Every barbeque enthusiast knows how important a good smoker is.
A lot of the time, smokers come with BBQ machines themselves.
So, a separate smoker isn’t always needed.
Whether you’re buying a separate smoker or not, you must admit that Masterbuilt smokers are above other smokers.
A kink of the Masterbuilt smokers is the controllers.
They come separately, and many people get confused about what controller they should pick, 4-pin or 5-pin.
The main difference between the Masterbuilt 4 vs. 5-pin controller is the compatibility range.
Masterbuilt 4-pin controllers are compatible with more models than the 5-pin ones.
4-pin controllers are primarily compatible with older models.
Then comes the build and ease of use.
Masterbuilt 4-pin controllers are a little more analog-ish.
The 5-pin controller is ahead in this department as it comes with its sleeker and better UI design.
The 5-pin controller takes a little more work to set up as compared to 4 pin controller.
What other differences do they have? Let’s take a deeper look.
The Background and Basics
Before we get to the differences, here is a short background run on both types of controllers.
It will help you understand the difference better.
Masterbuilt 4-pin Controller
Masterbuilt 4-pin controllers are probably the more common one of the two types.
This controller has only one connecting wire.
It connects to the smoker directly so you won’t need any extra parts.
The connecting pin for the machine has 4-pins on it.
As you can guess, this is why the controller is called a 4-pin controller.
There are multiple controller models with this design.
When getting a controller for your smoker, ensure you’re getting the correct model.
The 4-pin controllers usually have a small analog-ish design.
It has a pretty sturdy build. There are multiple buttons so you can control the time and temperature well.
This controller doesn’t come with an LED screen, so you’ll probably have to squint a little to see the data, especially when you’re mid-smoking.
The 4-pin controllers are easier to connect than the 5-pin ones too.
You’ll have a fully detailed instruction manual with the controller, so you won’t have to worry about it.
The 4-pin models are usually interchangeable; you’ll have to make sure to check the models first.
As awesome as that sounds, there is a slight problem with the 4-pin controllers.
They’re usually used for old models, so you’ll have trouble finding newer controls.
Your only way of getting your hands on a control might be the official Masterbuilt website.
You should probably brace yourself for the big discontinued seal if you have a pretty old smoker and need a 4-pin control.
Masterbuilt 5-pin Controllers
The Masterbuilt 5-pin controller is a little less standard but very versatile.
This controller has two connecting wires.
One goes to the machine and the other to the probe.
The probe doesn’t come with the controller package, so you’ll have to buy an extra part.
The connecting pin for the machine has 5-pins on it.
It is why the controller is called a 5-pin controller, like its brother, the 4-pin controller.
There’s only one design for a 5-pin controller, so you won’t have to worry about getting confused.
Just ensure you’re getting the correct model when getting a controller for your smoker.
The design for this controller is much more sleek and stylish.
The controller has a high-quality build; you can feel it when you pick it up.
The 5-pin controller model has more buttons so that you can control your BBQ sessions better.
This controller doesn’t come with an LED screen, so you’ll probably have to squint a little to see the data, especially when you’re mid-smoking.
The controllers also come with LED display screens, so you won’t have trouble seeing them mid-smoking.
The 5-pin controller can feel complicated to connect, but you’ll get help doing it.
There’s a nicely detailed instruction manual with the controllers, so you won’t have to worry about messing the wiring up.
Unfortunately, the 5-pin models aren’t interchangeable, so you’ll have to be extra careful while buying one.
The 5-pin controller is also mostly compatible with newer models.
The perk? This controller is usually never out of stock.
So, you won’t have to wait forever to get your hands on it.
Is Your Masterbuilt Display Not Working? Then Find Here Easy Fixes!
Masterbuilt 4-pin vs. 5-pin Controller: Here’re The Differences!
The most significant difference between the two controllers would be compatibility.
But some other differences like build and ease of use cause these two to stand separately.
Let’s see what these differences are.
Compatibility
4-pin and 5-pin controllers come in different models.
It means they’re compatible with a bunch of other models.
4-pin controllers are compatible with more models than the 5-pin ones.
4-pin controllers are primarily compatible with older models.
For example, the 990050048 4-pin controller part goes with the ESQ30B and ESQ30S models.
It also goes with other models like 20070106, 20070108, 20070407, 20075516, 20071407, 20077214, 70070106, 72070106, and 72070206.
The other model, the 9907160014, has another bunch of models it is compatible with.
This one is primarily compatible with the MB series.
It is followed by the 20071117, 20071217, 21071218, 20071317, 20071417, 20072318, and the 20074517 model.
Since the 5-pin controller is mostly compatible with newer models, its “range” is smaller than the 4-pin ones.
The replacement part, 9907100001, is compatible with a bunch of smokers.
It includes the 20070211, 20070311, 20070411, 20070714, 20070911, 20071011, 20071111, 20071311 and 20071411 models.
There’s more; you can use this specific model with the 20072514, 20072614, 20072714, 20072218, 20072618, 21072218, 21072618, and surprisingly with the MB20072916 model.
Build
4-pin controllers are a little more analog-ish.
The 5-pin controller is ahead in this department with its sleeker and better UI design.
The 990050048 4-pin model is probably the most ancient-looking controller of these three.
It’s square, bulky, and has fewer control options.
The screen is a standard digital display, so there is no LED.
If you want to check the reading mid-smoke, you’ll probably have to go a lot closer and still squint.
The 9907160014 4-pin model has the same design as its older brother but in a different setting.
The screen on this is the same old basic digital one, and the buttons still have only two control options.
The only difference between these two controller models is the button placement.
The 5-pin model has an LED screen, so you won’t have to squint around it.
The buttons are placed better, and the whole controller is sleeker than the 4-pin ones.
You can also use the buttons to light up the screen.
Configuration
The 4-pin controllers are easy to use but have fewer control options.
You can only control the time and temperature with them.
The 5-pin controller, on the other hand, has more control options, including a meat probe.
On the flip side, the 5-pin controller needs an extra part (the meat probe) to set it up.
The 4-pin controllers directly connect to the smoker and don’t need spare parts.
Ease of Use
The 4-pin controllers are easier to use if you’re talking about connection because they don’t have any extra wiring.
The 5-pin controller, on the other hand, takes a little more work to set up.
None of these is complicated, though; you can follow the instruction manual and get it done.
But if you’re talking about temperature and time, the 5-pin controller is easier to use to control these.
Availability
5-pin controllers are much easier to find because they’re compatible with newer models.
The 4-pin models aren’t out of order yet, but sometimes it will take some hard searching before you can get your hands on one of them.
Even the official manufacturer can ask for time if your controller is for an old model.
Related Questions
Is the Masterbuilt control panel remote any good?
The remote assistance of Masterbuilt comes with many flaws compared to the digital panel.
But as far as for the outdoor application, it is a breeze.
However you cannot use it as an alternate to the real control panel.
How do you sync a remote to a Masterbuilt smoker?
The process of syncing a remote control to masterbilt smoker is very easy.
Just press and hit on the temp button.
After that, you will hear a beep sound.
In this way you can sync a remote to your Masterbuilt smoker.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, differences between the Masterbuilt 4-pin and 5-pin controller.
Both controllers have their own benefits going on for them, but the most significant factor here is compatibility.
Make sure to check and see if the controller is compatible with your smoker, and you’re good!
Source:
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/masterbuilt-4-vs-5-pin-contoller.301979/
