r. dale shipp wrote:
> I have a Masterbuilt electric smoker that I have used and enjoyed for
> almost three years. On my last smoking job, it suddenly quit heating.
>
> I did a bit of web search and found some posts that suggested that there
> might be a problem with the connection of the heating coil. I managed
> to get the heating coil part way out and could see that one connection
> was loose and had some smoke residue on it. I cleaned it off as best I
> could and then crimped the loose connection to make it tighter. Put the
> box back together and it seems to work now.
>
> However -- I have lost some faith in the smoker and am wondering how to
> fix it better.
>
> The problem is that the wire connections to the heating unit are inside
> a junction box and are tight -- i.e. I could only get about 1/4 inch of
> one connection to pull out.
>
> I'd like to come at it from the back side. The difficulty with that is
> that the entire back unit is sealed with some sort of foam material,
> presumably expanding heat resistant foam.
>
> Does anyone know what that foam might be and where to get some?
>
> Does anyone know if I cut away the foam on the junction box where the
> wires for the heating unit are whether that box is screwed in or riveted
> in?
>

1-800-489-1581, Masterbuilt product support. They can give you info and
parts on your unit.

If the connections are in a location where they are constantly heating
and cooling they can eventually loosen up. Good lock washers or solder
would help. Make certain that the connections are completely clean. The
soot you see is caused by electrical arcing, and will increase the
resistance across the connection possibly shortening the life of the
heater element.

Don't lose faith! Stuff happens with electrical devices.

Dave T.