New MES Bluetooth Digital smoker

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The expanding foam insulation and no window on yours really kicks up the efficiency.

-Kurt
The exterior of the smoker gets quite hot.  Much more than I thought.  It will burn your hand if you hold it there.  It still seems to use very little electricity as is so its not a big deal.  But still, perhaps gen 3 could be much better insulated and use better foam. 
 
 
But still, perhaps gen 3 could be much better insulated and use better foam. 
That would make the unit more expensive, and based on your results would you really pay $50 or $100 more to save $0.10 every time you smoke? All smokers get hot too the touch, its just the nature of the game. 
 
 
That would make the unit more expensive, and based on your results would you really pay $50 or $100 more to save $0.10 every time you smoke? All smokers get hot too the touch, its just the nature of the game.
Actually, I have the new 40" Bluetooth and I can put my hand on the sides and top without getting burned, although I don't know why I would.

Five String
 
 
I would be curious to hear how others perform.  You can get a Kill-A-Watt meter for free from your local library.  Try it out and report back!
Your right I do have a couple of branch library locations that do have them to check out for free but they are currently checked out.  I have a buddy that is an electrical engineer that has all kinds of electrical gadgets and I'm sure he has one.  I've got the 1200 watt element that draws a decent amount of current (10 amps) but is still 675 watts lower than a hair dryer.  The long cycle to get the smoker up to temp probably uses a good amount of wattage you showed before it tapers off into short cycles with the insulation and the meat cooking.

-Kurt
 
Rick,
I have often wondered if you can really identify the different pellet flavors if you were blindfolded. I have the "perfect mix", hickory, apple, pit asters choice, etc.etc., and I guess I'm not that much of an expert to tell the difference. But...I keep experimenting based on the various recommends.
Dennis
Dennis, sometimes I add to the confusion by taking pellets I have left over in my AMNPS from a previous smoke and adding another wood that I want to impart the primary smoke flavor to whatever I'm cooking next. So, I might have a row of Pitmaster's Choice or mesquite and add some apple wood to it if I'm smoking baby backs. During the past few weeks I smoked a beef brisket and I smoked some baby backs and I'm not sure I could tell the difference in smoky flavors. What I do know is that, thanks to the AMNPS, the smoke enhanced both meats instead of overpowering them.
 
 
Toddlers!
Yeah, you're right. Didn't think of that right off the bat probably since I haven't had any in 45 years.
smile.gif


Five String
 
Dennis, sometimes I add to the confusion by taking pellets I have left over in my AMNPS from a previous smoke and adding another wood that I want to impart the primary smoke flavor to whatever I'm cooking next. So, I might have a row of Pitmaster's Choice or mesquite and add some apple wood to it if I'm smoking baby backs. During the past few weeks I smoked a beef brisket and I smoked some baby backs and I'm not sure I could tell the difference in smoky flavors. What I do know is that, thanks to the AMNPS, the smoke enhanced both meats instead of overpowering them.

I understand that. I was using the AMNPS 12 inch tube when Bear suggested I try the 5x8 AMNPS tray as it doesn't overpower the meat with smoke as the tube does. He was right about that. I'm going to try mixing some pellets that I have on hand for some smokes and I'd bet my wife or guests won't know what I used.[emoji]128518[/emoji]
Dennis
 
You won't be sorry, I promise. I have used JD only on pork. Never tried it on beef or chicken, but on pork it is great and even better yet if pork is rubbed with Butt Rub or Jeff Phillips "Texas Rub" ( not his advertised rub he sells recipes to, but another rub of his called "Texas Rub" of which we like much better than the recipe rub he sells )

Is the Texas Rub recipe in Jeff Phillip's book? I think I saw one in there but have not tried it yet.
Dennis
 
Guys, getting the hang of my MES 40 BT from Cabelas. I paired the Bluetooth and really love the functionality. I will report back soon with a review but so far I'm really liking it.
 
Is the Texas Rub recipe in Jeff Phillip's book? I think I saw one in there but have not tried it yet.
Dennis
Yes....... We like it better than the famous rub recipe he has sold for a long time, anyhow we do but can't speak for others.

We have also made his sauce and originally, it wasn't bad, but we didn't like it as well as a store purchased one one called "Head Country" made here in OK, so I started revising his mix and we now have the formula where we like it really well.
 
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I understand that. I was using the AMNPS 12 inch tube when Bear suggested I try the 5x8 AMNPS tray as it doesn't overpower the meat with smoke as the tube does. He was right about that. I'm going to try mixing some pellets that I have on hand for some smokes and I'd bet my wife or guests won't know what I used.[emoji]128518[/emoji]
Dennis
Was the tube filled with pellets?  I put one and a quarter cups of pellets (it fills up the 12" AMNPS about half way when standing on end) then hold it parallel to the ground and shake till the pellets are level all the way across.  It seems to produce a perfect amount of smoke in the MES and cold smoking in my Kamado.

-Kurt
 
Was the tube filled with pellets?  I put one and a quarter cups of pellets (it fills up the 12" AMNPS about half way when standing on end) then hold it parallel to the ground and shake till the pellets are level all the way across.  It seems to produce a perfect amount of smoke in the MES and cold smoking in my Kamado.
-Kurt

I haven't tried it quite like that. The tube works great, I may try your suggestion. The 5x8 also works great.
Dennis
 
I haven't tried it quite like that. The tube works great, I may try your suggestion. The 5x8 also works great.
Dennis
If you fill the Tube halfway to reduce the smoke output, you'll also cut the smoking time down quite a bit.

Since we're at a low altitude, I just use my AMNPS 100% of the time.

Bear
 
Just popping in to say hi. My pork butt came out PERFECT this past weekend. It was my first one ever and I cooked for 40 guests. There was nothing left - they devoured it. I received many compliments.

For a complete virgin, the MES 40 BT + AMPS is a total winner. Major 2 thumbs up. I can't say enough good things about this setup. Very happy guys. Thanks to everyone that helped me chose the right equipment.
 
Just popping in to say hi. My pork butt came out PERFECT this past weekend. It was my first one ever and I cooked for 40 guests. There was nothing left - they devoured it. I received many compliments.

For a complete virgin, the MES 40 BT + AMPS is a total winner. Major 2 thumbs up. I can't say enough good things about this setup. Very happy guys. Thanks to everyone that helped me chose the right equipment.
That's Great !!  Glad to hear all went well !!
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Thanks for the Report !!!

Bear
 
It's worth noting that I had an issue with my AMPS going out, but once I fixed the problem, it worked perfectly.  I did not have the chip loader pulled out far enough in the dump position.  Once I relit the AMPS, I looked inside the chip loader chamber to see what was going on.  When the loader is in the dump position, you can push it in only to a certain point, and pull it out only to a certain point as there are metal ridges that get caught.  What I did was find the exact middle point and from then onwards, the AMPS never went out and the smoke had the right consistency.  I had the AMPS propped off the bottom using the Cabelas sausage hanger which fits perfectly too.  Works great as a stand.  

Here, this was the right position:

 
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