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By: Max Good
Masterbuilt’s Dual Fuel Smoker has a “Flame Disc Bowl” located above the gas burner and under the water bowl. It can be used for wood chunks when smoking with gas or, alternatively, filled with charcoal. Hence the Dual Fuel moniker. It has one damper on each side at the bottom by the burner and flame disc bowl, and another on top at the back.
Two front doors facilitate replenishment of water and wood without opening the smoke box while cooking. The built in heat indicator is super low quality. As always, do yourself a favor and invest in an accurate digital thermometer. Check out our Searchable Thermometer Reviews to find one that fits your budget.
Many owners love these inexpensive smokers.
Manufacturer:
Masterbuilt is known for manufacturing low priced cookers, made in China for frugal people in the USA. They’ve always produced some models with a few unique features that provide a little bang for very little buck, but most of their products were largely more of the same cost driven stuff with a different logo on the lid. However, in recent years Masterbuilt has taken a step up in quality and innovation. In fact, some of their new products are starting to win our top awards. They are a company on the move, grabbing our attention.
Masterbuilt is widely distributed online and at brick and mortar outlets, including big box stores.
Published On: 11/24/2014 Last Modified: 6/11/2021
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Green Mountain Grills Trek smoker
Green Mountain’s portable Trek Smoker is one mean tailgating and picnic machine. But it’s also gaining popularity with people who want to add a small, set it and forget it pellet smoker to their backyard arsenal. And with their WiFi capabilities you can control and monitor Trek from your smart phone or laptop.
This is the first propane smoker with a thermostat, making this baby foolproof. Set ThermoTemp’s dial from 175° to 350°F and the thermostat inside will adjust the burner just like an indoor kitchen oven. All you need to do is add wood to the tray above the burner to start smokin’.
Fireboard Labs Product Photo Shoot. Kansas City Commercial Portrait and Wedding Photographers ©Kevin Ashley Photography
With the ability to monitor up to six temperatures simultaneously with either Bluetooth or Wifi on your mobile phone, tablet, or computer, Fireboard is the best digital thermometer we’ve tested.
Click here to read our detailed review
The Good-One Open Range is dramatically different from a traditional offset smoker. By placing the heat source behind and under the smokebox instead of off to the side, Open Range produces even temperature from left to right, something almost impossible to achieve with a standard barrel shaped offset.
The flat top does the burgers and the fryer does the fries. Use the griddle for bacon, eggs, grilled cheese, and so much more. And why deep fry indoors when you can avoid the smell and mess by doing it outside!
The PBC has a rabid cult following for good reason. It is absolutely positively without a doubt the best bargain on a smoker in the world. Period. This baby will cook circles around the cheap offset sideways barrel smokers because temperature control is so much easier.
From TBoneJack, the unofficial Poet Laureate of The Pitmaster Club:
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Memphis Dust did suit them well,
I served them without sauce,
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No precious flavor loss.
Jambo, Lang, or Meadow Creek,
It’s hard to make the call,
Almost a crime, so little time,
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‘Cause many have this lot,
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Weber, Brinkman, PBC,
No need for budget breach,
They cook great food, just ask me dude,
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They call it MCS,
I saw the doc, he was in shock,
He too is in this mess.
Myron Mixon, Johnny Trigg,
Cool Smoke’s Tuffy Stone,
Harry Soo, Chris Lilly too,
And Moe who cooks alone.
They’re all good, I like them fine,
I’m sure they cook good Q,
They’ve earned the right, I see the light,
I’ll give them their fair due,
But I have learned, thru many cooks,
This web site is da bomb,
For what to do, browse over to,
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And order Meathead’s book.
When you make rubs at home we recommend you add salt first them the herbs and spices because salt penetrates deep and the other stuff remains on the surface. So thick cuts need more salt. We put salt in these bottled rubs because all commercial rubs have salt and consumers expect it. You can still use these as a dry brine, just sprinkle the rub on well in advance to give the salt time to penetrate. For very thick cuts of meat, we recommend adding a bit more salt. Salt appears first in the ingredients list because law says the order is by weight, not volume, and salt is a heavy rock.
Sprinkle on one tablespoon per pound of meat two hours or more before cooking if you can. Called “dry brining,” the salt gets wet, ionizes, becomes a brine, and slowly penetrates deep, enhancing flavor and juiciness while building a nice crusty “bark” on the surface. Sprinkle some on at the table too!
Are they hot? No! You can always add hot pepper flakes or Chipotle powder (my fave) in advance or at the table. But we left them mild so you can serve them to kids and Aunt Matilda
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