I am getting a EEAF fault code and the smoker will not heat. What is wrong?

Just guessing, but sounds like the thermostat is bad or the sensor inside the smoker is cracked a little and when it gets hot it expands enough to break connection to the control unit.

Hi sally mako...
Make sure your breaker is strong enough to handle the ampreage draw of the smoker element.
Try a different receptical with a known larger breaker...
If still kicks the breaker, then remove the electric plug from the receptical and check all connections on the element and controls to make sure they are not corroded or broken and shorting out.
Please take time to rate me

If nothing else is tripping your GFCI, then there is a short somewhere in the wiring of the smoker. Check the female connector you had to replace, as well as that particular to see if you can detect any melting of the insulation or a bad connection of the other end.

Typically, electric smokers use high heat resistor wiring. So, something in the wiring is not like it should be. Or it may be the heating element itself. If it's still under warranty contact the manufactirer.

If the internal temp is less than 40 F you will get his code. Warm up the heat sensing probe and it should work just fine. If not here is the contact number: MASTERBUILT Customer Service at 1-800-489-1581
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Kelly

The manual said to unplug the smoker and wait 10 secs and then plug it back in. I tried that and it did not solve the problem. However, I did leave it plugged in with that error code while I was searching the web for an answer. Over the next 5 min or so, the error code went away and my smoker started heating up as if it had no issues.

The solution may be to just let it sit for a few min and then it will begin on its own. The only variable I can think of is that I am smoking in cold conditions for the first time. It may be the case that since the smoker was outside in single digit temperatures, that may have triggered the error code. Who knows, in any case, I am back to smoking for Thanksgiving. Crisis averted.

Internal Temp is below 40 degrees. To remedy this, take a hair dryer, and heat up the heat sensor until it is above 40 dgrees. The unit should start to heat up. Keep it on the sensor until the unit is heating for a minute or two, it should stay on after that.

Get a voltmeter or multi-tester, test power to the element. If there is power, then heating element is bad. If not power to the element, then temp sensor or control board may be bad.

How true: I love this smoker but until the heating element doesn't work. I am on my 3rd one now. Each have had the heating element go out. Luckily the 1st 2 smokers I took back to where I purchased them and they "Cabalas" gave me a new one "NO questions asked". Now I have this 3rd smoker. Guess what! Not heating again. I decided to take this thing apart myself and investigate the problem. Since the unit is all sealed I need a Drill, dremal cutting tool to open up the backside to get at the heating element and wiring. What I found was that the CONNECTOR to the heating element was BURNED up. All wiring was fine! I believe MasterBuilt is not putting in a high enough temp connector and also the connector looks to me of dissimilar metal which will cause metal breakdown when heated. I then went to Ace Hardware and found some High temp connectors and replaced the originals. All working now!
My friend has the same smoker with the same problem ... He called Masterbuilt and got the song and dance and how much it would cost to fix - so went out and purchased a Different Brand. Knowing that I had fixed my smoker I ask him if I could take his apart .... Well and behold ..... It had the same CONNECTOR problem. I wish I had my 1st 2 smokers back to check those out also. But my theory is that they also had the same problem.
Here is 1 more problem I have seen with this Smoker ... I store my smoker on my deck all seasons (covered up when not in use). During the winter when it is cold out my smoker control panel will not come on. It always works when it was warm out. So what I have found is if I take the control panel off and bring it inside to warm up .... Then reinstall it all works fine! My theory is that the control panel has a liquid crystal that is freezing causing it not to work.

I just bought a new Masterbuilt Smoker by default two weeks ago I borrowed a friend’s to smoke about 30lb. of Salmon to then can. Ran the smoker every day for three day. ON my last batch the heating element would not work. Talk about Frustrated! The Smoker was only 2 yrs. old.

Knowing I borrowed I felt I had to replace. So online to Cabelas and I ordered my buddy a new smoker and had it shipped. I then found this website... GOT TO LOVE the internet. I saw many other people had the same problem. Found an Answer...

The Problem was one of the connector to the heating element was poor quality and if you don't clean your smoker on a regular basis. The heat and moister caused the small copper connector to corrode and the wire to come loose. I took a wood chisel and cut off all the rivets on the back. I was then able to pull the back off with no damage and access the small box in the lower back. I found the connector. Went to the hardware store and bought a replacement for .75 cents. A pair of wire crimpers and the problem was fixed. I also bought ½ inch Sheet metal screws to secure the back it was good as new. So I returned the smoker to my buddy and kept the new one. When it arrived I saw Masterbuilt has since fixed the problem and provided an access panel to the element and connectors.

Mike in Alaska

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I have used the charbroil bullet electric H2O smokers for years (wore 2 out - currently on my 3rd). I won't use anything else (having used many, many others - HOWEVER - as with every product made there are things to watch or overcome. Learn to use it properly and look forward to many years of great BBQ.

Ambient (outside) air temp below 70 (depending on wind also) will affect these smokers drastically - highly recomend getting or making a "smoker blanket" (got mine at cabelas years back - if you can't find one welding blankets from an industrial supply store can be made into one) to insulate the sides - this drastically reduces heat loss and reduces the electrical load.

Another MAJOR mistake many people make is extension cords - avoid the use of them at all if possible - if not possible then purchase the heaviest gauge you can find.

Always pre-heat your smoker - Always use boiling water (or other liquid) in the H2O pan added after smoker is pre-heated - Always minimize opening the smoker once cooking has begun.

The heater element can be cleaned when cold with a very mild detergent and room temp water.

If you have the large 2 rack but are only smoking enough to use a small amount of rack space on only one rack remember that you are heating a whole lot of air - i have a couple (different size) wood boxes wrapped in foil to take up excess air space - this means less air volume to be heated and better heat control - DO NOT use cardboard boxes or other low temp combustable items in the box construction!

Make sure the house outlet you are plugging into is a 3-prong GROUNDED outlet.

Finally, make sure your smoker is level and remember there can be up to a 20 degree cooking temp swing in temp between the bottom rack and top rack (top rack 5-20 degrees hotter than bottom).

The heater element will cycle on and off during normal use.

Good smoking and enjoy.