Masterbuilt Smoker and Grills: Top 8 Revealed

Whether you're a grill or smoker veteran, rookie, or expert, a Masterbuilt smoker and grill may be what you need to create outdoor culinary perfection. With a reputation for quality and a wide variety of products, you're sure to find what you're looking for, as long as you know what you need.

The big game is less than two weeks away, and you need a new smoker to replace the old one. As a long-time smoker, you know that Masterbuilt is one of the industry's most trusted brands. But with so many models to choose from, how can you find the right smoker before it's too late? What are the new models available and, more importantly, what are other smoker enthusiasts saying about them? These are the questions you must find answers to before investing in a new Masterbuilt smoker or grill.

Comparison Table

Product

Details

Where to Buy

Masterbuilt MES 130B

Image source: Amazon

Masterbuilt MES 130|B Digital Electric Smoker

Color
Black
Item Dimensions
19.88 x 20.47 x 33.27 in

Item Weight
45.94 lbs

Material Type

Steel

Masterbuilt 20070311 40-Inch Top Controller Electric Smoker

Image source: Amazon

Masterbuilt 40" Electric Smoker with Window

Color
Stainless
Item Dimensions
25.6 x 19.3 x 41.3 in

Item Weight
65.71 lbs

Material Type

Stainless Steel

Masterbuilt 20070215 Electric Smoker

Image source: Amazon

Masterbuilt MES 230G Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker

Color
Silver
Item Dimensions
25.59 x 19.68 x 40.16 in

Item Weight
73.08 lbs

Material Type

Stainless steel

Masterbuilt MPS 340G ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker

Image source: Amazon

Masterbuilt ThermoTemp XL Propane Gas Smoker

Color
-
Item Dimensions
-

Item Weight
-

Material Type

-

Masterbuilt 20050116 Patio-2-Portable Propane Smoker

Image source: Amazon

Masterbuilt 20050116 Patio-2-Portable Propane Smoker, Black

Color
Black
Item Dimensions
15.91 x 23.62 x 23.15 in

Item Weight
22.2 lbs

Material Type

-

Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet Smoker

Image source: Amazon

Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet Smoker

Color
-
Item Dimensions
19.13 x 21.65 x 31.49 in

Item Weight
15.26 lbs

Material Type

-

Masterbuilt XL Propane Smoker

Image source: ​Masterbuilt

Masterbuilt XL Propane Smoker

Color
-
Item Dimensions
-

Item Weight
-

Material Type

-

Masterbuilt Electric Veranda Grill

Image source: Amazon

Masterbuilt MEG 130|B Electric Veranda Grill

Color
Grey
Item Dimensions
23.2 x 18.5 x 41.3 inches

Item Weight
21.1 pounds

Material Type

-

Masterbuilt Smoker Tips

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Here are a few helpful tips that can help you get the most out of your new Masterbuilt smoker. First, you may need to ditch your chip tray. Some smokers have a very small wood chip tray that makes multi-hour smoking nearly impossible. Experts recommend replacing it with a bigger, longer-burning one such as an A-Maze-N pellet tube smoker. But if you have a Masterbuilt model with side wood chip feeder, this extra-investment may not be necessary.

The next tip is to not over smoke your food. When it comes to smoke, you generally don't need a lot of it to infuse your food with great flavor. It's important to remember that over smoking your food can make it inedible; this is especially true for fowl like chicken. Another thing to watch for is the temperature. Temperature swings are an annoying reality for most smokers. That happens a lot when the weather outside is windy. Sometimes your inside temperatures can swing plus or minus 20-degrees Fahrenheit or even more. One way to help combat this problem is to make sure you have a Masterbuilt smoker that's well insulated.

And finally, using aluminum foil on your grills can make cleaning a lot easier and your food taste a lot better. Let's face it, cleaning your smoker is a big pain. However, you can reduce the pain by using foil. You'll still need to clean oil and grease off of the inner body, but you'll significantly reduce your cleaning time.

A Closer Look at the 8 Masterbuilt Smoker and Grill Lineup

Masterbuilt makes an impressive number of smokers and a few grill models. However, we've managed to find the seven best smokers as well as one popular grill model to examine. There are three types of smoker models that we looked at, electronic, propane, and charcoal. As for the grill model, we looked at one electric model. During our examination process, we analyzed numerous customer reviews to get a feel for what smokers and grillers like yourself had to say about these Masterbuilt products. Customer feedback is the best way to get an honest assessment of a product's strengths and weaknesses. Many customers offered us some extended insight into how these products performed under a variety of conditions. We then based our final recommendations on the best customer-reviewed products.

1. Masterbuilt MES 130|B Digital Electric Smoker

Masterbuilt MES 130B

Image source: Amazon

Our first Masterbuilt smoker is the Masterbuilt 30-Inch Electric Smoker. This smoker features 4 chrome-coated smoker racks that can hold up to 80 pounds of food in 730-square-inches of cooking space. It also has digital panel controls that allow you to turn the smoker on or off, as well as set the temperature with no hassles. This Masterbuilt smoker is fully insulated with an integrated thermostat temperature control to ensure consistent, even cooking. Plus, it has an 800-watt heating element, a removable drip pan for easy cleanup, and an adjustable air damper for smoke control. Finally, Masterbuilt's patented side wood-chip loading system lets you add chips while keeping the smoker door closed.

Walmart customers rated this Masterbuilt smoker 4.6 out of 5 stars. Most customers were delighted with the smoker's performance, ease of cleaning, and simple digital controls. Moreover, they said their meats came out tender and juicy.

However, there were a few notes of contention. Several customers remarked on how the built-in thermometer read temperatures up to 10 degrees lower than the real internal temperature. Similarly, other customers expressed frustration because they could not get their machines to smoke correctly. However, it's uncertain if these issues were due to defective units or from incorrectly operating the smoker.

2. Masterbuilt 40" Electric Smoker with Window

Masterbuilt 20070311 40-Inch Top Controller Electric Smoker

Image source: Amazon

Our next Masterbuilt smoker model is the Masterbuilt 40" Electric Smoker. This Masterbuilt smoker features a massive 973 square inches of cooking space with 4 chrome cooking racks. It has a fully-insulated stainless steel body with a built-in viewing window and an internal light. The smoker has a digital thermostat control and timer for even cooking between 100 and 275 degrees Fahrenheit and includes a built-in meat temperature probe. Other features include a top air damper, removable drip pan, side wood chip loader, integrated wheels and handle, and remote control.

Walmart customers rated this Masterbuilt smoker 4.2 out of 5 stars. A 25-year smoking veteran celebrated the product saying it was the best worry-free smoker he's ever owned. Another customer remarked on its easy assembly and excellent smoking performance.

However, other customers may wonder what the satisfied customers were smoking. A customer complained that his smoker broke down after three months of use. Another customer said that the power controls on his unit became glitchy, plus setting the temperature and cook time became more difficult.

3. Masterbuilt MES 230G Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker

Masterbuilt 20070215 Electric Smoker

Image source: Amazon

Our next Masterbuilt smoker model is the MES 230G. This smoker features Bluetooth Smart controls that allow you to manage cooking temperature, time, power the unit on and off, operate the light, and monitor meat temperatures from your favorite smart device or the built-in digital control panel. This smoker has 711.51 square inches of cooking space and 4 chrome-coated smoking racks. There's also a built-in meat probe thermometer and air damper for moisture and smoke control. Its rear-mounted handle and wheels make moving your smoker hassle free.

This model features Masterbuilt's patented side wood-chip loading system that adds wood chips without opening the smoker's door. In addition, the wood chip tray slides out for quick and easy ash removal. It also has a convenient front window to monitor your food's cooking progress.

Lowe's customers rated this Masterbuilt smoker 4.5 out of 5 stars. One customer said the smoker was perfect for cooking great wings. Another remarked on the convenience of having a window to monitor how the food's coming along. And many customers commented on how easy it was to operate.

However, some customers were not feeling the love. One customer said he started to experience problems controlling temperatures and turning the unit on and off after two years. Other customers complained that the range of the Bluetooth feature was much shorter than the advertised 300-foot range.

4. Masterbuilt ThermoTemp XL Propane Gas Smoker

Masterbuilt MPS 340G ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker

Image source: Amazon

Our next Masterbuilt smoker model is the ThermoTemp XL Propane Gas Smoker. This smoker features 965.3 square inches of cooking space with a 15,750 BTU stainless steel burner and 4 chrome-coated smoking racks. The smoker also has a heat diffuser to evenly distribute heat from the burner and a safety shut-off valve that cuts gas to the burner if the flame goes out. Temperature sensor controls allow you to maintain your desired temperature. It comes with a propane tank retention bracket which provides added stability for your rig.

There's also a tank fuel level gauge that lets you know how much propane you have left in the tank. Plus, it has handles and wheels for easy mobility and a large door latch that allows you to open and close the door with one hand. Also included is a type one regulator with hose, a side-mounted grease tray, and stainless steel wood-chip tray conveniently mounted on the lower door for easy access.

On Home Depot's website, this Masterbuilt smoker model was rated 4.0 out of 5 stars. One customer raved over the assembly process, stating that the YouTube assembly video made the process super easy. Another customer raved about the smoker's "flawless" performance during a big family reunion.

However, other customers were not as complimentary. A few customers complained of defective units and missing assembly parts. One customer stated that the smoker did not hold temperatures as advertised.

5. Masterbuilt 20050116 Patio-2-Portable Propane Smoker, Black

Masterbuilt 20050116 Patio-2-Portable Propane Smoker

Image source: Amazon

Our next Masterbuilt smoker model is the Patio-2-Portable Propane Smoker. This smoker features a 5,000 BTU stainless steel burner that covers 279.428 square inches of cooking space. It has two chrome-coated cooking racks and a built-in temperature gauge. Its push-button ignition allows you to light the burner quickly and easily. Also, the regulator knob enables you to adjust the flame to your desired temperature. The smoker also includes legs that fold under for transport and storage. It also comes with a wood chip tray that slides out for easy ash removal, a water bowl to add moisture and flavor, and a removable grease tray to catch food drippings.

On Amazon, customers rated this Masterbuilt smoker 4.1 out of 5 stars. One customer remarked how the smoker did well at maintaining low temperatures, was easy to store and transport, and was easy to assemble. He also said that it was much roomier than he expected, noting how he was able to fit a full pork butt with no issues.

However, the same customer also pointed out some downsides. He noted that he had to continually watch for a drop in temperature whenever a propane canister started getting low. There were also a few complaints of defective units and potential safety concerns.

6. Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet Smoker

Masterbuilt 20060416 Charcoal Bullet Smoker

Image source: Amazon

Our next Masterbuilt smoker model is the Charcoal Bullet Smoker which features 395.4 square inches of cooking space and 2 porcelain-coated smoking racks. It also has a front-access door that makes adding charcoal quick and convenient. The built-in thermometer gives you an accurate temperature, and its air damper controls moisture and smoke.

Customers on Amazon rated this Masterbuilt smoker 4.1 out of 5 stars. One customer said he used it to smoke a full rack of ribs with no problems, noting that they came out tender and juicy. Another customer said that it was straightforward to get it to the right temperature and it was small enough to store easily. Similarly, one customer did note that you should store this smoker away from outdoor elements.

However, the smoker didn't seem to light everyone's fire. One disappointed customer said that the charcoal pan was too small and the water pan too shallow. Plus he complained that the smoker didn't have a damper below the coal pan, making the area very smoky. Another customer said the smoker leaked heat everywhere and that he couldn't get temperatures over 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

7. Masterbuilt XL Propane Smoker

Masterbuilt XL Propane Smoker

Image source: Masterbuilt

Our next Masterbuilt smoker model is the XL Propane 40-inch smoker featuring a black powder-coated outer surface with 4 chrome-coated smoking racks. It has a 15,400 BTU stainless steel burner and over 13,000 square inches of total cooking space. It has a removable wood chip tray, allowing for easy ash removal and an adjustable air damper for smoke control. This smoker also features push-button ignition, sturdy legs, and a water bowl for adding flavor and moisture. Additionally, it includes a type-one regulator and hose, plus a built-in temperature gauge.

On Home Depot, customers rated this Masterbuilt smoker 4.0 out of 5 stars. One customer said that it held lots of food, as well as maintained stable temperatures.

However, other customers pointed out some issues. A few customers noted that the smoker's door did not seal in smoke very well. Similarly, they said that if it were windy outside, temperatures would fluctuate wildly. Others pointed out that the smoker seemed as though it was flimsy and thin metal.

8. Masterbuilt MEG 130|B Electric Veranda Grill

Masterbuilt Electric Veranda Grill

Image source: Amazon

And finally, our only Masterbuilt grill model is the Electric Veranda Grill featuring a unique and stylish design. It also has a 1,650-watt heating element and 196 square inches of cooking space. You can choose from up to five temperature settings, high, medium, low, warm, and off. It has a removable reflector plate that allows for even heat distribution as well as easy cleaning. Plus it comes with variable temperature control with a built-in thermostat for easy temperature control and monitoring. You also get a grill cover and grilling pan.

On Amazon, customers rated this Masterbuilt grill 4.2 out of 5 stars. One customer, who nicknamed his grill "Cyclops," said that his grill cooked perfect meals every time. Also, he noted, adding flavor was super easy. Another customer gave an excellent tip for cleaning, stating that he puts heavy-duty aluminum foil underneath the heating coil and replaces it after use.

However, there were a few unhappy customers. Many of the complaints referred to missing parts and defects, however, some mentioned how hard the grill is to clean.


Masterbuilt Smoker and Grills: Who's the Master?

When making our recommendations, we determined the best Masterbuilt smoker by size and customer feedback. However, we did not factor in the smoker type. For example, some may find they like charcoal smokers over electric or propane smokers. That is purely a matter of personal taste.

We recommend the Masterbuilt Patio-2-Portable Propane Smoker for those looking for a smaller more portable Masterbuilt smoker. We recommend the Masterbuilt MES 130|B Digital Electric Smoker for our larger model. And finally, we recommend the Masterbuilt Electric Veranda Grill. We hope this information helps you in your search for the perfect Masterbuilt smoker or grill.

Featured Image via Amazon