Masterbuilt40-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker with Side Wood Chip Loader, Chrome Smoking Racks and 970 Cooking Square Inches in Black, Model MB20072918

I had to wait a couple of months for this as a different one I ordered was "lost" at the Amazon station near me. It was worth the wait. No standing around my gas smoker, juggling the temperature, just set the temp and time. I usually fill the chip tray when I first turn it on then use the side hatch to add more chips if I want more smoke. It has been sturdy and trouble free and the optional cover fits like a glove. I've made chicken, ribs, Boston butts, back bacon, and my favorite , deli quality pastrami. The chrome racks clean easily and I couldn't be happier

Since it arrived, in late May. I've managed to smoke 3 or 4 briskets. But only after switching to using pellets in stead of wood chips. Pellets burn just hot enough to add to the temperature. With wood chips, and the smoker set to 275 degrees (the maximum this can be set to), it would struggle to get to a temperature above 200. With 3 different ambient temperature probes, all of which were within a few degrees of each other... so I trust them more than the Masterbuilt builtin one. Once did the forbidden thing and tried wood pellets from a pellet smoker, in this one, the temperature managed to get to just above 230 degrees, set at 275. That's JUST barely above normal low and slow temperature of 225 degrees.Two of the briskets turned out very good, the other two? I couldn't get the smoker hot enough to get past the stall point at around 160 degrees fast enough, on wrapped in foil at the stall, the other in butcher paper at the stall. They both turned out extemely dry even spritzing every 15 minutes with apple cider vinegar and water. The temperature control is NON EXISTENT. The two that turned out good, were because I wrapped early, at 140 degrees and bypassed the stall at 160 to 170 altogether. BUT... that meant only around 3 hours of smoke infusion, reducing the already questionable smoke flavor even more. I'm smoking my final brisket on this smoker. Which I don't have one single prayer for. It stalled at 172 degrees, already wrapped, and stayed there for the past hour and half, finally just now rising to 174 degrees. The smoker is set at 275 degrees... and the top vent is closed down all I can close it to, and the ambient temp is only 198 degrees.I can already guarantee it's dry as a bone and tough as nails, but I'll pull the brisket at 175, to try to salvage it. I just can't anymore after this. Briskets cost too much to take the chance on having it ruined by shoddy workmanship.I have ordered a pellet smoker from one of the other brands of vertical smokers. and a smoke tube for pellets to add smoke flavor since pellet smokers are notorious for not producing as much.I can't, in good conscience, recommend this smoker. Absolutely not. And this is the second Masterbuilt I've had. The first one was ok, but it only had that electric skillet temperature dial on the side, and not removable wood chip replacement tube. So you had to open the door, take out the wood chip tray, fill it, and then open the door again to put it back in, losing every bit of heat.sa

Upgraded to larger size for my son and he loves it. Fits full rack of ribs on a shelf and larger turkey too. Consistent strong heat maintenance. Love best not using any chemical treated pellets, but actual read wood chips with natural flavoring from the wood bark. This keeps the heat well that no longer need the thermal blanket. Best of all comes with the wheels attached so easy to move in and out of garage or storage sheds to keep from looking more dirty of weathers. Everyone loves anything smokes in this better than anything made in the expensive chemical pellet Trager smoker too !.

This was my first smoker purchase. I have used this smoker at least weekly for the past year and a half. Here is a breakdown of my likes and dislikesLikesIt is huge. I have done full turkeys, brisket, multiple racks of ribs... I've never been short on space. I cook for about 15 people with this smoker on the holidays.Temperature control has been very good. You have to clean the thermostat between cooks, but it has been accurate when I do so when comparing to a pro e read temp.The price is very good compared to other options.It doesn't take a lot of wood chips to get the flavor.DislikesThe plastic on the door Is the worst. Almost every piece has weathered off after cracking. It stays on my porch and does not get dorect sunlight or rain.I've had to replace a power control board already. It was easy to replace but the relay shorted and the unit would keep heating even when the power was off if left plugged up and there was no temp control.The wood chip loader is a little awkward sometimes and you can bend it if not careful. Like the plastic, the metal is thin and cheap. I sliced a finger on it very easily when replacing the power controller. I wish I had kitchen knives that sharp.SummaryGood value smoker. The materials are not very sturdy so treat it with care. Repair is fairly easy when problems arise. Cooks a lot of meat and does a solid job at doing it.

Absolutely love!! After prepping per the instructions, we loaded with different meats and took to a football party. It was amazing how we could cook so much meat at once.

DEFECTIVE. The smoker body cavity has (2) smoke/moisture escape point on the top of the body... they feed MOIST SMOKE directly into the control panel/display. After (4) hours of NEW USE, my control shorted out.Luckily, I complained and received a second replacement control/display as the first one WAS NOT READABLE IN DAYLIGHT. ??? WHO SMOKES IN THEIR HOUSE OR GARAGE? NOT.Masterbuilt sent a replacement, but unfornately, LED's are not what you want in broad daylight. The design should have been LCD's, which you can read under most 'light' conditions.STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM MASTERBUILT on the shorted control/display.I have 'patched' my smoker with gasketing, etc, to seal off the spewing moisture and smoke that goes DIRECTLY INTO THE CONTROL.VERY POOR DESIGN, AVOID!(PS, I'm a retired engineer, I know how to troubleshoot and find the root causes of issues).