I've had the Digital Masterbuilt Smoker within the past years and quickly returned due to a malfunctioning digital control panel prone to damage from humidity/moisture.So far, this Cuisinart smoker is very similar, however much better. Ever since I've noticed the digital smokers had failures with their digital control panels, especially after rain/humidity, and without having replacement parts available; I strongly recommended other perspective purchasers, "... only buy the analog smokers," such as this one.I found the Cuisinart smoker also having far easier assembly in comparison to Masterbuilt, with Masterbuilt smokers having a ton of screws/bolts/nuts, whereas the Cuisinart smoker only had a few screws for the legs, a couple for the handle, and the analog thermostat merrily easily screwed into the front. I had the Cuisinart smoker fully assembled within about fifteen minutes. (Masterbuilt required at least 2 hours assembly, or more time.) Further noting, the benefit of having an analog thermometer and analog control, versus the troublesome digital control panels, with digital controls becoming easily dysfunctional with any rain or humidity, requiring replacement parts not available through the manufacturer or elsewhere.Bottom line, until all bugs are worked-out of the digital control panel smokers, those using a smoker likely will strongly desire an analog smoker, as a failed digital smoker will be completely useless until the digital control panel is replaced. (Heard many stories of manufacturers either out-of-stock of digital control panel replacements or not able to provide customers with the required digital electronic replacement parts.) Whereas analog smoker will still be able to be utilized even if the analog thermometer fails. The cord with variable thermostat control can easily be rolled-up and stored indoors, with the smoker stored outdoors where it belongs with the BBQ grill.Notice, I repeated three times the failures with digital smokers!TIP: Use a pan or aluminum foil for meats, reserving the drippings for gravies or other use. Using pan/foil will also prevent required cleaning of the interior of these smokers! Used mine all Winter/Summer, have yet needing any cleaning! One Nordic 8x8 aluminum pan and two 1 1/2 aluminum loaf pans, pre-seasoned, will likely be great for this smoker, reserving the third shelf for wrapping bones or extras using foil.TIP: This smoker, soaking the wood chips isn't really needed, as for some reason, soaked wood chips do not burn well at all with this smoker. Have not tried merrily misting/wetting the wood chips yet.TIP: I fill the water pan once, and then refill the wood chips every couple of hours, when smoking as obviously stopped.TIP: Since these smokers can easily heat to 400F, I'm thinking of baking bread with the smoker, providing the authentic (less than) 18th century wood-fired hearth bread! Likely many foods can be easily either slow-cooked, baked or cooked using this smoker!TIP: Intended rack size is 13.25 x 12.5 inches, with about an additional .25 to .5 inch clearance on the sides. Top rack has 9.75 inch height clearance, with the bottom two racks having 4.75 inch height clearance. There needs to be clearances on some of the sides for smoke/ventilation. Quarter (Nordic aluminum) sized baking sheets fit.

The temperature can be a bit finicky to start. Once you get it at the right temp it should be good for most of your smoking session.On long hauls, it's good to check the temp around when the stall breaks, I've noticed. Mine tends to jump up about a hundred degrees after the collagen nears the end breaking down.It isn't rolling smoke out the wazoo like some of the barrel smokers, but it smokes consistently and the flavor is good. I recommend soaking your chips for an hour or so before you start smoking. It'll give you a bit more bang for your buck with smoke.All and all. This is a great smoker for someone like me who is just getting into it. I've used it a bunch of times the last few months and I love it! Just did pulled pork for Christmas and it was sublime!The removable racks and pan trays make clean up super easy.

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So far I've only used this twice but tomorrow will be my third time. Very nice and affordable and the food that comes out of this thing is delicious with the smoke flavor

Works great! I was initially going to get the Weber Smokey Mountain but decided I would get this to try as it would make smoking easier and less time consuming. I usually smoke something every weekend and it has been great. I've done whole chickens and turkey, roasts, and drumsticks. So far everything has turned out great. My only issue is that it is hard to keep a consistent temp as it will eventually get warmer as you cook but with a bit of attention it's easy to correct. Cleanup and setup much easier than charcoal and flavor is awesome.

Very solid build. Smoked chicken and salmon with an awesome result. Best smoker I ever owned. When he reached the temperature he didn’t go up and down. Highly recommend this smoker.

Great smoker. We have used it a lot, even used it for a turkey at thanksgiving. However the door did come dinged up a little and the water pan catches all the grease.

Bought for my husband who has had other smokers. Easy to set the temp and go. Very reliable. Sturdy. Pleased with this purchase. Would buy it again

Good smoker. I like the electric heater. Setting the temperature takes time and patience to adjust correctly. Tenting the water and smoke containers loosely with tin foil helps with clean up.