Electric Smoker

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cgrose60

Newbie
Original poster
Jun 9, 2014
19
10
Hi All. I live in Illinois just 50 miles south of the Wisconsin border so we live in a four season state. I'm looking to purchase an electric smoker which I can set outside on my deck next to my patio door and smoke meat with during the winter. Any hints or suggestions?
 
There are expensive, insulated electric smokers and less expensive, non insulated electric smokers that guys go to a lot of effort to build boxes around and wrap with blankets.  What's your mind set or budget? 
 
I purchased a Masterbuilt 30" smoker but when I went to season it the temperature would not hold at the 275 degrees which should be as hot as it supposed to get according to directions, it went all the way up to 325 degrees and was still climbing when I shut it down. Called their customer service and they are sending out a new controller for it.
 
 
I purchased a Masterbuilt 30" smoker but when I went to season it the temperature would not hold at the 275 degrees which should be as hot as it supposed to get according to directions, it went all the way up to 325 degrees and was still climbing when I shut it down. Called their customer service and they are sending out a new controller for it.
Did it have anything in it?  275 is for loaded with meat and possibly a heat sink.  It wouldn't surprise me to be higher if it was empty.
 
I have a Cookshack Amerique and use it all winter with excellent results. I does not need any blankets or windbreaks. The controller needs to stay dry. I keep in the garage. I open the garage door and the smoke is released no problem. It uses very little wood and requires no tending. The temperature inside the smoker remains stable. It varies about ten degrees. It was expensive but you get what you pay for. They also have outstanding customer service.
 
Owners manual advises to only have drip pan and chip pan when seasoning unit the first time. 3 hours set at 275 and the last 45 minutes you put in your wood chips. I also sprayed the inside with Pam prior to seasoning.
 
I'm in Iowa and use a MES30 throughout the year, works pretty well in the winter but I do move it back and forth from storage in the garage. If its 20+ mph winds I use a range box as a windbreak. Beyond that, no blanket or insulation.
 
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