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.
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
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..
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.
Kindle Customer : Short circuit after 4 months
Do not buy. I’ll like this smoker at first but the power supply/switch short circuited. I can’t return through amazon and after two weeks of not replying by email for warranty, I can’t even get through on the phone.
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.
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.
Amazon Customer : The smoker has know issues
This product will be a wonderful product if you didn’t have two defects. I called master built and they are going to send me out the items to fix the two defects which is the temp control and the thermometer. I purchased this item and had to send it back because of the defects. Amazon replace the smoker for me but smoker was still defective. I took it on myself to call master built and they told me about the defects after I read it online about the problems with the smoker. The temperature would only rise to 150 and after putting the meat on it would rise to 120. My thing is if you know the item is defective why sell it.........Masterbuilt is sending out the Proper items to fix the issue!!!!!!
John J : Not bad
Not bad for $100, it reaches 250 degrees when it’s 35 degrees and calm. Had a hard time when it was cold and windy. I’m not sure what the other reviews are talking about, maybe Masterbilt updated this model. That being said, if I could to do it again I would probably buy the next better model to start off with . I went this route because It was a small investment to see if smoking was for me. I’ll probably upgrade to a higher end smoker in the future.
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!
FX : A few gripes
Had a lot machining oil residue on the bottom which required to remove the heating element and one of the rack holders in order to get a microfiber in to properly clean of the excess. I know the pre-season is supposed to burn it off but it seemed excess.
One of the screws holding the rack holders had the thread distorted which required a trip to Ace Hardware for a replacement.
The heating element touches one side of the two metal rods near the bottom which I'm not sure is normal or not.
The drip tray has difficulty sliding into the opening at the bottom of the smoker to the point you need to force it in.
But it heats up so it should work as intended. Didn't expect it would need a bit of extra prep work to get it suitable for cooking.
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.
Vanessa M Sanz : Inconsistent temperature
Temperature is not consistent on this.
inspiredbyink : Don't Buy It!
I was so excited to finally get a smoker! I used it once and the paint bubbled up all along the door edges and along the edge of the opening. There are a couple of spots on the inside too. I contacted Masterbuilt, waited like 2 months and then was told they don't cover paint issues. This is wrong in so many ways! :( Amazon will take it back but trying to send it back will be crazy hard. I'm so disappointed in Masterbuilt. I would not buy this smoker because it could happen to you.
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.
Anna T. : Good but temp control basic
Item came well packaged, and easy to assemble, performs really well. Temp control is not very good or consistent, getting it under 200F with burning coals is quite hard even on lowest settings. Smoke vent is not adjustable and also lags but for a cheap smoker it is quite good.
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.
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.
Victoria A : Damaged on arrival
The product arrived damaged. I guess we expected that, as many reviews reported the same thing. We purchased the smoker for $50 less than we could find it anywhere else so the dent (which is on the front of the smoker) isn't a huge deal. This was a gift for someone, so its a little embarrassing to present them with a dented smoker. I'm sure it will work just fine.
Jim Ahlgren : Very good smoker hoping for a long life
This is my second Masterbuilt smoker. The first one is identical to this one which is why i purchased it. The first one died of rust I couldn't believe it but after 5 years I have succumb to accept this. I can only hope this one will last longer. I like the fact that this one stays at temperature when set and it gets hot quick. This is the smoker for the novice and the experienced.
I like this smoker and would recommend.
Sir Hunter : Unsafe Product
First smoker I've ever purchased, used twice with great results. Went to use a first time, plugged it in to preheat, got my meat out of the fridge and came back to discover the entire body and grates were electrified. Waiting for item to cool down before further inspection but I can only assume faulty wiring. Otherwise good product minus the, you know, electrocution.
Jeffry Janoska : DO NOT BUY THIS JUNK
The paint is literal falling off the smoker after the third use. This is a quality issue and simply is the company using an inferior paint — the paint on my charcoal grill hasn’t falling off after 6 years of use.
Masterbuilt won’t cover it under warranty and says this is due to the high temperatures of the smoker. It’s a smoker, not an oven. My years old grill in which there is a FIRE has not peeled and I’ll guarantee that it gets hotter than this peace of junk.
This is cheap workmanship and, if they cannot manage to apply proper paint, calls into question the quality and durability of the entire unit.
It’s going back. Never purchase from this company.
Stacey J. : Cheaply made
Very flimsy construction. Door won’t close tightly so a lot of heat is lost and everything takes longer to cook. Temperature gauge in door never reads more than 100°. Won’t buy Masterbuilt brand again.
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.
Jim Ahlgren : Very good smoker hoping for a long life
This is my second Masterbuilt smoker. The first one is identical to this one which is why i purchased it. The first one died of rust I couldn't believe it but after 5 years I have succumb to accept this. I can only hope this one will last longer. I like the fact that this one stays at temperature when set and it gets hot quick. This is the smoker for the novice and the experienced.
I like this smoker and would recommend.
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.
Tina : Still learning how to control temp
First smoker we purchased so we are still learning how to use it. First use it was very cold and windy and we had a hard time controlling the temperature. It probably wasn’t the best time to use it being a newbie. Excited to try it again soon and in warmer weather!
Terry Snyder : Smoking meat can clog your pipe!
The title is only to catch your attention! I like the ease of assembly but the temperature gage is not easily figured out. It takes a lot of approximation, monitoring and adjusting the control to get the desired levels. I purchased an additional temp gage and probe to get the desired results. YouTube was also helpful. I have found that heavily smoking my food in the beginning and then transferring to the oven for finishing is a very nice way to go. Overall all the smoker works well and the door damaged in shipment was quickly and easily replaced with no hassle.
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.
MichaelC : Not worth it, pay a little more for a quality smoker, trust me on this
This was my first smoker, so I went with one that was more affordable. I have used it three times, and I will be honest it works fine, but it is not a quality smoker. After three uses the "high temperature" paint that is on the door is already bubbling off. I attempted to scrape the paint to add weatherstripping, because the smoke and heat leaks out of the door when doing this I noticed the door liner is warped. I have written the manufacturer, and I am hoping for some solution. I will be honest and tell you that if you are shopping for a smoker, even if it's your first one, it is worth spending $100 more for a quality device.
I would normally return this if it wasn't already assembled and used and nearly impossible to send back to Amazon.
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.
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.
KCW : Parts missing
UPDATE: My husband corrected me on what is missing. It is the water bowl, hardware blister pack, and temperature gauge. The company said they are sending the water bowl in 7-10 business days. the temperature gauge kit is out-of-stock. They said nothing about the hardware.
We really want to give this grill a try, so we hope they come through for us. We aren't too confident about it though and are thinking we may end up returning this 50 pound loser. I've changed the rating to a one start for now. This was a Christmas gift -- very disappointed. :(
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I'd like to write a review about the temp control, warmth and ease of assembly but I can't. We received the smoker grill and it looks great on the outside, but all of the assembly components are missing from the product. There are also two heating elements when only one is needed. When we moved the grill we could hear something rattling in the wall of the unit (a loose nut or bolt?).
We are trying to reach the company to request the missing parts. Once we have those and get the grill assembled we can test it out and I'll provide a review update.
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
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.
Arthur H. : I do not recommend to buy this it is junk and a waste of time putting it together. Bent up
Door front middle bent in. Top of grill missing rivet. bottom inside of right side inside grill bent. Grill door not lined up.This did not happen in shipping. This is in the workmanship. Whomever put this together is not taking pride in their work. Once I fire this up its going to lose heat and smoke. I do not recommend to buy this it is junk and a waste of time putting it together. I read some of the reviews and should have believed them. Piece of junk.
carol wlliamson : So far, so good!
This is my 1st smoker and so far I have smoked some ribs and some chicken. Both turned out delicious. The temp control is a little touchy since there are no temps on the dial so you have to stay on top of the temp but once you figure out where the settings are at, temperature wise, it is all ok. I cannot wait to smoke some different types of meat and fish.
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.
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.
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
Sandy W. : this is not a set it and forget it smoker
the fact that the smoker doesn't have a set the temp and walk away feature is one of two features I would prefer,,,the other is a larger water/juice catch basin. I used it to smoke 30 lbs of bacon and the grease from the bacon is now all over the bottom of the smoker which I will have to scrap out before I use it again. Other wise it's a nice as I can use it in the garage in Northern Minnesota during the winter and not have to worry about setting the garage on fire.
Jim Ahlgren : Very good smoker hoping for a long life
This is my second Masterbuilt smoker. The first one is identical to this one which is why i purchased it. The first one died of rust I couldn't believe it but after 5 years I have succumb to accept this. I can only hope this one will last longer. I like the fact that this one stays at temperature when set and it gets hot quick. This is the smoker for the novice and the experienced.
I like this smoker and would recommend.
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.
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.
John J : Not bad
Not bad for $100, it reaches 250 degrees when it’s 35 degrees and calm. Had a hard time when it was cold and windy. I’m not sure what the other reviews are talking about, maybe Masterbilt updated this model. That being said, if I could to do it again I would probably buy the next better model to start off with . I went this route because It was a small investment to see if smoking was for me. I’ll probably upgrade to a higher end smoker in the future.
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.
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.
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.
Axi : Bad packing and low quality parts but hood at smoking meats
I’ll start by saying that the meats I’ve smoked so far (pork loin, whole chicken and chicken breast) came out great which means this smoker can smoke. The great smoked food is overshadowed by what seem to be low quality parts and very poor packing. First when we opened the box we’ve noticed that the smoker’s door had dents, secondly one of the electrical pins on the smoker was twisted and required us to us a hammer to put it back to place. When we used the smoker the first time it was pretty smooth as far as we could tell however the second use was different. After a couple of hours of smoking we’ve noticed that the paint around the door and on the door is peeling due to heat. In addition when we opened the smoker’s door there were dirty water dripping from the corner of the door on to the floor, probably due to humidity from the meat getting trapped in the door. We’ll be happy to give the smoker 4 stars but the packing and parts quality prevents that.
Amazon Customer : It's a OK smoker with modifications
Good smoker. Keep temperature fairly well but do yourself a favor and pick up a BBQ grill thermometer like inkbird. Also, The wood chip tray is a pain so pick up a Amaze-N tube or something similar and load pellets. The paint peels on the door it is not a deal breaker. Otherwise, it's a decent smoker for the price.
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