Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

A friend of mine has a Masterbuilt smoker that looks very similar to this one and it works very well. His experience, along with everything I've read is very positive for all Masterbuilt smokers, with the notable exception of heating element replacement. Given that, my decision on which model to purchase will be based on whether the heating element can be replaced without replacing a large segment of the smoker. From my research it seems the heating element is the one part that's most likely to fail, so you'd expect them to be replaceable. After reading in these Amazon reviews that the heating element of this model may not be replaceable, I swapped e-mail with a Masterbuilt rep and here's what I found. The rep claimed the heating element can be replaced on all of their smokers, although some require a new body assembly - and replacement parts are no longer made or stocked for some of their older models. All of the electric smokers sold on their website allow for replacement of just the heating element. The heating element of this model (#20070106) requires a new body. (sixty bucks plus s&h) The rep made it clear that model #20070910 is their newest 'standard' 30" electric smoker, and it does allow for easy replacement of just the heating element. It's hard to find on their website, so just search the web for the model #. The rep also told me there's no way to know when a particular smoker, and thus replacement parts, will be phased out. She said some of their models have been sold for over five years, implying that's a long time. The following models were mentioned in our correspondence. 30" Electric Smokers ==================== > Model #20070106; sold here on Amazon. For heating element replacement, you must replace the entire body - and the customer can do this. The cost for the new body is $60.00 plus shipping and handling. > Model #20070110; smoker with window and meat probe The heating element alone can be replaced by the customer. > Model #20070910; standard 30" edition The heating element alone can be replaced by the customer. 40" Electric Smokers ==================== > Model #20070710; smoker with window and meat probe The heating element alone can be replaced by the customer. The rep I corresponded with was very helpful, and I still plan on purchasing a Masterbuilt smoker - just not this one.