sm025 vs sm025 elite

Since the SM025 (non-elite) is apparently a discontinued model, this is probably best answered by CS customer service. They are very knowledgeable and very helpful.

Ok, online they are both available. 

I chose to buy the 025 Smokette Elite because of the digital controls and the probe. They work very well and are very consistent, maybe + or - 2° Thought I read a post here that the non-Elite could fluctuate + or - 10° 

Hamr1, so the fluctuation you see after heated to remp is +- 2 degrees thats great. Alot of smokers turn on the burner then the temp can go up 40 degrees and cycle back down to the set temp that's what I'm trying to avoid since I will be smoking venison sausage.

That said I've had it about 2-3 months now.  I will have to see how it does in cold months,  Minnesota cold! Others have said they still perform well because they are well insulated. 

I think the controller on my SM066 is very similar to the SM025 Elite, and I also see about +/- 2 degrees. I can actually hear the controller cycling on/off and it seems the cycles are every 15 seconds or so. I'm not aware of how CS implements this in the electronics. Of course, the startup cycle is full-on for the first 30 minutes or so, so you will get some initial overshoot (assuming again that the two controllers are similar).  My SM066 performs the same whether it is 20 degrees outside or 90 degrees.

You should be aware that the CS electric smokers are very tightly sealed, with only a small vent hole in the top, so you may have to take steps to reduce the humidity when smoking sausage, like periodically opening the door, which will of course affect temp stability somewhat.