Hello from Calgary

[montol]

Hey everyone,
I've been lurking around here a long while and finally am going to take the plunge to get back into smoking. I have previously had a cheap barrel charcoal smoker, which was an enormous hassle, and a cheap propane box smoker, which was still a pretty big hassle. Neither were great for smoking in winter, and while the food was delicious it was always hours upon hours of babysitting, which was OK in the summer, but awful in the winter.

So, I think I've come to the conclusion that the next one is going to be a bit more expensive, and go with the Masterbuilt MES40 gen 2.5. I've got my eye on the BassPro 6-rack model.

My first two questions are:
1) Are there any serious competitors to the MES40 that don't require proprietary wood (Bradley), or just straight up are better right out of the gate? I'm looking for a complete solution for smoking, and searing is no problem because I have my grill right in the same location.

2) BassPro seems to have a clone of the MES40 under the RedHead brand. It is less expensive. Anyone have any experience with what appears to be a Masterbuilt with the different logo?

Thanks! And Hello!

 

[SmokinAl]

Welcome aboard!

I'm sure some of the MES guys will chime in.

Al

 

[sauced]

Welcome to the forum.....I don't use electric, but as Al said, there are a lot of MES users and they will gladly help you!!

 

[noboundaries]

Welcome to SMF!  Still not an MES smoker here.  Click on the Forums link above, then arrow down the page until you get to the Smoking Supplies and Equipment section.  Ask your question about the two smokers in the Electric Smokers section.  Someone who knows will answer.

Thanks for asking!

Ray

 

[wild west]

Hi montol. I have no experience with the Redhead brand but do own a mes. I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for and masterbuilt is definitely entry level when it comes to electric smokers so buying a knockoff would be a nono for me. I won't knock the masterbuilt smokers too hard but to produce good consistent Q you will have to do some mods like an external smoke source for starters. If I could afford to spend more on a smoker I would buy a cookshack or smokin-it.