Masterbuilt MB20077618 Analog Electric Smoker with 2 Smoking Racks, 30 inch, Black review and price compare 2025
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you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
Product overview
Brand
Masterbuilt
Model Name
Analog Electric Smoker
Power Source
Manual
Color
Black
Item Weight
28 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH
20.67 x 21.26 x 39.41 inches
Fuel Type
Electric, Charcoal
product features
This fits your .
by entering your model number.
354 sq in of smoking space to feed family and friends
Thermostat temperature control for even, consistent smoking
Removable wood chip tray
Two chrome-coated smoking racks
1, 800-watt heating element for even, consistent smoking
From the manufacturer
PRODUCT FEATURES
2 CHROME COATED SMOKING RACKS
VARIABLE TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Easy dial temperature control
ADD EXTRA FLAVOR
Wood chip tray plus water bowl to add moisture and flavor
product description
Style:Analog Electric Smoker
With the Masterbuilt Analog Electric Smoker, you’ll achieve competition-ready results in your own backyard, without the hassle of charcoal or propane. Simply plug this smoker in, set the analog controls, & it does the work! Get even, consistent smoking with the built-in temperature Gauge & thermostat temperature control. The two chrome-coated racks provide plenty of room to smokeup to 4 chickens, 2 turkeys, 2 racks or ribs, or 2 pork butts. Master the art of smoking with Masterbuilt.
product details
important information
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Questions about Masterbuilt MB20077618 Analog Electric Smoker with 2 Smoking Racks, 30 inch, Black
Q:
I'm new to smoking and need something for indoor use. Can this be used indoors?
Answer: No. The smoke and other invisible fumes (carbon monoxide) are not safe to breathe. This needs to be used outdoors. If the seal around the door was improved, you could maybe justify using it in a garage with some duct work attached to the vent in the back and routed safely outside. Do not use this in an area intended for continuous occupancy. Do not use it near anything flammable or combustible.
Answer: None of our units can be used indoors. No smoker or grilling product should be used indoors as it is a fire hazard.
Answer: Dude. It’s a smoker. It produces smoke. Unless you can breathe smoke and not die, you don’t want any smoker running indoors.
Q:
Can the door be reversed?
Answer: The door on this smoker is not designed to be reversed.
Answer: No. It's welded on. The good news is that the weld seems to be so cheaply done that you'll eventually have to drill it out and use your own hinges, though, so you can always reverse it then.
Answer: not without cutting the hinges and door latch off and welding them on toe opposite sides
Answer: No
Q:
how many rack does it have?
Answer: i kneed to order 2 racks and 1 back leg who can i call??????
Answer: This smoker includes 3 smoking racks.
Answer: The only holds 3 racks
Answer: Three racks
Answer: 3
Q:
Does this unit include the four leg kit that raises it up?
Answer: This smoker includes the pictured legs.
Answer: Yes
Q:
Masterbuilt looks exactly the same as cuisinart. is m/b making it for cuisinart? are masterbuilt made in china?
Answer: We have not manufactured this smoker for Cuisinart. Yes, our units are made in china.
Q:
Where was this smoker made??
Answer: Masterbuilt is based in Columbus, GA.
Answer: China.
Answer: don't know
Q:
Can it be used indoors?
Answer: It burns wood. Not suggested for indoor use.
Answer: No, this smoker is designed for use outdoors only.
Answer: No
Q:
Why is all the paint on the door jam peeling after 3 uses? Shouldn’t your quality control be better?
Answer: The steam escaping the door jams will bring along creosote. Creosote build up will damage your finish if not cleaned after each use. Remove the damage and coat the interior with high smoke spray oil to extend the life of your exposed metal.
Answer: The product is garbage. I had an issue with a missing door handle an Masterbuilt never replied back about sending one. Mine has done the same with numerous blisters. I WOULD NOT BUY THIS BRAND ever again
Answer: I’ve never had that problem with ours...I’d call the company
Q:
what does it mean by manual power source?
Answer: This electric smoker has a control knob to manually control the temperature of this smoker.
Q:
Can you use an extension cord with this product?
Answer: Yes! We recommend using one that is outdoor rated, has a bigger gauge than the smoker’s cord, like a 12 or 14 gauge and as short as possible, preferably less than 10 feet, would be the best. If you have any additional questions, please contact our customer service team at www.masterbuilt.com.
Answer: Yes. I have used an extension cord several times. It has to be a grounded cord.
Answer: You really have to if you are going to get far enough away from your outlet. I’ve been using an extension cord on mine since I got it. Works great
Answer: Yes-use Heavy Duty cord.
Answer: Sure it’s electric so why not!!
Answer: I have used one with it
Answer: It's not recommend
Q:
Is this cheap thin metal?
Answer: It's actually double walled with insulation between the metal. Very durable and well designed. I would highly recommend this smoker, i have owned 2 other brands that were more expensive and this Masterbuilt beats those other ones hands down
Answer: No it’s insulated
Q:
Do you have to open the door to refresh the wood chips/etc? I can’t tell from the photos
Answer: Hello dear customer,
Answer: Hello Jamie, thank you for your interest in this smoker. Yes, you will need to open the door of this smoker in order to refresh the wood chips in this smoker.
Answer: Yes, chips are in a stainless steel pan on the inside. If you fill the pan at the start, chips should last 6 to 8 hours.
Answer: Yes, you will need to open the door. It does not take very long to regain the temp when you do.
Answer: Yes you will, depending on how long you will be smoking for.
Answer: Yes
Answer: Yes you do
Answer: Yes!
Q:
How much for wood chips for 14 hour smoke?
Answer: We recommend adding every 30-45 minutes
Q:
Can I use this without chips just to produce dry heat (like an oven). Also what are the internal dimensions?
Answer: Yes, you only need to add wood chips if you are seeking a smoked flavor. Internal dimensions 19.7 X 12.2
Answer: Yes you can just use dry heat. It is 13"wide X 28.75 high X 15
Q:
What is the width of the body without the legs of just the body? and also any protrusions?
Answer: The width of the body is 21.7.
Answer: I do know you have to have the legs due to the drip tray underneath. Not sure the measurements with out them
Q:
What makes my eletrical box trip n turn off
Answer: We would recommend trying another outlet. If this does not resolve the issue, then complete our Contact Us form featured on our website for further assistance.
Q:
what is the lowest temp you can run it at? Can you get it to stabilize at 150-170 (for jerky)?
Answer: The unit will stop producing smoke at approximately 190.
Answer: Yes, you can set the temperature and see on the front of door via thermostat. First you have to assemble the masterbuilt.
Answer: Well it ok not 100% happy with it
Q:
Just received smoker, is it normal for bottom rack that holds water and wood chip tray to touch the heating element
Answer: The wood chip tray may rest on or very close to the element. The rack that holds them should not.
Answer: Mine are close to the element but DO NOT touch it.
Q:
Where can i get a replacement electric control
Answer: Customer service--masterbuilt.com/contact. 1-800-489-1581. Home Depot carries Masterbuilt but not sure if they have parts.
Q:
Has anyone notice any paint coming off the inside?
Answer: had mine 2 years nopaint coming off
Answer: Yes, this particular one has many problems, i cant even use it, does not heat up correctly either.
Q:
Ok the dimensions show this to be 20" X 21" X 40"; why does the description say this is a 30" ssmoker?
Answer: The length, from top to bottom, is 30"
Answer: 30 inches from bottom to top without the legs
Q:
When I watch the video for this product I see a propane tank connected. Why would this be electric, propane and wood chips?
Answer: I didn’t watch the video. Mine is electric. No propane needed. Wood chips are used to give flavor to the food. I did see a good many bad reviews about this smoker but I find it to work great. I’ve smoked chickens whole and also mix of bone in breasts and thighs and pork roast and it worked perfectly.
Answer: The model provided is our electric smoker and we recommend wood chips only.
Answer: Mine is only Electric and not propane. It does use wood chips for smoking and does a great job for a small smoker.
Answer: This is an electric smoker.It had two pans,one for the woodchips and another for liquid of your choice to maintain moisture. Read instructions well for better results.
Q:
My unit not reaching ove200 degrees. he knob is turned all the way up. At first it was ok but now 175 to 180 appears normal How do I get temp higher?
Answer: Based on the information provided, we would recommend completing the Contact Us form for further assistance.
Answer: Heating element may need to be replaced or defective or thermostat.
Q:
how big are the racks
Answer: The Width of the smoking racks in this smoker are 14.625 " and the Length is 12.25".
Q:
Is this unit hard to clean?
Answer: Not really. I only clean the racks, the smoke box, the water tray and the grease trap.
Answer: No it's not!! Just clean your racks inside in the sink. The smoker it self can be sprayed down with a hose. It has a hole at the bottom where the water will drain out
Answer: It is not. There is suppose to be build up of smke on the walls and the racks and other inside components come out easily for cleaning.
Answer: Not at all. Clean up was no worse than on a regular smoker.
Answer: Easy. It's easier if you put a drip pan under what your smoking.
Answer: No. Seems to be very easy.
Answer: No
Q:
My power cord has melted in 7 months, can’t get through to company someone help me!! Tried warranty ticket online won’t accept my address.
Answer: The little heat indicator light on ours quit working not long after we bought it !! We can’t get it past 190 for smoking would not recommend this at all !! Doors crooked too !!
Q:
Do the wood chips actually burn?
Answer: The wood chips will smolder in the wood chip tray.
Answer: No the wood chips do not burn.
Answer: Yes, fill the tray with soaked chips or dry, the chips will burn..
Answer: Yes, the heating element makes them burn.
Answer: Yes they do but don't create a fire because they are smoking for at least 3 hours.
Answer: No the just smoke an the apple an brown sugar is the are the best so far
Q:
Do I have to pay for the return shipping of this item?
Answer: No
Q:
can I dehydrate fruit?
Answer: Dear Valued Customer,
Answer: This smoker's temperature ranges from 180F-300F
Answer: Yes I think you all should be able to
Q:
What type of manufacturer warranty comes with this item?
Answer: 1 year warranty from the date of purchase. Must provide receipt with registration to validate the warranty.
Answer: Good luck. With CV -19 going on you have to leave a message and they will get back to you with your issue. It took them over 22 day’s to respond back to my missing part. I would not buy anything with their name on it.
Q:
my smoker quit eating , is it the control or the heating element?
Answer: If the controller is still showing the power indicator, then we would recommend replacing the heating element.
Answer: My did the same. It's in the control
Q:
Can this be used on a porch with a tall roof?
Answer: I don't see why not. Smoke does escape the unit so any enclosure will smell heavily of the smoke, If you have an open porch or plenty of windows you can open you'll be fine although a smoke smell will remain.
Answer: It puts out quite a bit of smoke so I'm not sure If you want to place it in any area That is closed in. Mine is on my back deck Which is open And the smoke floats in through my patio door.
Answer: Yes. That’s where I use mine. Put something under it. It occasionally drips down the legs in addition to the drip pan.
Answer: We do not recommend using on a wooden surface and unit should have a 10ft clearance on all sides.
Answer: I would not recommend that. Mine is outside and even at lower temperatures "180 - 225 F" it has browned the grass and it can easily exceed "350 F". I think you could cause yourself some trouble if its sitting on wood or under it.
Answer: Yes as long as you have proper ventilation...
Answer: I would do it as long as it’s close to the open area of your porch.
Q:
Where is the serial number on the actual unit?
Answer: The serial is located on the back under Caution and Warning label.
Answer: On a silver plate
Q:
What type of energy does 110v use?
Answer: Hello Jose V, thank you for your interest in this smoker. It uses 120 Voltage.
Answer: Electricity. It uses standard voltage for North America.
Answer: Electric
Q:
What is the largest size turkey you can smoke in it?
Answer: Hi Bebe, the largest dimensions for a turkey that this unit can hold is 11" long x 8.5" wide x 6" tall.
Answer: Sorry, we have not done a turkey yet.
Q:
Is there a guide that shows the approx temperature settings of the analog dial?
Answer: Hi Michael, thank you for your question. We do not have a guide that shows approximate temperatures for the Analog Smoker, we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Answer: No, it doesn’t. I just experimented while it was preheating. I set it half way and adjusted it up or down based on the temperature gauge before I put the meat in.
Answer: There is a online video that tells you how to set it. Google Masterbuilt analog settings
Q:
What is the difference mb25075517 and mb20070210 smokers?
Answer: This unit is not a digital electric smoker, it contains an analog control for setting temperature.
Q:
What are the interior cubic inches ?
Answer: You'll have to take the size of the rack and multiply the width and length then times it by three. That is your cubic inches of cooking space.
Answer: Tells you in the description....holds a lot of food
Q:
Is this compatible with digital meat thermometers?
Answer: A digital thermometer cannot be connected to the controller but, yes an independent meat probe can be used.
Answer: That’s what I use because the thermometer it comes with is off about 25 -30 deg depending. Plus with mine I can monitor the temp in the house.
Answer: There is a small hole in the back that you can put a long temp wire through
Answer: Yes
Q:
I’ve never used any type of smoker so I’m a beginner, would this be a smoker you’d recommend for a beginner?
Answer: My first smoker and it was easy to learn. Simple assembly, easy set up. Make sure you read up on meats, times and temperatures and you will be fine. Great first smoker!!
Answer: Yes, I would recommend this smoker I'm a beginner too on using a smoker and I really like this one.
Answer: Yes, very easy to use.
Answer: Yes definitely
Q:
I like using the larger chunks of hardwood rather than chips. Does anyone know if the wood box accommodates that?
Answer: I don’t think so. It takes about 2 cups of wood chips to fill the wood box. I have filled it and used it for 4 hours at 225 degrees. Nearly all of chips were burned.
Answer: No, this wood chip tray is specifically tooled for use with wood chips. Most electric smokers should be used with chips, as chunks will not ignite to give much smoke, without an open flame source.
Answer: The wood bos is 5-6 inches wide and 7-8 inches in length.
Q:
Would this be good for peppers? (To make chipotle peppers)
Answer: This unit can hold temperatures from approximately 120-300F. With this range, you can smoke most anything.
Answer: Yes it's good for everything all veggies and meats ????
Answer: Yes, it's great for smoking anything.
Q:
Does this smoker come with a cover or do I need to purchase one separately?
Answer: Accessories, including the cover, are sold separately.
Answer: Our model did not come with a cover, we purchased a cover separately.
Answer: It does not come with a cover. You will need to purchase one separately.
Answer: There is no cover.
Q:
Can I put an aluminum pan inside?
Answer: A foil pan should not take up the entire rack, as it will trap heat but, for cooking a tray smaller than the rack should be sufficient.
Answer: According to in instructions you are not suppose to use foil around meat. but a pan should not hurt, just my option
Answer: I don’t see why not.
Q:
I need two racks, anyone know where I can find them?
Answer: 100 degrees
Q:
Is this the mb20070210 mes 35b model?
Answer: The model number is ES30G1A.
Answer: Yes it is.
Q:
Can a 20lb+ turkey fit in this smoker
Answer: I cooked a 14lb turkey in mine over Thanksgiving and it was amazing! I would say the chances are good that a 20+lb turkey would fit, but it definitely would be a snug fit.
Answer: yes although we had issued with the second coil heating during our turkey smoke.
Answer: If you smoke it on the middle rack
Answer: I doubt it would lay flat on a shelf but could stand up like beer can chicken. Just use a bigger can.
Answer: Yes
Q:
Made in the USA?
Answer: This smoker is not manufactured in the USA.
Q:
can i put my food into the smoker go to the beach for say 4 hrs or so and not have to baby sit my dinner by adding chips every hour ?
Answer: It depends on the amount of smoke you want to produce in the smoker. We would recommend adding wood chips more often then every 4 hours.
Answer: I have had my smoker a few weeks.used it 2 times, so I am very new at this. If you use dry chips it will last about 2 hours. If you soak them in water first they will last longer with less smoke
Q:
Can I leave this on my uncovered patio year-round?
Answer: Hello karriover, we do not recommend leaving this smoker in all weather elements.
Answer: cover it up with a heavy duty trash bag maybe 50 gal. and place a wooden block on top ,that is what i did .
Answer: I do but have a tarp over it
Answer: You can, but it will rust out a little bit.
Product reviews of Masterbuilt MB20077618 Analog Electric Smoker with 2 Smoking Racks, 30 inch, Black
RTS : Great smoker but IMPOSSIBLE to keep a good temperature...MAY NOT WANT TO BUY THIS!
Great smoker but be prepared to constantly adjust the temperature. The ideal temp is around 225 and to get this to do that you may have to adjust 50 times during a cooking. I like it but will upgrade this to a model with a temp gauge that maintains the temp.
I even use a SECURA temp gauge with one probe in front and one in back. The front one will be 195 and the back one will be 225 which may be a good temp but the back may go to 245 and then I move it a notch down and it drops to 205 and then move a notch up and then it stays at 205 and then move it again and it goes to 250.
I like Masterbuilt but they should be ashamed of this product. When I upgrade I will look around but for the money I will probably get the 40" Bluetooth model with the temp gauge. Hopefully it works.
ThunderHeart : Don’t depend on Masterbuilt customer service!!!
Received my smoker and box it came in was in good condition. Removed smoker and followed easy assembling instructions. After assembly I noticed the door was damaged. To make a long story short, I contacted Masterbuilt customer service ( they don’t take phone calls ) and after jumping through their on line hoops and asking for just a replacement door (should have been easy peesy right) Nope, they send a message with a case number and a promise to take care of it inside of 5 days. Over a week later nothing. So I did what I should have done in the first place and called Amazon customer service. Ta da da ! Amazon sent me a new smoker :) Thanks Amazon! Boo Masterbuilt! P. S. The smoker is an O.K. product.
Trish : Disappointed
This worked great at first but not even a year later and the temperature gauge isn’t working and the heat doesn’t seem to stay even. It fluctuates too much. I bought it last August and now it’s May and it looks like I’ll be buying a new smoker.
AVB : Ok smoker for price
Pros: easy to assemble and operate. It's sturdy and holds heat and smoke well. Inside racks and water tray are designed well. Plenty of room for your meat/fish/etc. Heats up really quickly, like really quickly. Good price. It's super convenient being electric. The slide in drip tray underneath collects drippings well and is really convenient to empty and clean.
Cons: It doesn't smoke well at lower temps (like less than 250) and it's hard to get chips to ignite unless you spike the temp. Or you can ignite the chips outside the unit, which is what I did, and then put the tray directly on the heating element to continue the smoking at the lower temp. Next, the door thermometer is easily 25-50 degrees off (shows colder when it's hotter inside). Use an oven thermometer on the inside to confirm temps, like I did. The analog temp dial has some give to it and isn't set it and forget it - same setting gives differing temps on differing smokes. You have to play with it a few times while you're smoking to keep temp where you want it. That might not be a problem for some, but over a 14 hour brisket or pork butt, it can get tiring.
Overall, I'll use it and enjoy it often. And it's made great ribs/pork/fish. But when I can afford something better (more expensive), I'll get that instead.
Kindle Customer : Makes a mess outside around the unit. Do not use on your patio.
Nice smoker, the thermometer on the door is not accurate by about 15%. The steam causes drips of greasy water down the legs and door making a mess , box itself is not tight allowing it to drip. Too bad for a nice unit otherwise.
Cat Lover : No frills electric smoker
This smoker is very basic but works incredibly well. I only gave 4 stars on the temperature control because it is an analog type control, but easy enough to get used to putting the temp where you want it once you get used to it. It has the thermometer on the door for easy reference. Every thing I have cooked in it so far has been very well received and eaten up by friends and family. Invest 20 or 30 bucks in a meat thermometer, I got one with dual probes for doing different meats at the same time, and you are good to go. I found my favorite liquid in the pan is a mixture of apple juice and beer.
Teresa : Great inexpensive smoker.
I really like this smoker. This is my first smoker, and it set up easily, within a few minutes. Seasoning the unit was easy as pie. I've only used it three times so far, but by simply following the recipes I've tried gas produced great results. I started with a chicken, it smoked perfectly. I went on to smoke some terrific jerky that would make Jack Link shed a tear. And even though I'm not a big fan, my wife had be smoke her some salmon. I even lived that. The temperature control is easy to figure even if it doesn't list temps on the control dial. The box has plenty of room for smoking lots at once. I will try a pork shoulder next, then I'll try my hand at a church prime rib. I don't anticipate any real difficulties.
James D. Ballantyne : Decent smoker with terrible customer service.
Product came early while I was away, but packaged well. Upon assembling the unit, I found no wingnut used to attach the temperature gauge to the front. Without it, there is a big hole in the door.
Masterbuilt customer service is an embarrassment and VERY difficult to work with. This wingnut is a vital part that is too cheap (about a dollar) to have to spend hours trying to deal with that terrible service experience.
Decent smoker, but if something goes wrong, you better know how to deal with it yourself or just return the whole thing.
Todd Doyle : This is not a very friendly unit
I was not impressed by this smoker. I have had other Masterbuilt products and this was the cheapest made. It leaked from the sides, not the hole in the middle of the base making a mess everytime it is used. The legs are kind of wobbly when installed and the temperature control is a guess method. Adjust the control and hope it works.
BG : Broken after 3 months, 4 uses
Be aware. It worked great for the first 3 months. Now, either the thermometer or the heating element is broken. With the thermostat cranked up to its highest setting (which, during the first couple of uses, would've resulted in the thermometer reading >300 degrees), I can only get the thermometer to read 200 degrees. I have no idea if that means the thermometer is broken (and the actual temperature is higher than what the thermometer is reading), or the heating element is broken (and, no matter how high I crank the thermostat, the temperature simply won't go higher than 200 degrees). Unfortunately, Masterbuilt's warranty and return policy are so consumer-unfriendly, it is less expensive for me to buy a new one of each (thermometer AND heating element) and try to fix it myself than it is for me to pay to ship the smoker back to Masterbuilt for repairs.
Mr. Scott : Works great, no fuss, fantastic results, no joke!
Got this at Lowe’s as I couldn’t wait for delivery with impending party only a few days away. Be sure to burn off manufacturing oils as directed, what a foul mistake neglecting that would be. Analog electric controller is identical to those on electric skillets, so temp regulation occurs at the element mounted near chamber bottom. Your eyes and fingers complete the feedback loop as you view the analog thermometer at meat level on front door and adjust knob at heat level. Thankfully, temp control is pretty stable if loaded items are not changing. Adjustment will need to be made if items are added or removed. Of note, water trough for humidity is not covered and may accumulate enough grease to seal water surface during cooking, thereby limiting moisture in the chamber. I tented it with accordion-folded foil as a porous lid to prevent aforementioned. 10.5 pound Boston butt took 12 hours at 225F with foil wrap applied at 8 hours (likely better done earlier): everyone raved at its deliciousness. 6 pound brisket took 11 hours but two full racks of ribs were added halfway thru and lowered temp significantly. Ribs finished in 5 or 6 hours, but that may have been excessive. Again, rave reviews. I love my new smoker. Get one. Only minimal attention required and results are unbelievably positive.
JustJenn : Terrible product, no support
This is our second Masterbuilt smoker. We had product issues with the first one as well. This one is in-warranty and the heating element stopped working. There is no one answer the customer service lines at Masterbuilt. On their outgoing message they say, “due to COVID, were not offering live person support...” which is a total crock because the rest of the world is back to work. Consumer products customers still need live support. They are not meeting their 5 day response time on support tickets - even via email. I can’t believe my broken down, in-warranty, 11- month old smoker is going in the trash. Buy a smoker, do not buy Masterbuilt. Even their FB user groups say, don’t buy MB.
Amazon Customer : Do not buy this smoker.....
The first time I used the smoker in late May we make brisket, it came out pretty good, I was happy. This is only the second time using the smoker, smoking ribs today and I have liquid/grease coming down three of the four legs making a mess all over the patio. When I started this morning, I placed tinfoil on the bottom shelf and I have the drip pan in place, to no avail. Once cooled down, off to the trash this item goes. Poor sealing and a waste of money. PLEASE DO NOT BUY!
Austin : 1 and done
I’ve only had a chance to use the unit once so far. And after cooking for 1 hour, the paint bubbles and flakes off the outer walls. These chips are working their way towards the outer wall already.
The customer experience I’ve had so far has been lack luster as well. After completing the warranty form online 4 times (the page timed out when I pushed submit) I gave up and spent another 30 minutes trying to find a real phone number and another 30 minutes on hold. Now an hour later I’m still on the call back list.
I would not recommend this product or the company.
James : I good smoker with both pros and cons...
This was my first dive into smoking so this unit has been a good jumping off point. It was easy to put together and has worked well so far. I've done a few pork shoulders, a brisket, and some burgers so far.
Some things to consider:
Temp control is an issue, the analog gauge leaves you guessing at temp.
Temp gauge seems to be off about 25 degrees on mine. I purchased an additional temp probe to help manage my smokes after my first try.
With my additional probe I've noticed some pretty big swings in the internal temp of the unit. I try to find the sweet spot where the average falls where I want to temp to be.
The only access to wood chip box is by opening the door, this let's all the heat and smoke out every time you need to reload.
In my opinion it's a good starting place to learn on and I've enjoyed it and the food has been delicious according to those who have had some. I am looking into a pellet smoker now that I have a better grasp on what to look...
Di in OH : So far it's wonderful!
A Christmas gift for my foodie son and so far everything we have smoked has turned out delicious! i also ordered the temperature probe set that can be monitored remotely through an app and that has worked out perfectly as well. No issues with surface problems or excess oil on delivery, followed the advice and drilled a few extra holes in the lid of the chip tray, and we love it!
Delaney : Not super durable
We have used this less than a dozen times and each time it is cleaned and stored indoors. It has started to rust and the black inside of the door has started to bubble and peel off. Can't get ahold of customer service for assistance. It seemed great but now feels like we should have spent a little extra and gotten a better quality smoker.
Di in OH : So far it's wonderful!
A Christmas gift for my foodie son and so far everything we have smoked has turned out delicious! i also ordered the temperature probe set that can be monitored remotely through an app and that has worked out perfectly as well. No issues with surface problems or excess oil on delivery, followed the advice and drilled a few extra holes in the lid of the chip tray, and we love it!
KRISTEN HUESKE : Broken hinge- which is important ????
Very disappointed I’ve had this for 4 months and I loved it. Threw some ribs in just now and the door hinge piece is broken so it doesn’t seal.
E. Nelson : Thought it was decent, until paint started bubbling
*update 2* I contacted Masterbuilt. They tried to convince me that the paint melting off is normal...the paint is supposed to protect the metal...It's junk, and they don't want to admit it. I would not buy this again.
*update* Have only used this twice, and the paint is bubbling at the door seal.
First one arrived DESTROYED...had to get a replacement. Keeping in mind this is an analog smoker, it works well.
The fluid bin is a little small, you have to refill every couple hours, even at medium heat control.
I think it's a good basic smoker to start with.
John R : Nice first time smoker-had a bit of shipping damage
Very nice smoker, easy to assemble, and I really like to legs on this. It put it at a very reasonable height. This is easy to clean, and easy to use. Mine had been dropped in the top corner during shipping. The top back corner was dented, and a couple of the rivets holding the top were popped. Nothing that a ball peen hammer and couple of screws to fix. The door is a bit tweaked, but still locks, and it has a slight wobble when on a level surface. Still works well.
Mary Johnson : Not bad for the price.
This is a great little smoker. I love it. Seems to be well insulated. Not like the first one I purchased that was just basically a tin can with a heating element in it. One problem it does have is since it's not digital, the heating element is like one that I have for my electric skillet except that the adjustment gauge isn't marked for any certain temperatures. Just shows which way to turn it up or down. Of course I already about knew this by reading the earlier reviews on it so I just got it to the correct temp. I wanted to cook at and marked the dial. Problem solved. I also noticed that it didn't create very much smoke. So I modified rack that holds the wood chip tray so that the tray now in contact with the heating coils. It makes a lot more smoke now. update : I had noticed that the paint in the gap between the unit and the door was starting to peel when ever I used it. I just got finished using my smoker for the 5th time and noticed the paint that was peeling started to stick together. I usually smoke around 225°. I use a double probe grill thermometer with high heat alarm so I know the temp never went above 275°. I would have figured that Masterbuilt would have used a height temp paint on the unit. I'll just clean off the loose paint and continue to use the unit which is still working great.
Live Wire : Consistent, Reliable, High Quality
I get the exact perfect results every time I use the Masterbuilt electric smoker. I have used other smokers and styles (Traeger included), but the consistent perfect smoke and cook , I get from the Masterbuilt analog electric smoker, is important. The water pan in the bottom keeps the meat from drying out as fast, and since this uses a convection smoke circulation process (not a forced fan) it keeps the meats flavors in the smoker and in the meat. My perfect RIB weekend is "Smoke for an hour, wrap the ribs then cook 3 more hours at 190-200 to get fall off the bone tender perfection." I always wrap all the racks with foil before I start, to get the most consistent heat and flavor. Vegetables should be wrapped with only 2 small holes in the foil, from start to finish to keep a light smoke on the veggies.
*One key thing to keep in mind when your using this smoker is the bottom rack that is closer to the heat will cook faster since it is a hotter temperature due to being directly above the heating element. The middle rack is a slightly lower heat and the top rack is a slightly lower heat than the middle rack. I use this to my advantage by putting the faster cooking appetizers, burgers and bratwurst on the bottom, and the larger meat like ribs and brisket on the higher racks. Masterbuilt has a 5 rack analog smoker just like this 3 rack unit, that has even more smoking/cooking square inches. Enjoy using this type of Masterbuilt smoker to create wonderful tasting meats and vegetables, I know I have enjoyed my first Masterbuilt analog electric smoker for almost 10 years, and so has everyone in the family. I wanted to get a new one since my first 5 rack Masterbuilt smoker needed the electric element in the bottom replaced, so my family bought me a new Masterbuilt analog electric smoker, while I got replacement parts for the older Masterbuilt. Side note, you can repair these smokers and not just trow them away, bonus! River country 101 has replacement parts if your interested. Quentin.
H Christopher : Poor quality and half of assembly items were missing!!
This smoker doesn't have any temperature control!! It's horrible and a waste of money. How can you set your smoker to 225 degrees with no temperature gauge??? When I finally got the smoker assembled after waiting 2 weeks plus to get the missing parts, it was a huge disappointment. I only use it because I am now stuck with it and it's too much of a hassle to package and ship back.
SkyKing : Temperature control?
This smoker leaks out in the front, not thru the hole in the back. The temperature control is useless, it doesn' thave temperature # on it. Can't expect to keep at the same temperature.
Farm life : Great basic smoker design and function
I like the basic design and function of this model This is the second model that I have purchased in the last 15 years It takes some getting used to darling up the temperature a little at a time but in my opinion the digital is no different you just have to bring your temperature up a little bit at a time before you put anything in it until you get to the desired temperature it would help if the knob had temperature markings on it but what I’m gonna do is mark the little indicators with colored markers to indicate the temperature zones I added a platform to the legs with wheels for easier movement Tip if you’re using a wood chips soak them in water overnight or at least for several hours that way they won’t burn too fast and will smoke longer before burning out
Jennifer & Josh : Good smoker with terrible temp control
Jennifer bought me this for my birthday and I was hopeful as we love to smoke everything. For the past few months, it has been a good smoker once we get it set up just right. Getting it up to temp is extremely difficult. It requires you to turn a dial and wait 30 minutes to see where the temp lands and adjust and repeat. I need to constantly monitor and adjust the temperature to make sure my meat doesn't take too long or cook too soon. It really is a pain.
Vanessa M Sanz : Inconsistent temperature
Temperature is not consistent on this.
Amazon Customer : Great Smoker for the price
So first off the smoker I have is the one pictured MES 35B some reviews are for different models. I have had since January 2020 and smoked 4 pork butts and a chicken all came out perfect. Dont rely on the temp guage its about 25 deg off, however almost every forum you read says buy your own digital probe and they are right. I already owned one "Redi Chek" so I just use that. The temperature fluctuates but I am not sure if its the smoker or the wood chips as they heat up and cool down either way the temp stays in the range I need. Its a pain to add chips and you lose a lot of heat opening the door, a pull out tray would be so much better. So for a $146 smoker it does its job well and produces great food, easy to assemble and once the temp is stabilized little to no monitoring is required.
tim cowell : Very Sturdy, legs look to be 10ga steel
I love it, easy to put together. Easy to use, the temp gauge is a little off, about 7 degrees. At least for mine. It's a very sturdy base. Door opens and closes easy. Used for 13 hours straight, no signs of paint distortion. The externally accessible drip pan is very nice. I opened every couple of hours to change the chips, i put them in dry because i like the smoke flavor, so had to replace them every so often. But the temp corrected a short time after closing the door. Get yourself a pair of welding gloves, easier to remove chip pan and water bowl with them on!
I'm very happy with it, will be buying another for my father in law because he loved mine so much.
JustJenn : Terrible product, no support
This is our second Masterbuilt smoker. We had product issues with the first one as well. This one is in-warranty and the heating element stopped working. There is no one answer the customer service lines at Masterbuilt. On their outgoing message they say, “due to COVID, were not offering live person support...” which is a total crock because the rest of the world is back to work. Consumer products customers still need live support. They are not meeting their 5 day response time on support tickets - even via email. I can’t believe my broken down, in-warranty, 11- month old smoker is going in the trash. Buy a smoker, do not buy Masterbuilt. Even their FB user groups say, don’t buy MB.
Matthew oak : Buy with caution
Not really satisfied with the purchase, very hard to control right temp and then whole different story trying to keep wood chips in it. I'd love to get my money back
Ricky Field : Meat ✅ just smoke it
This unit here has been my introduction into smoking. Nobody is gonna slap the top of this bad boy and tell you how much meat it can fit but for a single family’s needs or less, it’s plenty of space. Interior measurements make it to where a full brisket is out of the question but if your grocery store sells separated points and flats like any civilized spot does then you’re in business. Temp control is VERY easy and while it isn’t some custom build level of construction quality it has held up well for me. After a short but involved stint of learning bbq I do feel that I’ve outgrown this ole meatbox but in terms of ease, convenience, and storage space, this is hard to beat. I’d highly recommend some probe thermometer setup as I have not found the integral dial style thermometer that this comes with to be reliably accurate
ThunderHeart : Don’t depend on Masterbuilt customer service!!!
Received my smoker and box it came in was in good condition. Removed smoker and followed easy assembling instructions. After assembly I noticed the door was damaged. To make a long story short, I contacted Masterbuilt customer service ( they don’t take phone calls ) and after jumping through their on line hoops and asking for just a replacement door (should have been easy peesy right) Nope, they send a message with a case number and a promise to take care of it inside of 5 days. Over a week later nothing. So I did what I should have done in the first place and called Amazon customer service. Ta da da ! Amazon sent me a new smoker :) Thanks Amazon! Boo Masterbuilt! P. S. The smoker is an O.K. product.
Penny bradley : Great product
We owned this smoker before & loved it....we gave it to a family member to use & they loved it so much that we decided to let them keep it & we purchased another.....works great, holds quite a bit of food, & the price is great.
Amazon Customer : Waste of my time
Took the time to assemble (didn't take long) when I go to break it in, it refused to go over 175 degrees even on its highest setting on a warm sunny day. Now I have to disassemble and bring it to UPS.
Amazon Customer : Keep shopping.
Paint began peeling after second use and has continued peeling. It is now rusting where paint peeled. It will not produce very much smoke unless heat is above 275 degrees which sometimes is too high of an ideal cook temp. If there was an adjustable chimney vent to allow heat out thus allowing heat element to stay on but temp down it may help produce more smoke. Creosote runs down legs and makes a mess instead of ending up in drip cup. Should've put the money towards a better electric or pellet smoker. Sometimes you don't even get what you pay for.
J.B. : Great customer service
Had some issues with the controller, after registering product, customer service sent full replacement parts out right away under warranty. As in coil and controller, essentially a brand new unit other than the smoker itself. It’s a simple beginner unit for a low price point. We’ll see how it holds up
Tina : Don’t know if I buy again
Update to my original review. The whole heating element melted. Is there a way to replace this?
We love this smoker! We use it about 4 times per month and it works great every time. Arrived on time and we have had zero issues. I was skeptical at first after reading some reviews but we are more than happy with it. Easy to assemble and use.
Henry K : Almost made it two months...
I bought an electric smoker in April for the fire and forget aspect when I did not have time to mess with the charcoal smoker. I used it for pork belly, pipikaula...Hawaiian beef jerky, bologna and huli huli chicken. All great results. I am still learning to get the smoke I want but it was doing well...until today when I wanted to try a brisket. The unit would not heat up. Outlet was working, so checked the element and nothing.
I want to see how customer service is but as of now, I am irritated that an item I bought 2 months ago and used it 4 times is dead already. I may bring up my rating depending on customer service.
John R : Nice first time smoker-had a bit of shipping damage
Very nice smoker, easy to assemble, and I really like to legs on this. It put it at a very reasonable height. This is easy to clean, and easy to use. Mine had been dropped in the top corner during shipping. The top back corner was dented, and a couple of the rivets holding the top were popped. Nothing that a ball peen hammer and couple of screws to fix. The door is a bit tweaked, but still locks, and it has a slight wobble when on a level surface. Still works well.
Jake : Smokes up a storm.
Nice size. Worked as designed. Recommend using a 12ga extension cord. Had to call Masterbuilt for this information. Brisket and ham smoked perfectly.
KRISTEN HUESKE : Broken hinge- which is important ????
Very disappointed I’ve had this for 4 months and I loved it. Threw some ribs in just now and the door hinge piece is broken so it doesn’t seal.
SkyKing : Temperature control?
This smoker leaks out in the front, not thru the hole in the back. The temperature control is useless, it doesn' thave temperature # on it. Can't expect to keep at the same temperature.
Amazon Customer : Waste of my time
Took the time to assemble (didn't take long) when I go to break it in, it refused to go over 175 degrees even on its highest setting on a warm sunny day. Now I have to disassemble and bring it to UPS.
AVB : Ok smoker for price
Pros: easy to assemble and operate. It's sturdy and holds heat and smoke well. Inside racks and water tray are designed well. Plenty of room for your meat/fish/etc. Heats up really quickly, like really quickly. Good price. It's super convenient being electric. The slide in drip tray underneath collects drippings well and is really convenient to empty and clean.
Cons: It doesn't smoke well at lower temps (like less than 250) and it's hard to get chips to ignite unless you spike the temp. Or you can ignite the chips outside the unit, which is what I did, and then put the tray directly on the heating element to continue the smoking at the lower temp. Next, the door thermometer is easily 25-50 degrees off (shows colder when it's hotter inside). Use an oven thermometer on the inside to confirm temps, like I did. The analog temp dial has some give to it and isn't set it and forget it - same setting gives differing temps on differing smokes. You have to play with it a few times while you're smoking to keep temp where you want it. That might not be a problem for some, but over a 14 hour brisket or pork butt, it can get tiring.
Overall, I'll use it and enjoy it often. And it's made great ribs/pork/fish. But when I can afford something better (more expensive), I'll get that instead.
Char : Heats up quick
The heating element warms up much quicker than the digital model that I replaced. As expected, the temperature setting with this analog model need to be watched. You'll have to get use to adjusting the setting you have made against the thermometer , I believe you figure it out quickly. It is not like the digital one were you can just set the temparture and forget about it. But with the analog model there is less to go wrong, warms up quicker..
D. Carne : It was great, until it fell apart
I love the smoker. Everything about it...well, that was until it started falling apart. 4 months in and the door fall off the hinges - the metal failed. The thermometer stopped working. So far they have replaced the door, it shouldn’t it last longer that 4 months? I used it 2-3 times each month.
Go for another brand. I am so disappointed and would return if I could.
Michael M : Returning it. Inconsistent smoke.
I've given this a few tries now, and it is going back. I previously owned an insulated digital smoker from Masterbuilt which I used a lot for many years. Unfortunately, when I moved across country I decided to toss it and buy a new one. Based on many reviews, the new digital ones are prone to so many issues and design flaws that scared me away.. so I figured I'd try the analog one. With less tech in it, it can't be too bad.
This smoker. Complete trash. While I was able to keep the termperature consistent around 250F, it just would not produce smoke at that temperature. I tried pellets, dry chips, and wet chips. Also tried putting the chip tray directly on the burner. No dice. It only smokes when I bump the temp to max, but then that's too hot for smoking.. so I would drop the temp back down to my 250F mark and about 10 minutes later, no more smoke.
Farm life : Great basic smoker design and function
I like the basic design and function of this model This is the second model that I have purchased in the last 15 years It takes some getting used to darling up the temperature a little at a time but in my opinion the digital is no different you just have to bring your temperature up a little bit at a time before you put anything in it until you get to the desired temperature it would help if the knob had temperature markings on it but what I’m gonna do is mark the little indicators with colored markers to indicate the temperature zones I added a platform to the legs with wheels for easier movement Tip if you’re using a wood chips soak them in water overnight or at least for several hours that way they won’t burn too fast and will smoke longer before burning out
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