Masterbuilt Smoker won't Heat!...ARRGGHH...

[coldcreekchris]

After coming up with nice kokanees on tuesday..Got them soaking in a brine for 18 hrs..Got all my chips ready..Loaded my racks. Smoker won't heat up.I know it is most likely the element. Anybody have this problem with the Masterbuilt Sportsman Elite Electric? I have had it for 3 years but have only used it maybe 4 times..Oh well, mostly just b***hin. Guess i will freeze the salmon and wait till a new element gets shipped.

[Raquettedacker]

Does it have an external plug with a temperature dial and light on it?
 Make sure you have power from your outlet and don’t run it off an extension cord..
 I have had one for years and gets used often.

[DR.SPECKLER]

Oh man.thats why im a old stick burner smoker guy.always lights.

[krispcritter]

Bradley Smoker with an Auber dual temperature probe controller is the way to go.

[IFF]

May just be a loose connection

[RStock521]

I had the same problem with my Masterbuilt (before I switched to a Primo kamado).  There was a bad connector that was loose and had melted due to the resistance.  I replaced the connection and it worked good as new when I gave it to my buddy.  I think I reached out to Masterbuilt and they sent me the part for free.

Edit: the bad wiring/connection was behind the back panel at the heating element.

[coldcreekchris]

May just be a loose connection

Going open up the back and check it out. Thanks for the positive thought!

[coldcreekchris]

I had the same problem with my Masterbuilt (before I switched to a Primo kamado).  There was a bad connector that was loose and had melted due to the resistance.  I replaced the connection and it worked good as new when I gave it to my buddy.  I think I reached out to Masterbuilt and they sent me the part for free.

Edit: the bad wiring/connection was behind the back panel at the heating element.

thanks gonna check it out

[firegems]

If the smoker is real cold to start with.. try jump starting it by putting heat to the sensor on the inside first before you start replacing parts.

[TNT fisherman]

Mine did the same thing it was throwing a code E2 ,they sent me a new probe and that wasn't the problem it was a bad heating element. They had me cut the cord and send them a picture of it and they refunded my money.

[North]

I had the same problem.  After doing some online research, I found out that if it's cold out, you need to warm up the temp probe that is on the wall inside the smoker.  It looks like a meat temp probe.  Hit it with a hair dryer for 30 seconds and when I started it up, the error code went away and it fired right up...  it's worth a shot anyway...

[fishslap]

I have an MES40 and the smoke element goes out of control high then the unit throws an error.  I haven’t taken the back panel off yet but Masterbuilt said the smoke probe is bad and the unit and replacement parts are discontinued and I can’t find the smoke box probe online.  They said there’s nothing they could do.  I only use it a few times a year for fish.  Never getting a Masterbuilt again.  In hindsight, I don’t think the smoke box control ever worked properly.