I am in the market for a new smoker and had the chance to put my hands on two very different options the last time I was Bass Pro Shops.
The two pits I was looking at were the Masterbuilt Sportsman Elite propane smoker and the Smoke Hollow 40 inch digital electric smoker.
The two pits I was looking at were the Masterbuilt Sportsman Elite propane smoker and the Smoke Hollow 40 inch digital electric smoker.
The Masterbuilt propane smoker looked like it was solidly put together and was about $150 cheaper than the Smoke Hollow electric. Masterbuilt electric smokers get great reviews and that gives me some confidence in their propane fueled products.
My two concerns with the Masterbuilt is the size of the Sportsman Elite and the inability to dial in a temperature for smoking. Here is a picture of the Sportsman Elite with a shaker of bbq seasoning on a shelf to give you some perspective on the size of this cooker.
My two concerns with the Masterbuilt is the size of the Sportsman Elite and the inability to dial in a temperature for smoking. Here is a picture of the Sportsman Elite with a shaker of bbq seasoning on a shelf to give you some perspective on the size of this cooker.
All of the components in the smoker look solidly built and I think this one actually had a nice solid seal around the door.
Still, it just has a single burner with a crude knob. I imagine it would take me a while to get my target temperatures set.
By comparison the 40 inch Smoke Hollow electric smoker is massive and would let me set an exact smoking temperature with ease.
By comparison the 40 inch Smoke Hollow electric smoker is massive and would let me set an exact smoking temperature with ease.
I am not sure how I feel about electric smokers though. They are quick and easy to use but not much different than simply using an oven.
I am also nervous about having what is essentially an electronic device sitting outside and being exposed to the weather. I know that they have the controls sealed up but it just seems like a bad idea.
Maybe getting an electric smoker will be the excuse I finally need to build that covered outdoor kitchen that I always wanted!
I am also nervous about having what is essentially an electronic device sitting outside and being exposed to the weather. I know that they have the controls sealed up but it just seems like a bad idea.
Maybe getting an electric smoker will be the excuse I finally need to build that covered outdoor kitchen that I always wanted!