Help with electric smoker

[fade2black]

Hello everyone,

I have been smoking ribs for a little while and not all that experienced. Have a brinkman el cheapo that I have always had good results on. Bought a master forge digital electric smoker and simply cannot get good anything as I used to on the brinkman. Below is a pic of my last rib attempt which are similar to last other two attempts. 

I set the temp this time to 220 F for 3.5 hrs. Slathered on the mustard base and then rubbed in the rub. Let them sit for not too long....30 min maybe then put them in the smoker.Due to my last results I decided to peek at them after 2 hrs and the picture is what they were. Why does it seem to be cooking so quickly....almost like they were steamed? Has anyone else had this problem? HELP

IMG_20140419_185822_150[1].jpg

• fade2black
• Apr 19, 2014

 

[chestnutbloom]

I believe that electric smokers in general give highly unreliable temp readings. It is set at 220 but what is the actual temp? An alternate temp device would be my first move. Did you leave the vents shut tight? Those ribs do look steamed..... --Rich

 

[woodcutter]

You need a probe thermometer right next to what you are smoking so you can manage what you are doing. A probe off to the side or higher or lower will not cut it. After a while you will know your new smoker and things will be good again.

 

[nick verbenec]

I also have the Master Forge smoker and while I do love it and the meat that it produces, there is a bit of a learning curve to using it, just as with any other smoker.

Mine does run 10-15 degrees hotter than what is listed on the display. I purchased a duel probe to give me the meat and smoker temps, and my probe is usually off by the 10-15 degrees I mentioned earlier.