Looking at a new smoker masterbuilt analog 30

dorkfish said:

Thinking about getting one of these anybody got one.. the page says it's insulated that's the biggest thing I'm looking for most of my smoking is done in the winter time

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All of the Masterbuilt smokers are insulated. The analog electric smokers are different animals from the digital electric models (I own the MES 30 Gen 1). The analog controller works differently and in the older models you need to open the smoker door to drop in more wood chips (if that's what you're using for your smoke source. I prefer the digital electric but as SmokinAl wrote a lot of guys like the analog and some like it better than the digital. 

I've got one. It's well built, but the heat control is pretty much nonexistent. My brother has the digital 30 and it is much better at heat control. It also has an exit flue with a damper, which mine does not. On the downside, his is lacking legs and carry handles. I figure when I get some holes drilled in mine so it can breathe better and a decent electronic heat control rigged up, it will be pretty darn close to the perfect small electric smoker.

scubohuntr said:

 
I've got one. It's well built, but the heat control is pretty much nonexistent. My brother has the digital 30 and it is much better at heat control. It also has an exit flue with a damper, which mine does not. On the downside, his is lacking legs and carry handles. I figure when I get some holes drilled in mine so it can breathe better and a decent electronic heat control rigged up, it will be pretty darn close to the perfect small electric smoker.

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With the analog controllers, the heating element is either heating to temp or it isn't. It's either on or off until the interior temp trips the heat sensor. With the digital the controllers always monitoring the smoker temp and initiating heat cycles or ending them as needed. I don't know much about this stuff but a number of guys have installed Auber PID controllers since they're rock solid. I am one of those less fortunate guys who aren't electrically savvy enough to wire one of those suckers up. But the ones who have are always willing to share their knowledge and how-to photos with anyone who asks.