Should I buy the Masterbuilt 30'' ?

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event horizon

Newbie
Original poster
May 27, 2015
17
14
Ontario, Canada
HELP!  (please).

I was looking at getting the 40" Bluetooth model here, but I have read some negative reviews.  I then started thinking that a 30" would probably do me fine.  I was looking at this unit.  Manufacturer model #: 20070615.

http://www.basspro.com/Masterbuilt-...tal-Electric-Smoker-Combo/product/1505111210/

I am now looking at this unit.

I  have a bluetooth iGrill with 4 probes so I don't care so much about the Bluetooth.  Anyone have any comments on why I should or should NOT buy this unit below?

http://www.basspro.com/Masterbuilt-...moker-with-Viewing-Window/product/9992313325/

Manufacturer model #: 20076816.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.  I should mention I have a Luhr Jensen Little Chief that my father bought about 35 years ago.  I was using it for fish but want to get into some meat cooking, the Little Chief is great for fish.
 
They will both do the job.

The only reason I would recommend the 40 is you will like the added space.

Al
 
Thanks for the input.  I think maybe I will go for that bigger unit after all.  I was afraid of the Blue Tooth, but at the end of the day with my iGrill it wont much matter as long as the temp setting is reasonably accurate.
 
Do your due diligence and search around for this before you buy.  There are some MES models to stay away from.  If I recall, the BT models were okay but the gen 2 models you should stay away from.
 
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I have been reading and get good and bad feedback, and its hard to figure out what is current information.  I presume the unit here   model #: 20070615. is a second gen.  I really don't need the blue tooth function, so if that is all that sucks about it I don't care.  I thought I had read that the second gen of this unit had a better element than the first gen. 
 
Can someone tell me how to tell the difference between a gen 1, 2, or 3? I have 2 but I dont know what gen they are, would be helpful in telling peeps what I like/dislike about each, thanks
 
WOW,  it is much easier to choose when you start looking around and see nothing but good reviews.  I called the folks at Smokin-it and talked to Steve, he was great.  I wanted to confirm shipping to Canada.  For an extra hundred bucks I am thinking of the extra space in the #3D.  But with the Canadian dollar and shipping to Canada this will double what I thought I was going to spend on a smoker.  I had seen these while looking, but immediately ruled them out do to the shipping to Canada, but at the end of the day I think it will be money well spent.

I will keep you all posted on the final decision, and thanks for all the comments.
 
I used a Cookshack for 4 years. Nothing but perfect results except the one time I used far too much wood and produced a bitter butt. I got the SI 3D. Greater depth than the Cookshack so no cutting of whole packer briskest to get the to fit. Terrific smoker. My son now has my Cookshack. The quality is superb.
 
 
WOW,  it is much easier to choose when you start looking around and see nothing but good reviews.  I called the folks at Smokin-it and talked to Steve, he was great.  I wanted to confirm shipping to Canada.  For an extra hundred bucks I am thinking of the extra space in the #3D.  But with the Canadian dollar and shipping to Canada this will double what I thought I was going to spend on a smoker.  I had seen these while looking, but immediately ruled them out do to the shipping to Canada, but at the end of the day I think it will be money well spent.

I will keep you all posted on the final decision, and thanks for all the comments.
Your original thoughts were fine.

I would go with the MES 40, because I thought I'd like the MES 30 because it's only two of us, but I didn't like cutting my ribs in half & mixing up 10 pounds of Beef sticks & only able to smoke 7 pounds in an MES 30.

I would stick with the MES, and try to get the new MES 40 Gen #2.5 BT, or the Gen #1. I'd stay away from the Gen #2.

Below will tell you most of what I know about all of the MES Units:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/235820/masterbuilt-smokers-bear-s-thoughts-findings

And Here are a lot of the things you can do with an MES Unit. They're cheap to buy compared to most, but they are Awesome!!!

Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

Bear
 
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They will both do the job.

The only reason I would recommend the 40 is you will like the added space.

Al
I am with Al on this, I own both the 30 and the 40, both have their purpose depending onwhatyouare doing. I do find the 30 is more consistent as far as the temperature is concerned however the new model 40 has had revisions made that have corrected this, Ask BEARCARVER ...he knows what they did on the new 40 " they took his advice."  HE IS THE  MAN.

HT
 
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