The Masterbuilt GS40 is a 40-inch black propane smoker that is ideal for barbecues or cooking with a lawn or patio setting, or outdoors. The 40-inch is actually a product brand moniker of sorts, because it’s actual dimensions are 26.6 by 18.8 by 36.6 inches.
The Masterbuilt GS40 has a black powder outer shell coating that gives it a rugged yet sleekly dependable look. The interior chamber consists of four smoking racks stacked one over the other. A stainless steel burner with a flame disc bowl made from porcelain channels the heat to the racks. A temperature gauge on the front outer door helps one decide on what temperature is needed for the various items being prepared. The temperature gauge works in tandem with the gas control valve attached to the unit, while a hose and a Type 1 regulator channel the propane gas. A spark igniter is used for lighting the flame. A smoke stack helps keep the smoke residue away from the food items being prepared, efficiently channeling it out of the smoker.
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The Masterbuilt GS40 can be used to prepare anything from veal, pork, chicken, sausages, briskets, salmon, rabbit and spare ribs of all kinds. The use of propane and it’s efficient temperature gauge make temperature management fairly easy. The racks in the interior are convenient for stacking, and the fact that they are adjustable and even removable means one can vary the oven interior to differing needs. After each cooking session, the smoker regains normal temperature very quickly after the oven door has been opened. The size of the oven also means the smoker can handle large servings, while it’s smoker is efficient at smoke disposal. The assembly of the Masterbuilt GS40 is a fairly straight-forward user friendly process for most users.
Drawbacks for the Masterbuilt GS40 include the fact that its water pan is rather flimsy, and most users tend to simply replace it with a larger capacity vessel. It’s consumption of propane is also rather high, possibly due to the fact that there is some heat leakage, as indicated by signs of escaping smoke. Also, at initial use, it gives off a noxious smell due to chemicals within the unit. However, this, along with the other faults of the smoker, can easily be remedied. Removal of the noxious smell issue simply requires one to leave an allowance for the unit to burn, so that the chemicals are burnt off. The heat efficiency which leads to high consumption of propane can easily be dealt with using seals like fireplace rope, while a larger container can be used to replace the limited capacity of the water drip pan.
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Masterbuilt GS40 Customer Reviews
The fact that the faults of the Masterbuilt GS40 can easily be remedied has made it a popular item with users, with Christine Ehlers from Ferndale, WA, United States stating:
“We shopped around for propane smokers primarily for salmon. Price was important, but we didn’t want a really low-end smoker wouldn’t last, either. Assembly was straight-forward and everything fit properly. While putting it together it was obvious that this was a quality unit and good value for the price, around $270 delivered. The propane burner fired right up. The four racks hold about 5 fillets each, so quite a few pounds can be smoked at a time. The fish was done in about 3 hours at 200 degrees using green alder. I’m very satisfied with this purchase.”
Another user, Dale Evans from Jonesville, Texas, United States, is even more enthusiastic, saying:
“Purchased this unit last month and have cooked a Pork Shoulder, a rack of baby backs, a rack of St. Louis spares, a rack of beef ribs, a brisket and a lot of sausage! I will tell you this, it will hold a temperature for as long as you want it; which is AWESOME! I had never made a rack of spares that required I use two tongs to keep them from breaking in half when I pulled them out! For the price, this smoker deserves 5 stars…I gave it 4 because the smoke pan needs a better design. I’ll just use a cast iron pan/wok whenever I get to buying one…that’ll fix it all! BUY ONE, you won’t regret it.”
For good value for money, easy use, and easily remediable shortcomings common to all smokers, the Masterbuilt GS40 is a worthwhile purchase.