Very pleased to have another post by my buddy Jarhead!
Howdy ever’body. Finally home in the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri. I enjoyed my time in SoCal, but it’s sure good to be home.
In my conquest for a 40” Masterbuilt Electric Smoker (2ndGeneration), I have had one heck of a ride.
I started out the latter part of December 2012 trying to get one from Amazon, when they went on sale for $299.
I placed my order just in time to find out they were out, but more were expected soon.
After a couple weeks, I checked my order status and the product page, only to find out that there was a delay of 4 to 5 months. Say what?
I knew this might pose a problem, because I had to be back in Missouri the first week of April. I sent Customer Service an email stating my problem and they told me that I could change the shipping address up until it shipped, but to do it about a week before I left. OK, I thought all is good, unless they ship it just before I leave. I had a little leeway in my schedule, if needed, so all was well.
I was home for about two weeks and it shipped. “Yippee, finally gonna get this show on the road.”
It arrived 3 days later via an unnamed carrier. But you remember the driver that threw the TV over the fence? Yeah, those guys!!!
As he was unloading it, I heard this strange sound coming from within the box. I asked him to flip it over to hear it again. Sure sounded like broken glass to me. He agreed, and I refused the shipment.
I sent Amazon CS an email alerting them of the problem and telling them that I had refused it.
10 days later they refunded my money. I thought that they were going to send me a replacement. I guess, that’s what I get for thinking.
I tried to reorder it, but it was going to cost me the new price of $459. Sorry, but they can keep it.
I was looking around in the BBQ section of Lowe’s on line and saw a smoker that sure looked like the MES-40 without the window. $279.00, now that’s more like it. After comparing the manufacturer part numbers, the Master Forge 40 was one number higher. I called around to the various locations to see if I could find one in stock. No luck. But one store had some on order that was supposed to be in within 2 weeks. I talked to the store manager and told him to place my name on the list. He said he would call me as soon as he got them. I still owe him a pork butt. Great guy.
So as to put it like Paul Harvey did, “And now, for the rest of the story.”
Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, the Master Forge 40” Electric Smoker.
Can’t wait to get started. Unpacked the smoker. Packed great, I might add.
Now for a check of all of the parts. Yep, everything there
Putting on the feet. Anybody see a place to put the screw?
Just a membrane over the hole. No problem.
The front of the smoker. Only 6 items that needed to be put on with screws that fit perfectly.
The rest just slid into channels. Took me about 30 minutes.
Plugged it in for a test run. So far, so good. Got power.
Now to season it. I used Hickory Chips with the temp set to 275F as recommended in the manual.
Thought I would check the accuracy of the factory thermometer. Spot on.
I let it season for 3 hours. I’ll save the first cook for another post. But, I will give you my pros and cons of the unit as I see them.
PROS:
- Easy assembly.
- Parts fit perfect. None missing.
- Thermometer was accurate.
- Outside LED Light.
- No glass to clean. I don’t like doing windows anyway. What are you gonna see in there if it’s full of smoke?
- 1200 watt element produces quick and accurate temps. 20 minutes from 53 to 275.
- Meat probe. I haven’t used it yet, but is close to what the inside temp reads.
CONS:
- No remote control. Why would you want one anyway?
- No glass window. See above.
- 275F maximum temperature.
I am very happy with the Master Forge 40” Smoker. In my opinion, more so than the MES-40.
I’ve cooked on it 3 times now, to be posted later, and it has worked great. Nice smoke flavor and very moist meat. What else can I say?
Related Post: Pros and Cons of Electric Smokers: Which Are the Best?
