I'm just beginning to look at electric smokers.

daniels

Meat Mopper

Original poster

Dec 28, 2011

252

45

South-central Iowa

• May 9, 2016

• #1

From reading the posts I'm getting the impression that many of the electric smokers are basically a starter kit that you get and then you work on them to get what you want.  Is this a fair first impression?

If so, which would be a good one to begin with?

What I need is something that will handle low temperatures for fish, cheese, and jerky.

I have a charcoal smoker but I can't keep the temperatures low enough for the smoked fish recipe I use.

 

Last edited: May 9, 2016

SmokinAl

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Jun 22, 2009

51,390

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Central Florida (Sebring)

• May 9, 2016

• #2

I have a MES 40 that I've had for several years.

For cold smoking or moderate heat smoking I use an Amazen pellet smoker or the Masterbuilt cold smoker attachment.

Both work very well.

Al

 

chef jimmyj

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May 12, 2011

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• May 9, 2016

• #3

Lots of MES guys here, the one you choose makes a difference. Model #'s ending in 10 or 11 are gen 1 units and generally work well. The Bluetooth MES is a good choice as well. Anything ending in 12 Gen 2 should be avoided and any unit ending in 15 other than the BT is a redesigned 12 Gen2 with most but not all the problems fixed. Purchase one of these with a super great deal only. The Smokin-it smokers are a good choice and generally require less modification. But they are a bit more expensive. I won't pay to use or be limited to somebodies proprietary Pucks to make smoke...JJ

 

• 

Reactions: larigot

old sarge

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Nov 26, 2012

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SE Arizona

• May 9, 2016

• #4

I would recommend looking at the Smokin-it smokers.  Very versatile with very few reported problems. 

 

• 

Reactions: larigot

larigot

Newbie

May 11, 2016

5

10

Central Pennsylvania (USA)

• May 11, 2016

• #5

Hi. I just purchased a Smokin-It model #1 as my first electric smoker. The reviews were all quite good. Mine arrives tomorrow. Good luck with your decision!

 

old sarge

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• May 11, 2016

• #6

Enjoy.

 

hoity toit

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Nov 4, 2011

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New Braunfels, TX . in the beautiful Texas Hill Co

• May 11, 2016

• #7

SmokinAl said:

 
I have a MES 40 that I've had for several years.

For cold smoking or moderate heat smoking I use an Amazen pellet smoker or the Masterbuilt cold smoker attachment.

Both work very well.

Al

Click to expand...

Chef JimmyJ said:

 
Lots of MES guys here, the one you choose makes a difference. Model #'s ending in 10 or 11 are gen 1 units and generally work well. The Bluetooth MES is a good choice as well. Anything ending in 12 Gen 2 should be avoided and any unit ending in 15 other than the BT is a redesigned 12 Gen2 with most but not all the problems fixed. Purchase one of these with a super great deal only. The Smokin-it smokers are a good choice and generally require less modification. But they are a bit more expensive. I won't pay to use or be limited to somebodies proprietary Pucks to make smoke...JJ

Click to expand...

DITTO on what Al and Jimmy said.

 

mark4mn

Fire Starter

Jan 22, 2012

51

12

Petaluma, CA

• May 11, 2016

• #8

I recommend the smokin it as well. I use the cold smoking plate and can easily get temperature sarong 65 to 70 degrees.

I also have a dryer fan and often smoke slalom and other fish. Always comes out great.

Mark