Masterbuilt Slow Smoker MB20100112 Review Ideal for Cheese, Fish, Bacon, and Jerky

Description

Testing Out the Masterbuilt® Slow Smoker MB20100112: My Honest Thoughts

I’ve been putting the Masterbuilt® Slow Smoker MB20100112 through its paces, and I’ve got to say, it has brought a whole new level of flavor and convenience to my smoking game. Whether you’re a weekend griller or someone who takes their smoked bacon and jerky seriously, this machine has some unique quirks and benefits worth diving into.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the sleek black alloy steel design of this smoker attachment screams durability. Its compact cuboid form factor (10″ x 10″ x 18″) doesn’t take up much space, which is a blessing if your outdoor setup is limited. The steel construction feels sturdy, and at 9.95 pounds, it’s easy enough to move around when needed.

The attachment integrates smoothly with Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smokers, which is a massive plus for those of us who already own one. The removable ash tray is a lifesaver—cleaning up after a long smoking session is often the least enjoyable part, but this feature makes it almost painless. I really appreciated how easy it was to detach and dump the ashes without a mess.

Smoking Performance

This is where the Masterbuilt Slow Smoker shines. It provides continuous smoke for up to six hours, which is perfect for low-and-slow smoking enthusiasts like me. The automatic wood chip heating system is particularly impressive. A simple push of a button gets the wood chips smoldering, and the continuous feed system ensures you don’t have to reload constantly. This feature alone made it feel like the smoker was doing most of the heavy lifting for me.

I tested it with various foods—cheese, fish, bacon, and jerky—and the results were consistently flavorful. The low-temperature smoking capability ensures that delicate items like cheese don’t melt, while still absorbing that rich, smoky goodness. For anyone who enjoys experimenting with flavors, this attachment is a playground of possibilities.

Key Benefits

• Compact and durable design fits seamlessly with existing Masterbuilt smokers.
• Six hours of uninterrupted smoke makes it ideal for hands-free smoking sessions.
• Push-button wood chip activation simplifies the smoking process.
• Removable ash tray makes cleanup quick and easy.

Areas of Concern

While the smoker performs well, there were a couple of limitations I noticed during use:

• The corded electric power source means you’ll need to have an outlet nearby. For outdoor setups without easy access to electricity, this could be a hurdle.
• It’s primarily designed for Masterbuilt smokers, so compatibility with other brands might be an issue.
• The wood chip feed system, while convenient, sometimes required a bit of monitoring to ensure chips didn’t jam.

Product Competitors

When comparing this smoker to other brands, such as the Smokehouse Products Smoke Chief or the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker, a few differences stand out. The Masterbuilt Slow Smoker beats the Smoke Chief in terms of ease of use thanks to the push-button wood chip system, but the Smoke Chief offers more flexibility with different smoker brands. Meanwhile, Weber’s Smokey Mountain Cooker is a full standalone system, but it demands more active monitoring and doesn’t have the continuous feed convenience of the Masterbuilt attachment.

What sets this product apart for me is the specialized low-temperature capability, which isn’t as common in many other smoker attachments. It’s the go-to option for those who love smoking cheese and other temperature-sensitive items.

Bang for the Buck

In terms of cost-effectiveness, I’d say this smoker attachment delivers solid value for the price. Its features, like the six-hour continuous smoke, removable ash tray, and automatic wood chip feeder, make it a worthy investment for those who already own a compatible Masterbuilt smoker. While it might not be the cheapest option, the convenience it offers offsets the initial expense. If you’re someone who smokes food regularly, this is something that will pay for itself in terms of time and frustration saved.

Final Thoughts on the Masterbuilt Slow Smoker

Using this smoker attachment has been a fun and flavorful experience. The Masterbuilt Slow Smoker MB20100112 is well-suited for hobbyists and serious smokers alike, offering features that genuinely enhance the smoking process. While there are some downsides, like its reliance on electricity and potential compatibility concerns, the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Overall, this is a well-designed, efficient, and user-friendly attachment that has earned its place in my outdoor cooking arsenal. Whether you’re smoking cheese for the first time or perfecting your jerky recipe, this smoker attachment is worth considering.

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