Masterbuilt vs Smokin' It Smokehouses - looking for recommendations

[bchalker]

I currently have a Bar-B-Chef and Weber Kettle, and have smoked hundreds of pounds on them, with great results. Now, though, I'm looking to get an electric smokehouse - something with a reliable, consistent temp control. I'm not used to electric, and know the "smoke" will be less than my others, but I've already checked out some mods to help even the field :)

Regardless, I'm looking for the best "under $300" smokehouse. The two I've found most impressive (review-wise):

- 40" MB w/remote (Sam's has it for $299)
- Smokin' It Model #1 ($289 direct)
- Bradley Original (about $300 various places).

I smoke a lot of ribs, brisket, and butt - but am wanting to do salmon and cheeses, as well, so cold smoking is a plus.

Any advice or things I need to be looking for when I am checking these out?

Thanks...and I'm new to this forum, but am stoked to have become a part of it. Looking forward to posting and pitching in around here

WANT TO BUY SO I CAN GET TO POSTING MY PICS :)

[Fishawn]

from Washington

I have owned a MES in the past & it was an OK unit...... When it worked It failed several times due to wiring & the control unit also quit on me a few times. Some appear to have electrical or wiring issues & I suggest you do some research on them & their reliability before pulling the trigger. Some members here have them with no issues, others had the same issues that I did. Great concept though IMO & I did enjoy mine, just didn't trust it.

The Smoken-it seems to have good reviews on Amazon & I think if I was going for an electric smoker around $300 I would choose it over a MES. Both units are made in China I believe, if that matters to you

Good luck & once again

[bchalker]

thx Fishawn. I wish I could find one in that budget made in the US, but didn't figure

The window and remote seem like big pluses for the MES (gotta learn the abbreviations lol) over the smoke-it. Anyone find those two big enough features?

On the other hand, the smoke-it seems to be a very well-made piece.

[butcher]

I've had my MES 40" for about 2 years now, It has smoked quite a bit of sausage during the hunting season as I cut game for people, I also do a lot of bacon, and large muscle meats in it for myself and family. I have had no problems with it. I only have had a hard time doing Cold Smokes using the AMPS as I find that it is very air tight and hard to keep the AMPS going. I have made and adapted my own cold smoking unit to the side of it.... I am happy with the unit.

[bchalker]

thx Butcher. Yea, the sealing of the unit was a concern, as I want to get a Amazen smoker, also. Didn't know how the Smoke-It fared with airflow.

Found this mod for making my own, if the Amazen won't work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEPndi--md0

[Fishawn]

The Smokin-It appears to be a copy of the Cookshack. I have owned 2 Cookshack's & never had 1 problem with either. Check out the reviews from Amazon on the Smoken-It here if you want.

http://www.amazon.com/Smokin-It-Mode...lectric+smoker

[Bearcarver]

My Son had a Cook-Shack, which is like Smokin-it, except more expensive.
We didn't like the exhaust hole right in the middle of the top, because it would drip on the meat. Other than that, the door rusted off, but he abused it by leaving it out all the time. Some things he didn't learn from me.

I had an MES 30 for 2 years, until they came out with the MES 40 with window & remote control. I paid $349 at Cabelas, but mine is ALL SS, inside & out. I don't trust buying one from Sams. I heard they make shady deals with China.

I love my MES 40, but you need an AMNPS to go with it. I never have trouble with my AMNPS in my MES 40. You just have to get it lit properly. Once lit properly, it's even hard to get it to stop smoking.

Bear

[GrueLurks]

I'll never buy a MES again. Had a few 30" and 40" ones, the last 40" died after 91 days, the replacement just died a month ago after 6 months. Both times it was the control unit. The 30" ones melted the wiring off the heating element after a year of use, I fixed them, but got tired of dealing with them.

I've got a reverse flow stick burner coming at long last though.

[bchalker]

Dang...I guess it always happens. Always a split :) Sams seemed good for the exchange policy they have...but stainless seems like a stronger one from what I'd read. Will look on that one. The Smoke-It has gotten a LOT of positive feedback on the Amazon site, though.

Selling my Bar-B-Chef to fund this (keeping the kettle), so will be getting soon. Prepping a possible move (waiting on the official job offer), so I may hold off til we've moved, tho.

Regardless...will update with pics from it and any mods I might do :)

Thanks guys - continued feedback on which to get is really appreciated.

[bchalker]

Just edited with this:
Not really looked at before, but a third option is the Bradley BT1S1. It's a little different that I'm used to, with the wood pucks. Does it get too costly?
http://www.amazon.com/Bradley-BTIS1-...keywords=BTIS1

[Bearcarver]

Just edited with this:
Not really looked at before, but a third option is the Bradley BT1S1. It's a little different that I'm used to, with the wood pucks. Does it get too costly?
http://www.amazon.com/Bradley-BTIS1-...keywords=BTIS1

That might be OK in Atlanta, but the Bradley only has a 500 watt element. My MES 40 has a 1200 watt element. Plus the pucks will cost you about $1.50 per hour of smoke.


Bear

[bchalker]

Thx Bearcarver - yeah, that was a concern. Will be moving to the Nashville area in the next month or two, which gets a little colder than ATL. Heard from many who have it in the Wash/Oregon area, though, and are fine.

Saw people use the Amazen with the Bradley, also, which was another plus.

[tenacious bee]

bchalker
I wanted an mes badly and even found a great price on last years model. I did not pull the trigger due to the reviews. While there were many like Bears with no issues there were many more that had the wiring issue. My friend is an EE . His opinion is that the gauge wire and insulation if any are the wrong type. He went on to say that insulating the electronics might be the cure. He also said that he could replace the wiring in minutes with heavier gauge better insulated stuff. So far I am soldiering on with my kettles and am about to assemble my UDS. I am going to give the smokin it a little more rubber on the road time before I get one but I am leaning heavily towards the #3 smokin it model. Only reason I want one is for the times that I want to do a large cut but can't baby sit it the entire time. Most of the time I will be using my kettles/uds.

[bchalker]

guys, your help has been great in learning about what to look for. Something I noticed while looking at these things:
- Masterbuilt New Gen 40"...a LOT of temp variance on all racks (not good)
- the Amazen works on ALL of these (very good :)
- the Bradley is 500-watt, but the Smokin' It is only 350-watt (surprised by that)

So far, the Bradley seems the best fit. Being able to use the AMNPS in it will save a lot on the pucks. May need to bump budget and get the 6-rack tho.

I really wish the MES was a more stable unit. Just seems to be hit-or-miss with buyers. I don't want to ruin my food in finding out which mine is :(. Bradley's seems to be more consistent in the temps.

[Doug S.]

If it's the Bradley "puck" model....they're pretty spendy