Ever since I saw the review for the Masterbuilt MPS 340/G ThermoTemp XL Propane Smoker Review I started having grand visions of finally getting a smoker that I can set and forget. I love my Smoke Vault and everything, but it'd be nice to not have to fiddle with the propane knob every five minutes for an hour at the start of my cooks. And it was only $250! Time to start cooking up ideas to give the wife to justify having two smokers...
Then the price changed to $350. Then I go to Amazon today and it's... $428. At least it has Prime shipping I guess? Guess I'll just have to set a price watch on camelcamelcamel. Really kicking myself for not pulling the trigger at $250.
If not cooking outdoors, I am cooking on the stovetop with my 14" carbon steel wok, 12" CI skillet, or in the oven with my two Lodge CI pizza pans, or two dutch ovens. I've also got a nifty Lodge carbon steel grill pan that rocks for veggies outdoors.
One thing I've noticed is that the end user reviews on various websites for those Masterbuilt thermostatically controlled gas smokers don't seem to be nearly as good as I would hope to see. Then again, many people only bother to post something if they have a problem too...
People with a problem definitely have the most motivation to post. On the other hand, the other group that posts, especially with more expensive items, tends to look at the purchase through rose colored glasses trying to justify a significant expenditure. Either way, doesn't do much for the reliability of customer reviews.
Just got the Masterbuilt 340 Thermo Temp in propane. It was unbelievably well packaged. Not a dent or scratch. I spent a little over 3 hrs on assembly. I found a youtube on assembly that was really helpful with the manual. It cranked right up on the test burn and thermostat was right on. Can't wait to cook something. And Oh, it was $339.00 from Walmart delivered free to my home.
Good find, thanks Murdy! Right after I posted this I started going down a rabbit hole of thermostatic propane valves that I'm thinking I could just install between my propane tank and Smoke Vault. Found an old link with a dead site where a guy says he found something like that for $25. Trying to hunt one down now...
Find an old water heater.. all you need to run a smoker on propane thermostatically is the aquastat and valve body from a water heater..actually pretty simple..
Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About meReal name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan - near Clare (dead center of lower peninsula).
Occupation:
Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
For what it's worth Amazon's prices can be all over the board like that, even on cheap items. I've seen $4 items become $10 for a few months (Weber starter cubes). Just two days ago my wife sent me a link to vacuum filters she needed, her screencap showed $10.99, I opened it the next day, $12.99. I wouldn't resign myself to Amazon's pricing to necessarily reflect that smoker's actual current cost.
Check out the Home Depot: the MPS 340 G is cheaper than on Amazon ($349.97), free shipping, and if you have a HD credit card you can get 12 month interest free.
I am pretty serious about getting the 340G but have some questions. The Amazing Ribs Review says this has a temp span of 175 to 355. Have any of you tried to maintain a low heat at 175? Also, friends who have gas smokers have issues with the volume of smoke. What is your experience and have any of you used a smoke tube in this unit?
Has anyone tried to put a seal on the food door? Seems like a unit that is made to not have a seal might compromise the fit of the door if a seal is added?
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