Need Help with Purchase - Please

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xzebra

Fire Starter
Original poster
Aug 9, 2013
38
10
I am looking at purchasing a Masterbuilt 30in 1st or 2nd gen smoker and have two questions - 1) Can you really smoke chicken and turkey at 225-275 (some say no) and 2) Which generation should I purchase and why?

Thanks to all in advanced
 
If you can manage the 40 I would suggest it you will like the extra room. Chicken can be smoked at 225 but the skin is rubbery at 275 it will crisp. As for which generation I'll let the MES loyalists chime in if you need the answer sooner PM Bearcarver he's knowledgeable in MES's
 
Don't know anything about the MES line, so I'll leave that one for someone else. Chicken definitely comes out with much crispier skin at higher smoking temps (275). 225 kinda turns the skin to rubber. Generally, I'll smoke it at higher temps at the very least and sometimes I'll even toss the chicken on the charcoal grill at the end and reverse-sear it.
 
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I've had both gens in the 40 inch. I would absolutely go for the first gen. I got the gen 2 in december and have had nothing but problems. Temp controllers are way off and fail regularly. Side to side temp differences are significant. Air flow is very restrictive. Chips burn up very quickly. I finally gave up after masterbuilt sent 3 units and four controllers in 6 months. A great value in the electric smoker market is the Smokin It line. Take a hard look before you buy.
 
Thanks to all for your feedback.
I have heard many times that chicken turns rubbery at 225 but what about 275?
 
Bottom link is the older, better model.
Thanks for your help - Could you please tell me why?  And is there something better from $250 or less?

Again thank you a bunch!
 
Thanks for your help - Could you please tell me why?  And is there something better from $250 or less?

Again thank you a bunch!
Better air flow (works better with amnps), better temp controller, more reliable overall.  For $250 or less its probably your best bet for electric.
 
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