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There are only a handful of things that compare to the experience of eating food so good it makes you want to cry. For lovers of that natural smokey flavor, you can only achieve that kind of mouth-watering quality when you have the best vertical electric smoker you can find.
In this post, we take a look at Masterbuilt electric smokers, one of the top brands from where you can get yourself a high-performance smoker.
Masterbuilt is an honest company started by a respectable family around 1973. Over more than 45 years, they’ve built up a line of some of the best models when it comes to cooking, and, in the case of this review, smoking foods.
Masterbuilt puts its faith in quality innovation and constructs make and models to fit all sorts of budgets. When you’re looking at Masterbuilt, you’re looking at some of the best.
You don’t want to settle for anything less when you strive for genuine flavor, which is why we’ve compiled a list of the top products just for you. Without further ado, let’s get into our Masterbuilt electric vertical smoker reviews.
Masterbuilt Electric Smokers Review:
1. Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker
You may have seen other Masterbuilt MES 130b digital electric smoker reviews out there, but whether or not you’ve seen this product on the list, we can assure you it’s one of the top smokers
Masterbuilt offers. At under 300 dollars, the smoker works for a budget while providing four racks worth of cooking area. Each shelf is a little under 20 by 20 inches, offering you the capacity to smoke a whole lot of meat at once.
The machine is 30 inches in height, made of highly durable steel, and incredibly simple to set up. All you have to do is plug it in, set your digital controls, and you’re ready to get your smoking started.
The smoker features a cylindrical wood chip loading system so that you can insert your wood chips into the machine from the side without ever having to open the door.
The digital thermostat on top of the smoker lets you control your heat for full flavor, and the insulation within the machine ensures everything smokes consistently throughout.
Other features this smoker included are a water bowl for added moisture and flavor, a wood chip tray to catch ash, and a rear grease tray to catch food drippings. For extra protection from the elements, you can also purchase a cover, which slips right over the smoker.
Customers are impressed with the accuracy of the temperature controls and the gorgeous appearance of their meat when it comes out of the smoker.
Buyers agree the machine is much more ideal for smoking at higher temperatures, however, and many suggest adding a cold smoker for working with temperatures below 180 degrees.
Some consumers seem to have problems with their heating elements after prolonged use as well and suggest purchasing the extended warranty for this product, just in case.
If you’re in the game for a smoker with a lot of cooking space and hassle-free controls, this Masterbuilt smoker is your guy.
You get a lot of features for the price, and despite the inconveniences that you may encounter here and there, you can still achieve that tantalizing smokey flavor that you want for your cooking.
Features
- Wood chips are loaded into the side of the smoker, so you never have to open the door and let out the heat
- A digital thermostat allows you to control the temperature of the smoker with precision
- The water bowl lets you add moisture and flavor to your smoke
- The air damper provides smoke control so that you can get the taste just right
- The fully-insulated body retains heat for even cooking and flavor retention
- Four chrome-plated racks give you enough cooking area to cook roughly six full chickens or four pork shoulders
- Runs on electricity, so you never need to worry about running out of fuel
Pros
- Offers a large amount of cooking area
- A digital thermostat and wood chips loaded into the side mean you never have to open the door and let the heat out
- Wood chip trays and grease trays provide an easy way to catch ash and dripping
- The insulated body offers outstanding heat retention
- Steel body stands up well against external elements
Cons
- Doesn’t work the best for smoking at lower temperatures
- Digital controls are hard to read in direct sunlight
- You may experience problems with the heating element after extended use
2. Masterbuilt MB20072718 Digital Electric Smoker 140S
In the realm of Masterbuilt electric smoker 40-inch reviews, here’s a product that stands on top of the competition. While this product is twice as expensive as the 30-inch smoker in our previous review, the price accounts for the extra benefits this smoker offers.
Standing 40 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 25 inches deep, you get a significant amount of space.
The four chrome-plated cooking racks offer roughly 710 square inches of cooking area, allowing you to smoke meats for a large crowd. The smoker also has a built-in front window so that you can monitor your food as it cooks.
Like the 30-inch smoker, this product comes with a wood chip loading system that works from the side and digital temperature controls on the top, so you never have to open the door and let the heat escape to check on your food.
The 40-inch smoker also comes with a remote control that enables you to control the temperature from inside your house. All you need to do to start this bad boy up is plug it in and set the controls. Once you get your smoker started, you’re in for a meal with incredible flavor.
Consumers are highly pleased with the programmable features and the ease of control this smoker provides. All the cooking room satisfies buyers, and the smoker performs to customers’ expectations.
However, many people warn that smoking in cold weather is a challenge because the internal heat probe needs to be warm before you can begin cooking.
For cooking flavor-filled foods for a gathering of family and friends, this is the product you want to get your hands on. With its spacious make and easy digital control, you get to cook with the accuracy of a professional and come out with food that tastes like it too.
Features
- A digital panel lets you monitor and control the internal temperature from outside of the smoker
- The front window enables you to see the progress of your meat, and you can even turn on a light for smoking when the sun goes down
- Four cooking racks prove about 710 square inches of cooking area to cater to big crowds
- Wood chip loading from the side means no heat loss from opening the door
- Integrated thermostat control can be controlled remotely and still provide consistent cooking
Pros
- Digital and remote controls are incredibly easy to use and provide relaxed cooking
- Offers the most space out of any product on our list
- Integrated temperature controls are built-in to provide consistent cooking
- A full viewing window lets you check on your meat without opening the door and letting out the heat
- The wood chip loading system lets you replace wood chips from the side as needed with ease
Cons
- Much more challenging to use in cold weather because you need to make sure the heat probe is warm
- You may encounter problems with your door latch or hinges
3. Masterbuilt MB20070210 MES 35B Electric Smoker
Our next Masterbuilt 30 black electric smoker review features a 30-inch smoker, which is essentially a renovation of the first smoker on our list.
You still get the incredibly sturdy construction and exceptional heat retention, but at just around 200 bucks, some changes make it reasonable to shave down the price.
Unlike our other smokers, this product only comes with three chrome-plated racks, which lets you cook about three full chickens or three pork shoulders.
This smoker also features analog controls rather than digital ones, though once you get the hang of them, adjusting the temperature will become second nature.
The 1,500-watt heating element makes sure that whichever way you control your temperature, you’ll get the heat that you desire.
Like the previous model of this smoker, you still get the removable water bow, wood chip tray, and grease tray. Each of these features will help you make sure your smoker stays clean and ready to smoke another meal without issue.
Buyers attest to the fact that this smoker holds heat rather perfectly and provides excellent smoke.
Customers agree that this smoker is generally well constructed but also agree that the smoker doesn’t get as hot when using the machine in colder weather.
Some buyers also recommend keeping a close eye on temperature since the analog dial doesn’t have number labels.
When you need the space but are also working on a budget, this may be the smoker that you want to consider. You’ll get a consistent flavor, easy-to-clean features, and sturdy construction that lets you know the smoker comes built to last.
Features
- Three cooking racks still offer enough space to cook for a crowd
- A built-in temperature gauge makes sure you can monitor the temperature of your meat accurately
- The analog dial is easy to use when it comes to temperature control
- The water bowl allows you to add optional moisture for added flavor
- Removable wood chip tray and grease tray catch ashes and drippings for mess-free smoking
- The 1,500-watt heating element provides power for smoking at high temperatures
Pros
- The durable steel body holds heat incredibly well
- A built-in temperature gauge lets you keep an eye on meat temperature without needing a separate thermometer
- The powerful heating element provides consistent cooking and flavor
- An adjustable air damper enables you to control the smoke within the machine
- The grease tray is in the front of the smoker for easy access and replacement
Cons
- Doesn’t get as hot in colder weather
- The analog dial has no actual number labels
- This smoker doesn’t have as much insulation as the previous 30-inch model
4. Masterbuilt MB20073716 Patio-2-Portable Electric Smoker
To end our list of smokers, we have to include this little guy in our Masterbuilt electric patio smoker reviews. This smoker comes with only two chrome-plated racks and is small enough to fold up the legs and transport anywhere, but it packs a sure punch.
With a heating element that runs at 1,400 watts, you get perfectly smoked meats out of this shortie. At only 140 dollars, this smoker is well worth the price.
The analog temperature dial is quick to get the hang of after using the smoker more than once, and the built-in temperature gauge lets you monitor the internal temperature of your meat.
You can cook a full turkey, a couple of racks of ribs, or even a few full-sized chickens and still get the flavor you deserve.
The compact space means this smoker is easy to clean as well. All you need to clean the parts is a mixture of hot water and apple cider vinegar. With a spray bottle and a soft sponge, you can restore your smoker to its former glory and get ready to make another meal.
Customers seem to reach a consensus that this smoker is simple to set up, use, and clean.
While buyers agree that the temperature dial becomes more comfortable to handle after using the smoker repeatedly, they do agree that this is a smoker you want to keep an eye on when it comes to monitoring the temperature.
Some buyers also claim that the back of the smoker is hotter than the front, but monitoring the temperature and periodically moving the meat around will fix this problem.
If you’re the type that knows you don’t need much, this smoker delivers for the space it provides. The portable smoker provides powerful heat and flavor that will impress everyone at your dining room table.
Features
- The 1,400-watt heating element makes this compact smoker very powerful
- The Analog dial and built-in temperature gauge provide easy temperature control and monitoring
- Legs on the bottom fold up for transporting this smoker anywhere you need
- Small space means clean-up is incredibly easy, eliminating cooking on a dirty smoking surface
- Two chrome-plated cooking racks hold up well under the weight of bigger meat
Pros
- Clean-up is comfortable due to the small space
- The heating element is quite powerful for such a small smoker
- While you may have to do a little guessing with the analog dial, the temperature gauge gives fairly accurate readings
- Portability means you can take this smoker anywhere to cook in any setting
- Even with only two cooking racks, you can still make a hefty dinner
Cons
- Needs to be monitored more than many other smokers might need to be
- May need to move your meat around since the back can get a little hotter than the front
How to Use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
There’s no better way to have fun outdoors together with your family than to enjoy smoked steaks. Smoking gives your meat a burst of yummy flavors. Whether it’d be a bachelorette party, a baby shower, or a graduation party, the Masterbuilt electric smoker is the ideal smoker to spice up your events.
How to use a Masterbuilt electric smoker will make you realize how easy it is to use the smoking method of cooking. It may be a hassle at first, but once you get going, there’s no looking back. Now, you can cook your favorite meat recipes without charring or falling apart. Let’s get started!
If you are new to this equipment, you have just landed on the right page. Discover the step-by-step guide on how to smoke your signature dishes.
Step 1: Season, your smoker
Wondering how to set up a Masterbuilt electric smoker? Right! When it comes to setting up a Masterbuilt electric smoker, the method is similar to typical Masterbuilt models. Seasoning a smoker is the first step to unleashing its smoking capabilities truly.
The main aim of the seasoning process is to burn off any substances present in the smoker at the time of purchase. Such may include oil and dust. Utilize the following Masterbuilt electric smoker instructions:
Instructions
- Remove any water from the pan. Make sure all smoking equipment is in its rightful position.
- Plug the Masterbuilt electric smoker into the nearest socket and power it on.
- Adjust its temperature to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Then set the timer to 3 hours (180 minutes).
- Add half a cup of your preferred wood chips into the loading tray during the last 40-45 minutes to wind up the seasoning process
- Allow the smoker to cool by switching it off once the timer runs down
- You are now ready to use your electric smoker for the first time!
Step 2: Prepare your meat
Remember, the recipe you have in mind plays a significant part in how you prepare your steak. We recommend that you marinate your steak for several hours during the night. This way, your meat will thoroughly soak up the marinade and achieve tasty flavors and aromas.
Step 3: Preheat, your electric smoker
Now that you have the meat that you want to smoke turn on the electric smoker to preheat.
You can add wood chips to the smoker before turning it on.
Consistently add only half a cup of your preferred wood chips, once the previous load stops emitting smoke.
Don’t think about adding foils to the racks to reduce the cleaning time. Doing so will only prevent heat circulation.
Step 4: Set the ideal smoking temperature
The perfect cooking temperature for typical dishes such as fish and meat is 225 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 5: Add more wood chips and water
You can add more water and wood chips once the smoke ceases.
Never put the wood chips more than the recommended amount of half a cup. It will only serve to ruin your final results.
If you are unsure of how much water to add, peruse your instruction manual such that you refill the water pan appropriately.
The water will turn into steam and will help keep your steak soft and juicy.
Step 6: Add the meat to the electric smoker
It’s about time you place your meat or fish on top of the provided grill trays. Ensure that there’s enough smoke.
Step 7: How to moist your meat
You don’t want your chicken dry and sticky. This is the perfect time to baste it! Foremost, cooking your meat depends on three fundamental factors: its size, thickness, and the optimum temperature to cook it.
For this reason, you need to baste your meat after two-thirds of its cooking time to make it favorably moist.
Step 8: Add more wood chips
The smoking process requires a lot of wood chips, and it’s only feasible to check on them for favorable results. Make sure you only add half a cup.
Whenever you observe the smoke ceasing, add more wood chips. A rise in temperature shouldn’t make you sweat. It will eventually return to normal after some time.
Step 9: Sauce up your steak! (Optional)
Applying a sauce to finish off the basting process can be a great way to spice up your ribs or chicken delicacy. Who wouldn’t want a finger-licking steak?
You can do this by saucing it 45 minutes before taking your meat out of the smoker. Saucing not only enhances the taste of food but also makes it instantly ready to munch!
Step 10: Take the meat out of the smoker and indulge!
Gently eject the meat from the smoker. Your steak is now ready to be enjoyed! Smoking meat in a Masterbuilt electric smoker has never been this convenient. You did it! Before you get going to your barbeque party, turn off your smoker to allow it to cool.
How to Clean Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
The interior chamber is the most vital area of your smoker. You need to clean it as often as you use it. Before cleaning, it is advisable to let it cool off completely. Learning how to clean an electric smoker will ensure that you don’t blow up the circuits or ruin them. Follow the following easy steps:
Easy Steps
- Fetch the main cleaning equipment, which is the smoking rack. Other cleaning essentials will include grate supports, drip, and a water bowl.
- First off, slightly shake the chamber to remove any leftover wood chips and ash. You can also use a bristle brush to remove the debris.
- Wipe off the soft debris stuck on the glass door, meat probe, and walls using a soft damp cloth
- For your safety, ensure the debris cools off first before disposal
- There are no secrets to cleaning the chamber. You have to get to the corners of the smoker.
- Properly wipe off the seal from the inner door. It helps sustain the seal for efficient future use.
How to Use a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker with Woodchips
Getting to learn how to use Masterbuilt smoker wood chips is part science, part art, but essential! You will be a pro in no time if you smoke your favorite dishes repeatedly, using wood chips. Remember, only wood chips can achieve that smoky, wood-fired aroma of a traditionally-seasoned flavor.
Step 1: Check for any ventilation leaks
Before you power on your Masterbuilt electric smoker, look for any obstructions to the chamber’s ventilation.
Keeping your smoker outside can result in the warping of rubbers due to constant wear and tear.
A worn-out rubber lining in your chamber will leak valuable smoke, and poor ventilation will derail the combustion process that produces smoke.
Step 2: Add woodchips to the loader
Load half a cup of your preferred wood chips into the tray. You can use the Masterbuilt Smoker’s side loader to eject the tray and fill it.
Step 3: Re-insert the loader into the smoker
Once you adjust your chip tray accordingly, switch the handle to the ‘Unload’ position. It will help the wood chips fall perfectly into the plate, which is located just above the smoker’s heating element.
Step 4: Power on your smoker
Turn on the smoker and set your ideal cooking temperature. Remember to give your smoker a chance to preheat before you place any meat on the grill.
You can preheat for 20-40 minutes, depending on the weather. What’s more, if you have been storing your Masterbuilt smoker in freezing environs, preheating will allow it to attain a stable cooking temperature.
Step 5: Analyze interior temperatures
Once the 20-minute exhaust, it’s time to check the internal temperature of the chamber. Make sure the variance is only +/- 20 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on external conditions such as windiness. Strong winds can blow through the chamber, cooling the preheating temperature.
However, Masterbuilt electric smokers are designed to operate at subzero temperatures. If you still need to ascertain internal temperatures, use an oven-friendly thermometer to have higher accuracy.
Step 5: Add your meat
If you are satisfied with the chamber conditions, it’s time to place your steak on the racks. You can grease the trays beforehand to make cleanup easier for you.
Generally, half a cup of wood chips will last for 2 hours or so. Continue to check your smoke levels without opening the smoker door. Add half a cup of chips every 1-2 hours until your cooking period is completed.
How to Smoke a Brisket in an Electric Smoker
There’s nothing tastier quite like smoked brisket meat! The brisket cut emanates from a cow’s chest and has gained a reputation for being difficult to smoke while keeping it tasty and juicy.
If it’s your first time using a Masterbuilt electric smoker, it is up to you to adhere to every step to obtain the best results. Creating a brisket masterpiece can take a long time to figure out the exact recipe that works for your cut and taste. Here are some hands-on tips that will help you to become a pro quickly.
Step 1: Choose the brisket
The key to good brisket is buying a good meat cut. Pick the brisket and feel it across your hands to ascertain its tenderness. Find a piece of meat that bends a lot and has tender fat marbling.
Step 2: Prepare your brisket
Massage your brisket with a rub of your choice, 2 to 4 hours before smoking it in a Masterbuilt digital electrical smoker.
We recommend that you let the brisket marinade overnight. You can also rub it a day before you smoke it to attain a juicy flavor. Ensure that you rub the entire meat section. Additionally, make sure that you wrap the brisket in aluminum foil before refrigeration.
Step 3: Smoke it
You should remove your brisket from the fridge at least 2 hours before smoking it to ensure it sits well at room temperature. Depending on what flavor you want for your smoked brisket, you can choose among the following woods:
Woods
- Cherry and apple woodchips- Add a mild, sweet flavor
- Hickory woodchips- Add a hint of bacon
- Cherry woodchips with hickory- Balances out savory and sweet flavors
- Mesquite woodchips- Will give a jerky, lighter, and fresher flavor
If you peruse through the Masterbuilt electric smoker cooking instructions, you’ll learn that bettering your meat flavor can only be achieved by woodchips and not charcoal.
Step 4: Timing and Temperature
You will need to preheat the Masterbuilt electric digital smoker to 225 degrees Fahrenheit and set the interior temperature at 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stick the probe into the thickest part of your brisket and place it on the rack. Press start on the smoker’s controls.
When the interior chamber temperature hits 190 degrees Fahrenheit, the smoker will automatically stop cooking. It will turn on the warm mode to keep the brisket mellow until you’re ready to eat.
You can serve it with a pint of beer. You won’t believe just how much your friends will appreciate your cooking prowess!
Masterbuilt Smoker Trips & Tricks
The following electric smoker tips and tricks will help you achieve an unforgettable cooking experience:
Cooking
- Masterbuilt cooking times differ with the recipe you choose. Some can take 2 hours while other dishes can take up to 6 hours. Therefore, you need to be patient and let your smoker do the job. You should be cautious about the heat. Always have a heat probe on hand to check the accurate temperature of your meat.
- Knowing how to season an electric smoker will help you prepare it to attain the best performance and flavor.
- You should only use one batch of woodchips when cooking chicken to avoid overcooking it.
- You can make your electric smoker durable by placing it indoors and covering it with a plastic bag. It will protect your machine from dust and rain that may render it dysfunctional.
- Ascertain the accuracy of the meat probe with the use of ice water. The recommended temperature should be 32 degrees Fahrenheit. An accurate meat probe will ensure that your meat cooks well.
- You can purchase several meat probes to ensure accuracy.
- Don’t let meat harden and stick on the grills. It is advisable to clean your smoker regularly to avoid such hassles.
- You can purchase cold smoker attachments that will make it easy for you to smoke all kinds of fish and cheese on the same smoker.
We hope that you’ve learned useful tips on how to use and clean the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker. What’s more, reading the tips and tricks section will help you get the best cooking experience. You can keep your manual in a safe place for references and troubleshooting, or even when you need to do things right for the first time.
You can also visit our BBQ Guides page and get ample buying reviews for the best-rated grills out there. This will provide a valid comparison among different master smoker models. All in all, the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker is a good option.
Making the Decision
Out of all our best-rated electric smokers, we’ve concluded that the very best smoker you can put your money toward would be the Masterbuilt portable patio smoker, the very last on our list. The heat the smoker provides is substantial, and the flavor exceeds expectations.
The common issues are the easiest ones to deal with, and no other smoker offers the ease of transport that this smoker will.
We understand that space is a necessity for some, so if you want a more sizeable option, we recommend the 40-inch smoker, which is the second product on our list.
While you will need to make sure you preheat the smoker whenever you’re cooking in cold weather, the performance is outstanding, and the construction lives up to the Masterbuilt name.
For quality products, Masterbuilt is a brand that you can trust. Masterbuilt is the company you want to purchase from if you’re looking for a smoker that outshines the rest.