Masterbuilt smoker troubleshooting: A complete guide

Last Updated on: 8th November 2023, 09:29 am

Brand new masterbuilt smokers often don’t require any tweaking, but with time they can start malfunctioning.

We are going to discuss the most common problems faced by pitmasters while using masterbuilt smokers and the best troubleshooting tips to solve them.

Are you one of those pitmasters who face different problems while using your matserbuilt smoker?

Well, this was me a couple of years ago, but after tweaking and researching for several hours, I can now figure out what’s wrong with my smoker within a few minutes.

Some pitmasters even think of just throwing their smoker out, while others are on a budget or want to fix it.

I also prefer to fix my smoker because, in this way, you can learn something new while fixing your smoker at the same time.

The common issues faced by pitmasters while using masterbuilt smokers are temperature issues, controller issues, thermostat problems, and several other issues.

But we are going to explain the causes and solutions to most masterbuilt smoker troubleshooting in detail in this article. Let’s get started.

Problem	Cause	Solution
Smoker not turning On	Power supply issue	1. Ensure the smoker is properly plugged in. 2. Check the circuit breaker or fuse. 3. Test the power outlet with another device.
Uneven cooking	Temperature fluctuations	1. Verify that the smoker is level on a flat surface. 2. Avoid opening the door frequently. 3. Use a separate thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Excessive smoke	Poor airflow or fuel source	1. Clean the air intake and exhaust vents. 2. Use dry wood chips and avoid over-soaking them. 3. Check the fuel source for proper combustion.
Error messages on display	Sensor or control panel issue	1. Restart the smoker and check for any loose connections. 2. Replace faulty sensors or control panel components as needed. 3. Contact Masterbuilt customer support for further assistance.
Smoke leakage	1. Damaged gasket or seal 2. Loose door latch	1. Inspect the gasket or seal and replace it if necessary. 2. Tighten the door latch or replace it if it’s damaged.

1-masterbuilt smoker temperature issues

Temperature is the main factor in determining the effectiveness of smoking.

If the smoker cannot heat up to the desired temperature or the temperature keeps fluctuating continuously, then it can affect the flavor and quality of the meat being smoked.

When adjusting the temperature of a masterbuilt smoker, you may encounter several issues. We have discussed the most common of them and their solutions.

However, remember to consult your user manual regularly.

1.1-Masterbuilt smoker not heating up

Smoking is the most sensitive cooking technique, and it requires different cooking temperatures for the cooking of different meats.

If the desired temperature is not reached, then you might end up overcooking or undercooking your meat.

While using masterbuilt smokers, you can face the issue of the smoker not heating up to the desired temperature.

There are various reasons for this issue, which require different troubleshooting. Here are the most common reasons for masterbuilt smokers not heating up.

Weather conditions

The most common reason for smokers not heating is the low external temperature.

If the weather temperature is low, then the smoker will take longer to reach the desired temperature and sometimes it might not even reach the desired temperature.

It usually occurs in smokers who are not insulated. If a masterbuilt smoker is not insulated, then the weather conditions will have a huge impact on the internal temperature.

Even if your smoker is insulated, it might not reach a higher temperature if it’s freezing outside.

The gap in the lid

The cause of the smoker not heating up is the gap in the smoker’s lid. If there is a gap in the smoker lid, then the heat might leak out of the smoker and it will not heat up to higher temperatures.

The gap can occur as a result of poor construction or physical harm to the smoker.

Opening the lid too often

Another reason for the low smoker temperature is opening the lid too often. It is the most common mistake that beginners make while smoking.

Smoking is a kind of delayed gratification process that requires patience.

If you keep checking your meat every few minutes, then the heat will leak out and the smoker will not reach the desired temperature, no matter if it’s insulated.

Opening the lid can also result in temperature fluctuations, which can affect the food quality.

Faulty thermostat

A thermostat is a key part of masterbuilt smokers, which helps keep the smoker’s temperature within the specified range.

When the temperature of the smoker increases above the specified range, the thermostat automatically turns off the smoker.

If your smoker has a faulty thermostat, then it will turn off the smoker before it reaches the desired temperature due to an inaccurate reading.

If the smoker keeps shutting off, then it will not heat up to the desired temperature.

Malfunctioning element

A heating element is a part of masterbuilt smokers that is present at the bottom of the smoker. It is responsible for the faster buildup of heat in a masterbuilt smoker.

After a while, it can start to rust and malfunction. Due to this, the smoker fails to heat up.

Water pan in the smoker

The final reason for the low temperature in a masterbuilt smoker is the placement of the water pan in the smoker.

A water pan is usually placed in a smoker to avoid drying out food during the prolonged smoking process and to avoid sudden overshooting of temperature.

But sometimes, placing a water pan can result in a low temperature in a smoker.

The reason is that when the temperature of the smoker reaches the boiling temperature of water, the water evaporates and the temperature is lowered. So it will require more time and fuel to heat the smoker.

Masterbuilt smoker, not heating troubleshooting

Now that we have discussed the common causes of low temperature in a smoker, let’s discuss some troubleshooting tips to overcome these issues.

You should first identify what’s wrong with your smoker and then solve the issue accordingly.

Plan bbq effectively

The most effective solution for heating the smoker is to plan the smoke effectively. Smoking is a prolonged process, and it can take several hours to days to complete.

You have to make sure that the weather conditions are favorable during this time.

You can use the weather forecast to help you decide on which day you should smoke your meat. If the weather is cold or snowy, then you should probably skip that day.

It’s better to plan your smoking on a sunny day rather than panicking later.

Replace element

As mentioned above, the element is the most important part of the heating in a masterbuilt smoker. If none of the other solutions are working, then it could be your last option.

It is usually not a problem for new smokers, but after 3-4 years of use, it can begin to malfunction.

To replace your element, you will have to remove its screws first.

After that, you should pull it out and check its appearance.

 If it’s rusty and has small pits throughout its build, then there is a higher probability that it’s not working correctly.

You can buy a new element for a few bucks if your smoker is out of warranty, but it will be worth it.

Check the thermostat

A thermostat can also be the cause of low temperature in a smoker. It is usually the result of poor cleaning and maintenance.

If that’s the reason, then cleaning the build of your smoker can help. Here is the step-by-step guide to cleaning your smoker’s thermostat.

1. First of all, you should make sure that the smoker is not connected to an electric supply
   
2. After that, remove the cooking racks and other removable parts.
   
3. Now that you have removed the cooking racks, prepare a solution of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water or simply soapy water.
   
4. After preparing the solution, wash the internal side of the smoker with paper towels
   
5. Make sure to clean the thermostat probes present on the internal side of the smoker
   
6. Let it dry before use.

While cleaning, you should rub the area around the thermostat probes to remove any grease buildup or rust. It will allow the thermostat to measure the temperature accurately.

If your thermostat still seems to not work accurately, then replacing it is the only solution.

Seal and insulate the smoker

Sometimes, there might be a gap in the lid or construction of the smoker, which can result in heat loss. You can use different sealing materials to avoid such heat loss.

But before selecting a sealing chemical, you should make sure that it’s food grade because it can come into contact with your meat.

The second way to avoid heat loss is to insulate your smoker. A good quality smoker will usually be insulated, but if you are smoking in cold weather, you can improve your insulation to heat up your smoker.

There are several different ways to insulate your smoker, which include an insulation blanket, a smoker canopy, tuning plates, etc.

Open the lid only when necessary

It might be obvious, but we still need to emphasize to beginners that opening the lid too often doesn’t speed up the process, rather it can result in heat loss.

You should only open the lid when it’s necessary and you don’t have any other way of checking your meat.

With most smokers, you can check your meat by just seeing through the glass window without opening the lid.

Moreover, you can also use a thermometer to check the doneness of meat without opening the lid.

1.2-masterbuilt smoker overheating

After following the tips above, your smoker should heat up to a smoking temperature, but low temperature is not the only issue.

Sometimes your masterbuilt smoker can start overheating, even if you have set a low temperature on the control panel.

Smoking meat requires the maintenance of the exact desired temperature to result in good flavor.

If the temperature of the smoker is higher than the desired temperature or the temperature keeps fluctuating, then you may end up burning your meat.

Causes of masterbuilt smoker overheating

There are several causes of overshooting of temperature in a smoker, but the most common of them are discussed here with their solutions.

Overheating is usually a result of user error, and the smoker might be working correctly.

Too much airflow

As you might know, oxygen is required for combustion. which is provided by the airflow in a smoker. If all the vents of the masterbuilt smoker are open, the airflow is increased.

Due to this, the temperature of the smoker overshoots the set temperature.

Moreover, if you have set the vents correctly but you are cooking in an open area with wind, then you can also face the overheating problem.

Wind can also result in temperature fluctuations, so it’s better to protect smokers from wind.

Too much fuel

Masterbuilt smokers usually work by using electricity and propane as fuel, but you can also use wood chunks to add more flavor. (you can also check our guide on Masterbuilt propane smoker troubleshooting)

If the wood chips are used in an excessive amount, then it can result in a sudden flare-up and an increase in temperature.

Masterbuilt Smoker Overheating solution

Close vents

If your smoker is overheating, then you should consider reducing the airflow by closing the vents.

By reducing the airflow, the oxygen supply is also decreased, due to less heat being produced by combustion. In this way, you can avoid overheating your smoker.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you should not close all vents because it can smother the flames and stop the production of heat.

In addition, the top vent helps in the removal of unwanted gases. So it is better to keep the vents a little bit open.

Place the water pan

Overheating of the smoker can be due to several reasons, but using a water pan can be effective in most cases. The water pan prevents temperature overshooting and keeps the temperature constant.

When the temperature of the smoker exceeds the boiling point of water, the water starts evaporating and the smoker is cooled down.

You can also use different liquids like apple vinegar, fruit juices, etc. to avoid overheating while increasing the flavor at the same time.

Use less wood

Wood chunks are used in masterbuilt smokers to add flavor to the meat. But sometimes, using too much wood can result in a sudden flare-up and overheating of the smoker.

Usually, it’s recommended to only use a maximum of two fist-sized chunks when smoking meat.

1.3-Masterbuilt smoker stuck at the same temperature

Sometimes you can also face the problem of a smoker’s display being stuck at the same temperature despite increasing or decreasing the temperature from the control panel.

It can be caused for multiple reasons, but two are the most common.

The first reason for the temperature being stuck is the faculty power circuit.

If the power circuit is not working correctly, then the smoker temperature might not increase despite setting a higher or lower temperature through the control panel.

The second reason is the faulty display. Sometimes the temperature of the smoker changes but the display screen of the smoker is not working correctly and is frozen at the same temperature.

Both of these issues can be solved with simple tweaks.

Masterbuilt smoker stuck at the same temperature Solution

Replace the power circuit

If your smoker is stuck at the same temperature despite increasing it through the control panel and resetting the smoker, then it’s a good idea to just replace the power circuit of the smoker.

It might cost a few bucks, but it will be worth it.

Clean thermostat probes

Another tip for solving this issue is to clean the probe of the thermostat. The probes are present on the internal side of the smoker and can get rusty if not cleaned properly.

Sometimes, cleaning these probes can solve this issue.

Reset the smoker

Finally, if you can’t solve the issue with the abovementioned solutions, then you should consider disconnecting the smoker from the power supply.

After disconnecting, you should leave it for a few minutes and then plug it back into the power supply to check if it’s working correctly.

1.4-Temperature fluctuations

Different kinds of meat are smoked at different temperatures, which need to be maintained constant throughout the cooking process.

If the temperature keeps fluctuating during the smoking, then you might end up burning or undercooking your meat.

Temperature fluctuation is a complicated issue, especially when you are getting started with smoking.

There are several reasons for the fluctuation of temperature in a masterbuilt smoker, but the common ones are solved here.

Weather conditions

Weather conditions have a huge impact on the internal temperature of a smoker, even if the smoker is insulated.

If the external temperature of the weather is too low, the smoker will not heat up, while if the weather is warm, the temperature can overshoot.

If your smoker is insulated, it will not be affected by the weather conditions, but if the weather conditions are too harsh, then you may need to protect your smoker from the weather. We will discuss it in detail later.

Faulty thermostat

A thermostat can also be responsible for the temperature fluctuations in a smoker. It is usually used in a smoker to keep the temperature within a specified range.

When the temperature drops below the set range, then it turns on the smoker.

Similarly, when the temperature exceeds the set range, it shuts off the smoker. When the thermostat malfunctions, it can randomly shut off the smoker before it reaches the set temperature.

which can result in temperature fluctuations.

a gap in the lid

The temperature fluctuations in a smoker can also be due to heat loss. Heat loss usually occurs due to gaps in the smoker’s build.

These gaps are usually present in low-quality smokers, but they can also be produced by physical damage to the smoker.

If the lid of the smoker has a gap and is not sealed properly, then the heat might keep escaping from the smoker and the temperature will keep fluctuating.

Your smoker can also have a gap in the firebox or any other part that can contribute to heat loss.

Placing too much meat at once

Placing too much meat in a single batch into the smoker can also be the cause of temperature fluctuations in a smoker.

The temperature of the meat is low when it’s uncooked. But when it is placed in a smoker, it can start absorbing heat, which can lead to temperature fluctuations.

Masterbuilt smoker Temperature fluctuations troubleshooting

Plan bbq effectively

The most effective solution for temperature fluctuations in the Masterbuilt smoker is to plan the smoking effectively.

Smoking is a prolonged process, and it can take several hours to days to complete. You have to make sure that the weather conditions are favorable during this time.

You can use the weather forecast to help you decide on which day you should smoke your meat.

If the weather is cold or snowy, then you should probably skip that day. It’s better to plan your smoking on a sunny day rather than panicking later.

Insulate smoker

Insulating your smoker is an underrated tip for solving the temperature issues in your smoker.

If a smoker is insulated, it is not affected by the changes in external weather conditions. It is really helpful when you are smoking in cold weather.

It is not expensive to insulate your smoker. It can cost around 50-100 bucks, or you can even do it yourself without any cost.

There are several ways to insulate your smoker, which include insulation blankets, tuning plates, etc.

Smoke in small batches

Smoking is a really sensitive process, and you should avoid stacking a whole lot of meat into the smoker at once.

Although it might be necessary when you are smoking meat for several guests and you don’t want to repeat the process.

But it can result in the fluctuation of temperature in the smoker. When multiple chunks of meat are placed in the smoker at once, they absorb heat and result in a decrease in the smoker’s temperature.

So it is better to smoke meat in small batches to make sure each chunk is smoked to perfection.

Tips for minimizing temperature issues in a masterbuilt smoker

Smoking is a kind of art and you need to be careful about each part of it to make sure the meat is smoked perfectly.

Here are some tips that you can follow to avoid issues with your masterbuilt smoker.

First of all, you need to avoid opening the lid of a smoker too often. Using the lid too often can result in heat loss and temperature fluctuations.

It would be best if you considered cleaning your smoker regularly. By cleaning you can make your smoker and maintain it longer.

Seasoning your smoker is often a neglected aspect of smoking. Seasoning can help in avoiding the development of rust and also enhances the flavor of meat.
It would help if you considered seasoning your smoker every couple of weeks.

Preheating your smoker before placing food inside it is also a good practice. Smokers often take a longer time to heat up depending on the weather conditions.

Another tip to avoid temperature issues in your smoker is to use a cord shorter than 25 ft. Longer cord often results in a low voltage supply to the smoker.

Meat chunks absorb heat when they are placed into the smoker. So it’s better to smoke the meat in batches to avoid temperature fluctuations.

Finally, you should keep in mind that smoking is a low and slow process. It can take several hours to even days to smoke a meat chunk completely depending upon its texture.

masterbuilt smoker control panel not working

it is a common issue that occurs due to using your smoker for longer periods or not cleaning it properly. Most of the time it is fixed by itself after cooling down the smoker.

if not, then first you should consider resetting your smoker to fix it without much effort. you just need to turn it off and then turn it on.

if the smoker panel is not fixed after then you should consider cleaning it thoroughly. if possible, make sure to clean the display along with it to remove any debris present there.

Other masterbuilt smoker troubleshooting tips

there are also some less common yet frustrating issues that I want to take a brief look at for those facing these. Let’s have a quick look.

masterbuilt electric smoker not smoking

Causes

Decreased airflow
Damp wood chunks

Solution

Open air vents
Use good-quality wood chunks

Wood chips starting to flare up

Causes

Increased airflow
Low moisture
Overloading wood chips

Solution

Close air vents a little bit
Place a water pan
Soak wood chips in water before placing them in the smoker
Only place a handful of wood chips at the start.

White smoke coming out of the smoker

Causes

Low-quality wood
Damp wood
Placing too much wood in the smoker

Solution

Use good quality wood
Only place dry wood in the smoker
Don’t place more than two chunks at the start

Low voltage in masterbuilt smoker

Causes

Longer cord
The cord is not plugged in correctly

Solution

Don’t use cords longer than 25 ft
Make sure the cord is plugged in correctly

The masterbuilt smoker keeps shutting off

Causes

Faulty thermostat
Poor cleaning
The cord is not plugged in correctly
Faulty cord

Solution

Clean  thermostat probes properly
Replace thermostat
Make sure the cord is plugged in correctly
Replace cord

Masterbuilt smoker control panel buttons not working

Causes

• Physical damage
• Faulty control panel

Solution

Masterbuilt smoker control panel buttons usually don’t work due to dust and physical damage. If they are not working due to dust, then you can follow this step-by-step guide to clean them.

Remove screws
Pull of control panel
Remove the screws of the control panel and remove the circuit board
Spray WD-40 spray onto it.
Dry with with air blower or compressed oxygen can
Put back in its place

If the control panel buttons still don’t work, then you should consider replacing them.

The masterbuilt smoker fan not working

Causes

Physical damage to the fan
The lid is not closed properly
Something is stuck in the fan

masterbuilt electric smoker fan not working Solution

Check for physical damage. Replace if necessary
Clean properly
Seal the smoker completely
Replace controller if necessary

Masterbuilt smoker not turning on

Causes

Power cord malfunctioning
Not plugged in correctly

troubleshooting masterbuilt electric smoker not turning on

Replace power cord
Make sure it’s plugged in correctly

Frequently asked questions

now that we have discussed the masterbuilt smoker troubleshooting , lets discuss some of the faqs that you might have.

Conclusion

Masterbuilt smokers usually work without any issues if they are maintained properly. But after a few years, you can start experiencing a few issues that can be troubleshooted easily.

We will keep updating the masterbuilt smoker troubleshooting guide over time so make sure to visit this page from time to time.

if you want to learn more about propane smokers then make sure to check out our guide on How to use masterbuilt propane smoker .