Masterbuilt 30-Inch Digital Electric Smoker vs Gravity and Propane

Best for
Plug-in, set-and-forget smoking at home

The Masterbuilt 30-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker, model MB20071117, is the headline model for this guide. Its digital control panel lets you set both temperature, up to 275°F, and cooking time, and the description says you can power it on or off and control temperature and time from the panel. It runs on corded electric power, so there is no charcoal or propane to manage.

The patented side wood chip loader is the feature that makes it genuinely hands-off. You can add chips for more smoke without opening the door, which keeps heat and moisture inside. A removable water bowl adds moisture, a removable rear grease tray simplifies cleanup, and four chrome-coated racks fit up to 6 chickens, 2 turkeys, 4 pork butts or 4 racks of ribs. The title says 710 cooking square inches and a feature bullet says 711, a trivial difference.

This is the pick if you want to load a pork butt in the morning and check it between matches. The listing does not mention Wi-Fi or an app, so you do need to walk to the smoker to change settings. If remote control matters, look at the Gravity Series models.

• Digital temperature and timer up to 275°F
• Side wood chip loader, no door opening
• Four chrome-coated racks
• Removable water bowl and grease tray

Best for
Beginners wanting simple electric smoking

The Masterbuilt 30-inch Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker, model MB20070210, is the analog version. Instead of a digital panel, you set the temperature on a dial, still up to 275°F. It has 535 cooking square inches with three chrome-coated racks, enough for up to 3 chickens, 2 turkeys or 3 racks of ribs, plus a removable wood chip tray, water bowl and rear grease tray.

The specs list the power source as charcoal, which conflicts with the title and description, both of which say it is an electric smoker you plug in. We would go with electric. What you give up compared with the digital model is the timer, the digital readout and the side chip loader, so adding wood means opening the smoker.

This suits beginners who want electric convenience and do not need precise digital settings. If you want to walk away for hours, the digital 30-inch is the better set-and-forget option. For more capacity in an electric model, our look at the Masterbuilt 40-inch electric smoker is worth a read.

Best for
Big crowds without electric power nearby

The Masterbuilt 40-inch ThermoTemp Propane Gas Vertical Smoker, model MB20051316, trades the power cord for propane. It has the most vertical capacity here at 960 cooking square inches across four chrome racks, fitting up to 16 chickens, 6 turkeys, 8 pork butts or 8 racks of ribs. It lights with a push-button ignition and reaches up to 375°F, higher than either electric model.

The dial is analog, but ThermoTemp technology is described as maintaining an even smoking temperature throughout the cook. It also has a removable water bowl, a wood chip tray and an adjustable air damper for smoke control. There is no digital panel or app in the listing.

This is for hosts feeding a big crowd, such as a tournament watch party, or for setups where no outlet is handy. If you want digital or app control, the electric digital model or the Gravity Series are better fits.

Best for
All-day charcoal smoking with Wi-Fi

Best for
App-controlled charcoal for large cooks

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050 Smoker Grill, model MB20041220, is a digital charcoal grill and smoker with 1,050 cooking square inches. A GravityFed vertical hopper feeds charcoal down as it burns, holding 10 pounds of lump or 16 pounds of briquettes for up to 8 hours. The DigitalFan holds your set temperature, and the listing says it reaches 225°F in 8 minutes or 700°F in 15.

The big step up from the electric smokers is the Masterbuilt app. You can set and adjust temperature and time, monitor meat probes, and shut down the grill from your phone. It also includes reversible cast iron grates for searing or smoking, plus stainless steel front and side shelves.

Pick the 1050 if you want real charcoal flavor, big capacity and the ability to check a brisket from your gaming chair. If you need longer runs on one load of charcoal, the Gravity Series 600 lists more hours.

• Masterbuilt app with meat probe monitoring
• GravityFed hopper for up to 8 hours
• 225°F in 8 minutes, 700°F in 15
• Reversible cast iron grates

The Masterbuilt Gravity Series 600 Smoker Grill, model MB20041023, is smaller at 600 cooking square inches, but its hopper holds up to 12 pounds of lump charcoal or 18 pounds of briquettes, and the listing says it can cook for up to 18 hours at low-and-slow temperatures without a refill. For an overnight cook or a marathon session, that is the standout number in this group.

It has WiFi and the Masterbuilt app for setting and monitoring temperature, tracking temperature over time, receiving alerts, checking meat probes and finding recipes. The DigitalFan controls temperature from 225°F to 700°F. Reversible cast iron grates and a stainless steel side shelf round it out, with a one-year warranty.

This is the best choice for the longest unattended cooks. If you regularly cook for large groups, the 1050’s extra space may matter more than runtime.

Best for
Small patios wanting push-button charcoal

The Masterbuilt AutoIgnite 545 Digital Charcoal Grill, model MB20041124, adds QuickStart automatic ignition, which lights the fire starter with the push of a button. The description refers to it as the Gravity Series Compact 545. It has 545 cooking square inches and a temperature range of 250°F to 650°F, controlled from the digital panel or the Masterbuilt app with DigitalFan.

Its internal MiniHopper holds 5 pounds of lump charcoal or 7 pounds of briquettes for up to 8 hours. That is enough for most afternoon cooks but less than the 600. The low end of 250°F is also slightly higher than the 225°F minimum on the Gravity Series models.

This is for small patios or anyone who wants charcoal flavor with the ease of gas ignition. For the largest crowds, step up to the 1050.