Need to buy a quality smoker!

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The full pans will not fit any of the residential smokers that I'm aware of. As far as the controllers, they may have gotten a bad batch from their supplier. They will stand behind their products in such cases.

MB has one that looks very nice but unfortunately it's the Yugo of Smokers. Full pans will fit inside. Ok if I can't have one full pans fit in for $2500 what is the entry price range for one that will.  Other than commercial smokers what other smoker are y'all liking in the $2500 range. If I need to spend more for a quality set and forget smoker I probably can. Durability and longevity are very important at those price levels. I'm concerned with the high price of controllers when they fail. I'd appreciate any thoughts on that.

Is there a reason you have to use full pans in the smoker?

If I can use the hotel pans in the smoker I can use the smoker as a warming oven too. I have steam tables that I serve on. By keeping the smoker around 150 I can keep everything safely heated till time to put out on the steam tables. The smoke flavor the items like jalapeno poppers, grilled veggies and beans pick up only makes them better. The other items are already smoked so it doesn't effect them.

Also if I want to save the drippings it so much easier with the hotel pans.

If a hotel pan will fit I know that I can easily place two big butts side by side or the large racks of ribs or big briskets. 

Perhaps I should look at a used commercial unit?

It looks like if you want to stay with electric you'll have to go up to the 260 model to be able to fit full pans, or use one of the pellet smokers.

Thanks