Are you thinking about buying the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker but are not sure if it’s worth it?
You are in luck because we have tested it out and have the answers to your questions right here!
In this TheGrillingDad.com review, you’ll discover:
- Everything you need to know about this Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
- Advantages and disadvantages of it
- And much more!
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Overview of the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker
The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is a great option for those who want a vertical smoker that is easy to use. Whether you are just learning to smoke meats or have been doing it for a while, this smoker helps you to achieve your goals without charcoal or propane to deal with.
As soon as you remove this smoker from the packaging, you may be surprised to see how short and seemingly sturdy it is. With a total weight of about 45 pounds, you may want to consider putting it in a place where you do not have to move it often.
In addition, the appearance of the Masterbuilt is somewhat plain and unremarkable. The black box is more reminiscent of a bar refrigerator instead of a smoker. Even so, this is what makes it more appealing to many people.
The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker has many features that will make your smoking experience much better. Many of these features allow for an easier outdoor cooking experience overall.
One of these features is the patented wood chip loader that you can access without even opening the door of the smoker. The patented wood chip loader may require you to add in more wood chips on occasion, however, you can do so easily.
While the smoker sits low to the ground which may require you to stoop quite a bit, you have the option to purchase a stand for the smoker to raise it. Despite it being shorter than some other smokers, it can hold quite a bit of food.
Even though the Masterbuilt Digital Smoker appears to be on the smaller side, the second you open it up you will realize how much cooking space it has. This unit can be used to cook for smaller crowds or even mid-size to larger crowds since it can hold more food.
This model is listed as our #1 overall best electric smoker!
Features of the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker
When it comes to deciding to purchase the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker, you will need to consider the features that it offers. With so many choices out in the market, it comes down to the features that you consider more important.
If you are curious about some of the most prominent features this smoker provides, keep reading.
Digital Control Panel
The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker comes equipped with a digital control panel that is conveniently located on the top of the lid. This provides you with easy access to the temperature controls that you can set and check on throughout the cooking process.
Patented Wood Chip Loader
Located on the side of the unit, the wood chip loader is easily accessible when you need to add more chips. This means that your smoker does not lose any heat when you add the chips to the loader.
Sealed Door Latch
One of the most important features for a smoker is a door that seals completely so that you do not lose any heat or smoke. This smoker comes equipped with a door latch that creates a tight seal when closed to prevent any temperature and smoke leakage.
Electric Heating Element
The electric heating element in the Masterbuilt Digital Smoker provides you with the convenience of not having to literally “fire up” the smoker. The all-electric controls allow you to just plug it in anywhere you have a standard outlet and start the smoking process.
Thermostat Control
Since the goal of using a smoker is to cook your food consistently and evenly throughout the cooking process, having a built-in thermostat comes in handy. The temperature can be controlled and held at the desired temperature for the entire smoking process.
Fully Insulated Body and Door Seal
Another feature that makes the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker a great unit is that it is built to last with its fully insulated body and door that seals airtight. This allows you to not only maintain a steady temperature but also protect the inner workings of the smoker.
Basics of the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker
In addition to the specific features the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker has, it also has other qualities that make it a great choice for your smoking needs. While knowing what the smoker comes equipped with is important, how it operates can sometimes be a better indicator of a great product.
If you are wondering what qualities make this smoker worth purchasing, read on.
Easy Clean-Up and Maintenance
Since this Masterbuilt is an electric smoker, the clean-up is a breeze because you do not have to deal with ash or pellet remnants. For the most part, you will just have to clean up after whatever meat you smoked.
Keep in mind that it is suggested by the manufacturer that before you start using the smoker you season it first. This will prepare it to smoke your favorite meats without leaving behind any chemicals that may have been used in the manufacturing process.
To season your grill, you should have handy some cooking oil and wood chips to assist with the process. Masterbuilt mentions that you should first rub a light layer of oil on the inside of the smoker and then heat it to about 250℉-300℉ for about 3 hours and add in wood chips for the last 30-45 minutes.
After the seasoning process has been completed, you are ready to smoke your favorite meats the way you choose. Keep in mind that cleanup after seasoning should be done carefully after each use.
When you do clean the smoker, all you will need is a bit of hot water to wipe down the inside of the unit. You should be careful not to scrub the smoker or else you will remove the seasoning and have to begin again.
Easy to Operate
Compared to other types of smokers, the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is one of the easiest units to operate overall. Since it is an electric smoker, you will not have to worry about purchasing materials such as charcoal or propane to operate it.
The only additional items you will need to purchase regularly are the wood chips you will add to the side to give your meat that smoky flavor. Adding in the wood chips is a breeze that will allow you to do so without opening the main door of the unit.
Additionally, this smoker comes equipped with a grease collection tray that allows excess grease from your food to gather in one spot for easy cleanup. This means that you will not have to worry about a lot of grease gathering in other areas of the smoker.
It may be important to note that the easy operation of this Masterbuilt smoker happens due to the digital temperature control panel on the top of the unit. All you have to do is make sure it is plugged in and then set your temperature and you are ready to start.
Size
While this grill may not be the largest available smoker on the market, it still has quite a bit of room to cook for most situations. So, if you are cooking for your immediate family or maybe a mid-size group of people, this smoker may be the perfect option for you.
The Masterbuilt Digital Smoker weighs in at about 45 pounds, and although it is not the heaviest, you may want to consider keeping it in one place. If you insist on taking it along with you on camping trips or tailgating, you may need to ensure you have someone to help you maneuver the unit.
This smoker stands at just under 3 feet tall and is important to note that it sits extremely close to the ground. Although you can purchase a stand to raise it, if you choose not to you should be prepared to stoop and squat quite a bit.
With all of that being said, the unit is a good size smoker for those who are just beginning or for those who have been smoking for a while but want a smaller unit. You may not be able to cook for a large crowd, but you should be able to keep your family well-fed.
Warranty
As with most Masterbuilt products, they do stand behind this digital smoker with a warranty that lasts up to about 90 days. This warranty covers any defects with the unit itself that is deemed to be manufacturing defects.
The warranty is known to cover either the unit to be repaired or replaced depending on the level of the defect. Keep in mind that as the customer, you will need to pay for shipping to send the unit in for repairs.
It is also important to note that the warranty excludes anything that is considered abuse, misuse, accidental, or any other non-manufacturer defect. If your smoker is damaged in the process of transporting it from one place to another, this is also not covered in the warranty.
Cooking Area Capacity
Another consideration that you should keep in mind when deciding to purchase the Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker or something else is how much cooking capacity it has. This can be important if you plan on cooking for more people than usual.
You should be aware that this Masterbuilt smoker is only a 30-inch unit, which means that you will not be able to cook for larger crowds. However, it should work perfectly fine for small to mid-sized family and friend gatherings.
This Masterbuilt unit comes equipped with four removable racks that can be moved around as you see fit. If you are cooking something larger, you may need to remove a rack or two to make it fit.
When it comes to cooking area capacity, the Masterbuilt Digital Electric smoker can cook up to 6 whole chickens, 2 turkeys, 4 pork butts, or 4 racks of ribs. Even though it is said to be on the smaller side compared to other smokers, as you can see you can still produce quite a bit of food.
Accessories and Add-Ons for the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker
As with many of the Masterbuilt products, with the Electric Smoker, you have many options to choose from when it comes to accessories and add-ons. Whether you choose to purchase any of these items will depend entirely on what you plan to do with your unit.
If you are curious about some of the most commonly purchased accessories and add-ons for the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker, then keep reading.
Smoker Leg Kit
Since this smoker is so low to the ground it only makes sense that Masterbuilt would create a way to make it a bit larger and easier to manage. That is where the Smoker Leg Kit comes into the picture adding about 10 additional inches to the height.
30” Smoker Cover
Worried about the weather damaging your Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker? With this smoker cover that is coated in polyurethane, your smoker will be well protected from all of the elements that may come in contact with the unit.
Fish and Vegetable Mat
If you want to smoke more than your favorite meats by adding in some veggies and fish, this fish and vegetable mat may be just for you. This mat will keep your delicate foods from falling through the rack and allow them to cook to perfection.
Slow Smoker Kit
Need to smoke cheese, bacon, fish, or jerky, but need a lower temperature to do so? This Slow Smoker Kit is an attachment that you can add to your Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker with almost no effort.
Pros and Cons of the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker
When it comes to purchasing a smoker, you must consider all of the advantages and disadvantages. Although the above-mentioned features and benefits should have you convinced, you should take the time to check out the pros and cons.
Here are the pros and cons of the Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker:
Pros:
- Easy to operate
- Ability to load wood chips without losing temperature
- Digital Control Panel on top of the unit
- Sturdy construction
- Consistent temperature control
- Sealed door
Cons:
- Short warranty
- The weather may limit the use
- Specialized racks have to be purchased if needed
- Cannot use if you have a power outage
- You won’t get as much smoke flavor from an electric smoker when compared to other types of smokers
Is the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker Worth It?
The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is definitely worth the purchase for those who want the ease of operation provided by an electric unit. While some outdoor cooks believe that you cannot get the same authentic smoky taste in an electric smoker, this unit is a great option.
If you are like many busy individuals, you may not have time to deal with pellets, charcoal, or even propane when you want to smoke your favorite meats. If this is the case for you, then the Masterbuilt Electric smoker is a smart choice.
Additionally, if you are just starting in the world of outdoor cooking, especially with smoking, you may want to start with this unit. Since it is electric, it will make the learning curve quite a bit easier until you master the beginning of the process.
Tips to Using Your Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Effectively
Like any appliance or accessory you purchase, there is always plenty to learn before you begin using the unit and during the entire ownership process. The Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker is no different in that respect, since those who have used it have much to say about using it effectively.
Here are some of the most common tips that you should know about the Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker:
- Keep it covered when not in use
- Store it inside during inclement weather
- Clean up after every use
- Use only hot soapy water when cleaning
- Cover the trays with aluminum foil for easy cleanup
- Use only wood chips that are recommended by the manufacturer
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations
While this is not an exhaustive list of the many tips that exist about the Masterbuilt Smoker, these are the most important to keep in mind. Keep in mind that it is suggested that you do your research before you make your final decision in purchasing a smoker to ensure that it fits your needs.
Final Thoughts on the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker
The bottom line when it comes to the Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Smoker is that it is the perfect choice for both those just starting and those who are more experienced. While not as big as other units, you can still create a pretty decent-sized meal for you, your family, and your friends to enjoy.
