Masterbuilt 2-Rack Electric Smoker Review: Portable & Powerful?

Looking for a smoker that's both powerful and portable? The Masterbuilt 2-Rack Electric Smoker delivers on both counts. Perfect for apartment dwellers or those with limited space, this compact smoker doesn't compromise on capacity. Its two racks allow for surprisingly generous cooking space, accommodating everything from whole chickens to ribs, and even casseroles. Simple controls and a user-friendly design make it ideal for beginners, while its versatility appeals to seasoned smokers too.This review dives into the Masterbuilt 2-Rack's key features, highlighting its portability for tailgating or RVing, its impressive cooking capacity, and its ease of use. We'll explore its temperature control, smoke infusion system, and included rib rack. Discover why its affordability and convenient payment plan make it a standout value, particularly when considering the exclusive colors available and the significant price reduction. Find out if this compact powerhouse is the perfect addition to your outdoor cooking arsenal.

Pros And Cons

Masterbuilt Smoker
  • Portable
  • Perfect size for beginners
  • Good capacity for its size
  • Easy to use
  • Easy cleanup
  • Available in red, black, and blue (blue and red exclusive to QVC)
  • Includes two racks and a rib rack
  • Low price
  • Easy assembly (only requires one thumb screw)

Read more: 10 Best Big Green Egg Rib Racks: A Buyer's Guide

Size and Portability: Perfect for Beginners

This Masterbuilt smoker is designed for those starting their smoking journey or needing a compact option. Its smaller size makes it perfect for apartments or smaller spaces, unlike larger, more expensive smokers.

Portable Masterbuilt smoker for small spaces
Portable Masterbuilt smoker for small spaces

The portability is a significant advantage. It's easily moved for tailgating, RVing, or even just to a different spot in your backyard. A carrying bag is available for even easier transport.

Portable Masterbuilt smokers for small spaces
Portable Masterbuilt smokers for small spaces

Despite its compact design, it boasts a surprisingly large capacity thanks to its two racks. This means you can smoke more food than you might initially expect from a portable smoker.

Portable Masterbuilt smoker for small spaces
Portable Masterbuilt smoker for small spaces

Performance and Features: Simple Smoking

The Masterbuilt smoker features simple controls with low, medium, and high heat settings. This ease of use is a key selling point, especially for beginners. The temperature gauge makes monitoring the cooking process easy.

Masterbuilt smoker cooking ribs and chicken
Masterbuilt smoker cooking ribs and chicken

Smoke infusion is achieved using a small tray at the bottom for wood chips, providing flavorful smoke to the food. A water bowl adds moisture and aroma, preventing the food from drying out.

Masterbuilt smoker cooking ribs
Masterbuilt smoker cooking ribs

The included rib rack expands the versatility of the smoker, allowing you to cook ribs or other items with a more vertical profile. The smoker also includes an air damper for precise smoke control.

Masterbuilt smoker with simple controls
Masterbuilt smoker with simple controls

Cooking Capacity and Versatility: Beyond Chicken

The smoker’s two-rack capacity allows for cooking multiple items simultaneously, including two whole 5-pound chickens. The rib rack further expands this capacity to accommodate ribs or other vertically oriented foods.

Smoker with racks, cooking meat
Smoker with racks, cooking meat

It's incredibly versatile. You can use it for various types of food such as chicken, ribs, turkey, ham, salmon, steaks, and even casseroles. The video shows examples of delicious dishes that can be made.

Smoker with ribs and chicken
Smoker with ribs and chicken

The smoker's ability to keep food warm after cooking makes it ideal for large gatherings or parties. This "warming drawer" function extends its usefulness beyond simply cooking.

Electric smoker cooking chicken outdoors
Electric smoker cooking chicken outdoors

Price and Value: A Great Deal?

The Masterbuilt smoker is offered at a significantly reduced price compared to its usual retail value. This makes it an incredibly good value, especially considering its features and capacity.

Masterbuilt smoker, QVC special value
Masterbuilt smoker, QVC special value

The payment plan makes it even more accessible, making it easier to fit this convenient kitchen tool into your budget.

Masterbuilt smoker: QVC deal, $79.96
Masterbuilt smoker: QVC deal, $79.96

Exclusive colors (red and blue) are only available through QVC, adding to its appeal. The low price point and easy payment options make this a highly attractive option for many.

Overall Conclusion and Recommendation

The Masterbuilt 2-Rack Patio & Portable Electric Smoker offers remarkable value for its price. Its compact size, ease of use, and versatile cooking capacity make it suitable for beginners and experienced smokers alike.

Smoked chicken, ribs, and sides
Smoked chicken, ribs, and sides

The convenience of portability, combined with its capacity to cook large amounts of food, makes it perfect for entertaining. The QVC exclusive colors and discounted price sweeten the deal.

Delicious ribs cooked in Masterbuilt smoker
Delicious ribs cooked in Masterbuilt smoker

While there aren't any direct competitors explicitly compared in the video, this particular model excels in its combination of portability, capacity, and ease of use. It is, therefore, a highly recommended smoker, especially given the sale price.

Bacon-wrapped food on cutting board
Bacon-wrapped food on cutting board