Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Electric Smokers

EAST OAK Electric Smoker vs Masterbuilt MB20072918 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Masterbuilt MB20072918 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.2). The gap is mostly about Users who prioritize convenience and moisture retention over heavy bark development — read the strengths below before deciding.

EAST OAK Electric Smoker
Ranked #2 in Best Electric Smokers
EAST OAK Electric Smoker
4 sources3 derived$299.99as of Oct 2

The East Oak Electric Smoker features a sturdy cold-rolled steel body and an intuitive digital interface that simplifies set-and-forget operation for beginners. smokedbbqsource found the construction solid with a tight-sealing door, while techigar noted the side-loading chip tray effectively maintains temperature stability without heat loss. However, the unit is capped at 275°F, which prevents high-heat cooking methods like searing, and its narrow interior width forces users to cut large briskets in half to fit them on the racks. Additionally, the digital display lacks brightness in direct sunlight, making it difficult to read during outdoor daytime sessions. This smoker fits casual cooks seeking convenience but is unsuitable for advanced pitmasters requiring high-heat versatility or those cooking large cuts of meat whole.

Strengths
  • — Side-loading wood chip tray allows refilling without opening the chamber or losing heat
  • — Cold-rolled steel construction provides sturdy build quality for the price point
  • — Digital controls are intuitive with simple temperature and timer settings
Watch-outs
  • — Maximum temperature is capped at 275°F, limiting cooking versatility
  • — Narrow interior width restricts the ability to fit large cuts of meat whole
  • — Digital display lacks brightness and is difficult to read in outdoor sunlight
Masterbuilt MB20072918 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Electric Smokers
Masterbuilt MB20072918 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker
2 sourcesall derived

The Masterbuilt MB20072918 offers precise digital temperature control up to 275°F and a side-mounted wood chip loader that minimizes heat loss, making it convenient for set-and-forget cooking. Smoky Beginnings BBQ found the unit retains moisture effectively, yielding tender results for salmon and pork butt, while IrixGuy's Adventure Channel highlighted the rear-accessible grease drain for easy cleanup. However, significant temperature stratification places the top rack noticeably hotter than the bottom, requiring strategic food placement to avoid uneven cooking. The plastic door components are prone to cracking from minor impacts, and slow heat recovery after opening can delay cook times by up to an hour. This smoker fits users who prioritize convenience and moisture retention over heavy bark development or robust smoke rings.

Strengths
  • — Side wood chip loader allows adding chips without opening the main door, minimizing heat loss.
  • — Digital control panel enables precise temperature setting up to 275°F with minimal babysitting.
  • — Effective moisture retention keeps meats like pork butt and salmon tender during long cooks.
Watch-outs
  • — Significant temperature stratification occurs, with the top rack running noticeably hotter than the bottom.
  • — Slow heat recovery after opening the door can delay cooking times by up to an hour.
  • — Plastic components on the door are prone to cracking from minor impacts.

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

EAST OAK Electric Smoker

This model is capped at a maximum temperature of 275°F, which limits high-heat versatility compared to the Masterbuilt MB20072918 that starts from 35°F. Its narrow interior width restricts fitting large cuts whole, whereas the larger cooking areas of the Masterbuilt units accommodate bigger batches without cutting meat.

Masterbuilt MB20072918 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker

It offers a significantly larger 970 square inch cooking area compared to the smaller Masterbuilt MB20070421 and East Oak models. However, it suffers from significant temperature stratification where the top rack runs hotter than the bottom, a issue not highlighted in the more stable PID-controlled Bradley Smoker.

Specs side-by-side

SpecEAST OAK Electric SmokerMasterbuilt MB20072918 40-Inch Digital Electric Smoker
Cooking Area725 sq in970 sq inches
Temperature Range275°F35°F - 275°F
Fuel Typewood chipsElectric / Wood Chips
Weight62 lb66.3 lb
MaterialCold-rolled steel—
Control Typedigital controls—
Heating Elementelectric heating element—
Dimensions4.5 L x 2.5 W x 16.2 H25.2 x 41.7 x 19.6 in
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