Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker, Large, 725 Square Inch & Digital Electric Smoker Stand, 30" review and price compare 2025
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Product overview
Brand | Char-Broil |
Power Source | Corded Electric |
Fuel Type | Electric |
product features
- by entering your model number.
- Product 1: Insulated, double-wall construction
- Product 1: Advanced control panel with easy-read, blue LED display
- Product 1: Removable food thermometer
- Product 1: Glass door allows you to monitor the smoke without opening the door
- Product 2: For use with Char-Broil 30-inch Digital Electric Smokers
- Product 2: Raises smoker 16-inches for easier access and less bending over
- Product 2: Steel construction for strength and durability
- Product 2: Compatible with Char-Broil models 14202002, 14202004 and 15202043
From the manufacturer
Since 1948 Char-Broil has been America’s favorite grill brand. Yet somehow, it feels like Char-Broil is still only getting started. Perhaps it’s because we know that making our products better also makes your cookouts better. And as long as that’s true, it’s all the motivation we need to continue innovating and improving what we make.
Char-Broil 30" Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker, 725 Square Inch
The Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker is the ideal appliance for the outdoor smoking, grilling and cooking enthusiast. With 725-square inches of internal cooking space spread across 4 adjustable smoking racks, this digital electric smoker provides the capacity to cook a wide variety of meats- whether cooking for a small or large group. With the large capacity smoke box, you’ll get 4 to 7 hours of smoke before needing to refill. Just sit back and wait for your delicious meal to be ready.
- 725 square inch capacity across 4 easily adjustable or removable racks.
- Insulated, double-wall construction and glass door for a view inside
- Removable integrated food thermometer to set desired internal temperature
- Large, stainless steel locking latch for smoke-tight seal.
- Remote control not included with the the Deluxe Black Model
Key Features
| | |
Take the guess work out of smoking The Digital Electric Smoker from Char-Broil allows the user to take the guess work out of smoking using its washable and removable integrated meat probe. Simply insert the probe into the meat and the smoker will alert you when the meat has been cooked to a pre-determined internal meat temperature. The result - your meat is cooked perfect, each and every time. And when your food is done cooking, this Char-Broil smoker’s warming feature will keep your food warm inside the smoker until it is removed and ready to be served. | Lock in the heat and smoke The Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker from Char-Broil features premium insulated double wall construction to lock in heat and smoke. This hassle-free construction makes the smoker up to 10 times more efficient with wood chips compared to the leading electric smoker. This means that you can fill the 4-cup capacity wood chip box once and produce up to 7 hours of smoking, versus up to 10 times with the leading electric smoker to yield the same amount of smoke. | Monitor and adjust cooking heat with the advanced control panel The Deluxe Digital Electric Vertical Smoker features a full-size glass window, and a side-locking latch for a smoke tight seal which ensures the flavor and smoke stays inside, and indirectly cooks your meal to a juicy, smoky and tender perfection. With the removable temperature gauge, you can easily monitor the cooking heat, and make simple adjustment with the advanced control panel with easy-to-read blue LED display. Also features an easy to refill porcelain-coated, slide-in water pan and remote control for increased accessibility. |
Key Features
| | | |
Warming Feature Once the internal temperature of your food reaches the temperature set, your food is kept warm until it is removed from the smoker and ready to be served. | Large Capacity Smoke Box 4-cup wood chip capacity delivers up to 7 hours of smoking, without the need to open the door and refill. Inside the smoker, 4 adjustable and removable shelves provide sufficient space for a wide variety of foods. | Digital Controls and removable food thermometer LED display makes it easy to set the desired temperature. Food temperature probe can be removed for easy cleaning, and stores inside the unit when not in use. | High Capacity Grease Tray 8.5 cup capacity makes for hassle-free grease removal and cleanup. Built in wheels at the back of the unit make it easy to move around. |
Optional Accessories
Designed to fit the Char-Broil 30" Digital Electric Smoker, this cover is constructed of heavy-duty polyester and features a weather resistant finish. Char-Broil Model: 8627377.
Optional Accessories
The Char-Broil Digital Electric Smoker Stand raises the smoker 16-inches for easier access and less bending over. Steel construction for strength and durability. Includes a shelf for to store wood chips and other accessories. Char-Broil model: 6986339.
Optional Accessories
Char-Broil Comfort Molded Silicone Gloves are ideal for handling food in and around your smoker. Features heat resistant durable silicone construction and non-slip grip. Char-Broil Model: 6345923
Optional Accessories
Char-Broil 4-piece Comfort Grip Tool Set is easy to use and clean, so you can smoke and grill like a pro. Includes Spatula, Tongs, Fork, and Basting Brush. Char-Broil Model: 4867710
30" Digital Electric Smoker Cover
30" Digital Electric Smoker Stand
Comfort Molded Silicone Gloves
Comfort Grip 4pc Tool Set
product description
Style:Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker | Pattern Name:Smoker + Smoker Stand, 30"
Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker, Large, 725 Square Inch
An exclusive, The Char-Broil digital electric black smoker deluxe is the perfect smoker for those who want to enjoy delicious smoked foods, but don't have the time to tend to a live Fire for hours on end. With it's user-friendly & intuitive digital display & integrated temperature probe, you simply program the unit to smoke your food to a desired internal Temperature, & then once there, the unit will keep your food warm until it is removed & ready to be served. Offers a whopping 725 sq. In. Of cooking space over four different cooking grates- more than enough space to cook for a party of 8 or more! Insulated double wall construction makes the Char-Broil electric smoker 10 times more efficient with the wood chips - meaning you can fill the box Once compared to 10 times with the leading electric smoker & still get the same amount of smoke. Features a large latched door with Glass window so that you can monitor progress without opening the door, as well as air dampers & an Advanced control panel with easy-read, blue LED display. The integrated temperature probe can be removed & cleaned when not in use, & a high-capacity grease tray located under the smoker easily slides out for grease removal & cleanup. & with the Char-Broil large capacity smoke box, you’ll get 4 to 7 hours of smoke before needing to refill, which means more time spent with friends, family & guests. Measures 18 1" W x 16 5" D x 32 5" H & weighs 50 2lbs.
Char-Broil Digital Electric Smoker Stand, 30"
For use with Char-Broil 30-inch Digital Electric Smokers. Raises smoker 16-inches for easier access and less bending over. Steel construction for strength and durability. Compatible with Char-Broil models 14202002, 14202004 and 15202043.
product details
important information
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Questions about Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker, Large, 725 Square Inch & Digital Electric Smoker Stand, 30"
Q:
Will it fit a large 20 lb turkey?
Answer: I am a professional smoker, restaurant owner. 20 yrs smoking meat, 15 yrs of restaurant. I have safe food handling certification. Taking that much time, and smoking a turkey that big are both dangerous. Slow n low are not safe with turkeys or chickens. I smoke about 100 Turkey's every year, bulk at thanksgiving. I use no bigger than 15 lb birds, and have them done in 4 hours. Salmonila should be a concern
Answer: Yes. I fit a 24 lb turkey in with no room to spare. It came out great! (18 hours later)
Answer: No, it does not have enough depth . You would not be able to close the door . Chicken yes, maybe even a 10 lb. turkey
Answer: Make sure you brine the bird first. Not only will that work as a preservative it will enhance flavor and color.
Answer: I believe the largest you can safely do is 18lbs. Otherwise you have too much time in the danger zone where salmonella can replicate and create a toxin. Even if you eventually get it up to the internal temperature to kill the salmonella, it will have already created enough toxin to make you sick. You might be able to do it if you cure it with sodium nitrite, but that is something I haven’t tried.
Answer: Yes it will
Answer: Yes , I'm pretty sure
Q:
How difficult is it to clean?
Answer: Not difficult. The racks, drip pan and chip box come out and can be cleaned in your sink or dishwasher. The inside of the smoker is gradually "cured" by the smoke and will take on a dark coating. You can clean this like you would an oven, but you really don't need to. I do recommend that you clean the smoke coating from the glass window each time so you can see the meat cooking. This can be cleaned with soap and water, or with a non abrasive cleaner. Be sure to get all of the cleaner off the smoker so you don't have any issues with the cleaner adding unwanted flavors to the next cooking.
Answer: Not too bad if you use grill mats and cut them to fit your racks. They also keep all the juices in the meat and make clean up easier.
Answer: real easy to clean...
Answer: It takes a little time to clean. I just soak the drip tray and water tray in hot soapy water and wipes right off, as for the inside hot soapy water and a little elbow grease does the trick.
Answer: The grill grates aren't bad. Just let them soak in warm water for a short period of time and they are pretty easy to scrub.
Answer: To me it was very easy. Wash the racks, the grease pan, empty the wood chips pan and wipe down. ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE to get the smoke residue out. Turn on to dry out and that's it. We do love it.
Answer: Everything comes right out and into the dishwasher: All of the shelves, the drip plate and the water pan.
Q:
Can you use it on a wooden deck safely?
Answer: I just received one of these as a gift for Christmas. I live in Iowa so the weather has been extremely cold, but there is no heat coming out of this smoker anywhere. However, putting these on a wooden deck is always a gamble.
Answer: Please DO NOT use on wooden deck. The heat from my smoker was too hot and caught my whole house on fire. The fire inspector said always use on high heat material like concrete, and no wood or grass.
Answer: Mine fits safely well on a 2x2x2 metal umbrella table. It’s a perfect height to get food in & out of the smoker.
Answer: I have found that it does not put out enough heat that would be harmful to your deck. As for the house that burned down I am guessing it was the wiring issue that everyone has. It causes the wires on the element to burn up. This is definitely a fire hazard. Mine burned the wires off 4 times before I replaced the unit.
Answer: I am wondering same thing... good question
Q:
How well does it do in colder temps, like Virginia in the winter?
Answer: Virginia? I smoked in a N.Y. winter. It did ok, took a bit longer, may just have to add a bit more water to compensate for the time.
Answer: It is well insulated and does well in ant kind of weather. F.Y.I. my unit runs hotter than the temperature selected by as much as 15 to 25 degrees according to my independent digital thermometer.
Answer: I live in the mountains of NC and it did fine BUT I left it outside on a covered poarch and it got wet. Now it trips the GSI breaker every time I try to use it. Not sure if this was a factor or not but I would try to cover with large plastic bag or some other grill type cover
Q:
Does it reach 250 degrees?
Answer: all you need is 200 degrees,,, LOW and slooooow
Answer: Yes it does without a problem. In fact you can set it for 275 in you wish.
Answer: I have not tried to get mine that high yet. I have had no problems with it so far. Everything has turned out great
Answer: Yes. Up to 275
Answer: Yes I'd does. It goes to 260!
Answer: Yes but can take a while.
Answer: yes
Answer: Yes
Q:
How mant watts and what is the highest temperature?
Answer: 1000 watts and have seen it hold 285 degrees
Q:
Can it fit a full rack of pork ribs? Or is the smoker not wide enough?
Answer: If you lay them on the diagonal a full rack will fit on each shelf, but if you cut them in half you can fit three halves on each shelf.
Answer: it will not fit a full rack across. I usually cut each rack in half. Both halves will fit on a rack easily. With 4 shelves I have easily cooked 4 racks at a time. I use St Louis syle ribs.
Answer: For sure it can. I like to cut my racks in half to guarantee even heat just in case. But it's plenty wide.
Q:
Can I set the temperature low enough to cold smoke
Answer: Yes, the lowest setting is 100F. It can cold smoke perfectly.
Q:
Can you use an extension cord with this?
Answer: I use a heavy duty extension cord to move the smoker out from under my porch. I don't want my porch to smell all smoky. Secondly, if you leave the unit out in the "elements" it will break down sooner. You need to take care of the equipment; get a cover, get a heavy duty rolling stand, and use a heavy duty extension cord.
Answer: I would think so. I have mine near the outlet. If I were to use one I would use a heavy gage
Answer: Yes. I always have.
Q:
Does this smoker work with the char broil app?
Answer: No. The Digital Electric Smoker With SmartChef Technology is model # 15202043-A1. This smoker is also available through Amazon.
Answer: stay away from this smoker
Answer: Sorry, didn’t know there was an app!
Answer: The unit is not WiFi enabled.
Answer: Mine doesn't, but it is an older model purchased 3 years ago.
Q:
Is this a knock off version of the ones on the Char-Broil website?
Answer: No. This is not a knock off version. Give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be happy to provide details on this Black Digital Electric Smoker.
Answer: No it's a char broil. Works great. Fairly easy to operate.
Answer: No it is not a knock off. It is the real deal.
Answer: No this is made bye char broil.
Answer: I don't know why you think bits knock off. This is a very good smoker. We have enjoyed it very much.
Q:
Can I use charcoal instead of wood chips?
Answer: No this is designed for wood chips or wood pellets ,neither of which will combust into flames as charcoal will
Answer: no, you can only use wood chips.
Answer: No. Charcoal should not be used with this Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker.
Answer: Don’t know never usedcharcoal but wouldn’t smoke as well as chips
Answer: Why would you no smoke in charcoal
Answer: No, wood chips only.
Answer: No. Wood chips only and dry not wet.
Answer: No. Only use wood chips in the box. The heat is provided by an electric element.
Answer: No
Answer: NO
Q:
What is the electric current used by this 120 V smoker?
Answer: This Digital Electric Smoker is is rated for 120V and should be used with an outdoor GFI protected circuit.
Answer: Amps = Watts/Volts 1000W/120V = 8.3Amps
Q:
What is the highest temperature this smoker goes
Answer: 275 degrees
Answer: 275
Answer: 275° F
Q:
What is the longest you can set the timer before it shuts off? I'm trying to hold something at 120 degrees for a couple days.
Answer: If you don't set the timer function, it should hold the temperature until you turn it off. Make sure you read the manual with it. It will tell you how to season the smoker. This is important before you actually cook in it. It's not difficult and it does it all on its own but it must be done to burn off the factory oils and metal treatments before you cook in it.
Answer: The timer has a range up to 19 hours.
Q:
How big is the box it comes in?
Answer: There was a minimum of 3 inches shipping protection all the way around, so the box size was roughly 38x24x22
Answer: It's about 3ft high and 24' sides. Very manageable once it was delivered
Answer: I would guesstimate about 3 to 4 inches bigger than the smoker. The smoker is packed on all sides with styrofoam.
Q:
What temperature does it go up to?
Answer: 275° But I never smoke/cook anything over 250°. Slow and low.
Answer: 275 degrees when preheating.
Answer: I believe 280
Answer: Mine tops out somewhere around 250f.
Q:
how much smoke comes out?
Answer: This Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker will produce quite a bit of smoke. However, because the walls of this smoker are insulated there will not be that much smoke that escapes.
Answer: There is indeed a lot less visible smoke than with a charcoal/wood chunk based smoker. But the taste is there, especially with shorter cooks such as ribs, meatloaf, salmon and the like. I have not tried a 10/12 hour cook with a brisket as of yet so I can’t comment on how it does with longer cooks.
Q:
Can this fit a whole trimmed (14lbs) brisket ?
Answer: Probably not unless you cut it in two. I usually do about a 10 lb. brisket and it’s a tight fit most of the time.
Answer: Do not buy this piece of crap!!!! I used mine 3 times and it broke. Company would not replace. Sent parts instead. I replaced parts Still would not work. Stay away from CHAR-BROIL
Q:
Does the 725 sq inch model ship with the manufacturer's packaging visible, or is an Amazon box used instead?
Answer: Manufacturers box
Q:
Has reseating the Heating element worked for anyone? My smoker only stays hot when it’s on preheat.
Answer: If you're not using the temperature probe, be sure to set the duration of operation using the timer, will not get to temp if you don't.
Answer: never had that happen to mine sorry
Q:
Does cold smoke?
Answer: No. This Digital Electric Smoker is able to reach temperatures between 100°F and 275°F.
Answer: No. You can probably set the heat really low, but still definitely heat.
Answer: water tray
Q:
Anyone smoked a good prime rib in one of these? if so any recommendations? seasoning before? reverse searing? any searing? other thoughts? thanks!!!
Answer: Hi. We have done deer jerky and beef brisket. We are big on seasoning before and my husband also based the brisket throughout the process which kept it nice and moist. I would definitely season a prime rib before smoking. My husband also likes to use liquid smoke in his meats.
Answer: Rub mustard in all over, then get a rub called rib stickler (at HEB or Academy) sprinkle on both sides, don't be light with it. Put in smoker at 250 for 4 hours. Then set on a double layer of tin foil, squirt honey on the fat side then wrap the ribs with the tin foil. Then set 250 again for 3 hours. Unless you want sauce, then don't put it on. Just don't be around any one on your first bite as you will want to slap someone. It is that good. A more ways to do them, but this is fall off the bone good.
Answer: Yes...it turns out great. There are so many ways to prepare it before you smoke it. I get lots of good ideas from this website: http://www.smoking-meat.com/ You can subscribe to his newsletter and you will get an email every Thursday with a recipe. He wants you to buy his rub recipe. While it is good, it isn't worth the money. But his ideas are completely worth it.
Q:
I bought one and I like it but I want my meat to have a more deeply smoked flavor- what can I do to maximize the smoked flavor? thank you
Answer: Add more chips, and don’t cover food
Q:
I have to run the preheat cycle twice to get my chips smoking anyone else have a fix for this?
Answer: I would try a different brand of chips
Answer: You’re not soaking in water are you, no soak and you don’t get A lot of visible smoke but you do get the flavor
Answer: Hi there well depending on the chips you are using and how long you Soak them. You might want to not soak them in water and see if that works. If that doesn’t work your burner might not be working right. Hope that helps
Answer: Don’t feel bad. I only used mine two times and it quit heating. I threw the piece of junk in the trash. Always stored inside also and babied, like that mattered.
Q:
I thought the vents at the top were adjustable..are they not adjustable?
Answer: The vents on this Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker are not adjustable. Give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be happy to provide details on this smoker.
Answer: No
Answer: No they are not. But I wish they were! I've been thinking about trying to come up with some easy way to at least partially block them
Q:
Does this have a convection fan
Answer: no it does not
Answer: No it doesn't
Q:
I have the 30 inch model and I am unable to get the oven temperature over 200 degrees even though I set it for 2 30. Is there a problem?
Answer: I notice that if it's really cold and windy, ours has an issue going over 200 degrees if it's outside with nothing to block the wind.
Answer: This was a gift so I don't know anything about its operation. I do know he is pleased with it and the meat he smokes is always excellent.. I do not know of any problems with it.
Answer:
Answer:
Answer: I did the break in cook and mine reached 289° F
Q:
can i use the meat probe to see temp in smoker
Answer: No. The meat probe will determine the temperature by what it is touching and will not measure the air temperature accurately. We recommend only using the probe to determine the internal temperature of your food.
Answer: The temp inside the smoker will show whether the probe is connected or not. The probe only gives you the temp of the meat.
Answer: The temp shows on the remote control . The meat probe shows the internal temperature of whatever meat is being cooked.
Answer: I am no expert on thermometers, and if some are more based on contact temp or ambient air temp. If you have purchased the smoker I would test the cooker probe hanging freely with an old fashion oven thermometer that hangs and compare readings. Not the answer you were looking for but an economical way to know the answer. Hope this will help.
Answer: You probably could if you just used the timer, but when you set the temperature, it stays consistent until the meat reaches whatever temperature you choose on the meat thermometer.
Q:
has anyone cooked pizza in this? Would you recommend it?
Answer: no
Q:
What size is the smoker box?
Answer: If you mean the smoker itself, its 725 Cubic Inches
Answer: Not sure of the size, however it is big enough to smike wood chips for up to and including 8 hours. I smoked a 17lb beef brisket for over 10 hours and it had a really nice smiked flavor and a good smoke ring in the meat.
Answer: Where is it manufactured?
Q:
should the probe be left in the smoker all of the time?
Answer: It can be unplugged from the unit and stored outside
Q:
where is it manufactured?
Answer: The smoker is manufactured in China.
Answer: China...and it is piece of junk. Do not buy!!!
Answer: According to the website. China
Answer: China
Answer: It is made in china.
Q:
How many watts?
Answer: look at answer 3 questions above,1000 watts.ed
Q:
I have a problem with the door it wont shut its like its out of alignment any body have this problem.
Answer: That happened to me once. It was sitting unevenly on the ground. Once I leveled everything up it was okay.
Answer: I have not
Q:
Once a temperature setpoint is entered, how close to setpoint does this smoker keep, + - how many degrees around setpoint?
Answer: The Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker is able to stay very close to the set temperature. Please visit Char-Broil's site or give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 for tons of Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker recipes and cooking tips.
Answer: I've used the smoker about 10 times, and I normally see it increase by 12-15 degrees. Definitely not a set it and let it! However, it's a good smoker. Got mine for Christmas from Menards. I'd definitely buy it again!
Answer: Normally I think someone said 15+ degrees off. Others up to 100 degrees. Not a typo.
Q:
Hope it’s still warm weather you think
Answer: I smoked at around 30 degrees had to plug most of the holes with tinfoil but it worked good
Answer: Temperature rises every week.
Answer: Not sure what the question is?
Answer: Is there even a question here?
Q:
What are shelves made of
Answer: Not shelves,wire racks just like your home oven has,
Answer: I’m thinking stainless steel. What I do know is, after the first use they were completely covered with dark grease/smoke residue that I thought would be very difficult to clean, but by just putting in the dishwasher, they came out looking like new.
Answer: Each cooking rack is made of steel.
Q:
My smoker still heats but does not produce smoke. Chips do not burn at all. Suggestions?
Answer: We're sorry to hear this. Please give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be able to investigate this. We value you as a Char-Broil customer and want you to enjoy using your smoker.
Answer: We soak the chips in water for 24 hrs, and it helps. But it has never smoked "a lot"... that's all we can say, sorry.
Answer: Need to preheat the smoker with chips in from the start
Q:
descirpton states remote control not included, can one be purchased separately? What capablity does it provide? How much $?
Answer: No they do have Bluetooth smokers but this is not one. Only way you would need one is if you were going to be gone a good while and needed to change temperature
Q:
Can this unit be enclosed? Like under the counter in a grill island? Or is there a smoke vent somewhere on the top or side?
Answer: There are vents on each side, towards the top. The unit doesn't get hot, but I've had a ton of smoke pouring out of it, plus I move it inside when I'm not using it because I don't want it to get rained or snowed on. I do use it in the garage, but I have to keep the garage door open because of the amount of smoke that comes out of it. I think you could put it under the counter if there is enough space to let that smoke flow.
Answer: Whenever this Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker is being used we recommend it be a minimum of three feet away from all walls and structures. We do not recommend enclosing this smoker when it is being used.
Answer: Vents are on the sides. During the first few hours, the smoke comes out at a pretty good rate. Enclosing it would likely disrupt the exhaust and inadvertently increase the internal temperature...which is the last thing you want to do.
Answer: Yes a smoke vent. Don’t think I’d recommend enclosing.
Answer: Vents up too on side. I would not enclose
Q:
Can the door be mounted to open the other direction?
Answer: No. The door cannot be mounted to open the opposite way.
Answer: No it cannot. I see no means to change door swing like some refrigerators do.
Answer: No, It can not.
Q:
It says you can use this unit indoors. what about all the smoke the a smoker creates. where's it gonna go? won't your house smell like smoke?
Answer: We apologize for any confusion. This Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker is designed for outdoor use only and should never be used indoors. The insulated walls help to keep smoke in. However, it should not be used indoors. Give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be able to provide more information.
Answer: It creates a large amount of smoke! It works great outdoors which is where I keep mine. Mine has been covered when not in use, but I use mine about once a month. It has even held up through our winter months and still worked in the summer. Great product!
Answer: I would never use mine indoors, it produces a lot of smoke...
Answer: Bad product. Poor Customer service! But NO smoker can be used indoors! Buy the Masterbuilt line of smokers!
Answer: Definitely not to use indoors
Answer: I would never use inside; strong smells
Answer: I would think that is a typo. But it doesn't matter one way or the other, you will be lucky if it works at all based on mine!
Q:
Is this double insulated?
Answer: What does it matter read the reviews the wiring is substandard
Q:
How well is the seal on this thing? We occasionally have rodents get into our grill, will that be an issue here, I plan to leave it outdoors.
Answer: The seal is good on mine so far. It has a clamp style latch on the side that pulls it closed. Mine is outside as well. Problems with grills is there is usually some type of drain/opening in the bottom for ash and grease to fall through. The smoker is completely housed in metal, except for a couple of small vents, so as to keep the most smoke sealed inside the chamber.
Answer: It can get bugs through the vents I noticed, the seal on the door is very tight
Answer: Tight seal, much like a refrigerator for comparison.
Q:
Hi. i want to buy this item char-broil deluxe digital electric smoker, 725 with wood bbq smoking chips and box with this chips. ship to ukraine.
Answer: Works good. Makes a mess to clean up. Despite what all smokers say; if takes a long time to clean.
Q:
How much does the temperature swing from the preset?
Answer: This Digital Electric Smoker is able to reach temperatures between 100°F and 275°F and will stay close to temperature set. Give us a call at 1-866-239-6777 and we'll be happy to provide more details on using this Digital Electric Smoker.
Answer: It all depends on the temperature of the food your putting in as to how far the temperature will change from the preset. Other than that it holds the preset temperature once it warms to that.
Answer: Please do not buy this. It only works for a small amount of time
Answer: It stays spot on.
Q:
What's better to use wood chips or the wood pallets
Answer: This one needs the chips. I don't think you can use the pellets in this unit.
Answer: You can use pellets no problem. A majority of my smoking is with pellets in this smoker.
Q:
My remote stops working after a few minutes. Does anyone else have this problem
Answer: We are very sorry to hear this. Have you tried changing the battery in the remote? Has a case been created with us? Whenever an issue is encountered please give us a call at 1-800-241-7548 and we will be able to best assist.
Q:
If you cook by time (and not target meat temp) can the supplied thermometer still provide internal meat temps via display, app, or remote?
Answer: Yes it will still display thermometer temperature on the remote... I have not yet verified the Accuracy of the thermometer with my other digital thermometers... But when seasoning the smoker the thermometer temperature read 285 even though the temp was set to 250 , could have been from the wood chips smoking close to it
Answer: no, when you use one the other is disabled. you can change method during cooking.
Product reviews of Char-Broil 19202101 Deluxe Black Digital Electric Smoker, Large, 725 Square Inch & Digital Electric Smoker Stand, 30"
JRook : I'm free!
I've gone from grills with smoke boxes, cheap flimsy electric kettles. charcoal kettles, offset stick burners, and propane smoke boxes to this. All would make good BBQ, but sometimes the effort was pretty wearing. Now I can put the food in the smoker, set the temp and/or time, add wood chips, turn it on and then go do what I want. No more babysitting the smoker trying to keep the temp even which is every pitmaster's bane. No more constantly checking the fire to add more fuel at all hours during a long smoke or have the propane run out. I love this thing!
Dan L. Thomas : Great smoker and easy to use
This smoker is really easy to use and the food comes out great. So far I have smoked two whole chickens and four racks of ribs and all of it came out perfect. For the chicken, I used the temperature probe and for the ribs I used the timer. All easy to use.
The only drawback is trying to clean around the grease drain at the bottom. The heating element and smoker box tray are right over the drain which makes it very hard to clean.
Overall, I would recommend this smoker to anyone who is not good at using a non-electric smoker. Like me.
Joe : Electronics Charred
Purchased this smoker about 8 months ago. Go to fire her up this weekend, everything seems normal, set it to preheat, come back 20 minutes later and the cooker won't heat up. Touch the coils - no heat. Open up the rear panel to access the heating coil wiring and lo and behold, the connector is absolutely disintegrated along with what I'm guessing is the residue of what used to be more foam insulation. Waiting to hear back from Charbroil on this one, but I would not purchase a device with electrical failure to this degree. Maybe I got a lemon, and I hope the company responds accordingly as I am within the warranty period. I will update this review if anything positive comes from this.
Jerel : Complete Junk. Leaked Internally Corroding the Element and Body Wiring
I loved the smoker and used it for exactly 1 year and 8 months. I went to preheat it for a brisket and it stopped warming.
This smoker has been under a cover it's entire life and half the time it's under my Sunsetter as well.
Juices leaked down and found its way into the wiring due to a bad design or seal. Now they want $119 for a new smoker because the connectors corroded off. Bad customer service and bad design. I will not buy another one of their products.
I will buy a Masterbuilt because they stand by their quality.
Angela Chinen : temperature isn't right
We were excited to get this smoker. Hoped that the thermostat problems mentioned by other reviewers were wrong... The smoke output is good and it flavors the food, but the temperature is way too high. The first thing we smoked was fish. Two pounds of fish should have taken at least 2 hours at 200 degrees but it was done in 20 minutes. (the temperature probe works good - I double checked that with my own instant read thermometer.) Then we tried a whole chicken. It also cooked very fast - under an hour for a 2.5 pound bird. It was tasty and smoky, so we didn't really worry. Then came the 12 pound brisket. We put it in at 200 degrees. According to the booklet, it should have taken a minimum of 6 hours, but it was cooked to the internal temperature in slightly over three hours. The flavor was ok but it wasn't nearly as tender as we had expected. Today, I tried fish again. About two pounds. I set the oven temperature to 100 degrees and the internal temperature probe to 145 degrees. For sure this should take several hours, right? Maybe I would have to bump up the heat after a couple of hours to get it finished. Wouldn't you know, it was done in 20 minutes. The flavor was good, but there's no way the internal food temperature could reach 145 if the oven temperature was set to 100, right?
So what now? I'm not sure.
By the way, I did purchase an oven thermometer, and after setting the smoker to 100 degrees for the fish, when it was done in 20 minutes, the oven temperature was 275 degrees. So yeah, the smoke flavor is good, but the oven temperature is all wrong. Good thing the fish was on sale at the market.
Very disappointed in this purchase.
Joe : Only lasted 18 months!
I loved this smoker. It's easy to use and made delicious food. After 18 months, of pretty infrequent use, it stopped working. I opened the back panel and discovered that one of the wires connecting the heating element had caught fire and roasted the wire to a crisp. This smoker is a safety hazard and I would not recommend. Pay a little extra money for a smoker that will last longer than 2 years.
Edit: CharBroil decided to send me just the replacement part since my smoker is out of warranty. That meant I had to completely disassemble my current smoker and reassemble all of the parts to the body they sent me. It was quite a pain and took a few hours because most of the threaded inserts were spinning inside the old body. I ended up having to pry all the fasteners through the sheet metal and trying to mutilate them off of the screws because I had to reuse the old screws. I'm back to having a smoker but I still give this 1 star because I would still not recommend this smoker to anyone.
W. Soto : STAY AWAY from this one!
I am so disappointed. I have had this for almost 2 years and have use it only 4 times. When I was ready to use it for the fifth time it didn't heat up. I looked around here and at the Charbroil site and found out that probably I have to change the heating element.
So, I bought a new heating element and a temperature control (just in case). When I was ready to install both I found that the thermal cable terminals to connect the heating element is rusted/corroed. So again I went to the Charbroil site to buy this cable also. I didnt find it so I chat with a Charbroil agent. He informed me that that cable isnt sold separately and that I need to buy the WHOLE SMOKER CHAMBER (CHASSIS)! a $110 value.
Really?!
Stay away, not the best choice!
Update (Nov 8 2020)
One year in from last repair, the thermostat and heating element are again not working.
Since I dont have any other electric smoker I can't recommend any other. But the one I can talk about is this one and DEFINITELY DO NOT RECOMMEND TO BUY IT!
Alicia : Quit after two uses: poorly made product and poor customer service
This worked 2x and now it doesn't relate at all. Takes forever to get temperature up and it drops whenever it wants and will keep dropping. I had to finish my sticks in oven. Tried today to see and same problem and it wasn't easy registering and Char broil Customer Service was very difficult. I do not recommend this smoker. I was hoping Char Broil would be better than Masterbuilt but they both do not make good products. Between poor product and poor customer service, be best to look at another brand.
W. Soto : STAY AWAY from this one!
I am so disappointed. I have had this for almost 2 years and have use it only 4 times. When I was ready to use it for the fifth time it didn't heat up. I looked around here and at the Charbroil site and found out that probably I have to change the heating element.
So, I bought a new heating element and a temperature control (just in case). When I was ready to install both I found that the thermal cable terminals to connect the heating element is rusted/corroed. So again I went to the Charbroil site to buy this cable also. I didnt find it so I chat with a Charbroil agent. He informed me that that cable isnt sold separately and that I need to buy the WHOLE SMOKER CHAMBER (CHASSIS)! a $110 value.
Really?!
Stay away, not the best choice!
Update (Nov 8 2020)
One year in from last repair, the thermostat and heating element are again not working.
Since I dont have any other electric smoker I can't recommend any other. But the one I can talk about is this one and DEFINITELY DO NOT RECOMMEND TO BUY IT!
Merlin P. : Good but Could be Better
Good Smoker for slower smoking. It does not efficiently "burn" larger smoker chips. I have a suggestion for all who use this machine by Luhr Jensen "Little Chief" Smoker chips. They are closer to shavings than chips an more efficiently burn.
My major complaint is that the temperature probe is not easily plugged in and in my case once the ambient temperature inside of the cabinet reaches the set cooking temperature the probe shuts down the unit. However the food is no where close to being done and thus I am forced into guesstimating the cooking time. The probe was one of the features that prompted me to purchase the Char Broil unit.
The unit does maintain efficiently maintain the set temperature inside the cabinet and is easy to clean if you stay on top of it.
I have been smoking for over 30 years and have used electric (Little and Big Chief), charcoal (Brinkman and Big Green Egg) and propane (Masterbuilt). In addition to this unit I also use The Big Green Egg.
victor sanders : Terrible Smoker
This smoker was terrible. Dont waste your money on this. I have been using an offset smoker for around 3-4 years now and i was looking for something to set and forget. This is not it! I set my temperature the first time to 225 for some ribs and used my weber igrill that i have verified the temperature on just to compare temps. the char broil smoker was reading 225 and my igrill was ready 290. I couldnt set this smoker temp low enough to even have it close to 225. Sometimes i like to smoke at 180 and this was not the smoker for me. I hope you pass on this item.
Some cool guy : Lasted about 3 months
Here's the thing. My dad always said some things had too many bells and whistles, meaning more things to break. This could not be more true of this smoker. My friend and I bought the same unit, and both had the same failure of the control board tripping the breaker after a few minutes. When I spoke with customer support, I was outside of the warranty period and was told I would need to buy a replacement part. Why not just fix the problem, as internet searches reveal many complaints on this very issue. I will not buy this brand again. Stick with simple solutions and you will have less issues.
maryannd : Temperature probe did not work; charged shipping fee for part under warranty
GIfted this for Father's Day. He did the burnoff to make sure it worked but didn't use it to cook until after the return period. Preheated fine but once the temperature probe was inserted it shut down. An online search said to cook using time if the probe didn't work so we did and it worked fine. Called today to get a replacement probe. After two hours on the phone finally got the probe ordered under warranty BUT I have to pay for shipping and handling. Do not recommend this product. I shouldn't have to pay for shipping under warranty.
William Byers : Functional, Economical, Great Results
After months of reviewing various smoking units I've come to the conclusion that this unit produces consistent results. The various settings for time and temperature as well as a well-regulated heating elements yields fantastic results every time. Whether you're cooking by time, by cooking temperature, or by desired internal temperature this unit makes it simple for the beginner. The unit requires a 20 minute preheat without the smoker box. Do not soak wood chips and do not use pellets or shavings. For best results use regular smoking chips of your choice. Do not use an extension cord for this unit.
JRook : I'm free!
I've gone from grills with smoke boxes, cheap flimsy electric kettles. charcoal kettles, offset stick burners, and propane smoke boxes to this. All would make good BBQ, but sometimes the effort was pretty wearing. Now I can put the food in the smoker, set the temp and/or time, add wood chips, turn it on and then go do what I want. No more babysitting the smoker trying to keep the temp even which is every pitmaster's bane. No more constantly checking the fire to add more fuel at all hours during a long smoke or have the propane run out. I love this thing!
Pickels : A must for a family smoker!!!
If you like different types of smoky flavored items (meat and veggies) this is the best smoking vertical smoker I have seen or used. Basically you can set it and forget it yet yield a perfectly cooked, smoked product with easy clean-up. Wish I had found this years ago. We highly recommend this to anyone who is looking at a smoker for family use, you will not be disappointed.
BTW, fast service and great customer support from Char-Broil if you have questions.
Alhaus : Didn't last for use #5
Used this smoker 5 times. The 4th time the temperature was all over the place. The digital temperature readout on the front is about 20 degrees off, so the last time I used it I had to sit next to and continuously mess with the temp control just to maintain the 225 degree internal temp so I didn't fry my brisket. Took way longer then it should have. Also, found out real soon that the back side of the smoker can not be facing the sun, because the thermostat is apparently mounted behind a plate on the backside. If the sun hits the back it throws everything of. Just tried to use it again. Couldn't get the internal temp up to to 125 degrees with the temp set to 270. It seemed like it would just quit heating. And yes I know the differance between temp and the thermometer setting. Sending it back and don't know what I'm going to try next. Something local so I don't have to mess with shipping it back. Does not seem like any of the electric smokers get the greatest reviews.
Amazon Customer : Great product, easy to use and clean
I’ve had this product since Christmas and used it numerous times. I’ve found that it is very easy to use, maintains its temperature well, and is easy to clean up. The glass on the front gets pretty dirty from the smoking process, which is to be expected. However, it is easy enough to clean it up with hot water and some Dawn dish soap. I would definitely recommend the product to someone new to smoking meats like myself.
Adam Coy : BUYER BEWARE FAULTY WIRING THEY WONT OWN UP TO!!!
BUYER BEWARE!!!! I bought 2 of these one for myself and one for my brother ....after 2 uses my brothers stopped working further investigation (opening the small panel on the back) revealed the wire to the heating element burnt in two. I used mine a dozen or so times and then the same happened to me ...Charbroil customer service was contacted and they said not covered under warranty and they would not provide parts...said if I wanted the wires I had to buy the entire control box and 1/2 the cost of the original smoker ....$ 150 for a wire???? The fact that both units failed in a short time in the same place says its faulty, but they do not accept and responsibility..... your $ is better spent buying a different brand!!!
Kim M. : Buyer Beware
Loved it at first but I should had read reviews before buying. Used it less than ten times in a little over a year (so out of warranty) and heating element stopped working. The same one I bought for my son constantly trips the GFI but has never been exposed to moisture. So disappointing! Can’t reach CHAR BROIL. I guess they are not working from home during pandemic...
Crunchy : Defective product - doesn't make smoke
The heating element doesn't get hot enough to cause the wood in the smoke box to reach the smoking point. Very disappointed in this product.
Updated to three stars - customer support is sending me a new heating element and control unit (free) so support is good, but online searches show that this has been a common problem well before I purchased the device and yet they still continue to sell defective product.
M. Ronce : Room for improvement
so this is a great smoker but as some have pointed out the downfalls are: 1. The door wont stay open which makes things difficult when working during smokes.
2. The led light is a joke not sure why thats on here doesnt light up inside lights top of door jam..
3. The book gives you info on chips to load per cook time but i would cut those timesnalmost in half and make sure to reload your chips.
4. Cannot control amoke the vents are fixed, i domt care much but professional smokers would and i guess theyd have a higher end smoker anyway
The pros
1. Easy to use
2. Cooks amazing
3. Bluetooth remote is helpful
4. Cooking probe is great
Keith Podges : Very impressed
This is my first smoker, and my experience so far is terrific! It was very easy to assemble, you basically unwrap then install the racks, drip pan, smoker box and water pan. My first project was pork loin. It was -22 outside and I was concerned about holding temps. I smoked it at 225 degrees and used the included meat probe to get the pork to temp (145 degrees). This took about 3 hours. The double wall construction made it so I could put my hands on the smoker and it wasn't hot to the touch. In fact it was barely warm on the outer shell. I also built a custom cart for it with 24" black pipes with phalanges, 2 - 2' x 2' birch board planks, some 1/4 round, and 2" casters. I also picked up a nice chef's rack with S hooks for my tools.
Amazon Customer : Great product, easy to use and clean
I’ve had this product since Christmas and used it numerous times. I’ve found that it is very easy to use, maintains its temperature well, and is easy to clean up. The glass on the front gets pretty dirty from the smoking process, which is to be expected. However, it is easy enough to clean it up with hot water and some Dawn dish soap. I would definitely recommend the product to someone new to smoking meats like myself.
starOv : Bob would smoke this!
This is one of the bests things I’ve bought in years... ribs, fish, sausage, chicken, hotdogs, burgers & BRISKET!!! Used it as soon as I got it (did have an issue with grates but resolved in 4 days w shipping), set up was easy and it has wheels to roll. Clean up is a breeze due to everything except smoker is dishwasher safe. WARNING!!!! Be careful when you do eat brisket, tendency to overeat and get meat sweats.
starOv : Bob would smoke this!
This is one of the bests things I’ve bought in years... ribs, fish, sausage, chicken, hotdogs, burgers & BRISKET!!! Used it as soon as I got it (did have an issue with grates but resolved in 4 days w shipping), set up was easy and it has wheels to roll. Clean up is a breeze due to everything except smoker is dishwasher safe. WARNING!!!! Be careful when you do eat brisket, tendency to overeat and get meat sweats.
Jay Howell : Easy to use, makes pretty good smoked ribs and pork tenderloin along with just about anything else
Pros: Easy to assemble and get to the business of smoking some meat. Heats up well even when it's cold outside (I'm in Fl.). Controls are intuitive and work well came with a nice instruction booklet too. Easy to use, there's no fire to watch. Cons: The fit of the door was not so great, the smoker came with the door sagging. Temperature controlling is not so great, the temperature will fluctuate quite a bit, however, once the smoking process has started, keep the door closed this will helps moderate the temperature. General info.: There are temperature sensors in the back of the smokebox that need to be kept clean from smoke residue. (I found a 50/50 mixture of water and white vinegar and a Scotch-Brite pad works well for clean the sensor and the glass in the door.). Overall it works adequately for a beginner smoker and it's so easy to use.
James L. Carter : A complete and utter disaster.
I tried to use my smoker today. Did the break in. Did the pre-heat. Everything by the book.
A 5 pound rack of beef ribs. Water pan nearly full. Smoke box half full of apple wood pellets. Cook temperature set at 250.
For about two hours there was no smoke. Then the smoke box caught fire with flames shooting out of the holes in the top. The temperature shot up inside the smoker - I'm guessing to 400-500 degrees. There is no why of knowing because the actual temperature isn't displayed.
I turned the smoker off and managed to get the smoke box out without incinerating myself. Transferred the meat to my oven. Don’t know if it’s ruined or not. Don’t know if the smoker is ruined or not. I’ll let everything cool until tomorrow.
A complete and utter disaster.
RadDad1 : Good product
Good entry level smoker but I'm having a hard time getting it to actually create enough smoke. I'm using chips and following the instructions that came with the smoker. I've tried hickory, mesquite, and apple wood all with the same results. It makes some smoke, but I haven't been able to get a smoke ring out of anything I've cooked. I'm about to buy a different wood chip box/cage and see if that helps.
It has a digital screen that shows you the temperature you set the smoker at, but doesn't tell you what temp it is actually at. So you have to use a separate thermometer to show the inside temp. I use a regular oven thermometer. I will say that the smoker is pretty accurate in that the temp you set the smoker at, is pretty much the temp that it is inside the smoker after it heats up (within maybe 5 degrees).
The remote is a good concept but is kind of pointless as it doesn't work if you're more than like 15 feet away from the smoker. If you're that close to the smoker you don't really need the remote anyway. Not a big deal to me personally especially considering the price point of the smoker.
Joe : Electronics Charred
Purchased this smoker about 8 months ago. Go to fire her up this weekend, everything seems normal, set it to preheat, come back 20 minutes later and the cooker won't heat up. Touch the coils - no heat. Open up the rear panel to access the heating coil wiring and lo and behold, the connector is absolutely disintegrated along with what I'm guessing is the residue of what used to be more foam insulation. Waiting to hear back from Charbroil on this one, but I would not purchase a device with electrical failure to this degree. Maybe I got a lemon, and I hope the company responds accordingly as I am within the warranty period. I will update this review if anything positive comes from this.
Boomer mgee : The ribs came out real nice with good flavor and not dry
I own several different types of smokers. I own both a gas smoker and a 55 gal drum smoker and now the Char-broil. I have used it twice, once with a sacrificial pork butt and yesterday with two racks of spareribs. The butt I used the probe on. I do not know what happened, but the roast came out a little underdone and I needed to finish it in the oven. I had the probe set at 160 degrees. The ribs came out real nice with good flavor and not dry. I cooked them at 250 degrees for 4 hours. For the purist, there was not much of a smoke ring, but it tasted OK. As someone else has said, it is a nice starter smoker. I do look forward to doing some beef and ham sticks in it since I am able to control the temp a little better. If you want a nice little unit, I say go for it.
Some cool guy : Lasted about 3 months
Here's the thing. My dad always said some things had too many bells and whistles, meaning more things to break. This could not be more true of this smoker. My friend and I bought the same unit, and both had the same failure of the control board tripping the breaker after a few minutes. When I spoke with customer support, I was outside of the warranty period and was told I would need to buy a replacement part. Why not just fix the problem, as internet searches reveal many complaints on this very issue. I will not buy this brand again. Stick with simple solutions and you will have less issues.
Jeff W : DO NOT BUY. Get a Masterbuilt instead.
UPDATE JULY 2020:
My smoker is long since trashed for being completely inoperable due to giving me an electric shock. My friend's wife just bought him one of these brand new from a sale on QVC. It lasted less than a month and maybe 10 uses before it started tripping the GFCI outlet and failing the same way mine did. I would have strongly recommended anything else, but they didn't think to ask me. Their smoker is being returned as defective, don't make their same mistake. This thing is a piece of junk and CharBroil should be ashamed that they are still peddling an appliance that has so many problems. I don't care how good your warranty service may be, a defective equipment should be the exception, not the rule. Buy a Masterbuilt, my brother and I have used ours dozens upon dozens of times and it works way better that this model did brand new.
UPDATE DECEMBER 2018:
The smoker has died on me. Every time it tries to power on it trips the GFCI outlet. Confirmed its the smoker by trying various GFCI outlets. Running the smoker on a non-GFCI outlet lets it power on and heat up, but it gives you a mild shock if you touch the steel of the housing. I have allowed it to fully preheat on a non-GFCI to allow any moisture or contamination on the heating element to be burned away, and the issue persists. The smoker was always stored indoors, out of the weather, and was never allowed to be rained on or exposed to any moisture. An electrical appliance should not be capable of failing in a way that allows the exterior to become electrified. This is a very common issue with Char Broil Smokers based on searching online for ways to troubleshoot the issue.
The failure after only a year and a half and less than two dozen uses, coupled with having to replace the door as I mentioned results in a one start review and a warning. If you buy this, spend the extra money to get the extended warranty because I suspect you will need it. I've filed a claim on mine and have been reimbursed for about 75% of what I spent on it.
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I have used this smoker a number of times now, and it worked quite well up until last month. Unfortunately the engineering of the product leaves something to be desired. The upper mount for the door hinge bracket depends on the steel of the outer case for support, and the way they built it the weight of the door can cause the steel to deform outward, which resulted in the door no longer sealing. Char-broil was very helpful on processing a warranty claim, and I was able to fix the smoker for the time being. The fix will most likely be temporary, however, as it doesn't resolve the weakness in the underlying design. Every few months I'll probably need to pop off the door and tap the mounting holes with a hammer to bend the steel back into the correct position. Annoying, but many things are.
I give the smoker three stars because, in spite of the weakness in design, it works very well. I've made pork shoulder, brisket, wings, entire chickens, and a 19 pound thanksgiving turkey, which was phenomenal. I've seen other reviewers complain that the controls don't make sense, but the owners manual is very clear and I guess they just didn't read it. The important thing they miss is that this model can cook based on the temperature probe or based on timer, but not both.
I'm happy with this purchase, and I like the design much more than competitive models, but I wish they had built the hinge to be a little more sturdy.
W. Soto : STAY AWAY from this one!
I am so disappointed. I have had this for almost 2 years and have use it only 4 times. When I was ready to use it for the fifth time it didn't heat up. I looked around here and at the Charbroil site and found out that probably I have to change the heating element.
So, I bought a new heating element and a temperature control (just in case). When I was ready to install both I found that the thermal cable terminals to connect the heating element is rusted/corroed. So again I went to the Charbroil site to buy this cable also. I didnt find it so I chat with a Charbroil agent. He informed me that that cable isnt sold separately and that I need to buy the WHOLE SMOKER CHAMBER (CHASSIS)! a $110 value.
Really?!
Stay away, not the best choice!
Update (Nov 8 2020)
One year in from last repair, the thermostat and heating element are again not working.
Since I dont have any other electric smoker I can't recommend any other. But the one I can talk about is this one and DEFINITELY DO NOT RECOMMEND TO BUY IT!
C Cook : Continually triggers GFI outlet
Well built, and has handy remote control.
BUT
It continually triggers GFI outlets. I have tried several different outlets, with different brands of GFI outlets, and am force to plug into non-GFI outlet to cook. The cord gets warm when cooking, and indicates a potential fire hazard. YOU CANNOT LEAVE THIS COOKER UNATTENDED. Calls and emails to manufacturer get only generic response and a form letter type solution. My GFI was replaced, and I disassembled the smoker and checked all components. No problem found there, but cooker continues to blow GFI after about 5 minutes of use. CANNOT RECOMMEND.
Reid Wilke : Smokes like crazy
I have had this awhile now and love it. The smoke it produces and the flavor it adds to the meat is incredible. I keep experimenting with new meats and recipes. Someday I may move up to a larger one but I have done a whole brisket and chicken breasts at the same time with one rack to spare. Only complaint is the seal on the door has got hard like it was burned. I figured it would be heat resistant. None the less it works fine. The clean up for the first couple was time consuming but after learning where the tin foil should go to keep the drippings off the bottom, clean up is rather easy.
Paulywood : Top smoker!
What a great little Smoker, for home gatherings, BBQs, etc, I’ve cooked Ribbs, sausage, chicken, ham, just about anything you can smoke this little smoker will do it, chip box full gives you about 4-6 hours of smoke (depending on temp of course) cons- takes a little use to getting your temps steady, but all comes with experience, but that’s the fun of it right?, as we say all experiments must be eaten ( as long as they are not raw!) ????????. Give it a good 4 1/2 star ⭐️‘S from me, little “Smokie” works great for me????
C James : First time smoker, and I'm in love!
First time smoker, and so far it was great! This smoker is a bit bigger than I was expecting, which is a good thing because I like knowing that I can REALLY get some smoked foods going for Thanksgiving in the next month. It has some really nice features to it, and is going to be a new hobby for me.
Features: It has a remote control to see the temperature, set the temperature, look at how much time is left, etc. There is an LED light on the unit, but it does NOT illuminate the inside....it only works well when you have the door open. There is a grease trap on the bottom of the unit that slides out you didn't use the water container that also catches grease. Wood chip box is very sturdy and fits about 2 cups worth of wood chips. I don't think they advertise it as being "water resistant," but it did get caught in the Tropical Storm we had here for a few hours, and it did not do any damage to the unit.
Overall, this is a great unit that I'm looking forward to using. Having the window to see what you're cooking is great, and the unit does not get too hot...it is well insulated. It does have rolling wheels and a handle on the back to easily roll it around the patio area which is really nice. You owe it to yourself to give it a try.
maryannd : Temperature probe did not work; charged shipping fee for part under warranty
GIfted this for Father's Day. He did the burnoff to make sure it worked but didn't use it to cook until after the return period. Preheated fine but once the temperature probe was inserted it shut down. An online search said to cook using time if the probe didn't work so we did and it worked fine. Called today to get a replacement probe. After two hours on the phone finally got the probe ordered under warranty BUT I have to pay for shipping and handling. Do not recommend this product. I shouldn't have to pay for shipping under warranty.
Jordan : Overall it's good but you might have to add more chips
Overall, I'm happy with it. I have had it for 2-3 months now. I use it once or twice a week and gotten pretty good at smoking pork shoulder / pulled pork.
My only complaint is the behavior I'm getting from the smoke box. It seems very inconsistent. With a 80% full box every time, sometimes I get the thin blue smoke the entire time, sometimes I get thin smoke for an hour, thick smoke for an hour and then thin smoke again for an hour or two and then sometimes I get 2-3 hours of really thin smoke and then nothing. You can get around this by swapping out your chips in the smoke box but the instructions suggest that a full box of chips should last for 6 hours or more which is absolutely not true in my experience.
It's a little tricky to clean as well especially towards the back of the bottom of it but barkeeper's friend and a good brush seems to do the trick.
El ButchO : I've wasted a lot of money and regret I spent the ...
Awful, I've used it 3 times and now it won't heat. I called Char-Broil and their "assistance" was laughable. She began reading directly from the book after I told her I had already done so. After I told her again she commented "they why did you call us." It doesn't work; I've wasted a lot of money and regret I spent the time even calling Char Broil Custormer Service.
Vouteman : Piece of junk
This is the second smoker I have owned. The first Char Broil smoker didn't have the glass door. Both were digital. I used the first one 5 times in 13 months and it quit working. I bought the second Char Broil smoker and used it 4 times before it went on the fritz with the VERY SAME PROBLEM. It has been 14 months since I bought this one. I call their (SIC) customer service. I was told that they had quit making my model because of the problem I was having with it throwing the breaker. He said, "they are still on the shelves but, we are no longer manufacturing them". No mention of some kind of discount for another unit....just asked if I wanted to file a report so their engineers could study the problem. So I will buy another smoker but after almost $1,000 on two smokers in 27 months I will never purchase another Char-Broil product and will tell every one that will listen to me.....the kind of junk you sell!
Tabitha : Good concept but mine was a dud
The concept of the smoker is great but it does have a couple flaws. I bought it because I mainly make beef jerky and when I smoke jerky I usually smoke it around 160° for 5 to 6 hours. The first batch of the jerkey I did I started it came back three hours later and my wood chips hadn’t even started smoking yet. I did the pre-heat cycle and followed the instructions to a T but at the lower temperatures it’s just not enough to get the chip smoking, even if you turn it all the way up and get them smoking good as soon as you turn it down below 200 it quit smoking. The second batch of jerky I tried I just left the lid off of the Smokebox after I had started the wood chips with a propane torch and that worked OK to get me enough smoke for flavor. If you’re going to be making things at a temperature of 225 or above I think this thing is fine but if you’re a jerky man like me and your going to use it under 200° a lot I would stay away from it. When I turned it up an extra 30° to try to get it smoking on my last batch of jerky it got way over hot and burn on my stuff. I ended up returning it but really wish it would’ve worked out because it’s a great set it and forget it concept. Not to mention the price point was good. I also had a error message pop up on my remote control and tried to get that resolved with charbroil but they never responded to my email of the pictures I sent them
Crunchy : Defective product - doesn't make smoke
The heating element doesn't get hot enough to cause the wood in the smoke box to reach the smoking point. Very disappointed in this product.
Updated to three stars - customer support is sending me a new heating element and control unit (free) so support is good, but online searches show that this has been a common problem well before I purchased the device and yet they still continue to sell defective product.
W. Soto : STAY AWAY from this one!
I am so disappointed. I have had this for almost 2 years and have use it only 4 times. When I was ready to use it for the fifth time it didn't heat up. I looked around here and at the Charbroil site and found out that probably I have to change the heating element.
So, I bought a new heating element and a temperature control (just in case). When I was ready to install both I found that the thermal cable terminals to connect the heating element is rusted/corroed. So again I went to the Charbroil site to buy this cable also. I didnt find it so I chat with a Charbroil agent. He informed me that that cable isnt sold separately and that I need to buy the WHOLE SMOKER CHAMBER (CHASSIS)! a $110 value.
Really?!
Stay away, not the best choice!
Update (Nov 8 2020)
One year in from last repair, the thermostat and heating element are again not working.
Since I dont have any other electric smoker I can't recommend any other. But the one I can talk about is this one and DEFINITELY DO NOT RECOMMEND TO BUY IT!
A : Don't by.... It's fraudulently advertised
This add is misleading and wrong...it's BS... It is not a deluxe model, the video shows a remote that goes with the deluxe model.... This is an over priced base model. Don't be tricked like me. Amazon wouldn't even do anything for ruining my 4th because I invited guests to have a smoker meal and I couldn't use it because I had to return the piece of junk. This purchase has made me rethink my Amazon account entirely.
BD : Smoke it if you got it !!!
This is a awesome electric smoker I have smoked two meals with it with the first being baby back ribs , pork loin and spare ribs which all came out perfect and tender. My second session with two whole chickens and two dozen wings which were very tender with fall off the bone goodness. I took advantage meat probe towards the end of cooking the birds and it seems to work well and decently accurate when compared to a analog thermometer. Bonus: the meat probe also works if you're in timer mode and press the probe button it will give you the current meat temp which the manual does not state but is a cool bonus feature.
The smoker itself is very well built and unexpectedly heavy which impressed me right out of the box. Also the latch that holds the door shut is very heavy duty and includes a spot to store the meat probe. This unit is also equipped with a digital display which is very easy to use and read. If you're looking for a set and walk away type of smoker this will be a awesome choice as the smoke box hold enough chips for hour and the controller handles the rest of the work. Charbroils website has tons of information and parts available if needed for your smoker which is a good sign of a quality product.
Zack : Electrical Issues within Six Months | Poor Customer Service
This little smoker seemed like a good bargain. It works great for beginners, but I think I got a lemon. Within six months and less than a dozen uses, it began tripping a circuit breaker due to arc or ground fault issues. Other heavy duty appliances work fine in the same outdoor outlet. Like others, it appears to be bad wiring within the unit.
I spoke with customer service over the course of two weeks, including speaking with a manager (indirectly). The best Char-Broil could do is send me half a dozen parts and an 11-page, complex repair manual. I should not have to repair a unit within six months of purchase. Customer service stated it was their policy that they do not process returns/refunds if the unit was used. So, that one-year warranty from the manufacturer is almost worthless.
After some research, it appears most of the popular grill companies will not accept returns for grills or smokers after their first use. Your best bet is to go with units that don't have electric components that lead issues.
Char-Broil is a local company for my family, but my customer experience inclines me to go elsewhere from now on.
Scott D. : Loving my new hobby! Go for it if you have always wanted a smoker!
I love me some BBQ and over the years have sought out the best BBQ restaurants around the USA. While I have a propane grill and have tried smoking in it, it never really worked. Couldn't justify buying a dedicated smoker. My friends had them with propane or charcoal and they made some amazing smoked meat. After seeing a pellet smoker in Lowes, I decided to get serious about buying a smoker. Researched them all and ended up with this one and LOVE IT! No hassles running out of gas, charcoal, pellets. A 4 hour smoke uses about 3KWh which is avg 36 cents. Bought the base and wheels as suggested by another reviewer and so glad I did. I keep the unit stored in the garage and roll it out for a smoke session.
I can't understand why so many people have had problems with this smoker and show pictures of burned out/bad electrical connections....my suspicion is they left theirs outside and water got in to corrode the connections. I just finished my sixth smoke session since purchase and I find it so easy to clean and use. Am a little disappointed in the actual amount of smoke produced, typically only getting about an hour of really intense smoke in hour 2 and tapers off to nothing by hour 4. Have tried filling the smoke box with different types/levels of wood chips and pretty much get same result. I am always surprised when done instead of having ashes I have whole chips in there that are blackened but not completely consumed. Have thought about drilling 2 small holes in the side of the wood chip box to promote more oxygen inside for consuming the wood. The box only has about 5 - 1/4" holes on top to let smoke out but no air in.
The remote works well and I like it for observing time/temp left in a cook. I tried the meat probe twice and don't trust it is reading correct temp as both times meat was over cooked. When using the meat probe for cooking to a target temp you don't get box temp, so I prefer to do a timed cook so you get box temp and meat probe temp. Have done wings, ribs, pork butt, brisket, sausage and salmon all have tasted AWESOME! This has become a new hobby for me and we smoke at least once/week and are loving it! Wish I had done this sooner so if your on the fence I reco going for it!
Tom Ellington : So far So Fair
I received the smoker very quickly thru Amazon. I set it up and seasoned it according to the instructions. Right away I noticed the temp. controller is way off. NOT that big of a deal, I run an external meat and temp probe.
I'll just have to adjust the temps as I go. I set the temp on the smoker to 100 for a starting point.
The smoker remote says it's 80 deg. in the smoker. I have 2 external heat probs. from 2 separate units. One says 130deg. and the 2nd says 134deg. ( Temp Swing ) My External probs. showed it reached 136deg. then fell back to 105deg. At the point it kicked back on and raised the temp back to 126deg. SO it looks like it's going to run between 105 & 126 deg. now that it's settling down. Most anything electric has a swing in temps. SO in short, I think this will work fine making Andouille sausage with out rendering the fat out. Just be careful and start out lower than you need until it settles in.
you can compare the product price from Costco, wayfair, bestbuy, lowes, target, homedepot, Walmart, ebay, amazon to find the best price for you
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