Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Temperature Problems [Ultimate Guide To Solve]

The common Masterbuilt electric smoker temperature problems that users frequently face are:

• Masterbuilt Smoker Overheating
• Smoker Not Getting Hot Enough
• Smoker Temperature Swinging
• Smoker Reading 300 Degrees
• Masterbuilt Won’t Go Above 200° or 150°
• Smoker Keeps Shutting Off
• Smoker Temperature Control Issues

The above temperature issues interrupt the cooking process awfully. As a result, the worst thing is that you can get an uneven and bitter taste from your smoked food.

Here to minimize your struggle, in today’s guide, we will tell you the ultimate solution so that you can instantly fix your Masterbuilt electric smoker temperature problem. Plus, by reading the whole article, you will also learn:

• 7 more Masterbuilt electric smoker troubleshooting
• Simple ways to avoid temperature issues
• How to maintain your smoker
• Easy ways of cleaning your Masterbuilt smoker
• Safety tips while using your smoker
• And charcoal smoker vs gas and electric smoker

So, let’s explore everything…

7 Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Temperature Problems [Easy Fixes]

In this section, we are going to break down everything and provide you the easy solutions to the common Masterbuilt smoker temperature issues. 

So, if you go on reading the article, we can confidently declare, smoking with your most reliable smoker will be fun in getting rid of the above temperature problems.

Now, let’s jump into this guide right here…

Note: Also read to know how to fix Masterbuilt smoker Bluetooth issues.

1. Electric Smoker Overheating

Masterbuilt electric smoker overheating is the first problem for people who smoke for the first time with a Masterbuilt digital electric smoker.

The normal temperature of a smoker is 200 to 250 degrees.

However, sometimes, some of us notice our Masterbuilt electric smoker temperature is too high and get above heat than normal like 275 or 295 degrees.

Even though, we set all of the dials as low as possible we can, in return, our meat smokes so fast. Don’t worry. Here is the solution.

Solution:

The possible reason behind overheating the MES of a digital electric smoker is- too much airflow coming from elsewhere.

• You can get rid of this problem by turning the vent off a little bit. If you need more to close the vent, then do it. 
• If the smoker has multiple dials, then turn a dial completely off and smoke with just a dial. 
• Therefore, you can also use a water pan and put ice cubes in the pan. 
• Using less fuel in the smoker will be another effective way to avoid the overheating issue. 

Trying all of these will help you to get rid of the problem. If anyone of these fails to solve the issue, contact the Masterbuilt support team.

“Read to know how to fix Masterbuilt smoker error codes by yourself.

2. Smoker Not Getting Hot Enough

Another problem we often face with MES is- the Masterbuilt electric smoker is not getting hot enough or smoking enough for smoking the meat.

Here are some reasons why your Masterbuilt is failing to keep holding the set temperature:

• You may not use the proper fuel
• The chip tray may come loose
• The chip tray may remain unclean

Solution:

Masterbuilt Electric Smoker doesn’t provide enough heat to cook the meat evenly for using improper fuel. In this case, you can use quality wood chips or chunks like oak or hickory. 

Some of us soak the wood chips to let them not burn quickly. But we recommend you not to soak the wood as it is not heating the smoker enough. 

Another reason behind uneven heating is the chip tray of the smoker. If it comes loose from the burner element, it doesn’t allow enough heat to get to the chips. 

So, you can alleviate this problem by getting it back on the burner element. Also, make sure you clean the chip tray clean and bring it near the burner element. 

Yet if you find the issue is still, then you can read our ultimate solution guide on why your Masterbuilt smoker not getting hot enough.

3. Masterbuilt Smoker Temperature Fluctuations

When you notice your Masterbuilt smoker temperature is swinging, then be sure that the possible culprits are the bad thermostat, leakage on the smoker lid or door and anywhere in the smoker, dirty smoker, and heating element.

Plus, if you frequently open the smoker lid or the lid is slightly opened, you will get the wrong temperature on your Masterbuilt. 

Besides remember, cold weather, bad airflow, smoking too many foods at a time, and changing smoker temperature settings frequently will also lead your Masterbuilt temperature to go up and down while cooking. 

Most importantly, if you use a large pan and it blocks your smoker airflow, you won’t notice a stable temperature on your Masterbuilt. 

Solution:

Whenever you find your Masterbuilt electric smoker temperature is not accurate and frequently fluctuates, try the following solutions:

• Check and find out if the thermostat has gone bad or not. If it’s faulty, change it. 
• Make sure there is no gap on the smoker lid, door, or anywhere in the grill.  
• Before cooking or after cooking, don’t forget to clean your smoker. Ensure your smoker is cleaned before starting the cooking. 
• Don’t open the smoker lid often. Keep it closed while cooking. 
• Place your smoker in a place where the smoker won’t face windy or cold weather while cooking.
• Use a small size pan and ensure enough airflow. Plus, don’t overfill the water pan.
• And finally, don’t cook a large amount of food at a time and never change the temperature setting frequently. 

Special Note: When you cook food indoors with your Masterbuilt smoker, it’s normal to swing and + or – 20-30° temperature. You will notice such temperature variation because when the temperature reaches your setting level, the smoker heating element gets cut off automatically. 

But, at that time, the temperature rises until the element becomes cool. It’s the reverse process of getting a low temperature.

With this process, when the temperature reaches a low point of your set temperature, the smoker heating element will again turn on. But at that point, the heating element takes a little time to get hot. 

And for this process, you will notice your set temperature drops for some time. In such temperature swings, you shouldn’t get worried. It’s normal. 

4. Masterbuilt Smoker Reading 300 Degrees & Stuck

When you find your Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker sensor stuck at 300°, then be sure the bottom power circuit board is the main culprit. The power circuit board has gone bad. 

Solution:

While facing such a temperature stuck issue at 300 degrees, the only solution is to replace the bottom power circuit board.

Contact the Masterbuilt customer service center and have a new one replaced. It may cost you $75-80. 

5. Masterbuilt Smoker Won’t Go Above 200° Or 150°

The most possible reason behind your electric smoker not going above 200° or 150° is that you might put too cold meat or brisket with bitter cold water in the water pan into an uninsulated smoker chamber. 

This too much cold meat and water incorporated with an uninsulated smoker cabinet is keeping your smoker temperature below this level.

So, you can’t expect to raise your smoker’s temperature until the meat temp begins to climb.  

Solution:

• Don’t put too much cold meat and water into your smoker chamber to cook. 
• Insulate the smoker inside before putting the meat and starting your cooking.

6. Smoker Keeps Shutting Off

When your Masterbuilt smoker keeps shutting off and fails to deliver the perfect temperature for smoking, remember, the following 3 possible reasons are working behind it.

• The first reason is the bad control unit. The smoker keeps shutting off if you have MES Generation 2. It comes with controls built into the front edge. Because of this design and bad control, the smoker turns off often. 
• Plus, a blown fuse in the electric panel is the possible cause of your Masterbuilt electric smoker won’t stay on.
• Then getting rust can be another cause of your smoker keep shutting off. As you know, with the growth of your smoker age, it gets rust, and that rust affects the power connection and you may notice your Masterbuilt not getting power.

Solution:

The best solution to Masterbuilt electric smoker digital control problems is just replacing the thermostat temperature control.

Also, make sure there is no loose wire in the digital control or fix the blown fuse. 

Striking with a sharp blow to the left side of the digital control may also fix this problem. However, we recommend you call MB and get a new control. 

Then make sure you clean your smoker perfectly after every use. And don’t forget to keep your smoker in a dry place after cleaning.

You can store the smoker in your garage or your store room. It will prevent your smoker from getting rust.

7. Smoker Temperature Control Issues

Masterbuilt smoker temperature control issues like overheating or not getting enough heat or smoke are some common problems newbies face.

Solution:

We have already provided the solution to both of the issues in this guide. So, check out the above section again. 

However, you can close down the vent a bit if your smoker gets too hot. On the other hand, do the opposite if your smoker is not getting hot enough. 

Otherwise, call Masterbuilt to get help from their support team. 

Masterbuilt Smoker Temperature Range

The exact temperature to cook in a Masterbuilt electric smoker is from 100-275 °F.

So, when you want to get the perfect smoked flavor in your smoked foods, whether it is meat or pork, or poultry, smoke your foods at 225 °F. You will get a super juicy smoked flavor.

4 Ways To Avoid Temperature Issues

Here are 4 ways to avoid your MB temperature issues:

01. MB is a slow smoker. So, let this smoker have enough time to smoke meat or your food. But don’t forget to have a look at the temperature reading to avoid the temperature issue. Plus, you can use meat probe in your Masterbuilt smoker to check the internal temperature of your meat to have better-smoked meat. 

02. Before using your smoker for the first time, don’t forget to preseason it. Here you can learn how to season Masterbuilt electric smoker perfectly but easily.

03. Preheat this smoker before smoking meat. 

04. Don’t cover the rack with aluminum foil and don’t overload this smoker with food. 

7 More Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Troubleshooting

Below we will break down some issues about Masterbuilt Electric Smoker, their symptoms, and the solution as well. 

1. MasterBuilt Electric Smoker Won’t Turn On

The following are the main reasons why your Masterbuilt smoker is not turning on:

• The main power switch of the circuit breaker is turned off.
• Damaged extension cord.
• Faulty circuit breaker.

Solution:

• Make sure your turn on the main power switch.
• Replace the extension cord.
• Replace the circuit breaker.

2. Meat Probe Temperature Does Not Show On The Display

When the meat probe doesn’t function well or it’s malfunctioning, you will find that the display isn’t showing the meat probe temperature.

Solution:

It would be best to contact the Masterbuilt Support Team. Use this number to contact: 1-800-489-1581.

3. Grease Leaking Out Of The Smoker

The reasons for grease leaking from your smoker are:

• You failed to keep the drip pan in its place.
• Build up excess grease or oil in the smoker.
• The drain tube doesn’t function properly.

Solution:

• Position the drip pan perfectly
• Clean your smoker
• Keep the drain tube in its place

4. Smoker Takes An Excessive Amount Of Time To Heat Up

Sometimes, you may discover that your Masterbbuilt is taking too much time to get hot. The reasons are:

• You plug the smoker into an extension cord.
• Fail to close the door properly
• The controller doesn’t function well

Solution:

• Plug the smoker into a standard outlet
• Close the door and secure the latch properly
• Contact MasterBuilt 

5. Power Light Won’t Come On

Your electric smoker won’t get power for the following reasons:

• Not plug into an outlet
• The house breaker gets tripped
• The controller does not function properly

Solution:

• Ensure you plug the unit into an outlet
• Never plug in other electric appliances on the same outlet and check the house breaker.
• Contact Masterbuilt

6. Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Won’t Smoke

When you notice your Masterbuilt electric smoker not smoking, the possible causes are:

• The chip tray is missing direct contact with the smoker element
• The pan may be too thick 
• The smoker chip tray is not cleaned properly

Solution:

• Make sure the chip tray is contacting the smoker element perfectly
• Ensure the chip drawer is directly placed over the heating element
• If the pan is too thick, you can have a foil pan and put a few chips
• Clean the chip tray perfectly. Hope doing all these, your Masterbuilt will smoke perfectly from now. 

7. Smoker Heating Element Not Working

When you notice your smoker heater element is not working, the following are the main reasons:

• The terminal end which gets plugged into the heating element is either burned or melted completely.
• And your smoker heating element is completely damaged.  

Solution:

• Replace the terminal end that plugs into the heating element. Then plug it again. You will find your smoker heating element is working fine again. 
• If you find your heating element is dad, then replace the smoker heating element.

MB Smoker Cleaning Issues & Tips:

Cleaning your smoker after every use will dramatically enhance its performance. Also, it will reduce the issues with your digital smoker including temperature problems.

So, let’s know the perfect way of cleaning a Masterbuilt smoker.

• Use mild dish detergent to clean the wood chip tray, drip pan, drip pan, water bowl, rack, and tray. Then, wash them away with clean water and dry them. Also, don’t forget to wash the overall cooking space after every hot smoking or cold smoke.
• Keep the wood chip loader and holder always neat & clean. 
• Use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior parts like the meat probe, light cover, and glass door. 
• After every use, make sure you clean the inside seam and door seal. 
• Make sure you unplug the unit and let it cool enough before cleaning it. 

MasterBuilt Smoker Safety Issues And Tips:

• Turn off the control panel first and then unplug the electric cord from the outlet.
• Never put the drip tray on the rack as it is built to keep it in the bottom area of the smoker.
• Be safe when removing the parts like the smoker box, tray, or anything else from the smoker. Otherwise, you may burn your skin. 
• Only use the parts by recommended Masterbuilt. 
• Don’t lug around the smoker when using it. 

FAQ

Conclusion

We hope you have got the solution to this- Masterbuilt Electric Smoker Temperature Problem. From the beginning to the end of this guide, we cover everything associated with Masterbuilt Smoker temperature issues and their solutions. 

Now, you have enough knowledge about this most recommended smoker. Also, we have shown you 7 more Masterbuilt smoker troubleshooting, how you can clean the smoker or what precautions you need to take while using your smoker. 

Yet, if you have still some things to know, feel free to leave a comment below. We will immediately come to you with the perfect solutions.