Cuisinart 30" Electric Smoker, 3 Adjustable Racks, Large Capacity BBQ Meat Smoker, Water & Wood Trays for Smoked Meat, Brisket, Salmon & Jerky, Adjustable Temperature Control

UPDATED Review: In this review, I will describe the smoker per se but first, since I had an issue (now resolved) I will simply describe my experience in attending to the problem.I received this smoker earlier this week from Amazon of course and was anticipating immediate use. The box was not damaged nor the smoker's exterior. However there was a workman's mistake that likely just slipped through Cuisinart's grill/smoker manufacturer. I did want a replacement part and contacted Amazon within 24 hours of delivery for their help. It may be helpful to know that Cuisinart does not have any single point of contact as you or I would expect. Instead, I learned that contacting Cuisinart via the number of record with Amazon's help line is just a starting point. Be prepared NOT to just send an email and expect resolution. For example, the first call and email was answered the following day but saying, "We are Customer Service for INDOOR products. -- so, contact our grill/smoker manufacturer at the following (contact info). Okay #1. It turned out to be an answering machine stating that replacement parts claims are only handled by email. Okaay #2. I forwarded the email thread to them. A day later I received a response, "We do manufacturer grills and smokers BUT NOT THAT ONE. Contact this manufacturer (contact info). Okaaay #3. I emailed AND called that manufacturer and the phone message said they were busy and to email them. So, I did. Their response was to call during normal operating hours (which I had done when leaving my original message.) I received no callback as requested. So, you see what I mean? I know Cuisinart is a huge, multifaceted corporation but if I were running the place and had provided Amazon with my main/first contact number for my customers to contact us, I would make darn sure that that Customer Service Rep be familiar with (or at least have a "calling tree" that matched the callers Cuisinart product model number so that the customer would at least be directed correctly through the gauntlet. Even better, I would have my reps at least pass the customer's callback info to the correct manufacturer and then require that manufacturer keep Cuisinart informed. YES, we helped the customer or NO we didn't. The best advice I have, since I'm not running Cuisinart Customer Service, is to seriously insist that the rep in that first call confirm that he/she is giving you the exact manufacture contact info for YOUR model number/product. And if more people will take the time to review their experience, things will get better and EVERYONE wins. So, I'm going to go out on a limb and say that manufacturing errors/defects do happen. I suggest not to waste time expecting that you will be called back or get an email response from seller's manufacturers when it comes to getting parts. Some folks just return the item to Amazon (within the guidelines, of course) but in other cases it can be very, very impractical to do this, e.g. larger, bulky, heavier items. Perhaps in those cases, a simple replacement part will be all one may need. By waiting for an extended time for callbacks and emails from sellers, buyers may exceed Amazon's return window and now your stuck in the queue at the mercy of who knows who. So, what was the outcome in my case and the reason I am writing such a detailed review for a relatively inexpensive item?The outcome is this: It was Amazon to the rescue. Also, I can certainly endorse the quality of the Cuisinart Electric Smoker COS-330. Barring rare defects as with my order, this electric smoker will not disappoint. I really love the elevated legs and overall construction. Assembly, you'll find is a snap. Judging from the look and feel of it, proper care will ensure many years of trouble-free operation. I am definitely a fan of digital electronics controllers which are designed well. In the case of smokers, I could not find a single one that had an acceptable failure rate for my tastes. Simple, proven analog temp controllers are, as in this case, detachable and kept inside. When it's time to smoke something special and all the overnight marinating and prep has been done, NOT having the smoker come on (as has been reported) would likely be painful or perhaps leave a scar. (TIC). Bottom line, the Cuisinart COS-330 Electric Smoker is a great choice.Finally, I said "Amazon to the rescue". Yes, as I emphasized, my particular issue with the smoker is likely a rare occurrence. That was little comfort as I spent hours online tracking down and never quite finding a responsive customer service. Weary, I reached out to Amazon in Seattle with an email and got a callback from Ms. Rasmet - the nicest and most professional Amazon Customer Service Rep one could hope for. I must say that out of the many years that I have done business with Amazon, they very, very seldom disappoint me. But, today, Ms. Rasmet earned my highest respect for what all professional customer service representatives: Transparency and sincerity. She provided a resolution, followed up and confirmed her actions in an email, and there is no doubt in my mind that I can just move forward and enjoy this new product. THANK YOU AMAZON !!And, I hope this review is of some use for someone looking to buy a new Smoker. It really is a quality product and exactly what I was hoping for.Sincerely,BillJupiter, FLNote: I have removed my initial problem statement/review. Above, I explained why in my updated review above.However, I will leave the photos attached for a clear reference. Please remember that this is not intended to imply that such defects are common. They are not. I get that. I was more distraught by the maze of phone calls and emails necessary to reach someone familiar with my model number. Again, Amazon to the rescue. They really came through and helped me get this done. Cuisinart Electric Smokers, specifically Model COS-330, are a great choice based on what I'm seeing on my patio.

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.

Super easy to assemble, did it by myself without any issue, however there is one slight problem with mine that I can see being a concern for others...The box that holds the woodchips is machine cut, and literally razor sharp around all edges of the cover and the base. I didn't cut myself, but easily could have, it's exactly as sharp as a thin sheet of steel would be immediately after being cut, so be careful especially if you have kids poking around it. Could easily be filed down, I'm just going to be careful