Electric smoker recommendations, please…

[Ka Honu]

Got a friend who wants to buy an electric smoker and asked me what to get. I told him I’d ask around so please read his “wish list” parameters and give us some of your expert opinions (after all, who’s more expert at this stuff than LTBBQers?).

     He wants electric and knows he may have to finish cooks elsewhere if temps over 300^oF are necessary.

     Cooks will be for family and a few friends - not huge crowds.

     Primarily for brisket, pulled pork, & ribs.

     Under $500.

     Digital okay but not required (but would like some way to control the temp).

     Reliable heating element that will reach and maintain a decent temp without taking several hours to get there.

     Low maintenance.

     Sturdy enough to last several years (not a lifetime, but not a throwaway either).

     Looking at something like a Masterbuilt 30 or 40 as a baseline.

Your thoughts, please…

Thanks.

[teesquare]

When you say electric...Pellet smokers are electric. Is that an option for him? If so, the Pit Boss vertical is one I would look at. Fits his budget, and I have heard good things about it.

[Ka Honu]

He's not into moving parts or significant recurring expenses (pellets ain't cheap in Hawaii) so isn't really looking at pellet poopers.

[teesquare]

The concern about moving parts is not something I understand. The reliability of the current - even inexpensive pellet grills -is batter than many experience with the Masterbuilt type of cookers.

Just curious...what are you seeing pellets priced like in Hula-Land?

[IR2dum]

Turtle, you are such a generous person to help out your "friend".

I think Pammie knows a lot about electric smokers and what to do with them. Also, you might contact Dee, because of his expertise in Masterbuilt smoking. You'll have to call him because he forgot his password to this site several years ago and texting won't work either. I think he is still working on trying to post pictures.

[Ka Honu]

Turtle, you are such a generous person to help out your "friend".

... Also, you might contact Dee...

I certainly am but I have to admit it's a bit self-serving in this case. I get to buy toys I won't have to set up, store, and/or maintain with someone else's money and don't have to convince SWMBO I need something we really don't have space or a lot of use for. Hmmm... maybe I should give away some of the stuff I don't use very often and make room for a "replacement tool" or two. (Tee - no comments; I already know what you're thinking and your parole officer doesn't want to hear it).

I emailed dee and BCC'ed you. Let's see if we get an answer. If so, I hope he sends photos.

[old sarge]

I'm a tad late on this and my recommendations will be costlier:  Smokin-it, SmokinTex, Cookshack.  These are all stainless steel.

[smokeasaurus]

I have to agree with Old Sarge. While being a big higher than your budget, you will never have to replace any of these models.

Smokin it clearly offers more bang for the buck compared to the other two offerings...........

[Ka Honu]

Well, this has been an exercise in futility...

He finally decided that a Masterbuilt 40" Digital (without Bluetooth) fit his parameters only to find that no one in Hawaii has one available and all the reputable mail order options offering shipping to Hawaii (Amazon, BassPro/Cabela's, etc.) are apparently out of stock (and seem to have been so for a while with no suggestions of when they might have more). Is Masterbuilt going out of business or just taking a break?

Anyway, thanks for your input and please post any other suggestions you might have for me to pass on.