Masterbuilt Smokers: Which Model Should You Actually Buy?

Best for
Beginners seeking set-and-forget digital electric smoking

The Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ, cataloged as the Masterbuilt MB20071117, represents one of the most accessible entry points into backyard barbecue. Powered by a standard corded electric connection, this vertical cabinet removes the variable heat spikes common to manual fuel management. The top-mounted digital control panel allows cooks to enter precise target temperatures up to 275°F alongside dedicated cooking timers, letting the internal heating element regulate chamber warmth consistently throughout extended smoking sessions.

A standout feature of this cabinet is the patented side wood chip loader. Rather than opening the main cabinet door to replenish smoking wood, cooks insert wood chips through a side-mounted cylinder, rotate the mechanism, and deposit the wood directly onto the internal heat tray. This design locks in critical heat, internal smoke, and chamber humidity during low-and-slow sessions. With 711 square inches of cooking space distributed across four chrome-coated racks, the interior holds up to six chickens, two turkeys, four pork butts, or four rib racks. A removable water bowl adds moisture to the cabinet atmosphere, while a rear-access grease tray catches drippings to simplify maintenance after cooking.

This model serves as the best masterbuilt smoker for beginners who prioritize consistent results and minimal supervision. It eliminates the fuel-monitoring anxiety of charcoal, making it ideal for cooks who want to smoke ribs, poultry, or pork shoulders during workdays or casual weekends. For shoppers exploring our broader masterbuilt electric smoker comparison, this 30-inch model represents the benchmark for compact electric efficiency, though cooks planning massive banquet-style briskets may prefer the broader dimensions of a 40-inch cabinet.

• Digital temperature and timer control up to 275°F
• Patented side wood chip loader preserves chamber heat
• Four chrome-coated racks with 711 square inches of cooking space
• Removable water bowl and rear slide-out grease tray

Best for
Crowd cooks wanting high heat propane convenience

Cooks who demand higher operating temperatures and fuel independence from wall outlets will appreciate the Masterbuilt 40-inch ThermoTemp Propane Gas Vertical. Known as model Masterbuilt MB20051316, this vertical gas smoker utilizes liquid propane to reach temperatures up to 375°F. Unlike standard gas smokers that force users to constantly adjust needle valves to counter ambient weather, the integrated ThermoTemp system uses an internal thermostat that actively monitors cabinet heat and modulates gas flow to sustain the dial setting.

The internal capacity of this 40-inch cabinet is substantial, offering 960 square inches of cooking surface across four chrome-coated racks. The manufacturer rates this volume to hold up to 16 chickens, six whole turkeys, eight pork butts, or eight racks of ribs simultaneously. Starting the burner requires no matches, thanks to a push-button ignition system positioned next to the rotary temperature dial. Heat and smoke distribution are further refined via an adjustable top air damper, an internal wood chip tray, and a removable water pan designed to capture drippings while infusing continuous moisture into the cooking chamber.

This masterbuilt propane smoker excels for backyard cooks hosting large cookouts where poultry crisping, roasting, and high-volume capacity are required. Because propane generates higher maximum temperatures than electric elements, it easily accommodates recipes that demand a 325°F to 375°F finishing heat. The trade-off lies in wood loading; because it lacks an exterior side-loading chute, replenishing wood chips requires opening the lower cabinet door, which releases a burst of heat and chamber smoke.

• ThermoTemp thermostat control system maintaining temperatures up to 375°F
• Generous 960 square inch cooking area across four chrome racks
• Push-button ignition for swift burner lighting
• Adjustable air damper alongside removable water and wood chip trays

Best for
Large family gatherings needing maximum electric space

The Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ, bearing model number Masterbuilt MB20070122, merges the set-and-forget precision of electric heat with expansive cabinet volume. Offering 970 square inches of interior cooking room, this model expands rack width and vertical clearance over smaller alternatives. The listing confirms that this expanded volume accommodates up to 16 chickens, four turkeys, eight pork butts, or eight racks of ribs, making it an excellent platform for multi-rack batch cooking.

Like its 30-inch sibling, this 40-inch masterbuilt electric smoker features a push-button digital control board to configure cooking duration and temperatures up to 275°F. It incorporates the patented side wood chip loader, allowing users to introduce wood chips externally without disturbing cabinet temperature or releasing trapped smoke. An included elevated leg kit raises the smoker base off the ground, reducing the need to stoop down when inspecting racks, arranging meats, or emptying the rear-mounted grease tray. An adjustable air damper mounted on the cabinet exterior gives cooks direct control over internal drafting and smoke density.

For buyers evaluating the masterbuilt 30 inch vs 40 inch smoker decision, this unit provides the ultimate electric capacity. It is tailored for pitmasters who want electric reliability but cook full packer briskets or multiple pork shoulders at once. It yields ground only when high-heat roasting or authentic charcoal crusts are required, as the 275°F heating ceiling remains dedicated to classic low-and-slow smoking.

• 970 square inches of total cooking area over four chrome-coated racks
• Integrated leg kit elevates cabinet for ergonomic access
• External side wood chip loader preserves internal heat and smoke
• Digital control console regulating temperatures up to 275°F

Best for
Backyard chefs wanting charcoal smoke and high-heat searing

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Smoker Grill, identified as model MB20041220, represents a distinct shift in fuel design by uniting real charcoal smoke with digital automation. Rather than relying on electric coils or gas burners, this heavy-duty unit utilizes a GravityFed vertical charcoal hopper. Cooks load up to 10 pounds of lump charcoal or 16 pounds of briquettes into the chute, light a fire starter at the base, and let gravity drop fuel onto the fire bed, providing up to eight hours of continuous fuel supply.

Temperature control on the Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 is handled through a built-in DigitalFan. The digital control board—which also links to smart devices via the Masterbuilt app—regulates the intake fan’s rotational speed to supply precise airflow to the charcoal bed. This design allows the unit to reach 225°F in just eight minutes for low-and-slow smoking, or surge to 700°F in 15 minutes for high-heat steak searing. Cooking space is expansive at 1,050 square inches, supported by reversible cast iron grates that feature broad flat surfaces for smoking and narrow ribbed edges for searing marks. Stainless steel front and side folding shelves provide generous prep staging space.

This dual-function cooker is built for outdoor enthusiasts who refuse to sacrifice genuine charcoal aroma for digital convenience. It bridges the gap explored in our masterbuilt smoker grill analysis, providing full-range searing capabilities alongside overnight smoking stability. Keep in mind that it possesses a significantly wider footprint than vertical cabinets and requires both charcoal fuel and an electrical outlet to power the internal fan and controller.

• GravityFed hopper holds 10 pounds of lump charcoal or 16 pounds of briquettes
• DigitalFan regulates airflow from 225°F smoking up to 700°F high-heat searing
• 1,050 square inches of cooking space with reversible cast iron grates
• Onboard digital console with Masterbuilt mobile app connectivity

Best for
Casual cooks wanting simplified analog electric controls

The Masterbuilt 30-inch Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker, model MB20070210, provides an elemental, mechanical approach to backyard smoking. Stripping away digital microprocessors, this vertical smoker utilizes a straightforward analog temperature dial to regulate power to the heating element up to 275°F. For outdoor cooks who store equipment in damp sheds or exposed carports, analog components present a durable, weather-resilient design free of display screens or complex circuit boards.

Inside the cabinet, three chrome-coated racks provide 535 square inches of smoking space. The interior volume easily accommodates up to three chickens, two whole turkeys, three pork butts, or three racks of ribs. Moisture and aroma are managed through a removable internal water pan and a slide-in wood chip tray, while grease drippings funnel into an accessible rear-mounted grease tray for streamlined cleaning. The vertical frame maintains a compact footprint that slots neatly into tight balconies, smaller patios, or tight storage spaces.

When weighing a masterbuilt digital vs analog smoker, this analog unit appeals directly to pragmatists who prefer tactile dial adjustments over digital programming. While it requires the user to open the door to replenish wood chips on the internal tray, it provides a dependable electric foundation for low-and-slow smoking. It yields to the digital 30-inch model if you require timed cooking cycles or exterior wood loading capabilities.

• Mechanical analog temperature dial operating up to 275°F
• Three chrome-coated smoking racks offering 535 square inches of space
• Removable wood chip tray, water bowl, and rear-mounted grease collector
• Streamlined upright cabinet tailored for compact outdoor footprints

Best for
Outdoor cooks needing portable propane power

The Masterbuilt MPS 230S Propane Smoker, carrying model number MB20051311, is a rugged 30-inch vertical gas cabinet engineered for raw outdoor performance. It delivers thermal power through a 15,400 BTU stainless steel burner ignited instantly via a push-button piezo system. Built to operate anywhere a standard propane tank can travel, this model is completely independent of power cords, making it suitable for remote backyard corners, sporting events, or off-grid cabins.

Masterbuilt equips this smoker with a patented porcelain-coated flame disk bowl. This protective component is suspended directly above the gas burner, shielding the flame from dripping rendered fat while directing heat into the wood chips to generate clean, steady smoke. Internal organization features four chrome-coated smoking racks capable of holding eight chickens, two turkeys, four racks of ribs, or four pork butts. A built-in analog temperature gauge embedded in the cabinet door provides continuous thermal monitoring without opening the chamber.

This model is built for barbecue cooks who prefer hands-on heat management and classic propane efficiency over automated electronic thermostats. While it lacks the automated gas-throttling ThermoTemp technology found in the 40-inch propane model, its durable steel burner and grease-shielded flame disk offer dependable service for pitmasters comfortable setting gas valves manually.

• 15,400 BTU stainless steel gas burner with push-button ignition
• Patented porcelain-coated flame disk bowl protects burner and heats wood
• Four chrome-coated racks providing capacity for up to eight chickens
• Door-mounted temperature gauge alongside removable water and wood trays