Smoker for someone that doesn’t want to use coal or spend $1,000?


 
Timothy F. Lewis

Timothy F. Lewis

TVWBB 1-Star Olympian
I’ve been gently tasked with researching an electric unit for a family member that will not use it constantly but, wants to do some smoking from time to time. Any opinions on the $200. ish Masterbuilt units? This will be a Christmas gift so, I’d like to get this sorted out fairly quickly if possible.
thanks in advance. She does NOT want to get a WSM (some folks just want product and not necessarily the whole charcoal learning curve) no matter how I sing the praises!
 
is a used traeger an option? they're on CL for older models in that price range. plug and go. simple, but IMO not enough smoke flavor.
 
If she has a gas grill, she can try that with a packet of foil wrapped wood chips......... just a start.
 
Bob H. said:
If she has a gas grill, she can try that with a packet of foil wrapped wood chips......... just a start.
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She does have a gasser and wants something better, a dedicated unit.
Brett-EDH said:
as you'd guess, the WSM is top rated here: https://www.homedepot.com/s/smoker?NCNI-5

but this'll point you to products in your range and with reviews. HD reviews have been pretty reliable so use them as a guide.

good luck and let us know what you decide to buy.

this one looks interesting: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Z-GRILL...th-cabinet-storage-Bronze-ZPG-1000D/316155548
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Thanks Brett but I won’t even open anything to do with “Big Orange“! they can simply fry in their own peanut oil. Not a dime to them!
I know someone around here has done some Masterbuilt smokes but, I can’t find them. I’m really just wondering how well they hold up, to me they are pretty much plug and play which would suit her attention span for that kind of thing. Traeger used might be OK but, I don’t know one blue eyed thing about where to look for where things which might be damaged, etc.
My wife’s son doesn’t care about the process, just results so, looking for simplest, fairly basic,I don’t know how much she will get into using it, I’m thinking maybe once or twice a month at MOST. For the first six months anyway, after that? Who knows!
 
I've had Masterbuilt electric smokers for about 6 years. I started with the most basic black Friday special with no glass and should have stuck with it. Something like this:

www.masterbuilt.com

Masterbuilt 30 inch Digital Electric Smoker

With this smoker you’ll achieve competition-ready results in your own backyard without the hassle of charcoal or propane. Just plug the smoker in, set the digital controls, and it does the work! Patented side wood chip loader lets you add flavor without opening the door. Master the art of...
www.masterbuilt.com www.masterbuilt.com

There are usually deals around Thanksgiving. They make different part numbers for all the big retailers, so you'll just have to hunt for them.

I suggest the most basic model with digital (not analog) temperature setting. The meat temperature probes are not accurate, so get him a $50 Inkbird from Amazon for that. The Bluetooth control is not reliable, so don't pay extra for it. Glass window is only clear for about 15 minutes and is harder to clean, so avoid if you can.

Masterbuilt makes 30" and 40" units. The racks are much wider in the 40, which is really nice if he'll be doing a full packer brisket or racks of ribs. If didn't get the Summit Kamado, I would have upgraded to a 40. But, my 30 works fine as a warming and resting oven, its primary use these days. The only smoking it's done this year was a few steaks that were finished on the grill.
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
She does have a gasser and wants something better, a dedicated unit.

Thanks Brett but I won’t even open anything to do with “Big Orange“! they can simply fry in their own peanut oil. Not a dime to them!
I know someone around here has done some Masterbuilt smokes but, I can’t find them. I’m really just wondering how well they hold up, to me they are pretty much plug and play which would suit her attention span for that kind of thing. Traeger used might be OK but, I don’t know one blue eyed thing about where to look for where things which might be damaged, etc.
My wife’s son doesn’t care about the process, just results so, looking for simplest, fairly basic,I don’t know how much she will get into using it, I’m thinking maybe once or twice a month at MOST. For the first six months anyway, after that? Who knows!
Click to expand...
i avoid the orange store like the plague. amazon for most everything i buy unless i can support a local shop as i'd prefer to kep them in business (my WSK E6 was a local retailer and I appreciate them, a lot; proverbial shout out to Emigh Hardware https://www.emigh.com/).

sam's club then? https://www.samsclub.com/p/10002b2e-powerhouse-wood-pellet-grill-smoker/P03012037?xid=plp_product_11

or Costco: https://www.costco.com/grills.html
 
Brett-EDH said:
i avoid the orange store like the plague. amazon for most everything i buy unless i can support a local shop as i'd prefer to kep them in business (my WSK E6 was a local retailer and I appreciate them, a lot; proverbial shout out to Emigh Hardware https://www.emigh.com/).

sam's club then? https://www.samsclub.com/p/10002b2e-powerhouse-wood-pellet-grill-smoker/P03012037?xid=plp_product_11

or Costco: https://www.costco.com/grills.html
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This is the kind of research I enjoy…someone else weeding through the chaff! Just sent the links to the “interested party”.
 
I’m leaning toward supplementing the Traeger at $599., good track record, and within the parameters. My brother has that one, I think, and has been very pleased with performance.
I appreciate the help.
I must say, this is a whale of a lot less stressful than the dishwasher project!
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
This is the kind of research I enjoy…someone else weeding through the chaff! Just sent the links to the “interested party”.
Click to expand...
MB prices are much higher than when I upgraded mine. At the current prices, check out Pit Boss. I haven't used one, but the ones I've seen in shops have better fit and finish than MB. Also, the temperature goes to 350F vs. only 275F (usually 260 or so on mine) for MB. The extra heat is nice for crispy poultry. Since my MB barely hits 260F, I always finished poultry on the grill. PB also has porcelain coated racks, which might hold up better than the chrome in MB.
 
Timothy F. Lewis said:
I’m leaning toward supplementing the Traeger at $599., good track record, and within the parameters. My brother has that one, I think, and has been very pleased with performance.
I appreciate the help.
I must say, this is a whale of a lot less stressful than the dishwasher project!
Click to expand...
in the end you got a GREAT dw and the install cost was an upgrade to the home. so you added a lot of value to your home there. we still love our bosch dw. not another brand out there i'd buy.
 
Brett-EDH said:
in the end you got a GREAT dw and the install cost was an upgrade to the home. so you added a lot of value to your home there. we still love our bosch dw. not another brand out there i'd buy.
Click to expand...
Well, I figure I’ll leave this place in a box, so, value is negligible. Enjoyment? Priceless!
 
Same. Got the PiFire controller running on mine just for fun...dialing in the PID (remotely, of course).

But a $1000 smoker (or pellet grill or dishwasher) it ain't... :ROFLMAO:
 

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I‘ve had 4 Traegers and other than a firmware problem on the Pro 575 (release woes when the new WiFire was first released, like early SmokeFire problems), I never had any issues with them. If I were choosing another sub $800 pellet grill, I’d be looking for a CampChef first, but Traeger would still be an option. I also had an electric smoker before moving to pellets and don’t miss it at all.
 
I have a friend with a Bradley smoker. It does really good food with great temperature control, only downside is no smoke ring. I think that is because it’s electric heat. There is a good selection of the flavor pucks it uses for smoke.
 
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