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.

The product I am reviewing is the Cuisinart 30" electric smoker. First, let me say that knowing a product is a relative thing. I've owned many smokers, by various makes and models over the years. Over the years can be defined by my partially bald head that is mostly gray in color. This is the first Cuisinart smoker I have purchased. And it is the first electric smoker as well. Let me define a "smoker". A "smoker" is NOT a grill, though there are smoker/grills. I recently owned a smoker/grill of a well-know brand that was electric, but burned pellets in a fire-pot for its heat. It could smoke a brisket in 9 hours or grill a steak in 20 minutes. This Cuisinart smoker is built to do one thing and that is cook the brisket. The 9 hour thing is a matter of preference. The temp range of this smoker is zero to 400 degrees. Some reviewers claim that theirs would not get above 200 degrees. When I unboxed mine and screwed all parts in place, I plugged it in, turned the temp dial to full and watched the dial move to 400 degrees in about 15 minutes. I then noted were 250 degrees was on the dial as it dialed it down to zero. Why 250? That is the temp that most meat that I will ever cook on the smoker will be in the 250 degree range, give or take 25 degrees. Second, I filled the wood chip reservoir with wooden pellets. I untied the heating element that had been previously wired down by the manufacturer. I did this so my wood pan would make physical contact with the heating element. The wood chip box did not close completely due to its need to have some oxygen to burn. The pellets will not burn up with ash as the by-product. They will smoke and turn black like charcoal. Some reviewers think that it is not smoking because they can't see the smoke. What does their nose tell them? Others complain that smoke leaks out of the door seam. If you examine the smoker box, there are only two holes where oxygen comes in and goes out. If there is not enough air coming in, there will not be enough air going out. Too much smoke and definitely the wrong color of smoke can be a bad thing. You do not want to creosote your meat. My first cook was a corned beef brisket. I set the my temp to what I believed was 250 degrees. I filled my wood pan with pellets (I like chips better, but pellets was all that I had), I closed the door and did not open it for at least five hours. I do not have a remote censor, but that will be my next purchase. Opening and closing your smoker is not a smart thing to do because it will cause you to lose very quickly your temperature by about 50 degrees or so. You do not need to look at it. Trust the process. At first, you may see a temp swing, but after a few minutes it will be like a pendulum swinging back and forth to center. My smoker has been at 250 degrees steady for the duration of the cook.The bottom line here is that the Cuisinart is as good as its name. It is a quality product with a PROVEN track record.