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Electric smokers
Posted on 1/8/20 at 8:51 am
Posted on 1/8/20 at 8:51 am
I am in the market for an electric smoker. Don't really have the room for a traditional one, and I like the portability of the electric units to take to the lake house.
I was looking at Home Depot the other day and liked the looks of the Masterbuilts - the MES 130B or for a bit more the MES 130P with Bluetooth capability. The B model has much better reviews. It also looks like Masterbuilts have gotten a good bit of love on various other sites, but not sure if it is the 130B or not that is ranking at the top of lists for 2019 or 2020.
Any advice from the experts on the food board? Is there a different model or different manufacturer I should be looking into?
I was looking at Home Depot the other day and liked the looks of the Masterbuilts - the MES 130B or for a bit more the MES 130P with Bluetooth capability. The B model has much better reviews. It also looks like Masterbuilts have gotten a good bit of love on various other sites, but not sure if it is the 130B or not that is ranking at the top of lists for 2019 or 2020.
Any advice from the experts on the food board? Is there a different model or different manufacturer I should be looking into?
6
Posted on 1/8/20 at 9:09 am to PJinAtl
I have an MES with bluetooth and personally I like the model but the bluetooth doesn't work very well for me. Range is limited (understood with bluetooth) and it seems to have issues syncing.
Get the AMNPS if you go with the MES so you don't have to open the chip tray during smokes.
Get the AMNPS if you go with the MES so you don't have to open the chip tray during smokes.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 9:15 am to PJinAtl
I have the basic smaller version master built without bluetooth. I've really enjoying it as a entry level smoker. So far I've done pork butts, whole chickens, ribs, sausage, and a turkey. I would definitely recommend buying a probe thermometer to pair with it. I plan to upgrade to a pellet smoker in the future once my master built craps out.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 9:24 am to PJinAtl
What exactly is the purpose of Bluetooth on one of these? We have an older Masterbuilt at our deer camp, and I really can't think of a scenario where we'd need Bluetooth.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 9:36 am to The Spleen
quote:I think you are supposed to be able to monitor/control them via BT.
What exactly is the purpose of Bluetooth on one of these? We have an older Masterbuilt at our deer camp, and I really can't think of a scenario where we'd need Bluetooth.
I guess if the weather is rainy, etc. and you are inside you can keep an eye on the temp, adjust the temp, etc.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 9:43 am to PJinAtl
MES seems to be the go to Electric
Another option would be a pellet grill. Most manufacturers make smaller portable versions.
Another option would be a pellet grill. Most manufacturers make smaller portable versions.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 10:22 am to PJinAtl
Can't go wrong with a Masterbuilt electric smoker. They are easy to use and good on price. They go on sale at home depot pretty regularly. I got mine on sale around fathers day. I have the 40" and I have only gotten close to filling it up once. The 30" has plenty of room and will get you through mostly anything you want to do.
My only complaint with mine is the frequency of which I have to add wood chips to it (like once an hour it seems like). I see other posters have recommended newer models that I don't have knowledge of that may improve this. If so I would definitely look into that.
I recommend like others have suggested, however, saving a little money and not getting the Bluetooth built in. Most of the ones I have seen like this are gimmicky and don't work to well. I think you are better off buying your own on the side that is more reliable and has the ability to use more probes for when you are smoking multiple different cuts of meat.
Also just a tip, most of the cheaper bluetooth thermometers I have used have a horrible range and I just assume walk up to the unit to check the temperature. I bought a wifi thermometer (Tappeque, a bit pricey) and it has made everything much simpler and tracks my cooks.
My only complaint with mine is the frequency of which I have to add wood chips to it (like once an hour it seems like). I see other posters have recommended newer models that I don't have knowledge of that may improve this. If so I would definitely look into that.
I recommend like others have suggested, however, saving a little money and not getting the Bluetooth built in. Most of the ones I have seen like this are gimmicky and don't work to well. I think you are better off buying your own on the side that is more reliable and has the ability to use more probes for when you are smoking multiple different cuts of meat.
Also just a tip, most of the cheaper bluetooth thermometers I have used have a horrible range and I just assume walk up to the unit to check the temperature. I bought a wifi thermometer (Tappeque, a bit pricey) and it has made everything much simpler and tracks my cooks.
This post was edited on 1/8/20 at 10:23 am
Posted on 1/8/20 at 10:28 am to PJinAtl
Love mine but the bluetooth sucks,dont let it be a buying factor for sure.
If you get one get a amazing pellet tray and ditch the wood chips. Also get a quality wireless thermometer with at least two probes.
I also have done the mailbox mod to mine which I would highly recommend.
If you get one get a amazing pellet tray and ditch the wood chips. Also get a quality wireless thermometer with at least two probes.
I also have done the mailbox mod to mine which I would highly recommend.
This post was edited on 1/8/20 at 10:41 am
Posted on 1/8/20 at 12:05 pm to NATidefan
I've never seen one with a window so clean
Posted on 1/8/20 at 12:10 pm to NATidefan
quote:Is that the 130P or a different model?
Love mine but the bluetooth sucks,dont let it be a buying factor for sure.
The mailbox mod looks interesting. May wait a bit before doing that though, at least until the initial warranty runs out.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 12:12 pm to jamboybarry
quote:
I've never seen one with a window so clean
That was when I first got it, before I ever used it. But you can get it clean if you use some degreaser spray followed by some windex.
This post was edited on 1/8/20 at 12:30 pm
Posted on 1/8/20 at 12:19 pm to PJinAtl
quote:
Is that the 130P or a different model?
Cant remember. I just know it has bluetooth. I got it on clearance at walmart 2 years ago for 140 when someone posted a thread on here about them being on sale.
The mail box mod shouldnt affect your warranty. You dont have to actually do anything to it you cant easily undo. Just have to take out the wood tray and its cover that prevents drippings from falling on the wood chips. Pretty easy to take out and put back in if needed.
I read alot on smoking meat forums before I did it and am super glad I did. I stick my amazing pellet tray in the mailbox and itll smoke for as long as want and I've never had to mess with it.
Also makes it a cold smoker cause you can put stuff in the MES and not turn it on since your smoke is coming from the mailbox.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 2:38 pm to PJinAtl
I have a Masterbuilt from HD, no Bluetooth. No window.
I like it just fine. Get a good digital thermometer and you will be good to go.
I like it just fine. Get a good digital thermometer and you will be good to go.
Posted on 1/8/20 at 2:52 pm to Tadey
quote:
My only complaint with mine is the frequency of which I have to add wood chips to it (like once an hour it seems like). I see other posters have recommended newer models that I don't have knowledge of that may improve this. If so I would definitely look into that.
Get one of these and some wood pellets and never worry about adding wood chips again.
Posted on 1/9/20 at 6:48 am to REB BEER
This looks interesting. Do you have to finagle it into where the wood chips normally go above the heating element some how?
Posted on 1/9/20 at 7:05 am to Tadey
quote:
This looks interesting. Do you have to finagle it into where the wood chips normally go above the heating element some how?
You can just put it in the bottom next to the heating element.
That's basically what I put in my mailbox, but mine is the tray instead of the tube.
They work great.
However, they are another reason I did the mailbox mod on mine. Some people have issues putting it next to the heating element and it causing more pellets to ignite than is needed. In the mailbox it is guaranteed to have no issues due to that.
This post was edited on 1/9/20 at 7:08 am
Posted on 1/9/20 at 7:27 am to NATidefan
After spending a ton of money in electrics, I highly recommend you look at a true pellet grill if you can find a good one in your budget.
Had MES with AMNPS and a cookshack clone (Smokin It 3) wish I would have just bought a pellet to begin with and saved the money on that adventure. That's what MES is trying to be with the AMNPS, better just to go with the ones meant to do it.
Pellets are top tier of the lazy Q world. Cookshack and the clones of cookshacks are probably the best electrics. Smokin It and Smokin Tex are some of the clones.
Had MES with AMNPS and a cookshack clone (Smokin It 3) wish I would have just bought a pellet to begin with and saved the money on that adventure. That's what MES is trying to be with the AMNPS, better just to go with the ones meant to do it.
Pellets are top tier of the lazy Q world. Cookshack and the clones of cookshacks are probably the best electrics. Smokin It and Smokin Tex are some of the clones.
This post was edited on 1/9/20 at 7:31 am
Posted on 1/9/20 at 7:39 am to Dam Guide
I got my MES on sale for 140. So I'm pretty happy with it. With the tray and mailbox I probably have about 200 in it total and it works great.
If I had spent 300 on it, then I might have a different outlook on it.
If I had spent 300 on it, then I might have a different outlook on it.
This post was edited on 1/9/20 at 7:45 am
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