Ultimate Review: Masterbuilt Electric Smokers – Choose Model With Ease

Masterbuilt 30 Electric Smoker
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Masterbuilt Electric Smokers are some of the most popular electric smokers on the market today. Boasting two major lines, the Masterbuilt 40 inch Electric Smoker and the Masterbuilt 30 Electric Smoker, the company has produced a dizzying number of models within these lines, all with the same solid manufacturing quality, but with different features, some major and some minor.

Trying to wade through all those model numbers is a Herculean task. But don’t worry. We’ve done it for you.

We have spent countless hours researching the different models available and have laid them out in an easy to digest format so you can clearly see the differences and decide which smoker model is right for you.
This is the ultimate guide to the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker series.

We will look at 2 sizes:

And 3 main style categories within each of the sizes:

If you already have a good idea what you are looking for, use the Table of Contents below for quick access to your choice of category.

We’ve tried to make this guide as concise as possible, so we haven’t gone into a lot of detail about the features below each model.

However, if you want to know more details about the specific features, click on Section 4 and 5 in the Table of Contents below or scroll to the bottom of the article.  There, we outline all the details of the various features of the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker models.

Masterbuilt 30 inch Electric Smoker Reviews

Standard features of the Masterbuilt 30 inch models:

Model # (click to see on Amazon)
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Masterbuilt MB20071117 30-Inch Black Electric Digital Smoker, Top Controller
Masterbuilt 20078715 Electric Digital Smoker Front Controller, 30-Inch, 30 Inch, Black
Masterbuilt 20072318 Digital Electric Smoker 130S-30, Black
Masterbuilt Mes 135S Digital Electric Smoker
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
800W
800W
800W
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Rear
Rear
Front
Rear
Rear
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt MB20071117 30-Inch Black Electric Digital Smoker, Top Controller
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Rear
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt 20078715 Electric Digital Smoker Front Controller, 30-Inch, 30 Inch, Black
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Rear
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt 20072318 Digital Electric Smoker 130S-30, Black
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Front
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Rear
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt Mes 135S Digital Electric Smoker
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Rear
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt Mes 135S Digital Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt 20076716 4-Rack Digital Electric Smoker with Leg Kit Cover and Gloves, 30", Cinnamon
Masterbuilt 20072115 Bluetooth Smart Digital Electric Smoker, 30-Inch, Silver
Masterbuilt 20070210, 30 inch, MB20070210 Analog Electric Smoker with 3 Smoking Racks, 30" Black (Old Version)
Masterbuilt Adventure Series MES 35B Electric Smoker
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
800W
800W
1500W
1500W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Front
Front
Front
Side
Side
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt Mes 135S Digital Electric Smoker
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Front
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt 20076716 4-Rack Digital Electric Smoker with Leg Kit Cover and Gloves, 30", Cinnamon
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Front
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt 20072115 Bluetooth Smart Digital Electric Smoker, 30-Inch, Silver
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Front
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt 20070210, 30 inch, MB20070210 Analog Electric Smoker with 3 Smoking Racks, 30" Black (Old Version)
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
1500W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Side
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt Adventure Series MES 35B Electric Smoker
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
1500W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Side
RF Remote
Bluetooth

Style: Masterbuilt 30 Electric Smoker

This model is functionally the same as the next listing, model 20070910, just a more recent model. It has an updated shape to the top control unit and the interior chip tray smoking chamber and the water plan is redesigned.

Unique features:

You should choose this model:

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CONS:

This model is functionally the same as the previous listing, model 20071117, just an earlier model.

Masterbuilt MB20071117 30-Inch Black Electric Digital Smoker, Top Controller

Unique features:

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This model has the same functionality as the previous two models with the advantage of having all the business happening on the front side. The control panel is on the front top edge and the grease drip tray slides out of the bottom front.

Masterbuilt 20078715 Electric Digital Smoker Front Controller, 30-Inch, 30 Inch, Black

Unique features:

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Style: Masterbuilt 30 Electric Smoker with Window

This is a basic digital model like the others in this category, with the a few added features with still a very low price.

Masterbuilt 20072318 Digital Electric Smoker 130S-30, Black

Unique features:

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Style: Masterbuilt 30 Electric Smoker with Remote

A step up from the basic digital model, the radio frequency remote control feature allows you to sit inside in comfort while you monitor the long smoking process. The radio-frequency remote allows you to turn the unit on or off, adjust cooking time, smokehouse temperature, meat temperature and even turn on the light. The working range for the RF remote is about 100 feet radius around the smoker.

Model: Masterbuilt 20070411 Digital Smoker with Window & RF Remote

This model is the earlier version of the next model (20072218). They are the same.

Masterbuilt 20070411

Unique features:

You should choose this model:

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CONS:

This model is the more recently relabeled model of the 20070411. They are the same.

Masterbuilt Mes 135S Digital Electric Smoker

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Also sold as the Masterbuilt 20077615 Digital Electric Smoker this model has the control panel at the front and the drip tray access is in the front.

Masterbuilt 20077515 Front Controller Electric Smoker with Window and RF Controller, 30-Inch

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Masterbuilt 20076716 4-Rack Digital Electric Smoker with Leg Kit Cover and Gloves, 30', Cinnamon

Unique features:

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Style: Masterbuilt Bluetooth Electric Smoker – 30 inch

With similar features to the RF controlled models listed above, the Masterbuilt bluetooth models offer monitoring and control through your own handheld device.

Also sold as the Masterbuilt 20077615 Digital Electric Smoker this model has the control panel at the front and the drip tray access is in the front.

Masterbuilt 20072115

Unique features:

You should choose this model:

Masterbuilt 20072115 Bluetooth Smart Digital Electric Smoker, 30-Inch, Silver

PROS:

CONS:

Style: Masterbuilt Electric Smoker 30 inch – Analog

The Masterbuilt analog electric smoker is manufactured with the same quality as the electric smokers, but with the simplicity of the non-digital controls. There are two analog models currently available. They feature a variable temperature plug-in analog control near the base and an analog temperature gauge in the door. They are nearly identical.

This is the older model compared to the 20074218. They are the same with the exception of the door design.

Masterbuilt 20070210, 30 inch, MB20070210 Analog Electric Smoker with 3 Smoking Racks, 30' Black (Old Version)

Unique features:

You should choose this model:

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CONS:

This is the newer model compared to the 2007021. They are the same with the exception of the door design.

Masterbuilt Adventure Series MES 35B Electric Smoker

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Masterbuilt 40 inch Electric Smoker Reviews

Taller by 10 inches and wider by about 5 inches than their smaller 30 inch cousins, the Masterbuilt 40 inch smokers have the same features with more space for more food. You can generally do full racks of ribs in the 40 electric smoker.

Standard features of the Masterbuilt 30 inch models:

Lovely Smoked Turkey
Ronda Del Boccio @creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nd/2.0/legalcode
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt 21072618 Mes 140S Digital Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt MB20076718 MES 240G Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker, Stainless Steel
Masterbuilt MES 340G Bluetooth Electric Smoker
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
1200W
1200W
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Front
Front
Front
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt 21072618 Mes 140S Digital Electric Smoker
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
1200W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Front
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt MB20076718 MES 240G Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker, Stainless Steel
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
1200W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Front
RF Remote
Bluetooth
Model # (click to see on Amazon)
View
Masterbuilt MES 340G Bluetooth Electric Smoker
Window
Wheels
Light
Element
800W
Meat Probe
Control Location
Front
RF Remote
Bluetooth

Style: Masterbuilt Electric Smoker 40 inch

Model: Masterbuilt 20072918 Digital Electric Smoker (MES 140B)

Unique features:

You should choose this model:

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Style: Masterbuilt 40 Electric Smoker with Window & RF Remote

If you are looking for more bells and whistles, or you just don’t like all the hassle of going outside to check the smoker, particularly in cold weather, the radio frequency remote control feature allows you to sit inside in comfort while you monitor the long smoking process. The radio-frequency remote allows you to turn the unit on or off, adjust cooking time, smokehouse temperature, meat temperature and even turn on the light. The working range for the RF remote is about 100 feet radius around the smoker.

This is the larger version of the 30-inch model (20070411). It has also been produced and rebranded under the new model number 20072618.

Unique features:

You should choose this model:

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CONS:

(also sold as Masterbuilt 21072718 ) – This is the rebranded model of the 20070311 model.

Masterbuilt 21072618 Mes 140S Digital Electric Smoker

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You should choose this model:

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This is the 40-inch version of the 30-inch model 20077515.  See our complete review of the Masterbuilt 20075315 here.

Masterbuilt 20075315 Front Controller Smoker with Viewing Window and RF Remote Control, 40-Inch

Unique features:

You should choose this model:

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Style: Masterbuilt Bluetooth Electric Smoker – 40 inch

The Masterbuilt bluetooth models, while being the same in all-around features as the RF remote models, offer that little extra techie plus. You can conveniently monitor and control smoking activities remotely through your own handheld device.

This model is also called model 20070115. It is the larger version of the 30-inch model 20072115.

Masterbuilt MB20076718 MES 240G Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker, Stainless Steel

Unique features:

You should choose this model:

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This unique model of the 40-inch digital smoker has a redesigned non-rectangular window. It also comes with leg kit.

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Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Accessories

There is not much else you need for your electric smoker, however there are a few Masterbuilt smoker accessories available that you may want.

Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Cover 

It is ideal to store your Masterbuilt smoker equipment indoors when not in use. The electronic controls are not going to be particularly happy when left in a damp environment perpetually. However, whether you store indoors or out, you will want to get a cover for your smoker.

Masterbuilt Cold Smoker Kit

Cold smoking is another subject that we could talk a lot about. The Masterbuilt cold smoker kit is available for all of the Masterbuilt digital electric smoker products. It is a separate smoke generating machine that attaches directly to the patented wood chip loader port on the side of the smoker. The cold smoker unit contains the chips and heats them to a low smoking temperature to allow you to smoke cold foods while creating as little heat as possible in the main smokehouse cabinet where the food is resting. If you have a Masterbuilt digital smoker with legs or on a stand, you will need to either remove the legs or stand or raise the cold smoker unit to the level of the stand.

Masterbuilt Smoker Stand

The Masterbuilt electric smoker stand is constructed of heavy duty steel with a black powder coating. It raises your electric smoker 16 inches to keep you from having to bend over to put your food into the smoker. Your back will thank you.

Masterbuilt 20101113 Digital Electric Smoker Stand, 30-inch

Masterbuilt 20101213 Digital Electric Smoker Stand, 40-inch

Masterbuilt 20101114 Universal Electric Smoker Leg Extension Kit 

If you don’t want to spring for the stand, you can get a leg extension kit that fits the digital electric smoker models listed above. The legs are made of heavy duty black powder coated steel. The leg extension kit raises the smoker 10 inches.

Exterior Feature Details

Fully insulated smoking cabinet – every digital electric smoker Masterbuilt makes is fully insulated with foam lining the walls allowing you to achieve temperatures from 100°F to 275°F which is the standard range for smoker cooking. Most of the exterior of the cabinet stays relatively cool to the touch so small hands won’t get burned. The outside area nearest the heating element can be uncomfortably warm.

Gasket seal – The door of the Masterbuilt electric digital smoker is constructed of sheet steel and has a rubber seal to retain heat and smoke

Adjustable locking mechanism – the door has an adjustable latch to keep the door seal seated and secure the smokehouse in windy weather as well against curious critters.

Window in the door – many of the models of the Masterbuilt digital smokehouse feature a gasket-sealed window, allowing you to make a visual check of your smoking project.

Patented wood chip loaderPatented wood chip loader – Masterbuilt has designed an ingenious wood chip loading system that allows you to add additional wood chips during

the smoking process without ever opening the smokehouse door, keeping the heat and smoke inside. The patented design involves a removable tube on the side of the smoker cabinet that you fill with chips, replace in the port and turn it to dump the chips into the chip tray inside the smokehouse. This is an incredible feature that is unique to the Masterbuilt Smokers.

Wheels – most of the Masterbuilt electric smokers are equipped with rear wheels and a handle so that the unit can be tilted back and moved easily.

Rear Handle – models that have wheels also have a rear handle to assist with moving the smoker.

Drip Tray in Front – some of the smoker models come with an external access grease tray in the front that catches the overflow from the shallow internal tray. This center-mounted tray slides out to be emptied.

Drip Tray Rear – some of the smoker models have a long, narrow grease tray attached to the outside back of the unit that catches the overflow from the shallow internal tray.

Top-mounted digital control unit – as indicated, some models have a detachable digital control unit mounted at the back center of the top of the smokehouse cabinet. This unit requires 3 AA batteries and monitors on/off, time, temperature and, depending on model, meat temperature and light control. The timer is adjustable from 0 to 24 hours and has an automatic shut-off.

Front-mounted digital blue LED control panel – where indicated, some models have a digital control panel along the top front edge of the smokehouse cabinet that allows you to control on/off, time, temperature and the light, if available. The readout is blue LED which is superior to green or red for readability in brighter light. Some models are equipped with a sunshade over the front control panel for greater ease of viewing.

Adjustable top damper vent – a rotating damper vent on the top of the smoker cabinet near the back allows you to control heat and smoke within the smokehouse.

Radio-frequency Remote – where indicated, some models come with a Radio-frequency remote control unit that looks like a small walkie-talkie. This device allows you to turn the unit on or off, monitor the time and temperature and change it as needed, as well as controlling the light inside the cabinet.

Bluetooth Controls – some models are equipped with the ability to pair your own device with the smoker controls so that you can monitor the smoking process remotely. These controls allow you to adjust the on/off, temperature, time and light from your own device. Pairing is accomplished via an app available on the Masterbuilt website or via your device’s app store. Bluetooth communication is available over a 100-foot radius from the smoker.

Interior Feature Details

4 chrome-plated steel shelves – each Masterbuilt digital electric smoker includes 4 chrome-plated steel shelves, which vary according to model and size. The 40 inch electric smoker has a cooking area of about 975 square inches while the 30 inch models have about 720 square inches of shelf space. The analog models have 3 shelves with about 550 square inches of space. Most of these shelves feature pull-out stops, much like your home oven, that keep you from pulling the shelf all the way out when you pull out the shelf to check, baste or season your food.

Interior light – Models with windows also feature an interior light, with some models featuring high intensity LED lighting. The light can be controlled from the digital control panel and also from the radio frequency remote or your bluetooth device, if applicable.

Heating Element – close to the bottom right side of the cabinet is the single heating element. This ranges from 800W in the 30-inch models to 1200W in the 40-inch models, with the exception of the analog units which are less-insulated and require a 1500W element.

Wood Chip Ash Tray – at the bottom right side of the unit, just over the heating element is the wood chip tray with removable ash tray. The external chip feeder feeds the chips to the wood chip tray and it only takes a small amount to make a lot of smoke. When the ashes are cool, you can empty this tray and save the ashes to a small can if you garden (and if they aren’t saturated with grease).

Water pan – each model has a water pan that sits near the bottom of the cabinet below the bottom shelf to provide moisture to your smoking meats. Pans vary in size for each model. Some are large and round or oval and sit directly atop the wood chip tray. Some hang in a track just to the left of the wood chip tray.

Grease drip pan – the grease drip pan is a shallow pan that covers the bottom of the smoker cabinet. The pan is sloped to a hole in it that directs grease to an external overflow grease tray which is on the front or rear of the outside of the cabinet, depending on the model. The door of the cabinet features a sloping edge at the bottom that directs drippings into the drip pan. All models except the analog have this feature.

Temperature probe – many of the Masterbuilt digital smoker models feature an internal temperature probe that allows you to monitor the meat temperature without having to open the cabinet. The meat probe is permanently attached inside the cabinet and has a slot on the inside right of the cabinet for storage when you are not using it. Meat temperature is able to be monitored at the control panel and at the RF remote or on your bluetooth device. You can periodically test the accuracy of the meat temperature probe by placing it in a cup of ice water and waiting for a few minutes to see if it reads 32°F.

Warranty – every Masterbuilt Electric Smoker comes with a 1 year warranty from date of purchase. This warranty excludes the painted surface and rust. You must have your proof of purchase receipt.

Capacity – 12 Whole Chickens. 2 Whole Turkeys. 4 Racks of Ribs. 48 Sausages. 24 Burgers. 4 Pork Butts.

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