Electric Smokers

rdb2001

With BBQ Grills and smokers being talked about frequently lately, I wanted to start a thread to ask about electric smokers. I am intrigued by them and have decided to actually try one. I am a Purist when it comes to BBQ. I love using charcoal, lump coal, and wood chunks. I have never cooked on a gas grill before. This weekend made me realize that maybe it would be nice to try something a little different and to have something that takes 5 mins to get going instead of 30 mins or so when dealing with charcoal. So I am in the market for a gas grill which I pretty much picked out already and an Electric smoker. I have 2 charcoal grills and 2 wood/charcoal smokers now. I am looking at 2 brands of smokers right now, master built and Bradley. I am not particurlarly fond of the Bradley because you have to use their wood flavored briquettes that cost. With the masterbuilt, I could use my own choice of woodchips. Are there any other brands out there I might should look into. Budget is 500, and it is for an electric smoker. Thanks



Masterbuilt

http://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt-30-Inch-Electric-Smokehouse-Controller/dp/B003XJGEGY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1311189847&sr=8-2

Bradley

http://www.amazon.com/Bradley-BTIS1-Original-Automatic-Smoker/dp/B000FK2DNM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311189955&sr=8-1

Erik Tracy

rdb2001 wrote: »

With BBQ Grills and smokers being talked about frequently lately, I wanted to start a thread to ask about electric smokers. I am intrigued by them and have decided to actually try one. I am a Purist when it comes to BBQ. I love using charcoal, lump coal, and wood chunks. I have never cooked on a gas grill before. This weekend made me realize that maybe it would be nice to try something a little different and to have something that takes 5 mins to get going instead of 30 mins or so when dealing with charcoal. So I am in the market for a gas grill which I pretty much picked out already and an Electric smoker. I have 2 charcoal grills and 2 wood/charcoal smokers now. I am looking at 2 brands of smokers right now, master built and Bradley. I am not particurlarly fond of the Bradley because you have to use their wood flavored briquettes that cost. With the masterbuilt, I could use my own choice of woodchips. Are there any other brands out there I might should look into. Budget is 500, and it is for an electric smoker. Thanks



Masterbuilt

http://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt-30-Inch-Electric-Smokehouse-Controller/dp/B003XJGEGY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1311189847&sr=8-2

Bradley

http://www.amazon.com/Bradley-BTIS1-Original-Automatic-Smoker/dp/B000FK2DNM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311189955&sr=8-1

Alton Brown from "Good Eats" on the Food channel made a poor man's electric smoker from an electric heater element, a weber round grill/grate, two oversized clay pots(one as the bottom and the other as the lid), a tin tray and chunks of soaked wood that would sit on the heater element. He cooked a pork shoulder on it, it looked like it turned out really nice.

He stuck a thermometer in the hole at the top of the clay pot lid to dial in the heater element to 250F.

rdb2001

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Alton Brown from "Good Eats" on the Food channel made a poor man's electric smoker from an electric heater element, a weber round grill/grate, two oversized clay pots(one as the bottom and the other as the lid), a tin tray and chunks of soaked wood that would sit on the heater element. He cooked a pork shoulder on it, it looked like it turned out really nice.

He stuck a thermometer in the hole at the top of the clay pot lid to dial in the heater element to 250F.

That sounds really innovative. I could try my hand at it but I would much rather buy one thats already fabricated. He seem to hit it spot on. Definitely a great DIY project.

TroyD

I used an electric smoker for years and loved it. Cheap and easy.

BDT

brgman

Masterbuilt if you want electric.Works well.

WilliamM2

My Dad used one of these for over twenty years, bought it in the 70's:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camping/Outdoor-Cooking/Smokers-Accessories%7C/pc/104795280/c/104754780/sc/104582880/Smokehouse-Products-Little-Chief8482-Front-Load-Electric-Smoker/732380.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FN%3D1100709%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd732380&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd732380%3Bcat104582880

It's over 30 years old now, and the thing still works, but I've rarely used it the last ten or so.

thsmith

WilliamM2 wrote: »

My Dad used one of these for over twenty years, bought it in the 70's:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Camping/Outdoor-Cooking/Smokers-Accessories%7C/pc/104795280/c/104754780/sc/104582880/Smokehouse-Products-Little-Chief8482-Front-Load-Electric-Smoker/732380.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse.cmd%3FN%3D1100709%26WTz_l%3DSBC%253BBRprd732380&WTz_l=SBC%3BBRprd732380%3Bcat104582880

It's over 30 years old now, and the thing still works, but I've rarely used it the last ten or so.

When I was in bush Alaska (early 80s) that is what the locals used. They even stuck to box back on it to hold even more smoke. WTH, never caught fire.

Sherardp

Just bought the Masterbuilt myself. Get it while the prices are good on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt-20070910-30-Inch-Electric-Smokehouse/dp/B00104WRCY/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1311204313&sr=1-1

Buy all your wood chips, pick up the Maverick ET 73 while your at it. There are a ton of other brands out there but they will exceed the $200 mark. Check out Smokingmeatforums also.

Also if you plan to cook quite a bit I would suggest the 40". I couldn't get the 40 shipped out here to me so I was stuck with the 30". Both play well and there are tons of info in those forums I mentioned. Alot of guys over there swear by Masterbuilt if your buying. Some guys over there build their own, which looks awesome. Get the Masterbuilt and enjoy.

Erik Tracy

Sherardp wrote: »

Just bought the Masterbuilt myself. Get it while the prices are good on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt-20070910-30-Inch-Electric-Smokehouse/dp/B00104WRCY/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1311204313&sr=1-1

Buy all your wood chips, pick up the Maverick ET 73 while your at it. There are a ton of other brands out there but they will exceed the $200 mark. Check out Smokingmeatforums also.

Also if you plan to cook quite a bit I would suggest the 40". I couldn't get the 40 shipped out here to me so I was stuck with the 30". Both play well and there are tons of info in those forums I mentioned. Alot of guys over there swear by Masterbuilt if your buying. Some guys over there build their own, which looks awesome. Get the Masterbuilt and enjoy.

How much power do these things draw?

Would I see my utility bill spike up like when I turn my AC on?

rdb2001

Thanks for all of the responses. I think I am leaning towards the masterbuilt.

@Eric

I think the masterbuilt comes with a 500 watt heating element.

Sherardp

Correct the 30" comes with a 500 watt heating element, the new 40" version comes with an 800 watt heating element. Some guys even mod them with a 1200 watt element which goes for roughly $24. The 30" has 3 racks, the 40" has 4 racks so you get a tad more space in the 40" version.

If you have Bass & Pro shop or Cabela's you maybe able to find good deals on the Masterbuilt units there as well. @ 178.00 that's the cheapest I've seen them yet, and that's for the new improved model.

audiobilly

I use the Ole Smokey version. Works very well and cost effective! But this looks to be small time for what you are looking for. Just to let ya know another option.

http://www.oldsmokey.com/Products/OSES/oldsmokeyelectricsmoker.html

jbooker82

Cook Shack if you want to buy a nice well built stainless steel one. The more expensive ones have built in meat thermomters so you dont have to run your probe through the door seal. They cost more but you get a much higher quality smoker.

http://store.cookshack.com/c-63-smokers.aspx

Sherardp

jbooker82 wrote: »

They cost more but you get a much higher quality smoker.

http://store.cookshack.com/c-63-smokers.aspx

Starting a 3x the the price of a Masterbuilt, it's just a tad out of my league. I did peep their product before I bought mine but I chose the cheaper route. Nice product line though.

jbooker82

I dont have one but my father in law has had one for a while. He got it before they were well known so it didnt cost near as much.

Having meat probes inside the smoker and have the read out built right on to the smoker would be handy but they start out at 700+.

I got a smokenator for my weber. Going to see how it works. Suposedly it allows you to hold a 200-250 deg dome temp for 6 hrs on a single fill of coal.

Sherardp

The masterbuilt has digital temp control. Paired with that thermometer it equals out about the same I think.

The smokenator looks good man. Get yourself a rib rack and get to cooking.

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Sherardp

I'm officially smoking as of today. My smoker showed up today after a month wait with the mail. Anyway got it preseasoned today, and looking forward to some ribs, chicken and mac& cheese this weekend all in the smoker.

Erik Tracy

Awesome!

Give us the full first timer experience and review - I've got my eye on a unit like this myself.

rdb2001

Looks good. I ended up getting the masterbuilt with the window and the wireless remote and temp gauge with meat probs. it was 280 shipped to my house from amazon. I have yet to even unbox it but will take pictures when I do. Let me know how you like yours.

Sherardp

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Awesome!

Give us the full first timer experience and review - I've got my eye on a unit like this myself.

I most definitely will. What model are you looking at? If your a Sams club member they have the 40" with Window, and all the goodies RB2001 mentioned for 299.00. I may end up upgrading to that one while I'm back stateside.

rdb2001 wrote: »

Looks good. I ended up getting the masterbuilt with the window and the wireless remote and temp gauge with meat probs. it was 280 shipped to my house from amazon. I have yet to even unbox it but will take pictures when I do. Let me know how you like yours.

Congrats bro, open that bad boy up and get to smoking. Also check out the Amaze-n- smoker from amazenproducts.com

Erik Tracy

Sherardp wrote: »

Just bought the Masterbuilt myself. Get it while the prices are good on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt-20070910-30-Inch-Electric-Smokehouse/dp/B00104WRCY/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1311204313&sr=1-1

Buy all your wood chips, pick up the Maverick ET 73 while your at it. There are a ton of other brands out there but they will exceed the $200 mark. Check out Smokingmeatforums also.

Also if you plan to cook quite a bit I would suggest the 40". I couldn't get the 40 shipped out here to me so I was stuck with the 30". Both play well and there are tons of info in those forums I mentioned. Alot of guys over there swear by Masterbuilt if your buying. Some guys over there build their own, which looks awesome. Get the Masterbuilt and enjoy.

Follow up to this since it's getting close to Father's Day.

How is this unit holding up?

I've been reading alot of reviews for electric smokers and the Masterbuilt has quite a few negative reviews - mostly due to poor wiring and the heating element failing....seems like a year is when these units stop working.

mark090852

I have used Bradley Smokers and have been quite pleased with them. My first one lasted about 5 years and would have lasted longer if the table it was on hadn't given out and everything collapsed to the ground, breaking the door hinges. I'm using my second one now for about a year and have had no issues at all.

Erik Tracy

mark090852 wrote: »

I have used Bradley Smokers and have been quite pleased with them. My first one lasted about 5 years and would have lasted longer if the table it was on hadn't given out and everything collapsed to the ground, breaking the door hinges. I'm using my second one now for about a year and have had no issues at all.

Nice setup - tasty looking too!

Are those full racks of babybacks or half-racks?

About how many pellets did it take for you to cook what you have in the pic?

Thanks!

mark090852

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Nice setup - tasty looking too!

Are those full racks of babybacks or half-racks?

About how many pellets did it take for you to cook what you have in the pic?

Thanks!

Those were three full racks that I cut in half before smoking them. I had them in the smoker for about 5 hours at 225 degrees. I used 6 Bradley hickory bisquettes in the smoke generator to give smoke for the first two hours. Then I finished them with a few minutes on the gas grill with sauce to give a crispy glaze. We thought they turned out great!

mark090852

mark090852 wrote: »

Those were three full racks that I cut in half before smoking them. I had them in the smoker for about 5 hours at 225 degrees. I used 6 Bradley hickory bisquettes in the smoke generator to give smoke for the first two hours. Then I finished them with a few minutes on the gas grill with sauce to give a crispy glaze. We thought they turned out great!

I reread what I wrote and realized it might have been a little confusing. I started them in the Bradley smoker. The first two hours with smoke, then continued in the smoker for 3 more hours without smoke. So a total of 5 hours in the smoker at 225 degrees. Then I moved them to the gas grill for about 30 minutes over low heat and sauced them to give a nice crispy glaze.

Sherardp

Erik Tracy wrote: »

Follow up to this since it's getting close to Father's Day.

How is this unit holding up?

I've been reading alot of reviews for electric smokers and the Masterbuilt has quite a few negative reviews - mostly due to poor wiring and the heating element failing....seems like a year is when these units stop working.

Fast forward to the present and no issues with my smoker. I recently smoked some ribs in it and they were awesome. I still stand by my recommendation. Go get one, the prices are really good. Build quality is excellent. Also those reviews are based on the older model. MB has made a change so you access the heating element and wires easy if need be.