Need recommendation on what smoker to buy

[Bliksem]

Ladies & gents,

Been hunting through this forum and the interwebs trying to answer my quest for a new electric smoker. I have an older 30" unit that I got from Academy that has seen better days. I learnt a lot using this unit especially that corrosion does kill non-stainless quite quickly because here where I live we have almost constant high humidity.

I have looked at a number of double walled and insulated SS electric smokers but cannot understand the large spread in pricing. My budget is $500 including s&h.

I make sausage in 100lb batches and would like to smoke about 50lbs of this for later consumption. Other cuts of meat such as ribs and brisket also need to be considered in the decision.

Which unit would you recommend I get?

Bliksem

[tenacious bee]

Not an electric guy but I definitely see why you would want one. Therefore I will forgo commenting on any other type of smoker as your question pertains to electric smokers. I did a lot of research on them but decided to go another route when I realized cold smoking was not a priority for me. Here is my take. The Masterbuilt is the most popular and the most hated lOL. The cook shack is the bomb but is pricey. The smokinit models seem to strike the perfect balance with smokeshack quality and mastebuilt pricing. I think the biggest one is 499 plus shipping and does 45 pounds. So it is 5 pounds under your ideal capacity and shipping will put it a tad over your budget. Buy it anyway.

[Bliksem]

Not an electric guy but I definitely see why you would want one. Therefore I will forgo commenting on any other type of smoker as your question pertains to electric smokers. I did a lot of research on them but decided to go another route when I realized cold smoking was not a priority for me. Here is my take. The Masterbuilt is the most popular and the most hated lOL. The cook shack is the bomb but is pricey. The smokinit models seem to strike the perfect balance with smokeshack quality and mastebuilt pricing. I think the biggest one is 499 plus shipping and does 45 pounds. So it is 5 pounds under your ideal capacity and shipping will put it a tad over your budget. Buy it anyway.

The $130 shipping is the deal breaker for me even though I like this smoker.

I have a number of charcoal/wood burning smokers available to me but none of them are ideal for smoking sausage or jerky hence the need/want for an electric smoker in which I can easily control temperatures using PIDs.

[Bearcarver]

At your budget, you can't beat the Masterbuilt (MES40).
I would go with the newest 40" model, with ALL Stainless (inside & out), window in door, remote digital control, etc, etc.

You will also need an Amazing Pellet Smoker for carefree perfect continuous smoke at any temperature.


Bear

[Fishawn]

Sounds like the MES 40" fits. It sounds like Sam's Club & the extended 3 year warranty is the way to go

I had a MES 30" in the past & the electrical components were crap & needed to be repaired quite a bit. Unfortunately a few times during brisket or rib cooks. That said, it's a great concept & had a lot of fun with it. Not sure if the wiring issues have been corrected or not. Against buying stuff made in China?

I have also had a couple of Cookshack's & they are awesome. Spendy, but never a single problem. Made in Oklahoma, or at least they were.

The Smoke-n-it looks like a Cookshack copy. I think they are made in China. Reviews on them look good.


Ever think about building one?

[Doug S.]

At your budget, you can't beat the Masterbuilt (MES40).
I would go with the newest 40" model, with ALL Stainless (inside & out), window in door, remote digital control, etc, etc.

You will also need an Amazing Pellet Smoker for carefree perfect continuous smoke at any temperature.


Bear

^^^^

[eDJ]

Re:

Since you make sausage in those quantities why don't you consider taking the money and building yourself a smoker, provided you have a place where
you could set it up and use it often.

If you aren't a builder with tools I'm sure you could find a fab shop that
would convert something durable into a smoker for you. An electrician
could convert a heavy electric clothes dryer element to an adjustable heat source
for you easily enough. It would probably last for some time.

It's just a thought.

[Bliksem]

Thanks for all the suggestions and recommendations. I have adjusted my budget and have narrowed it down to 2. Smokinit #3 or SmokinTex 1400. I'll call the resellers and hear what they have to offer and answer questions.

Background: I am in process of remodeling the kitchen and turning the adjacent dining area into a sausage kitchen. All appliances, tools and tables are stainless. All are new so the smoker needs to fit as it will be stored here when not in use. Can't wait to finish!

[Bearcarver]

Thanks for all the suggestions and recommendations. I have adjusted my budget and have narrowed it down to 2. Smokinit #3 or SmokinTex 1400. I'll call the resellers and hear what they have to offer and answer questions.

Background: I am in process of remodeling the kitchen and turning the adjacent dining area into a sausage kitchen. All appliances, tools and tables are stainless. All are new so the smoker needs to fit as it will be stored here when not in use. Can't wait to finish!

Note:
If you're talking about storing your smoker inside your house, you better clear that with Mama----No matter which smoker you go with.


Bear

[Slanted88]

Note:
If you're talking about storing your smoker inside your house, you better clear that with Mama----No matter which smoker you go with.
Bear

Did that gig in me garage doors open X 3...I was fine watching the race...Got the are you out of your mind look from Louie!

[Bliksem]

Note:
If you're talking about storing your smoker inside your house, you better clear that with Mama----No matter which smoker you go with.


Bear

Hmm, so I take it that the smoker will give off a smell which might be objectionable? I never noticed this with my used up small smoker but then it was stored in the tool shed.

[devo]

I store my smoker racks and Frogmats in my kitchen. Makes my kitchen smell like good smoked food, I like it

[MrZip66]

you guys have outstanding wives. That's all I gotta say...

[someAZdude]

At your budget, you can't beat the Masterbuilt (MES40).
I would go with the newest 40" model, with ALL Stainless (inside & out), window in door, remote digital control, etc, etc.

You will also need an Amazing Pellet Smoker for carefree perfect continuous smoke at any temperature.


Bear

Uhm, the new models suck Bear. The old generation seems to be popular but the new one blows!

Sounds like the MES 40" fits. It sounds like Sam's Club & the extended 3 year warranty is the way to go

I had a MES 30" in the past & the electrical components were crap & needed to be repaired quite a bit. Unfortunately a few times during brisket or rib cooks. That said, it's a great concept & had a lot of fun with it. Not sure if the wiring issues have been corrected or not. Against buying stuff made in China?

The New generation is fraught with problems! Sams club and others have pulled them from their shelves. There is a couple of month delay on getting parts to repair the many broken units from masterbuilt themselves. I am currently awaiting a new case (box) and door. It doen't heat properly or evenly. The temps track incorrectly, and my door leaks while the drip pan is dry.
If you can get an old generation one, I hear they work great with some tweaks. You have to rebuild (literally) the new generation ones to get them to work.

[Bearcarver]

Uhm, the new models suck Bear. The old generation seems to be popular but the new one blows!

The New generation is fraught with problems! Sams club and others have pulled them from their shelves. There is a couple of month delay on getting parts to repair the many broken units from masterbuilt themselves. I am currently awaiting a new case (box) and door. It doen't heat properly or evenly. The temps track incorrectly, and my door leaks while the drip pan is dry.
If you can get an old generation one, I hear they work great with some tweaks. You have to rebuild (literally) the new generation ones to get them to work.

Mine is still perfect (two years old).
However I got mine at Cabelas.
It seems the ones from Sam's have the problems.
I was told that is because Wally World makes special deals with China manufacturers, as with other things they import & sell-----"We'll take 100,000 of them for a lower price---cheapness of components doesn't matter". Sam's Club even has their very own Model Number for their cheaply built smokers.


Bear