Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital with legs: window and damper

Features listed by Masterbuilt

The list here is longer than on most cabinets in our guide. There are four chrome-coated racks, a removable water bowl to add moisture and catch drippings, a removable rear grease tray, an adjustable air damper and a lockable door latch on a fully insulated cabinet. A window in the door lets you look in without letting heat out.

Digital controls set the cooking time and a temperature up to 275 °F, about 135 °C. The listing does not give a minimum temperature, which matters if you want to smoke cheese at low heat.

Capacity in real terms

Masterbuilt quotes 710 square inches and gives examples: up to seven chickens, two turkeys, four pork butts or four racks of ribs. Those are maker figures and assume tight packing, but they show the box is big enough for a gathering.

With the legs fitted, the unit is about 107 cm tall, 61 cm wide and 56 cm deep. It weighs 22.8 kg, so one person can shift it across a patio when empty.

Where it fits among the Masterbuilts

The Masterbuilt 710 WiFi has practically the same rack area and adds app control and probe readings, but the listing does not mention a window or damper. The Masterbuilt MES 35B Analog is simpler still, with a dial and three racks. This model is the one for people who want to see and adjust the cook in person.

The damper deserves a word. Being able to open or close the exhaust lets you clear stale smoke or hold more in, which gives more control over flavour than a sealed box.

Cleaning and the plug question

The water bowl, grease tray and chip loader all come out, which keeps cleaning to a quick routine. The window will need a wipe after smoky sessions to stay useful. As with the other Masterbuilt listings, no voltage or plug type is stated, so confirm a UK 230 V version with the seller.