HELP w/Masterbuilt Pro Smoker

[walley_eye]

My buddy got this smoker as a gift from his wife and is having a hard time keeping it at the right temp.

Just in seasoning it he had it maxed at 700F and couldnt understand why he couldnt bring down the temp. The temp adjustment was already at its lowest setting.

My suggestions to him were to soak his wood chips(he was using them dry), seal up all the leaks in the doors(pictures show lots of leaks) and to shelter his smoker from wind(really windy outside & with leaks that could raise temp), make sure his water pan always had water in it or try replacing the water with sand(heard some use sand to stabalize temps instead of water).

I will say when I was there it didnt get above 350F so I'm not sure what the diff was.

Do you guys have any more suggestions or input as to what to try or do here? Please share.

What would be a good gasket sealer for the doors? Felt, silicone or something else?

[Slanted88]

It's choking smoke...i do not soak chips...i use chunks in mine...need to really see if it is that hot...i'm not the bestest with a gasser...but i can get results...

[Richtee]

I'd start here...

http://www.homebrewing.org/Needle-Va...ne_p_1726.html

And chips are a PITA. try small chunks/

[Fishawn]

I cant see any smoke coming oot the top does it have a top vent? Id keep the top vent WIDE open if it has one.

[Richtee]

I cant see any smoke coming oot the top does it have a top vent? Id keep the top vent WIDE open if it has one.

I think they may have a rear vent..against the white wall...

[Fishawn]

I think they may have a rear vent..against the white wall...

Ah Ha!

[MossyMO]

Don't trust the thermometer that comes with it to start. Either take it out of the door and see where it reads at the boiling point of water which should be very close to 212º, or use another trusted thermometer/

[IrishChef]

Seeing a ton of white smoke....soaking chips, well, does nothing..... agree with the need to use a calibrated thermo......them "3 range" thermos are worthless.... Maybe an AMPS for smoke, and skip the chip box, just use the MES for heat....

[walley_eye]

The air vent is at the top of the back wall.

Would soaking the wood chips make them last longer?

[Mikey]

Would soaking the wood chips make them last longer?

Sure...about 10 seconds longer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv7y1TWyKEw

[Richtee]

The air vent is at the top of the back wall.

Would soaking the wood chips make them last longer?

Yer gonna wanna go to chunks... trust us on this. Chips are for watt burners.

And you don't need nor really WANT to see the smoke. Thin blue is what you want..and if you can't hardly see it but smell it... perfect.

[THUMPERRRR]

could tighten her up a bit with somethin like this if you wished...

Masterbuilt & Master Forge Vertical Mod Kit

This kit works great to seal up that leaky Master Forge or Masterbuilt Vertical Smoker

Includes: 1 tube of Black RTV sealer, 1 Side mount Toggle (pull), and one door gasket (self stick).
$29.99
http://www.bbqsmokermods.com/product-p/mb-g-t-rtv.htm

[Willie in Oregon]

Yeah, did the door mod early on in my game with a Master Forge double door unit. Leaked like a sieve, everywhere, but can be somewhat controlled. Lose the chips & go with chunks, no soaking, no water pan unless filled with sand, wide open top vent, try half closed bottom vents then adjust after it stabilizes, slap duct tape over the factory therm so you can't see it, get a double probe therm, cook cheap chickens until you learn it's quirks. I'd run it empty until I could control the billowing white smoke......Willie