Once you set the temp and load it with meat and wood chips, you can go on about your day. Very common for me to throw in a couple pork butts at 220 degrees, go play a round of golf, wash the car, and return to find perfectly-cooked meat. No more babysitting!
The chip loader.
I purchase the small chips of hickory and pecan wood from a local hardware store, and this unit gets a lot of smoke out of little wood. It's so nice not to have to open the unit to add wood chips. Simply use the "side door".
Great smoke.
I get a better smoke ring on my meats in this smoker than my old one. With less wood.
Moisture built in.
I no longer have to baste during cooking. The water pan, situated above the heating element and below the cooking racks, keeps the meat moist but does not interfere with the smoking process. I keep the vent on the top wide open, which also seems to help.
Cook when it's cold!
I live in Nebraska, and it gets brutally cold here. I ran the smoker when it was 13 degrees outside. I set the unit at 235, and it maintained 222. That, to me, was very impressive.
What I don't like about the smoker:
The door seal.
My door seal does not seem to fit or seal perfectly. There is an adjustable latch, and that helps, but the seal does not always remain perfectly tight. Sometimes some water/grease will drip out the bottom of the door. Just a couple ounces. But still...
All in all, I'd give this a 4.5. It's great for beginners and moderate-level users. Probably not for BBQ Champions, but great for everyone else.
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This review is from: Masterbuilt 20070106/20070910 30-Inch Electric Smokehouse Smoker, Black (Lawn & Patio)
I just received my smoker from Amazon. I ordered it in spite of reviews that were negative due to heating element failure. I'm very pleased to report that Masterbuilt has addressed this issue with an updated model which has a user replaceable heating unit that is in stock through customer service at Masterbuilt. While I have only gone through the 3 hr burn in, it performed as it was supposed to. As almost all the reviewers gave the unit high praise except for the element and latch, I expect to have a great smoker. They may have upgraded the latch as well since mine seems quite adequate. I have owned two Masterbuilt grills and would give them an unqualified recommendation. As with any mass produced product made anywhere there have been flaws. Masterbuilt customer service is as good as any I've known and has immediately replaced defective parts even once when it was out of warranty. Smoke away.
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