Masterbuilt 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker Buyer's Guide

The Masterbuilt 40-inch digital electric smoker has become a default answer for backyard cooks who want consistent results without managing a firebox every forty-five minutes. It fits that gap between a small apartment-patio unit and a full competition rig , enough capacity to smoke for a crowd, simple enough to run on a Saturday morning while the kids have soccer. I’ve spent enough time researching this line to tell you the model differences matter, and so does how you set one up for the long run.

This guide covers the two main 40-inch Masterbuilt models, a purpose-built cover worth knowing about, and a replacement control board that extends the life of older units. If you’re still deciding whether a vertical electric smoker fits your situation, start with the electric smokers hub before committing to a specific model.

What to Look For in a 40-Inch Electric Smoker

Cooking Capacity and Rack Configuration

Nine hundred seventy square inches sounds like a lot until you’re trying to fit three full brisket flats and a rack of ribs side by side. Vertical smokers stack their cooking area across multiple racks rather than spreading it horizontally, which means you gain cubic space but trade off some airflow evenness between top and bottom racks. The question isn’t just square footage , it’s whether the rack spacing accommodates the cuts you actually cook.

If whole packer briskets are a priority, measure the interior depth before assuming the top rack will clear. Most 40-inch vertical units run four chrome racks. That’s enough for a genuine party cook , two briskets, a pork shoulder, and sausage links , but only if you’re comfortable rotating racks mid-cook to compensate for the temperature gradient between top and bottom.

Digital Controls and Temperature Consistency

The digital controller is the central feature of this product line, and it’s worth understanding what it does and doesn’t do. It holds temperature within a range , not at an exact degree , and the gap between set point and actual chamber temperature can be meaningful on cold or windy days. An aftermarket wireless thermometer, not the built-in probe, is the honest measure of what’s happening at meat level.

That said, the digital interface removes most of the active monitoring that makes offset smoking a part-time job. You set a target, you check in, you add chips through the side loader. For the suburban weekend cook who’s also dealing with school pickup and HOA restrictions on permanent installations, that’s exactly the trade you’re making.

The Side Wood Chip Loader

This is the feature that separates the 40-inch Masterbuilt from cheaper electric units, and it’s worth dwelling on. The side loader lets you add wood chips without opening the main chamber door , which means you’re not dumping heat or moisture every time you want to add smoke. Maintaining chamber temperature through a long cook is considerably easier as a result.

The limitation is capacity. The chip tray holds a modest amount of wood, and on a low-and-slow brisket that runs ten or twelve hours, you’ll still be reloading several times. A pellet smoker handles this automatically; the Masterbuilt requires you to stay within reach. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s the honest version of what “convenient fuel additions” means in practice.

Build Quality and Long-Term Maintenance

Electric smokers accumulate grease, moisture, and wood residue at a rate that surprises most first-time owners. The chrome racks are easy to clean; the interior walls and the door seal require more attention. Neglecting the door gasket is how you end up with temperature swings that the digital controller can’t compensate for.

The control board is the most common failure point in this product line after two or three seasons of regular use. Understanding this before you buy matters: you’re purchasing a unit with a known wear component. That’s not unusual for any appliance , it just means you should factor serviceability into the decision. A replacement board exists, it’s not difficult to install if you’re comfortable with basic electrical work, and it restores full functionality without replacing the whole unit.

Weather Protection and Storage

A 40-inch vertical smoker sits outdoors between cooks, which means moisture, UV exposure, and whatever your local climate delivers. A purpose-built cover extends the life of the exterior finish and, more importantly, keeps the wood chip tray and door gasket from degrading prematurely. This isn’t a nice-to-have for most climates , it’s maintenance. Exploring the full range of electric smoker options and accessories before your first purchase gives you a clearer picture of the total cost of ownership.

Top Picks

Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker (MB20072918)

The Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker MB20072918 is the version of this unit I’d point most buyers toward first. It includes the side wood chip loader, four chrome racks, and the full digital control interface , everything the category requires without optional extras that add cost without adding utility for most cooks.

Setup is straightforward and the learning curve is short. You’re managing one variable (temperature) with a controller that keeps it roughly where you set it. That’s not an insult , for the cook who wants to put a pork shoulder on at eight in the morning and not babysit it until two in the afternoon, removing variables is the point. The digital thermostat does that job reliably.

The honest limitation is the need for a power outlet within reach. On a concrete patio this is rarely a problem; on a deck with limited exterior outlets, you may need an extension cord rated for outdoor use. Keep the unit out of rain exposure and invest in a cover, and this smoker performs consistently across seasons.

Check current price on Amazon.

Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker with Leg Kit (MB20070122)

The Masterbuilt 40-inch Digital Electric Vertical BBQ Smoker MB20070122 shares the same cooking capacity , 970 square inches, side chip loader, digital controls , but ships with a leg kit that raises the unit off the ground. That distinction matters more than it sounds.

The raised profile improves grease drainage management and puts the door at a slightly more ergonomic working height. If you’re smoking frequently and pulling full briskets off lower racks, you’ll notice the difference. The footprint is effectively the same as the MB20072918; the height change is the operative variable.

For buyers who are setting this up on a patio and plan to use it heavily through the season, this is the version I’d consider over the base model. The leg kit is the kind of detail that makes the unit more pleasant to use at the operational level , not a feature that changes what the smoker does, but one that changes how it feels to use it after a dozen cooks.

Check current price on Amazon.

40-Inch Electric Smoker Cover for Masterbuilt

The 40-inch electric smoker cover for Masterbuilt is a purpose-designed cover for the 40-inch digital vertical models. Waterproof construction, correct dimensions , this is the accessory that belongs in the same order as the smoker itself if you’re setting one up for the first time.

The case for a purpose-designed cover over a generic option comes down to fit. A cover that’s too large pools water on top of the unit and channels it toward the door seal. One that fits correctly sheds rain and keeps the chip loader tray clear of debris. This one is sized for the 40-inch Masterbuilt specifically, and that specificity is the entire value proposition.

It’s a cover. It doesn’t add features or improve performance. But protecting the door gasket and exterior controls extends the useful life of a unit that otherwise sits exposed between cooks, and that’s a genuine maintenance consideration rather than an upsell.

Check current price on Amazon.

9907160014 Digital Control Board Thermostat Panel Kit for Masterbuilt Electric Smokers

The Masterbuilt digital control board thermostat panel kit is not a product for first-time buyers. It’s for the cook who already owns a Masterbuilt electric smoker , specifically models MB20071317, 20071117, or 21071218 , and has watched the digital controller start behaving erratically: temperature swings, unresponsive buttons, or failure to hold a set point.

Control board failure is the most common reason a functional Masterbuilt smoker gets retired or replaced. The board itself is a wear component that sees heat, humidity, and grease over years of use. Replacing it costs a fraction of replacing the whole unit, and the repair is within reach for anyone comfortable handling basic electrical connections.

Verify compatibility against your specific model number before ordering , the kit covers several models but not the full Masterbuilt catalog. If your unit matches, this is the repair path that makes sense. A smoker with a working controller and intact chamber is mechanically sound; the board is what typically fails first.

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Buying Guide

Deciding Between the Two Main Models

The MB20072918 and the MB20070122 cook identically. Same capacity, same controller, same chip loader. The difference is the leg kit on the MB20070122, which raises the unit by several inches and changes the working ergonomics meaningfully over repeated use. If you plan to smoke regularly , more than a few times per season , the raised profile is worth it. If you’re occasional, the base model performs the same function at a lower outlay.

Neither model is a significant trade-off over the other in terms of cooking performance. This is a decision about convenience at the operational level, not about results in the chamber.

Understanding the Electric Smoker Trade-Off

An electric smoker does one thing exceptionally well: it removes the need to actively manage a heat source. You set a target temperature, add wood chips periodically through the side loader, and the controller handles the rest. For cooks whose Saturday is already fragmented , errands, kids, yard work , that’s the right trade.

What you give up is the combustion flavor profile that comes from wood or charcoal as a primary fuel source. Electric smokers produce smoke, but the base flavor of the cook is different from an offset or a kettle. This isn’t a quality judgment , it’s a category distinction. Buyers who’ve made peace with it are the right audience for this product. Buyers still undecided may benefit from browsing the broader electric smoker category before settling on this format.

Power Access and Placement

The most practical pre-purchase question for most buyers is outlet access. The 40-inch Masterbuilt draws a meaningful load and requires a grounded exterior outlet. Extension cords work but must be rated for outdoor use and the appropriate amperage , undersized cords cause voltage drop that affects temperature consistency.

Placement also affects performance. A sheltered location out of direct wind improves the controller’s ability to hold temperature on cold days. Full sun exposure on summer days can skew the ambient readings the controller uses. Neither condition is a dealbreaker, but they’re worth accounting for when you decide where the unit lives on your patio or deck.

Planning for Maintenance

A Masterbuilt 40-inch electric smoker that’s cleaned regularly and covered between uses will run for several seasons. The wear points are predictable: door gasket, chip tray, and the digital control board. Checking the gasket for cracks before each season costs nothing. A replacement board, if you ever need one, is available and installable without professional help.

The cover is the easiest maintenance investment you can make. Moisture intrusion at the door seal and chip loader is the fastest path to performance degradation. A properly fitted waterproof cover eliminates most of that exposure between cooks.

Who This Setup Is For

The 40-inch Masterbuilt is a suburban patio smoker for cooks who want capacity without complexity. It’s sized to feed a gathering , enough rack space for brisket, ribs, and chicken in a single cook , and it’s simple enough that the learning curve is measured in a few cooks rather than a full season.

It’s not the right choice for someone who wants the engagement of managing a fire. It’s not a competition rig. It’s an appliance that produces good smoked food reliably, on a schedule that accommodates real life. For that specific buyer, it’s a strong answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the MB20072918 and the MB20070122?

Both models share the same 970 square inches of cooking space, side wood chip loader, and digital control system. The MB20070122 includes a leg kit that raises the unit off the ground, improving working ergonomics and grease drainage. If you cook frequently, the raised profile on the MB20070122 is a meaningful comfort improvement over multiple sessions. Occasional cooks will find the MB20072918 performs identically for the actual smoking.

Do I need an outdoor-rated extension cord to use a 40-inch Masterbuilt electric smoker?

If your nearest exterior outlet doesn’t reach the smoker’s intended location, yes , and the cord must be rated for outdoor use and sized appropriately for the unit’s amperage draw. An undersized or indoor-rated extension cord can cause voltage drop, which affects the controller’s ability to hold target temperature consistently. Most hardware stores carry the correct spec; the unit’s manual lists the minimum rating.

How often do I need to add wood chips during a long cook?

On a low-and-slow cook running eight to twelve hours, expect to reload the chip tray every forty-five minutes to an hour and a half depending on the wood type and your target smoke level. The side loader on both 40-inch models lets you add chips without opening the main chamber, which helps maintain temperature. You won’t fully automate smoke management the way a pellet smoker does, but the chip loader removes the most disruptive part of the process.

Is the digital control board replacement a DIY repair, or does it require a professional?

The Masterbuilt digital control board kit is designed for owner installation and requires basic comfort with electrical connections , unplugging leads, seating connectors, securing a panel. Most mechanically inclined owners complete it without professional help. The more important step is verifying your specific model number against the compatibility list before ordering, since the kit covers several Masterbuilt models but not all of them.

Does the 40-inch Masterbuilt electric smoker work in cold weather?

It operates in cold weather, but temperature management becomes less precise as ambient temperature drops. The digital controller reads against a set point, and a cold environment requires the heating element to work harder to compensate. Wind accelerates heat loss further. Positioning the unit in a sheltered location and allowing extra preheating time before adding meat improves cold-weather performance meaningfully.