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
This fits your .
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"
H Joseph : Before you buy read this
Not even a year old and have had to replace the thermostat and the heating element TWICE!! Char broil has sent me replacement parts but the parts are not an easy fix. ALSO the 2nd breakdown was after Thanksgiving. Ordered it on 1-2-19 and received it last night as the parts were on back order. (Tells me there were many calls for the thermostat and hearing assembly after the holidays. Could not sync the remote also. WHEN it works it smokes well but the interior electrical parts are not up to par.
Any buyer wanting more details feel free to mail me at ministry203@gmail.com.
A. Lauf : Great quality smoker, fantastic results
I almost didn't purchase this device because of past experience with Charbroil grills - at least the one we had was... "meh" at best. Before purchasing this one, I was strongly leaning toward a Masterbuilt unit, but the negative reviews were REALLY putting me off. Having seen poor quality units before, it was hard to justify that much cost for a potentially flawed device.
Finally, one of these units came back in stock - only two left at any reasonable price. We purchased it, and when it arrived, I was very pleased to see its high construction quality. Some had complained about the sticker on the front window - it is there, but if you peel it veeerry slowly, it will come of without any trace left. It requires patience, but leaves perfectly clean glass. I believe that this sticker is added to protect the glass against shattering during shipment.
It's very important to follow the "burn-in" procedure. They call it "seasoning", but really, it allows the unit to off-gas all of the chemical residues from the manufacturing process. Do not cook without this step! Before I started the process, I used a damp paper towel to remove any styrofoam particles and leftover packaging materials and dust, to permit the burn-in to be as effective as possible.
Yesterday was the first time we tried using the unit. The "cook to temperature probe" function is truly fantastic. After the preheat finishes, just throw in what you need to cook, insert the temperature probe, and the smoker will do the rest. I was astounded at how much smoke it was producing. Upon completion of the cooking, everything tasted fantastic. Upon examining the wood chips, they were all thoroughly charred - no leftover bare spots, no unused wood chips.
We also ordered Char-broil's "XS" smoker cover - it fits perfectly. Provided that the quality holds up (we are planning on taking very good care of this unit), we will be very pleased with this purchase.
farkedup : Wiring corrodes over time.
Add me to the list of one star reviews. This smoker works great for a while. It suddenly loses the ability to heat up and if you open up the back you will find the connector supplying power to the heating element. Don't bother buying this model.
thisgirl : Quality Smoker for the Lazy Smoker
I started with a propane smoker that needed constant babysitting in order to keep it from catching fire. I liked sitting with it but when other priorities take place, I knew it was time for the switch. With this baby you can set and forget. One time wood chip fill per sample. Turns off when internal reaches set temperature or when time has lapsed. Well built and no complaints. About 10 smokes in and no problems. Cleanup is a breeze with some Dollar Store oven cleaner and a hose. Almost no scrubbing required. Just make sure the elements are dry before running again and you are good to go.
Richard Register : Best smoker for beginners
Comes assembled. All you have to do is let it run at its highest heat for two hours , and then it’s ready for smoking . I did tons of research and it seems like all different brand smokers have there issues . I selected the char broil being the best for a first time smoker myself. I did the 2 hr seasoning . Now there is a temperature difference of 15-20 degrees, but I found my gas grill and even my house stove to be the same . You just have to figure out where ya got to set it . I did a beef tenderloin at 225 degrees . I didn’t use the meat thermometer just set the temp and time . I got a thermometer off Amazon that sits inside . It was reading 250 degrees which was ok I was still in range . Forgot to mentioned, I didn’t use the pre heat . Waited till the smoke started coming out the sides then I put in the meat . When the 3 hrs was up , I stuck in a digital probe ( I also got off Amazon ) and was around 135-145 perfect for medium rare . It Definitely was tender and good smoked flavor . I was impressed. I did clean the smoker later that day . Was very easy with soap and water . I also recommend purchasing the stand attachment . It’s specifically made for that brand and gets it if the ground higher . Only time will tell how long it will last . So far I’m happy with it .
BigWhiteDog : slow cooking perfection
I like smoked ribs. To properly cook smoked ribs you need to be able to maintain about 235 degrees for about five hours. To do that with propane, you have to monitor the grill. To do that with charcoal, you have to monitor the grill. To do this with this Digital Electric Smoker, I can put four racks in the smoker, set the temperature to 235 or so, set the time to four or five hours, fill the wood chip box (actually it takes half the box, not full) and then come back later and enjoy mouth watering ribs, cooked and smoked to perfection. Yeah. I like this grill a lot.
Wood Chuck : Malfunctioned during first use.
I was pretty excited to use this for the first time. Cooked a 8 lbs pork butt. First, the door leaked. Next, I set the thermostat to stop cooking at 200 degrees. It shut off at 173 degrees. I reset it. It shut off at 185 degrees. I contacted charbroil an they said the door, element, and thermostat needed to be replaced LOL AFTER THE FIRST USE. I told them I wanted a replacement unit. They said they would replace parts, not units. I told them I'm not going to rebuild a new unit that was used once. I returned to Amazon with a replacement and I'm hoping this one actually works. If not, I'll be going wit a different brand.
UPDATE: I received my replacement smoker, with a new problem during the first smoke. I put my own thermometer in the unit to see how accurate it was. Keeping in mind this thermometer of mine has read within 2 degrees of the set temp on any oven/smoker I’ve used. This smoker consistently cooked at 80+ degrees hotter than the set cooking temp!!!! I contacted charbroil, again, and got the most ridiculous excuse. The guy told me that you can’t use your own thermometer because it will give a false reading, since the unit’s thermometer is programmed to that unit. Wait. So you’re telling me that temperature isn’t temperature, meaning if I set an oven to 275 and put a thermometer in there it shouldn’t read 275? That’s weird, because it was 62 degrees outside, and before I put my thermometer in the smoker, it read 62 degrees! Save your money. This unit is junk. During my first smoke with my replacement unit I had the unit set to turn off when the IT reached 195. It shut off at 173. So the problem persists. Terrible unit terrible quality. Also, smoke barrels out from around the door yet again.
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.
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.
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.
Susan : Horrible designed electric cooker that smokes poorly
I was really excited to get my Char-Broil electric smoker. First thing that happens, the cheap plastic clip that holds the cord in the back, broke off right out of the box. I liked the wheels, water pan, grates, shelving space, window in front, so I can view when I smoke, and the insulation and venting seemed sufficient. I followed the manufacture recommendation for preheating the unit. Ran PH mode two times and had to put it up to Max temperature just to get it to start smoking. It took me over 2 hours, barely smokes at all. It's actually more like a vaporizer than a smoker, the wood never burns well or charcoals up it, just slowly vaporizes with very little smoke. I've owned a little chief for years and although it's kind of a temperamental unit, uninsulated, it smokes well, the wood catches a good hot charcoal, smokes well, unlike this unit. It has a serious design flaw, it has a stainless steel smoker box and it sits on a plate of stainless steel above the element. The box is nearly sealed so the airflow is not good. No wonder it can't smoke there's too much steel between the element and the wood chips. It's obvious. Lastly the light inside only comes on when you open the door, letting the heat out. It has a light button but that only turns on an external light that is somewhat hidden outside, on the top of the door, pretty useless, just like the Char-Broil electric smoker.
I would NOT recommend this smoker!
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.
Mike PNW : Won’t go over 200 degrees farenheit
I had to return 2 of these because they wouldn’t go over 200 degrees farenheit. I would have loved it if it worked but didnt feel like messing around with replacing parts as suggested by customer support. Its too bad because they look like solidly built units otherwise. There is a serious quality control issue going on with these for 2 of them to have the exact same problem. Luckily i bought them through Amazon and they promptly gave me a refund.
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.
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.
Loktar : Broke on the first day of use.
Disappointed that the first day using it only lasted 5 hours of use. 2 hour seasoning as instructions stated. 3 hours into smoking it pops the GFCI. Now every time the smoker tries to heat it pops the GFCI outlet. Contacted Char-broil support and they are sending a new heating element and thermostat kit. (7 to 10 business days wait for that now.) 3 stars because of quality control... Will revisit the rating if the parts fix the issue. (June 14 2020)
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!
Brian F. Frantz : Minor Complaints
First, the sticker on the glass on the front took me an hour to remove using a razor blade and there is still residue. Second, the attached thermometer isn't sharp. You can't just use another thermometer if you want the smoker to cook to a certain internal temperature and then go to warming mode, or monitor the internal temperature from your living room (and in winter that is a nice option!). But how annoying to have to use something else to "drill" a hole in the chicken because you can't get it through the skin.
The insulation is good...I've had no problem getting the smoker up to temp when it's been 20 degrees F out. It is not hot on the outside other than some of the fasteners and the glass door. I was monitoring it directly on my wooden deck and it doesn't emit enough heat to give me any cause for worry. I haven't tried on a colder day. The smokebox is decently sized although the manual far overestimate how many hours you get smoke out of it. For anything you want a good amount of smoke for more than 2-3 hours, you are going to have to top off the smokebox which the manual says not to do for safety reasons (make sure you are ready in case the chips ignite when exposed to oxygen-rich air when you open the box and don't bring it inside unless the entire box is cool as s cucumber). The top of the box isn't really meant for refilling...it isn't a hinge but instead, a separate piece that fits on tightly and can be a bit of a pain to get off and set somewhere when adding chips to 275-degree metal.
I guess it's common for the water pan and the drip pan to be the same thing for these electric smokers but I don't like that so I use a separate water pan and just use the included water pan to collect the drippings.
T : Outstanding..!!!
VERY impressed and would strongly recommend this to anybody, especially if you’re a beginner smoker like me! I did not want to buy an expensive smoker with all of the bells and whistles for a first time purchase. I did a lot of research and this one was number four on the top five list. But for the price and the quality both on the craftsmanship and the finished cooked product, I absolutely love it and well worth the money! Product was packed very securely. Easy to unboxed and easy to assemble. Plugged it in and ran it for two hours to clean it out. We just got done making our first smoked bacon wrapped turkey breast and fajita meat. Very tender and very juicy on both! The temperature probe is outstanding. When the turkey breast reached 165° it shut down to a warming temperature of 120° by itself. A very nice feature. The glass door made it nice so I didn’t have to constantly open the door to check the meat and have it lose its heat. Another nice feature. Tomorrow will be salmon. My only question is why didn’t I do this many years ago?
Kane : Poorly built, don't buy
I've Been talking about buy a smoker for a long time and was super excited to finally purchase one. I did plenty of research and chose this model for the handheld temp sensor and glass so my child could see the meat smoke. All was good until I unboxed the product and saw how poorly it was put together. As you can see the self tapping screws are already coming out. Can't screw them back in because they are striped. Scratches are all over the inside and insulation is showing. This is just what I can see from the outside. Lord only knows how things look like that I can't see. Do not buy this product, it's not worth $260. Spend a little more and buy a quality product.
KahunaSchelf : Worry free smoked meat done to perfection.
This is a great, top notch smoker. I love smoking spiral sliced hams with this smoker. The removable racks give you a flexible environment for smoking large meats or several racks of ribs. The design is well thought and well manufactured. The digital interface is easy to understand and use. With the included thermometer, you set the smoke temp and the meat temp you want. Close the door and lock the latch and let the smoker do all the work worry free. I considered getting the glass door, but I am glad that I did not. I did not want to spend time cleaning glass when I should be eating delicious smoked meat.
Keith G. : Do Not Waste Your Money! Constant Error Messages Since Day One!
Purchased this smoker May 26, 2021. From day one it has thrown random error messages (control panel) 1 thru 4 and error message "0" which even isn't in the manual. In addition, the toy quality remote control shows an error message in the "meat probe actual temp" window, which is also not listed in the manual. I called Char Broil customer service on June 23rd, and while nice, the gentleman was completely clueless, which is all the more frustrating. Overall this smoker was a cheaply built , bitter disappointment. I will be returning the item to Amazon for a refund. Definitely not taking a chance on a replacement.
Gigiola : Easy to use but a serious design flaw
We've used this product for two and a half years.
On the plus side the unit is easy to use. Comparatively it has a large wood chip holder. The meat/temp probe is removable making it nice for cleaning. While some don't like a glass front (more cleaning) I find it useful to be able to visually inspect what's going on. The handle/closure is well designed and easy to operate with one hand. The price of the unit is much more attractive than competing brands.
On the negative side the unit does not have any way of controlling airflow. The water pan is undersized. Per information I received directly from Charbroil technical support, the unit will raise the set temperature if it feels it's taking too long to smoke/finish (when working as designed). The unit also consistently under measured the operating temperature by 20 to 25 degrees (verified by two third party probes), so if you wished to smoke at 225 you had to set it to 200 or 205. However the biggest drawback is the digital control unit. It has failed twice in the same way ... the unit simply runs at "full bore" and no longer tries to modulate the temperature at whatever setting you selected. First time this happened it was under warranty and Charbroil did send me a completely replacement for the control unit. While not a difficult replacement it wasn't trivial either. The second control unit fared better ... lasting more than a year and a half before failing the same way as the first one. My guess is that the control unit does not have sufficient separation or insulation from the heat of the smoker.
MarigoldLilyRosemary : Great flavor.
We’ve cured and then smoked a salmon, smoked a brisket, and then a whole chicken where we let the drippings fall into a pot of mixed veggies. Everything tastes great! Used Alder for fish and hickory for the chicken and beef. We bought as a joint 12th wedding anniversary gift. We love BBQ and with this Covid virus quarantine we couldn’t get out to our favorite BBQ place. This made for a great experience of both food and celebration.
Variscite : Spacious. Easy to use. Easy to clean. Rolls on wheels. Assembly - just add the trays.
I did a lot of research before buying this. I've never cooked like this before and didn't know if I wanted a grill or a smoker. Didn't relish starting a fire, determining the temperature of the fire or trying to maintain that temperature. For some people the process it what they enjoy when cooking outside, but for me I just want the food cooked. This Char-Broil electric smoker works for me. Add the wood chips and water, pre-heat, set the timer, add the food, wait until it finishes, eat.
Richard Register : Best smoker for beginners
Comes assembled. All you have to do is let it run at its highest heat for two hours , and then it’s ready for smoking . I did tons of research and it seems like all different brand smokers have there issues . I selected the char broil being the best for a first time smoker myself. I did the 2 hr seasoning . Now there is a temperature difference of 15-20 degrees, but I found my gas grill and even my house stove to be the same . You just have to figure out where ya got to set it . I did a beef tenderloin at 225 degrees . I didn’t use the meat thermometer just set the temp and time . I got a thermometer off Amazon that sits inside . It was reading 250 degrees which was ok I was still in range . Forgot to mentioned, I didn’t use the pre heat . Waited till the smoke started coming out the sides then I put in the meat . When the 3 hrs was up , I stuck in a digital probe ( I also got off Amazon ) and was around 135-145 perfect for medium rare . It Definitely was tender and good smoked flavor . I was impressed. I did clean the smoker later that day . Was very easy with soap and water . I also recommend purchasing the stand attachment . It’s specifically made for that brand and gets it if the ground higher . Only time will tell how long it will last . So far I’m happy with it .
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!
alan mautino : Broke after 3 uses
purchased in April to use during the summer. Didn't use until June. When I used it, wouldn't work after 3rd time. Now I have to have parts shipped and pay for shipping. Not really a great smoker if I have to repair so soon.
MarigoldLilyRosemary : Great flavor.
We’ve cured and then smoked a salmon, smoked a brisket, and then a whole chicken where we let the drippings fall into a pot of mixed veggies. Everything tastes great! Used Alder for fish and hickory for the chicken and beef. We bought as a joint 12th wedding anniversary gift. We love BBQ and with this Covid virus quarantine we couldn’t get out to our favorite BBQ place. This made for a great experience of both food and celebration.
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...
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.
alan mautino : Broke after 3 uses
purchased in April to use during the summer. Didn't use until June. When I used it, wouldn't work after 3rd time. Now I have to have parts shipped and pay for shipping. Not really a great smoker if I have to repair so soon.
Gigiola : Easy to use but a serious design flaw
We've used this product for two and a half years.
On the plus side the unit is easy to use. Comparatively it has a large wood chip holder. The meat/temp probe is removable making it nice for cleaning. While some don't like a glass front (more cleaning) I find it useful to be able to visually inspect what's going on. The handle/closure is well designed and easy to operate with one hand. The price of the unit is much more attractive than competing brands.
On the negative side the unit does not have any way of controlling airflow. The water pan is undersized. Per information I received directly from Charbroil technical support, the unit will raise the set temperature if it feels it's taking too long to smoke/finish (when working as designed). The unit also consistently under measured the operating temperature by 20 to 25 degrees (verified by two third party probes), so if you wished to smoke at 225 you had to set it to 200 or 205. However the biggest drawback is the digital control unit. It has failed twice in the same way ... the unit simply runs at "full bore" and no longer tries to modulate the temperature at whatever setting you selected. First time this happened it was under warranty and Charbroil did send me a completely replacement for the control unit. While not a difficult replacement it wasn't trivial either. The second control unit fared better ... lasting more than a year and a half before failing the same way as the first one. My guess is that the control unit does not have sufficient separation or insulation from the heat of the smoker.
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.
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.
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????
Variscite : Spacious. Easy to use. Easy to clean. Rolls on wheels. Assembly - just add the trays.
I did a lot of research before buying this. I've never cooked like this before and didn't know if I wanted a grill or a smoker. Didn't relish starting a fire, determining the temperature of the fire or trying to maintain that temperature. For some people the process it what they enjoy when cooking outside, but for me I just want the food cooked. This Char-Broil electric smoker works for me. Add the wood chips and water, pre-heat, set the timer, add the food, wait until it finishes, eat.
Kim : Electric Cabinet Smoker
The product came quickly and in great shape. I’ve always liked char-broil and like that it matches my grill. The sticker on the glass door is a complete failure... does not come off easily at all... there were also two screws in the bottom of the cabinet and the directions don’t mention having to screw or unscrew anything so that’s a mystery. That being said... it worked very well. The remote is a pretty great feature that my previous electric cabinet smokers did not have. Only have used it once so far, but happy with the results. The smoker cover is high quality as well (sold separately).
Kane : Poorly built, don't buy
I've Been talking about buy a smoker for a long time and was super excited to finally purchase one. I did plenty of research and chose this model for the handheld temp sensor and glass so my child could see the meat smoke. All was good until I unboxed the product and saw how poorly it was put together. As you can see the self tapping screws are already coming out. Can't screw them back in because they are striped. Scratches are all over the inside and insulation is showing. This is just what I can see from the outside. Lord only knows how things look like that I can't see. Do not buy this product, it's not worth $260. Spend a little more and buy a quality product.
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.
Amazon Customer : This Smoker is Very Reliable!
I waited well over a year to review this electric smoker. I wanted to deliver a multiple experience review. I have used this smoker at least 25 times and it has performed flawlessly! This was my first electric smoker and was very skeptical buying one. I did a month of research before buying one, reading reviews, reliability and overall performance. I chose the Char-Broil Deluxe based on my evaluation of it and competing products. I was going to buy a much higher priced electric smoker (just based on the reviews). I decided i was not ready to spend that kind of money on something i might not use that much. Now that i have my Char-Broil smoker, it is the only thing i use outdoors! My grill is now rarely used. This thing is VERY RELIABLE, easy to use and relatively easy to maintain. I expect to get many years of use out of it. If you are interested in an electric smoker, i recommend this one, you not be disappointed.
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.
Kim : Electric Cabinet Smoker
The product came quickly and in great shape. I’ve always liked char-broil and like that it matches my grill. The sticker on the glass door is a complete failure... does not come off easily at all... there were also two screws in the bottom of the cabinet and the directions don’t mention having to screw or unscrew anything so that’s a mystery. That being said... it worked very well. The remote is a pretty great feature that my previous electric cabinet smokers did not have. Only have used it once so far, but happy with the results. The smoker cover is high quality as well (sold separately).
Eric : Count the number of times you'll use it on two hands.
I bought this in May 2017, and I've used it maybe 2 or 3 times per year in the summer seasons. When not in use, it's cleaned and stored under a Char-Broil cover. By August 2019, it's dead - I assume the heating element or maybe internal wiring is shot. Meanwhile, I've got $100 dollars worth of room-temperature meat that I'm now going to have to get creative with. Taking it apart and attempting to troubleshoot seems like a real pain... I think this smoker unfortunately destined for the trash. When it worked, the food was great, and the electronic functionality make things easy. In retrospect, I regret not investing in an actual wood smoker that, although more of a challenge to cook with, wouldn't die on me right when I needed it. Take a look at the 1-star reviews and ask yourself: do you want to roll the dice on being the guy who throws a BBQ, only to discover his ribs and brisket are sitting in a dead smoker?
SW : So Far - So Good!
So far used it for smoking home made (and cured) bacon and works fine - Canadian Bacon turns to smoked ham real fast! That said, it’s delicious. Still trying to gauge the actual inside temperature. Also did a good job smoking some brats before finishing on the grill. Tried ribs, but looks like they need longer than the little book with it suggests, so they are not fall off the bone but taste was good. Looks good, easy to set up clean and prep, and 4 shelves for plenty of meat. You can’t adjust the vents thought - may have to modify myself. I’m happy so far.
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????
mellow2day2 : Great smoker for a beginner
A friend at work was telling me about this electric smoker, and I decided to give it a try. So far, I been very pleased with the results. I have used it for brisket, beef ribs, pork ribs, and smoked our Thanksgiving turkey this year. I usually look for smoking recipes on the internet, rather than relying on the charbroil recipes that it came with, or use some mixture of the two. Everything comes out tasting good, and I no longer over or under cook things like I did when using my charcoal grill. Even though it only seems to smoke for about an hour with a full box of woodchips, the smoke flavor is more than adequate after the meat is done cooking. So far, the only drawback is the glass window is hard to clean after each use. Overall, a great value.
Gary hopson : Awesome smoker
I have used it three times so far. Two racks of baby back ribs twice. Eight bbq chicken thighs. Operation is very easy. Clean up, soak the racks and other components, and they clean up fairly easy. Use baking soda and water to clean the glass. Don't expect the glass to be perfect, but still good. I have never used a smoker before getting this. I will probably use it more than my grill.
Jake Blues : Very, very poor quality
I purchased this smoker 8 months ago and the today the thermostat and heating element failed for the second time when I had an entire kitchen counter of food prepared and ready to smoke. Fortunately, the warranty allows for free replacement parts for one year from the date of purchase. I regret buying this product and will never purchase anything made by this company again.
UPDATE: The smoker no longer works and now it's out of warranty. This was one of the worst purchases I've ever made. I will never buy a Char-Broil product again.
Richard Register : Best smoker for beginners
Comes assembled. All you have to do is let it run at its highest heat for two hours , and then it’s ready for smoking . I did tons of research and it seems like all different brand smokers have there issues . I selected the char broil being the best for a first time smoker myself. I did the 2 hr seasoning . Now there is a temperature difference of 15-20 degrees, but I found my gas grill and even my house stove to be the same . You just have to figure out where ya got to set it . I did a beef tenderloin at 225 degrees . I didn’t use the meat thermometer just set the temp and time . I got a thermometer off Amazon that sits inside . It was reading 250 degrees which was ok I was still in range . Forgot to mentioned, I didn’t use the pre heat . Waited till the smoke started coming out the sides then I put in the meat . When the 3 hrs was up , I stuck in a digital probe ( I also got off Amazon ) and was around 135-145 perfect for medium rare . It Definitely was tender and good smoked flavor . I was impressed. I did clean the smoker later that day . Was very easy with soap and water . I also recommend purchasing the stand attachment . It’s specifically made for that brand and gets it if the ground higher . Only time will tell how long it will last . So far I’m happy with it .
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