{"id":8130,"date":"2019-02-24T17:59:50","date_gmt":"2019-02-24T23:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/?p=8130"},"modified":"2023-09-27T11:59:19","modified_gmt":"2023-09-27T16:59:19","slug":"masterbuilt-pro-mds-230-dual-fuel-smoker-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/masterbuilt-pro-mds-230-dual-fuel-smoker-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Masterbuilt Pro MDS 230 Dual Fuel Smoker Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The Masterbuilt Pro MDS 230 Dual Fuel smoker is an interesting beast.\u00a0 You can have a lot of fun with one of these things but keep in mind that you will not be getting top of the line build quality.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Let&#8217;s take a look at the pros and cons of this smoker and see if it is something you want to spend your money on.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8132\" src=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Masterbuilt-Dual-Fuel-Smoker.jpg\" alt=\"Masterbuilt Dual Fuel Smoker\" width=\"700\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Masterbuilt-Dual-Fuel-Smoker.jpg 700w, https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Masterbuilt-Dual-Fuel-Smoker-210x300.jpg 210w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/masterbuilt-pro-mds-230-dual-fuel-smoker-review\/#What_Is_A_Dual_Fuel_Smoker\" title=\"What Is A Dual Fuel Smoker?\">What Is A Dual Fuel Smoker?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/masterbuilt-pro-mds-230-dual-fuel-smoker-review\/#MDS_230_Features_and_Reviews\" title=\"MDS 230 Features and Reviews\">MDS 230 Features and Reviews<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/masterbuilt-pro-mds-230-dual-fuel-smoker-review\/#Things_I_Like_About_This_Smoker\" title=\"Things I Like About This Smoker\">Things I Like About This Smoker<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/masterbuilt-pro-mds-230-dual-fuel-smoker-review\/#Things_I_Dont_Like_About_This_Smoker\" title=\"Things I Don&#8217;t Like About This Smoker\">Things I Don&#8217;t Like About This Smoker<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/masterbuilt-pro-mds-230-dual-fuel-smoker-review\/#Overall_Impressions\" title=\"Overall Impressions\">Overall Impressions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_A_Dual_Fuel_Smoker\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">What Is A Dual Fuel Smoker?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Here is the promotional video from Masterbuilt for the MDS 230 that walks you through the basic features.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bZRPokYCkEw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">What makes this a Dual Fuel smoker is that the metal &#8220;Flame Disk&#8221; located over the propane burner can be filled with chunks of wood for use as a propane smoker or filled with charcoal for use as a charcoal smoker.\u00a0 What is really nice is that the slits in the Flame Disk lets you use the propane burner to light the charcoal!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The propane burner is rated at 15,400 BTU\/hr and can be dialed down to run at 225F or cranked up to easily get this smoker up to 400F.\u00a0 The burner can be lit by the push button ignition system but also has an access slot inside the smoker for manual ignition if needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8136\" src=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Dual-Fuel-Ignition-Options.jpg\" alt=\"Dual Fuel Ignition Options\" width=\"1000\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Dual-Fuel-Ignition-Options.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Dual-Fuel-Ignition-Options-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Dual-Fuel-Ignition-Options-768x384.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"MDS_230_Features_and_Reviews\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">MDS 230 Features and Reviews<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Four 180 square inch plated steel cooking racks<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Two Cool Touch Handles<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Water pan included<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Top and bottom air dampers<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Weight 59 pounds<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Double walled and insulated front door.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Single wall non insulated construction for the rest of the smoker<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">This smoker has been around long enough that it has a pretty solid history of reviews.\u00a0 Here is a snapshot of the current reviews from Home Depot.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8138\" src=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/MDS-230-Dual-Fuel-Smoker-Reviews.jpg\" alt=\"MDS 230 Dual Fuel Smoker Reviews\" width=\"569\" height=\"566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/MDS-230-Dual-Fuel-Smoker-Reviews.jpg 569w, https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/MDS-230-Dual-Fuel-Smoker-Reviews-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/MDS-230-Dual-Fuel-Smoker-Reviews-300x298.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 569px) 100vw, 569px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Out of 762 reviews<strong> 88% are either 5 or 4 stars<\/strong> while only<strong> 7% are 1 or 2 stars<\/strong>.\u00a0 Most of the negative reviews mentioned build quality and cases of the bottom rusting out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">If you take a look inside the smoker you can see why some people are having issues with the bottom rusting out.\u00a0 The grease drain hole is only a small opening in the base of a flat bottom.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8139\" src=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Grease-Drainage-Hole.jpg\" alt=\"Grease Drainage Hole\" width=\"605\" height=\"454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Grease-Drainage-Hole.jpg 605w, https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Grease-Drainage-Hole-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 605px) 100vw, 605px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">The opening is small and the base does not slope towards it.\u00a0 This means that it will be easy for ashes, water, marinades, grease, etc to accumulate in the base of the smoker unless you are very proactive in cleaning it out after every cook.\u00a0 The accumulated grill gunk can create a very corrosive environment and will tear the metal up if left unattended.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Things_I_Like_About_This_Smoker\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Things I Like About This Smoker<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">This is superficial but I just think the MDS 230 is a good looking product.\u00a0 I would be happy to see this guy sitting on my back porch.\u00a0 It has attractive badging, a sturdy stand and I like the two cool touch handles.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8140\" src=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Cool-Touch-Handles.jpg\" alt=\"Cool Touch Handles\" width=\"605\" height=\"454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Cool-Touch-Handles.jpg 605w, https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Cool-Touch-Handles-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 605px) 100vw, 605px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I like that, unlike the <a href=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/masterbuilt-electric-smokers-differences\/\">Masterbuilt electric smokers,<\/a> this guy can get up to 400F so you can crisp up your chicken wings or even do a little baking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I like that you can start smoking with a load of charcoal and then, after you have laid down that base flavor profile, switch over to propane to finish the cook.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Basically I like that this is a great propane smoker that has some extra functionality available.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Things_I_Dont_Like_About_This_Smoker\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Things I Don&#8217;t Like About This Smoker<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I don&#8217;t like the grease drainage system or the undersized grease tray.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8141\" src=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Grease-Tray.jpg\" alt=\"Grease Tray\" width=\"605\" height=\"454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Grease-Tray.jpg 605w, https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Grease-Tray-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 605px) 100vw, 605px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I do not like the build quality and lightness of the smoker.\u00a0 This is a double edged sword because it is also one of the factors that makes this thing affordable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I do not like the cheap factory thermometer that is built into the door of the smoker.\u00a0 You are going to need to replace it or just use a digital thermometer that you can slip into the smoker.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I wish the smoker was wider. The folks at Masterbuilt say that you can smoke a slab of ribs on each cooking rack but the only way that is possible is if you are working with 2-3 pound slabs of baby backs. \u00a0There is no way that you are going to fit a 5-7 pound slab of spare ribs onto one of those grates,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-8142\" src=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Dual-Fuel-Smoker-Capacity.jpg\" alt=\"Dual Fuel Smoker Capacity\" width=\"605\" height=\"454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Dual-Fuel-Smoker-Capacity.jpg 605w, https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/gnne\/2019\/02\/Dual-Fuel-Smoker-Capacity-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 605px) 100vw, 605px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Overall_Impressions\"><\/span><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Overall Impressions<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">I think the Masterbuilt Dual Fuel Smoker is a fun little cooker that, once you figure out its quirks, will turn out some pretty good barbecue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Expect to be dealing with some rust after a year or so and make sure you wipe the inside of the smoker clean after every use. \u00a0The build quality is &#8220;meh&#8221; and you will have issues eventually. \u00a0There is a reason that the warranty on this smoker is only 90 days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Masterbuilt Pro MDS 230 Dual Fuel smoker is an interesting beast.\u00a0 You can have a lot of fun with one of these things but keep in mind that you&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":8132,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8130"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8130"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8130\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12629,"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8130\/revisions\/12629"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8130"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8130"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bbqdryrubs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8130"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}