Equipment Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker Review

Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker Review

Holidays, summer parties, and momentous occasions are all reasons that we get together with our loved ones to share delicious feasts. For many, these feasts are focused around well-cooked barbecues, which is best achieved from a nice, well-done smoke session.

For those who like to feed a huge crowd and who like to show off a bit when they do it, the Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker is an excellent show-stopper kind of appliance.

It is enormous, with 975 square inches of cooking space that is advertised to hold as much as 100 pounds of food.

In addition, this high-end Masterbuilt smoker has plenty of features that are made to wow its users. Not only does it hold a huge quantity of food, it is automated with remote control access, it has a light to show off the food as it cooks, and it has several features designed to help you clean-up after the fact.

On top of that, it is electric, which is useful for those living in apartment complexes and condos with strict fire regulation rules.

Key Features of the Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker

Control Panel and Remote Control: This smoker is designed to be a “set and forget” kind of smoker. You are able to set your desired temperature and cook time on the control panel, and this high-tech will take care of the rest.

Better yet, you can keep track of the smoker’s status using the remote control. This remote control gives you real-time data on the temperature of the smoker, the meat’s internal temperature, the time that is left for your barbecue, and the interior lights of the smoker to show off what’s for dinner.

Above all, the control panel and remote control features are supposed to mean that no matter where you are, be it watching the game with your family or sharing a beer with your guests, you’ll be able to double check that your barbecue will be ready on time.

Automated Wood Chip Feeder: Falling in line with the “set it and forget it” concept, this smoker also features an automated wood chip feeder.

This is the key aspect for how the smoker is able to regulate the temperature and smoke levels entirely on its own. This automated system is also useful in how it can help to maintain the smoker’s internal temperature. Rather than having to open the door and potentially lose the heat that has built up inside the smoking chamber, this smoker will automatically add wood chips as necessary to the tray at its base.

Electric: Another great feature of this smoker is that it is electric.

While this can be a downside for those who are seeking an authentic smokey taste, which can only come from a charcoal or propane heat source, the fact that this smoker is electric means that it can be used in smaller spaces and on balconies in apartment complexes.

The caveat, of course, is that a smoker of this size will need a lot of power.

Built-In Meat Probe in Addition to the Internal Smoker Thermometer: Like most modern smokers, the Masterbuilt 40 digital electric smoker features an internal thermometer to help you keep track of how hot the inside of your smoker is.

In addition, however, the 40 Digital Electric features an internal meat probe thermometer that can give you information about the meat itself. This meat probe is designed to be inside the smoker at all times so that you don’t have to open it up during the cook, which can be a major source of heat loss while you are smoking.

The probe is also linked to the remote control and control panel, which means that you will be able to know exactly when the meat is fully cooked.

Glass Door and Internal Lights: Finally, this smoker features a glass door and internal lights that let you watch your barbecue as it cooks.

These are obviously enticing features for the show-stopper factor of this smoker, and it can be a fun part of entertaining your guests.

However, this door also has a practical feature: you can be sure that the smoke is well-distributed around your barbecue, and you can monitor the formation of the tell-tale crust that you get when you smoke meat.

Check out Scott Gregg’s review of his Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker below:

Pros

  • Electric
  • Automated wood chip loading system that can help maintain the desired temperature of the grill
  • Remote control access to monitor and adjust the smoker’s temperature
  • Lots of easy cleanup features

Cons

  • The control panel tends to wear out quickly
  • Requires a huge amount of electricity (1,200 Watts)
  • Accessories are prone to rust after prolonged use

Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker Detailed Review

Design and Build Quality

Most users will be drawn to the flashy design of this Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker. With a pretty stainless steel body, a front window that lets you see what’s cooking, and lots of high-tech features like its remote control and automated wood chip dispenser, users that like to have the latest and greatest gadgets may have found the perfect smoker for them. However, this smoker is not only flashy: the body is well-built and made to last.

Because of its quality stainless steel most users have had minimal problems with rust on the interior of the body with proper care. Nonetheless, the fancier features, such as the thermometers and meat probes, are harder to clean. Some users have had issues with these accessories rusting.

Additionally, this smoker is not portable. Coming in a seventy-three pounds, and having no wheels and a need for an electricity source, this smoker is meant to stick in one spot.

Ease of Assembly

Assembly for this smoker is rather straight forward and takes about twenty-five minutes. There are a total of twenty-seven pieces that make up this smoker, and assembly is complete after twelve steps.

The instructions include pictures as well as advice for how to season the smoker once it is put together.

Ease of Use

The automated control of this smoker makes it one of the easier models to use on the market. It is essentially able to regulate the heat itself, although you are advised to still keep an eye on the smoker with the remote control.

Overall, this smoker seems to be able to maintain the internal temperature, which is especially important if you use it to its full capacity. Beginners who are seeking to impress their friends, not just with a good quality barbecue but also with a high-tech appliance will most likely enjoy this smoker.

Quality of the Cook

The cook from this smoker is, for the most part, very good because of its good insulation and automation that maintains a constant temperature.

It can reach a maximum of 275°F, despite its size, which is better than most other electric smokers. Additionally, because it is electric, you will most likely need to pay a lot of attention to the types of wood chips that you use.

Without the natural smoke from a flame, your only smokey flavoring will come instead from these chips. Additionally, there’s an optional cold smoking kit for such things like beef jerky, smoked salmon, and smoked gouda.

Ease of Cleanup

Cleaning up this smoker between uses should be rather easy.

All of the interior accessories are removable, and because of its open-front design, there are no hard-to-reach spaces.

In addition, this smoker has a drip catcher, which will be useful for minimizing the build-up of grease in the base of the smoker. This is also important because it can help to reduce the amount of rust that forms in the bottom of the smoker as well.

Price

For those who want a show-stopper piece that can cook enough food for a huge party, the Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker seems to be the perfect option.

It is much less expensive than other large-quantity smokers, and because it is electric, it is accessible to even those living in places with fire restrictions.

The quality of the smoker’s body is, overall, very good, although the accessories are prone to rusting. Nonetheless, because this smoker requires minimal effort, man easy cleanup features, and a high-tech design, it is still a great value.

How Does it Compare?

Let’s take a look at some of the Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker’s competition:

Weber Smokey Mountain Charcoal Smoker

Weber 18-inch Smokey Mountain Cooker,...

A simple design that cranks out awesome barbecue, the Smokey Mountain has the quality and warranty you expect from Weber in an affordable package.

Check out our review here.

Bradley Smokers Original Smoker

Bradley Original Smoker

The Bradley Original Smoker is a great option for those living in an apartment or condo with fire restrictions or those that want a simple and automated smoking process.

Check out our review here.

Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker

Char-Broil 12201570-A1 American Gourmet...

For those on a smaller budget looking for a very simple smoker, the Char-Broil American Gourmet Offset Smoker may be right for you.

Check out our review here.

Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker

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An alternative to the Masterbuilt 40 Digital Electric Smoker, the Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker also offers a ton of cooking space along with a remote control for simple hands-off smoking.

Check out our review here.

Char-Broil Vertical Electric Smoker

Char-Broil Vertical Electric Smoker

For those looking for a simple electric smoker on a budget, the Char-Broil Vertical Electric Smoker may be right for you.

Check out our review here.

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Hi! My name is David and I'm the founder and primary writer for this site. I have been an avid grilling and barbecue enthusiast for over 9 years now and I started this website to share my knowledge and experience with those looking to get into this fun and tasty hobby.

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