New MES Bluetooth Digital smoker
- Thread starter parrot-head
- Start date
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lightsandsirens
Newbie
It's amazing how much you can learn on this forum!!! Thanks to all in this thread in helping me make a decision on the MES 40!
tjwheels
Fire Starter
I was thinking the same thing, I had lurked around the site for a few months and finally joined when I decided to replace my current smoker. There is a lot of helpful people with plenty of great advice. Good luck with your choice!
tjwheels
Fire Starter
Bearcarver - your comment got me to thinking about the chamber temperature and how much it could vary, so today I decided to put it to the test. I used an iGrill2 with the ambient temperature probe. I did the ice water, boiling water test and hit 32 degrees and 209/210 degrees (210.532 is boiling point in my location). The water pan was empty and covered with foil and vent was open all the way. I set my temperature on the smoker to 235 degrees and put the iGrill2 ambient probe on the second shelf back middle for the tip was about a 1/4 inch from the smoker chamber thermometer tip. They both hit 235 degrees within a second of each other. Now on to the test, I took 27 measurements on the bottom, middle and top racks (9 on each rack). For each reading I would put the probe in a location and make sure the smoker temp dropped below 220 degrees. As soon as the smoker hit 235 degrees I would document the iGrill2 temp and move on. I'm not sure what to think of all these numbers but here they are.
I color coded them as follows; Green = within 5 degrees of 235, Blue = more than 5 degrees lower that 235, Yellow = 241 to 255, Orange = 256 - 275 and Red = greater than 275.
Thanks TJ !!
I appreciate the tests, and that is a help.
Those numbers are interesting, and it looks like the right side, especially the back right is the hottest, like in other MES models, even though the top vent is on the left side of the top.
However those quick shots of measurements like that don't really show the important part. That would be the temps at different points, once the smoker cycles a few times & settles in to the long time setting.
How fast a spot gets to a certain temp isn't as important as how the different points compare after the smoker settles in for the long smoke.
I generally put a probe about 4" from the left & 4" from the right, both on the second shelf. Then I set it for 230°.
Then I'll take a reading from each of those probes, along with the MES digital reading every 15 minutes for 2 or 3 hours.
That's how I know my heat sensor I use in the bottom right of my Gen #1 works good, because I am able to raise or lower that to even out those measurements.
Bear
I appreciate the tests, and that is a help.
Those numbers are interesting, and it looks like the right side, especially the back right is the hottest, like in other MES models, even though the top vent is on the left side of the top.
However those quick shots of measurements like that don't really show the important part. That would be the temps at different points, once the smoker cycles a few times & settles in to the long time setting.
How fast a spot gets to a certain temp isn't as important as how the different points compare after the smoker settles in for the long smoke.
I generally put a probe about 4" from the left & 4" from the right, both on the second shelf. Then I set it for 230°.
Then I'll take a reading from each of those probes, along with the MES digital reading every 15 minutes for 2 or 3 hours.
That's how I know my heat sensor I use in the bottom right of my Gen #1 works good, because I am able to raise or lower that to even out those measurements.
Bear
lightsandsirens
Newbie
Finally made it over to Cabelas yesterday. Looks like their MES 40 bluetooth does have the 1200 watt heating element. Website description must have been a typo. Box says it comes with a cover and 1 sausage hanger as well. Thanks TJ for posting your heat test results. Bear, thanks for your input as well. I will use that method when I decide which model to purchase.
Thanks for that info, L&S !!
LOL----That's what I said earlier:
Number 1----------800 watts could be a typo.
And Number 2------------I doubted there was anything dubious on Cabelas part.
Right on both counts.
Bear
Last edited:
bmaddox
Master of the Pit
That is a great point Bear. I notice on my MES that the temp variance from the MES reading and my Maverick gets closer together the longer the unit is running. Mine heats past the set point (about 40 degrees past) the first few times the elements cycles on.
Yup----The longer the run (up or down), the farther it coasts past the set point.
That's why sometimes if I want to go to 230°, I'll set it for 210°. Then after it's done coasting past 210°, I'l reset it for 230°. Takes the big over-run away.
Bear
tjwheels
Fire Starter
My only negatives (after three smokes) are; 1. adding chips during a long smoke. However, I read where this one can be over come with an AMNPS (which I ordered the day after my pork butt smoke) and 2. I would not buy this model simply for the Bluetooth, the range is terrible. I would say 20-25 feet line of sight and if you take it inside you better be closer than that and only one wall between you and your cooker. Other than that I love the MES over my propane. I hated battling the cold and the wind to keep a steady temperature. When I put my pork butt on it was -1 degree and watched it drop to -6 by morning, never had a problem with my temps. Good Luck!
Finally made it over to Cabelas yesterday. Looks like their MES 40 bluetooth does have the 1200 watt heating element. Website description must have been a typo. Box says it comes with a cover and 1 sausage hanger as well. Thanks TJ for posting your heat test results. Bear, thanks for your input as well. I will use that method when I decide which model to purchase.
Thanks for those notes, TJ!!
If I end up with one of them, I'll probably mostly use the controls on the smoker.
I don't even have a cell phone anymore, but my Son said if I want, he could fix up an old one for me to use just the bluetooth, and no phone usage----No cost that way.
They should have an "MES remote" option, because my MES 40 Gen #1 remote has much better range than any of my Mavericks!!!
Bear
gotalotgoingon
Newbie
- Feb 1, 2015
- 18
- 18
I bought one from Bass Pro last Thursday but had to work this past weekend and today was the first chance I got to season it. I have had no problem with the MES connecting to my iPhone 6. I have been working in my basement, drywalling my storm shelter that has 8" concrete walls. I also have to go through two sets of standard walls and I never lost connection until I put my phone into my pocket. Once I took it back and got it reconnected (I stood in the shelter to reconnect) I never lost connection again. I would say that I was anywhere from 25-50 yards away in the basement at any given time.
lightsandsirens
Newbie
TJ, My first purchase will be an AMNPS and pellets. I've read that's the way to go with an MES. Let us know how it works out for you. Did your smoker come with the cover? Not a big deal for me, just wondering.
tjwheels
Fire Starter
Lights - I purchased mine at Bass Pro and there was no cover and no sausage holder, I've read that Cabala's overs a cover and sausage holder. Also, there is a coupon code for A-MAZE-N-SMOKER that saved me 20%. It expired on the 28th but I see it's still showing up on this site.
tjwheels
Fire Starter
Gotalot - I have only used it with my iPad 2 so maybe that is my problem (old technology). I have a Lumia 1520 phone that is Windows based and have great success with Bluetooth connections. But with that being said Masterbuilt does not offer an app for the Windows platform. I'll install the app on the kids iPhone 6 and see if I can have a little better success.
tjwheels
Fire Starter
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