How to Use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker? Good Tips in 2023
Masterbuilt Electric Smoker is an electric smoker that can be used to cook food like bacon, meat, and fish. It has a large cooking surface with four adjustable racks for easy smoking. The smoker also features two side shelves for spices and condiments as well as two doors on the front of the unit that allow you to monitor your food without opening up the door.
This article will outline some tips on how to use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker in 2022.
1. What is Masterbuilt electric smoker? How does it work?
After reading articles on Masterbuilt electric smoker and earlier than them, you will know how great and helpful the appliance is. Electric smokers are designed to provide rich flavors with less effort from cooks. It works by means of electricity or fuel such as propane or charcoal without flare-ups.
In addition, it helps maintain consistent temperature even in cold weathers due to its adjustable thermostat controls particularly when you want to smoke a brisket or a chicken.
You can start with charcoal as it is more convenient and affordable. Using electric smoker, you can set temperature anywhere from 100-275 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the best temperature for smoking meats such beef, pork shoulder and whole chicken.
Masterbuilt Electric Smoker will help you give your meat wonderful smoky flavor without having to watch over it too often like other smokers would do for outdoor grilling or using firewood in traditional smokers.
2. What are Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Benefits?
Masterbuilt electric smoker will allow you to monitor your food without opening up the door. It also helps maintain consistent temperature even in cold weather due to its adjustable thermostat controls. Moreover, it is easy to use and offers delicious smoky flavor.
3. Steps by Steps on How to Use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker?
Required Tools and Ingredients.
You will be needing the following tools and ingredients when you use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker. Things that can be used include a meat fork, oven mitts, a basting brush, aluminum foil, wood chips, water pan and a spray bottle.
Step 1: Preparing to Use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.
Before using your smoker for the first time or when you have not used it for a long period of time , you need to prepare by wiping it down with warm soapy water with baking soda. Ensure the water dries completely before continuing to add seasoning.
Step 2: Seasoning Your Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.
Spray some oil on both sides of cooking racks. Roll up some paper towels and carefully spray oil on them. Use the crumpled paper towel to grease the racks until they are well coated. Add wood chips if you want your meat to have a smoky flavor, but this is optional.
Step 3: Loading Masterbuilt Electric Smoker with Ingredients.
Load seasoned food into one of three compartments in the smoker then set temperature at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes per pound of food being cooked . Slide each compartment away from you gently once fully loaded to close it properly preventing smoke from escaping through any opening.
If you notice that there are drippings inside the unit, clean them up immediately otherwise they might cause flare-ups later on when cooking. For more convenience, use oven mitts when opening the door.
Step 4: Displaying Smoked Food after Cooking.
Allow smoked food to cool for 10 minutes before touching them so they do not burn your hands. Transfer it on a serving plate carefully using oven mitts, making sure that you are holding it away from you to avoid burns. Use a basting brush to spread melted butter or oil over the meat if desired then serve cooked food immediately.
4. How long does it take for Masterbuilt Electric Smoker to cook?
This question can only be answered by knowing what type of smoker you have and how much time is required to cook certain meats. Everything will depend on your personal preference but generally, smoking ribs could take up to four. On the other hand, a whole chicken requires around three hours to cook.
5. How much does Masterbuilt Electric Smoker cost?
Masterbuilt electric smoker price varies depending on the store but it typically costs less than $200 for a good quality model. Such smokers are easy to use and have thermostat controls making them great for smoking various meats. They can be used indoors or outdoors depending on preference and available space in your home.
Aside from that, their lightweight design makes them a great addition to any kitchen or backyard due to its ability of being dragged around easily if needed. As compared to other types of smokers, they offer similar benefits at a lower price making them perfect appliances for those who do not want complicated features but just simply enjoy getting their hands dirty once in a while.
With above information, you can know Steps by Steps on How to Use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker. Now, let’s see some Tips and Guides on How to Use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker as below:
Tips and Guides on How to Use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.
1. How to Clean Masterbuilt Electric Smoker?
It is easy to clean Masterbuilt electric smoker since it does not produce heavy carbon. Remove cooking grates and soak them in warm water then scrub off food residue using a wire brush or nylon pad if necessary. Leaving some stains on the grates after cleaning makes them easier to clean next time around.
Wipe out seasoning using aluminum foil before storing them away for future use, just make sure they are completely dry before attempting to store them so rust will not form later on. You can also wipe down interior walls with vinegar followed by washing with lukewarm soapy water. A towel should be used afterwards to dry up excess moisture inside of your smoker so it does not damage electrical components.
2. When to Replace the Smoker Thermometer?
One of the most common mistakes in using Masterbuilt electric smoker is checking its thermometer after placing food inside it especially if you are cooking meat which can vary in thickness. A good rule of thumb when checking for doneness is to wait at least 10 minutes before inserting a fork or cutting into it because your meats will continue cooking even after removing them from heat.
This also counts for chicken and turkey since they contain more water than beef, pork, and lamb which makes it safe to eat without overcooking them.
3. How Much Temperature You Need When Cooking Meat?
For moistest smoked ribs, set temperature at 225 degrees Fahrenheit while 100 degrees should be used for whole chicken. For pork ribs , set at 225 degrees Fahrenheit with 5 hours of smoking time. Good internal meat temperature is 160 F for beef, 145 F for turkey and 165 F for chicken.
How Long to Smoke Brisket?
If you are using Masterbuilt electric smoker, the recommended time to smoke brisket is at least 12 hours with low heat (225 F) . On the other hand, it usually takes 25 minutes per pound of boneless skinless chicken thighs on high heat setting at 275 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. What Is the Best Wood Chips Flavor to Use?
There are different woods chips flavor that can be used depending on your preference but apple wood chips tend to be more popular since they have a subtle sweet taste that does not overpower meat’s natural flavor. The next best choice would be hickory wood chips due to its bolder flavor similar to bacon which also compliments beef, poultry, and pork well.
Mesquite is often used for grilling since it can be quite overpowering so it might not be ideal if you are using Masterbuilt electric smoker.
5. How Long to Smoke Salmon?
For smoked salmon , place on cool side of your Masterbuilt electric smoker (170 F) with only three tablespoons of oil or butter spread over top fillet followed by smoking for up to two hours depending on thickness.
This amount of time will allow the smoke to permeate into the fish’s flesh without drying it out. Just make sure that internal temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit before eating them as to avoid ingesting harmful bacteria.
6. How to Know When Food Is Done?
You will know food is done when the internal temperature reaches the recommended level for each type of meat you are cooking. For a more accurate way, use a meat thermometer and insert it in meats before smoking them so not only your time will be saved from checking its progress but there is no risk for undercooking or overcooking.
7. Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Recipes:
Recipes for Masterbuilt Electric Smoker include beef brisket , whole chicken, ribs, beef short ribs , pork spare ribs, smoked salmon , turkey breast, breakfast egg bake and bacon wrapped biscuits. Just have a look on the recipes below:
7.1. Beef Brisket Recipe:
Ingredients: 1 packer brisket, 1 can beef broth, 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
Directions: Remove fat from top of packer brisket to about 1/8-inch thick. Mix together salt and pepper and rub on both sides of meat. Prepare a foil pan large enough for the meat to lay flat in with sliced onions and garlic cloves. Lay seasoned meat inside pan along with Worcestershire sauce poured over it.
Pour an entire can of beef broth over entire product after covering it with heavy duty aluminum foil then place into smoker at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 hours per pound or until internal temperature reaches 185 degrees F as read by a meat thermometer inserted deep into thickest part of meat without touching bone.
7.2. Pork Spare Ribs Recipe:
Ingredients: 2 racks pork spare ribs, 1 bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce, 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 teaspoon chili powder.
Directions: Prepare ribs by removing the membrane from the back and then cut each rack into three pieces (six to nine bones per section) with a sharp knife or scissors after cutting through bone to separate two sections.
Apply rub generously on both sides of all pieces until coated evenly and shake off excess rub then put ribs into smoker at 225 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 hours or high heat (275 degrees Fahrenheit) for one hour.
Remove them from smoker and place in foil pan with barbecue sauce along with brown sugar and chili powder, mix together well coating all ribs evenly then wrapped in foil and return to smoker for another hour.
Unwrap foil and brush any remaining sauce on top of each rack returning them to the smoker uncovered so they get nice and crispy returning it to high heat (275 degrees Fahrenheit) for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
7.3. Smoked Salmon Recipe:
Ingredients: 1 fillet wild salmon, 3 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and dill weed.
Directions: Prepare pan by placing foil in pan with vegetable oil sprayed over it followed by another layer of foil sprayed again in the same manner finally place seasoned grill inside pan flat side down. Slice salmon into two equal pieces putting one half on top of the other before seasoning both sides with lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Using your hands, spread olive oil evenly over seasoned grill pan followed by placing both pieces of seasoned salmon inside the top layer of foil still on top of the bottom piece of foil completely covering both pieces.
Put one tablespoon of dill weed over each half before wrapping tightly with two layers of aluminum foil then place into smoker at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes or until internal temperature is 145 degrees Fahrenheit as read by a meat thermometer inserted deep into thickest part of fillet.
7.4. Breakfast Egg Bake Recipe:
Ingredients: 12 eggs , 1/2 cup milk, 2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded), 1/2 pound bacon (sliced) and salt and pepper to taste.
Directions: Beat eggs together with milk along with salt and pepper then pour into foil pan sprayed with nonfat cooking spray. Add bacon strips on top of mixture followed by cheese before placing in smoker at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 hour or until eggs are fully cooked through.
7.5. Bacon Wrapped Biscuits Recipe:
Ingredients: 1 can large flaky buttermilk biscuits, 6 slices thick cut peppered bacon (sliced), 12 toothpicks and brown sugar to taste (optional).
Directions:
Open the can of biscuits and separate each piece from one another placing three pieces per wrapped around half a slice of bacon pressing one end against other end before inserting toothpick horizontally making sure the ends overlap to keep the bacon wrapped around the pieces of biscuit. Sprinkle brown sugar on top of each before placing into smoker for 30 minutes or until fully cooked through.
7.6. Cheese Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers Recipe:
Ingredients: 3 whole jalapeno peppers, 12 ounces sharp cheddar cheese (sliced), ¼ cup beer (room temperature), 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon cumin and salt to taste.
Directions: Cut jalapeno peppers vertically all the way down one side leaving the other half attached to make a “pocket” inside each pepper removing all membranes and seeds with a spoon. Combine your favorite beer with chili powder, cumin and salt then pour over sliced cheese slices before stuffing each cavity of each jalapeno pepper with the same cheese slice.
Securely tie a piece of bacon around each pepper horizontally making sure none of the ends have been left unwrapped before putting on your grill at low heat (250 degrees Fahrenheit) for 1 hour or until internal temperature is 160 degrees Fahrenheit as read on a meat thermometer inserted deep into center of jalapeno poppers. Serve while hot and enjoy!
7.7. Pork Chops Recipe:
Ingredients: 8 thick cut pork chops, salt and pepper to taste, butter to taste and your favorite barbecue sauce.
Directions: Prepare a foil pan by placing some aluminum foil in pan followed by spraying another sheet of aluminum foil with non-fat cooking spray before adding seasoned pork chops on top of foil evenly. Season pork chops with salt and pepper before adding some butter to each followed by pouring your favorite barbecue sauce over all the pork chops.
Wrap entire pan tightly in two layers of aluminum foil then place into smoker at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 hours or until fully cooked through. Serve while hot!
7.8. New York Strip Steak Recipe:
Ingredients: ½ cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 4 New York strip steaks (1 inch thick) and 3 tablespoons vegetable oil.
Directions: Combine brown sugar with dry mustard, cayenne powder and ground ginger before dividing mixture equally between all four steaks then brushing on top of each steak with vegetable oil.
Wrap tightly in aluminum foil and place into smoker at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour and a half or until steaks are fully cooked as read by a meat thermometer inserted deep into center of thickest part of strip steak. Serve while hot!
7.9. BBQ Chicken Recipe:
Ingredients: 1 rotisserie chicken (shredded), 3 cups favorite barbecue sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ cup onion (chopped) and salt to taste.
Directions: Pour your favorite barbecue sauce into a medium sized bowl before adding shredded rotisserie chicken along with some chopped onions then stirring everything together just enough to combine ingredients evenly. Add powdered garlic on top along with some salt to taste before stirring once more.
Place shredded chicken mixture into aluminum foil pan then place into smoker at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes or until fully cooked through as measured by a meat thermometer inserted deep into center of mixture. Serve while warm!
8. How to choose a good Masterbuilt Electric Smoker?
There are many other things to consider when buying a smoker.
First, you need to determine what type of smoking you plan on doing. Different smokers work better for different types of meats and different styles of smoking (cold vs hot).
Masterbuilt is one of the market leaders in the electric smoker market . As a company they have been around since 2004 and have long been known as a leader in affordable Electric Smokers. We encourage you to read the best masterbuilt electric smoker reviews if you want more information about particular units or how it compare with others that we reviewed.
You may be tempted by their low entry price but if you buy based only on cost alone, don’t expect great results from mediocre equipment. Masterbuilt is known for producing reliable and easy to use electric smokers.
They have a wide range of products but the most popular Masterbuilt electric smoker is definitely 40 inch model. It is regarded as a great smoker for beginners because it has simple controls, good build quality and reliable thermometer.
If you want something cheaper there are other options too… The 30 inch electric smoker from Masterbuilt can be found for under 200 dollars and that’s a great deal!
It still comes with all the basic features that you need from an electric smoker such as reliable temperature control, decent amount of cooking space etc. Most people find this unit big enough to suit their smoking needs without breaking the bank.
This model has been very popular among users who wrote own reviews online. You can read them to find out more about this smoker.
The best thing about Masterbuilt smokers is that you don’t have to spend a lot of money on features or upgrades because each model already comes with all the bells and whistles you need for smoking meat. There are some differences in price between models but most of them come fully packed with great features.
If you are new to electric smokers then I would recommend starting with one of Masterbuilt’s simpler models such as Digital 30 inch smoker . This is the lowest priced model that still has all the basic features needed for reliable cold smoking, smoking jerky etc. If you want something with analog controls for example. The 40″ digital masterbuilt smoker is what I would buy if it had bigger cooking space.
There are of course many other great options available at your local stores or online on Amazon. I would recommend reading some best masterbuilt smoker reviews for more detailed information about these units. Also, check on Youtube for video reviews before making your final decision. It can be very helpful to watch someone’s opinion about certain Masterbuilt electric smoker model.
9. How to maintain the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker?
Once you have found the best Masterbuilt electric smoker for your needs, there are a few maintenance tips that will ensure its longevity.
The main thing is to always plug it into a surge protector . Although they are built to be very durable, an electrical surge can ruin any appliance in your home. A quality surge protector costs less than $20 and will provide the necessary protection to keep your smoker working properly for years.
You should also make sure you read all of the user manual before using your new smoker for the first time… It is important to understand how everything works because it can prevent many common issues that occur if people don’t know what they are doing when operating their unit.
Also, I recommend keeping some spare parts on hand. For example, when I bought my Masterbuilt Pro Smoker from a local store in my area, the staff told me that even if it came with a 1 year warranty they always recommend buying something like a spare heating element because they go bad after time and can cost up to $40 for replacement.
Knowing these little things before using your electric smoker will not only prolong its life but also keep you smoking meat at low cost.
I hope this article helped you find the best Masterbuilt Electric Smoker model for your needs or inspired to look around for other great brands.
In case you have any doubts related to anything written here. Please feel free to comment below! We will be more than happy to help you out!
10. Some Tips on How to Use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.
Remember that the first time you use your smoker it will take a little longer to reach desired cooking temperature because of its “seasoning” process. This is also known as “break-in” period and it has nothing to do with taste or quality of food that you will smoke.
It is just normal for these types of smokers to heat up their metal plates when they are used for the first time. Even if this sounds strange. It’s the truth! Please, don’t overthink this issue too much because I’m sure you will find lots of information online about this topic.
If you have any doubts related to anything written here… Please feel free to comment below! We will be more than happy to help you out!
11. Common Mistakes When Using Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.
Making a rookie mistake is easy with the Masterbuilt electric smoker because it has so many different options and settings… But don’t worry, we will try to explain as much as possible about how these work and what they do.
The first common mistake I see people doing with their smoker is that they usually allow the meat to sit directly on top of aluminum foil sheet.
This may sound like a good idea at first but trust me, this will end up ruining your food if you use it for too long or leave it there too long without turning off the heat source (electricity).
Use wood chip pan sparingly! Some people make the mistake of filling it beyond capacity thinking more wood chips means faster smoking process… This is not true.
Our suggestion is to fill it up halfway with wood chips and let the smoker do its thing. Cleaning meat properly first before smoking is also important if you want awesome results.
People should start looking for ways to make their own wood chip pan like the one that comes with Masterbuilt smokers… There are different ideas out there about how to put together your own smoker but I think this should be saved for another article.
Just remember never leave aluminum foil sheet inside your smoker for too long because it can create toxic chemicals even when smoked foods have no taste of aluminum whatsoever. Also, remember not to use water drip pan at all unless you really know what you are doing!
It can be a good idea if done right but most people ruin their smoker because they don’t dispose of the water right… Letting it stay inside the machine for too long.
I hope this article helped you find the best Masterbuilt Electric Smoker model for your needs or inspired to look around for other great brands.
Common Questions Related with How to Use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker – FAQs.
1. Question: What is the best wood to use with Masterbuilt smoker?
Answer: I am a huge fan of hardwood pellets. You can get a pack online for a pretty decent price and it will last you a long time even if you smoke meat every day!
2. Question: How do I use seasoning mode on my electric smoker?
Answer: Seasoning mode is available in all Masterbuilt models and it’s exactly what it sounds like… Season your machine so the metal parts absorb less flavors from smoked foods over time.
Remember to clean aluminum foil sheet before doing this because it can be used as an essential part of the process when removing old flavors from inside the smoker. This simple thing will help you avoid bitter, unpleasant tastes when smoking different types of food.
3. Question: Do I have to use wood chips?
Answer: No, not at all. There are a lot of people that just use the electricity for smoking their foods and it comes out perfectly fine. If you want to add different flavors from time to time… Wood chips are the way to go!
4. Question: Can I smoke fish with Masterbuilt electric smoker?
Answer: Yes, absolutely! There is no reason why you shouldn’t do this… In fact, smoked salmon is one of my favorite things to eat during holidays. It’s so delicious and great on its own or in salads (or any other recipes). This is what makes an electric smoker like this amazing because it can be used several times per week without any problems whatsoever.
5. Question: Is smokehouse mode worth it?
Answer: That is really up to you. Some people love using wood chip pan for smokehouse mode and others don’t… I would recommend trying both because there are different kinds of flavors that come out when experimenting with smoked food. You will always learn how this thing works by simply trying different things so remember to use your best judgment when smoking meats, fish or veggies!
6. Question: Do I have to preheat smoker before smoking meat?
Answer: Masterbuilt does not recommend it even though most electric smokers on the market require this step in order to get the best results. This simple act adds additional time but helps bring out the flavor better if done right. If budget is your concern… Preheating the machine is not your biggest problem.
You should focus more on buying a high-quality smoker because it will pay off in the end! It’s worth pointing out that most electric smokers don’t require preheating but it’s up to you which method you prefer.
7. Question: What wood chips do you recommend for Masterbuilt electric smoker?
Answer: My favorite brand has always been CookinPellets and they make amazing wood chip flavors like Maple, Pecan and Applewood. I got myself one bag of each flavor so far and I love using them when smoking different types of foods. This is really all up to personal preference because some people add other spices or even sauces before food goes inside the cooking chamber.
8. Question: How much wood chips should I buy for 3-4 hours of smoke?
Answer: For most Masterbuilt models you need to fill the chip tube in order to get the best results when smoking. If you are using CookinPellets wood chips, 3-4 hours of smoke usually requires only one bag so your Masterbuilt electric smoker will last for many years if taken care of properly.
9. Question: Do I need to leave all vents open while smoking meats?
Answer: No, not at all! You should consider closing some vents when smoking various foods because it can cause flavor fade over time depending on what type of meat you’re cooking. Always keep an eye on temperature and adjust with necessary vents accordingly unless you want bland tasting meat that’s useless for anything other than the compost bin.
Remember that every type of food requires a specific temperature and combination of vents so experiment with every smoker you have in order to learn how it works.
10. Question: Do I need to soak wood chips?
Answer: No, not at all! Most people do this when smoking fish or veggies because it can cause smoky flavor fade over time. This method requires extra work and patience in most cases but some people swear by it when smoking different types of meat.
You should consider trying this out yourself if you want the best results possible every single time… It’s worth pointing out that soaked wood chips are great for catering purposes because they last longer than regular chips.
Conclusion
The Masterbuilt Electric Smoker is a convenient, easy-to-use way to smoke food at home. There are many different ways that you can use an electric smoker for cooking purposes and this article will provide some tips on How to Use Masterbuilt Electric Smoker. Feel free to contact us if you have any question, we will reply soon. Thanks for reading!
