Officially an MES 40 First Genertion Smoker Owner!!! Advice

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dietz777

Fire Starter
Original poster
Apr 24, 2013
30
10
The first thing I will be doing is ordering an AMNPS from Todd. I am as green as they come on smoking meat so any advice would help. My first smoke will be a few racks of ribs and a chicken.  Any advice on getting my feet wet with a new smoker for a first time cook? I know there are a lot of MES owners out there that know the tricks and ways to set this bad boy up for success. Do you guys use Wood or buy the dust from Todd, how does that work exactly? Do I actually need a small torch to fire this thing up? Is the thermometer built in a piece of crap,if so what is a good one to buy that is a easy set up and accurate? 
 
My internal thermometer seems pretty accurate, but some do report variations. I still have the Maverick remote unit. Todd sells it.

The AMNPS burns pellets. The best I have found are also avail from Todd.

Yes, you need some kind of torch to get it going. I also use a heat gun to speed up the process.

You also may want a cover, so here is really good one for you.
 
 
The first thing I will be doing is ordering an AMNPS from Todd. I am as green as they come on smoking meat so any advice would help. My first smoke will be a few racks of ribs and a chicken.  Any advice on getting my feet wet with a new smoker for a first time cook? I know there are a lot of MES owners out there that know the tricks and ways to set this bad boy up for success. Do you guys use Wood or buy the dust from Todd, how does that work exactly? Do I actually need a small torch to fire this thing up? Is the thermometer built in a piece of crap,if so what is a good one to buy that is a easy set up and accurate? 
Since you have A MES 40 Gen #1, you're getting an AMNPS, and probably a Maverick ET-732, you might want to check my Step by Steps out (Below). They all came from that same kind of equipment.

Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

Bear
 
Yep...get the proper gear suggested above and follow the 'Bear' tracks.....I followed many of his years ago when first learning until confident to fly solo.....best of luck. Oh, be sure to road test Mrs. Bears Chiffon Pie (jus' sayin')......Willie
 
 
Yep...get the proper gear suggested above and follow the 'Bear' tracks.....I followed many of his years ago when first learning until confident to fly solo.....best of luck. Oh, be sure to road test Mrs. Bears Chiffon Pie (jus' sayin')......Willie
LOL---Thanks Willie-------Also I read that to Mrs Bear----She got a kick out of that.

Hmmmm I'm about due for a Raspberry Chiffon Pie, myself!!

Bear
 
You will love your new MES. I have had mine for 3 years and it's still working great. I also use Todd's pellet smoker and the maverick remote thermo. Nothing better than kicking back with a cold one and watching the thin blue smoke! You can't go wrong following Bear's advice when it comes to using the MES. Good luck and happy smokin!

Clay
 
 
awwww....isn't that cool....Hey, credit where credit is due, right?.....and, roger that on the due for another pie here as well....Willie
My wild Wine Berries should be ripening around the edges of my yard soon. They work Great in that pie of hers.

Bear
 
Thanks everyone, appreciate the advice. My parts have arrived from Todd; AMNPS and the Maverick ET-732, now I just have configure them. What would be an easier first smoke to start learning that is relatively cheap and easy to do?
 
 
Thanks everyone, appreciate the advice. My parts have arrived from Todd; AMNPS and the Maverick ET-732, now I just have configure them. What would be an easier first smoke to start learning that is relatively cheap and easy to do?
My first smoke in my MES was a chicken, Then country style pork ribs.
 
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