Masterbuilt Smokers (Bear’s Thoughts & Findings)

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thanks... another stupid question.... I realize this is based on not knowing how I would actually use this, and neither do I (my son and 5 little ones under 8 in my house) - I found a 40" bt at Sams $59. more.  Is the additional size from the 30" worth it?​

Thanks again.... getting so close to my FINAL decision :-)

Jill
I don't like to spend other people's money, but I would say a 40" is worth at least $100 more than a 30".

I didn't like cutting rib racks in half, or Briskets, but I made 10 pounds of Bear Sticks when I had my MES 30, and could only get 7 pounds on my racks.

And when I make Bacon, there's only so many directions I can turn the pieces to get them to fit on each rack.

Consider that I never use the bottom rack, because it's too close to the heat source.

Bear
 
 
Question for you watt burners, Isn't cycling what an electric unit does ?  temps drops down, heating element kicks on, heats back up and goes off. I am a old stick burner and have been for over 40 years. I can control the temps on my RF pretty darn good, but if I open the CC door, temp drops, if I open the FB door temps spike up, but they settle back in just a few min. Never effected my smokes at all. And what I am reading 4º to 8º shouldn't be a problem at all, If I had a MES and those numbers were what I was getting I'd be tickled to death.   But i'm not a watt burner

Gary
Exactotically (New word).  4° to 8° is Awesome!!!

Bear
 
 
Bear, with regard to the MES 40 Bluetooth, any comments on the quality of the controls?  Anything other than temperature inside the box?
Everything on this Gen #2.5 works Great !!!

Like I said though, I can't vouch for the Bluetooth as of yet.

I don't really need it, but I might get something from my Son that works with it.

Bear
 
 
Anyone have a model # for the BT?

Is this it?


  • 41csb%2BZiCIL._SS40_.jpg
  • 41FnclS4frL._SS40_.jpg
  • 41MRhJ%2B46YL._SS40_.jpg


  • 81iUgaJ%2BwEL._SY450_.jpg

Roll over image to zoom in
      

[h1]Masterbuilt 20070115 Bluetooth Smart Digital Electric Smoker, 40-Inch[/h1]

by Masterbuilt

    24 customer reviews
 
4 answered questions

List Price:$499.95
Price:$493.40  & FREE ShippingDetails
You Save:$6.55 (1%)

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.


Want it Thursday, Oct. 8? Order within 20 hrs 9 mins  and choose Standard Shipping  at checkout.Details

Size: 40-Inch

  • 30-Inch

    $360.57
  •  

  • 40-Inch

    $493.40
That is the one, but don't buy it from Amazon as there are cheaper prices out there. Bass Pro Shops like the one  Bear tested is is $429 .... Sams has ones like Amazon has plus Sams has legs on it and it is $329.
 
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Reactions: Bamabww
YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!  THANKS SO MUCH.  I AM going to sams club which is where I found the 40" bt  for $329.  Ive looked everywhere and that was pretty cheap.  They better have it in stock like it say :-)

guess you will now find me on another forum trying to figure out how to smoke
 
 
Anyone have a model # for the BT?

Is this it?


  • 41csb%2BZiCIL._SS40_.jpg
  • 41FnclS4frL._SS40_.jpg
  • 41MRhJ%2B46YL._SS40_.jpg


  • 81iUgaJ%2BwEL._SY450_.jpg

Roll over image to zoom in
      

[h1]Masterbuilt 20070115 Bluetooth Smart Digital Electric Smoker, 40-Inch[/h1]

by Masterbuilt

    24 customer reviews
 
4 answered questions

List Price:$499.95
Price:$493.40  & FREE ShippingDetails
You Save:$6.55 (1%)

In Stock.

Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.


Want it Thursday, Oct. 8? Order within 20 hrs 9 mins  and choose Standard Shipping  at checkout.Details

Size: 40-Inch

  • 30-Inch

    $360.57
  •  

  • 40-Inch

    $493.40
This one appears to have only 4 racks.
 
 
thanks... another stupid question.... I realize this is based on not knowing how I would actually use this, and neither do I (my son and 5 little ones under 8 in my house) - I found a 40" bt at Sams $59. more.  Is the additional size from the 30" worth it?​

Thanks again.... getting so close to my FINAL decision :-)

Jill
 Jill, if you can do it, it's ABSOLUTELY worth the extra $$$ IMO.  Gives you a lot more options for smoking larger hunks of meet like ribs or a brisket.  You can also put 2 butts on the same rack rather than on different racks in the 30.  I have 2 MES 30 Gen 1.  One is just for fish.  I also have the MES 40.  It's worth it in my opinion.
 
 
YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!  THANKS SO MUCH.  I AM going to sams club which is where I found the 40" bt  for $329.  Ive looked everywhere and that was pretty cheap.  They better have it in stock like it say :-)

guess you will now find me on another forum trying to figure out how to smoke
thats the one i got, from sams with a stand for 329. 20070215. awesome smoker. the bluetooth works for me about 30 feet in a straight line but it suits me fine.
 
Well, Bear, yours works better than mine. My main complaint is that the MES smoker temp is off almost 30* the wrong way. To get my maverick to read 230, I have to dial in 260. That okay for low-n-slow, but for chicken it's kind of a bumbed not being able to get smoker temp of over 245.

My temp swing is about 10 degrees each way.

The other thing I've noticed, is that when my smoker is empty, the lest and right sides are very close. But then it's loaded, the left side is about 10 degrees cooler.

Maybe I need a new controller?

But I still love my MES 40 BT :yahoo:
 
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thanks... another stupid question.... I realize this is based on not knowing how I would actually use this, and neither do I (my son and 5 little ones under 8 in my house) - I found a 40" bt at Sams $59. more.  Is the additional size from the 30" worth it?​

Thanks again.... getting so close to my FINAL decision :-)

Jill
Definitely get the 40. 
 
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YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!  THANKS SO MUCH.  I AM going to sams club which is where I found the 40" bt  for $329.  Ive looked everywhere and that was pretty cheap.  They better have it in stock like it say :-)

guess you will now find me on another forum trying to figure out how to smoke
Don't worry Jill,

We'll be here to help you

Here's a whole bunch of Step by Steps for smoking with an MES:

Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

Bear
 
Well, Bear, yours works better than mine. My main complaint is that the MES smoker temp is off almost 30* the wrong way. To get my maverick to read 230, I have to dial in 260. That okay for low-n-slow, but for chicken it's kind of a bumbed not being able to get smoker temp of over 245.

My temp swing is about 10 degrees each way.

The other thing I've noticed, is that when my smoker is empty, the lest and right sides are very close. But then it's loaded, the left side is about 10 degrees cooler.

Maybe I need a new controller?

But I still love my MES 40 BT
yahoo.gif
Maybe you do need a new controller.

I don't know how long you have yours, but you paid to get a smoker that can get to 275°.

If you have to set it to 260° to get to 230° that means set at 275° will only get you 245°.

A 10° swing each way isn't bad, but a Max of 245° just isn't right !!

That 10° cooler on the left only when there's meat in is not a problem with the smoker itself.

Bear
 
 
YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!  THANKS SO MUCH.  I AM going to sams club which is where I found the 40" bt  for $329.  Ive looked everywhere and that was pretty cheap.  They better have it in stock like it say :-)

guess you will now find me on another forum trying to figure out how to smoke
Jill make sure you get the 3 year extended warranty for $30.  Its a no brainer.
 
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Reactions: Bamabww
 
Great review and should help a lot of people that are wanting a MES.
Thank You Adam!!

And Thanks for the Point !!

Bear
 
That is some super good information, You have taken the time to do the testing and write it down for everyone as well as help Masterbuilt make a better unit.
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Gary
Thanks Gary!!

I'm glad I got those changes done on this one. I know 6 years ago I was saying, "If I was one of these guys who cut & drill holes in their smokers, I'd move that top vent from the right to the left to balance the heat out." Now I know It really does work!!

And Thanks for the Point, Gary!!

Bear
 
I've loved my 40"BT since I bought it. My biggest problem with temp swings was doing summer sausage when it would run up to 190 on the swing when I was trying to keep things under 180 and I was set at 170 - normally at higher temp settings it doesn't run that far past. But for my ribs, chucks tenderloins and everything thing else, the bit of swing has had negligible effect on the smoke. The BT is poor (regarding distance) but enough to reach my back office so I can follow my meat ITs without running outside. The accuracy of the meat probe vs my other probe has been close enough to be comfortable with it alone.....
 
Well, Bear, yours works better than mine. My main complaint is that the MES smoker temp is off almost 30* the wrong way. To get my maverick to read 230, I have to dial in 260. That okay for low-n-slow, but for chicken it's kind of a bumbed not being able to get smoker temp of over 245.

My temp swing is about 10 degrees each way.

The other thing I've noticed, is that when my smoker is empty, the lest and right sides are very close. But then it's loaded, the left side is about 10 degrees cooler.

Maybe I need a new controller?

But I still love my MES 40 BT
yahoo.gif
Mine is the same Steve ...even on sides when empty, but loaded it is 10-15 degrees cooler on the left side

When empty, the temps of Maverick and controller are close, but when  loaded with say 4 racks of ribs in a rib rack, I have to run mine @ 250* to get 230*
 
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That is all you will ever need. Few if anyone ever uses 6 racks.
I know I'll never use 6 racks at once.

It could come in handy though if I do 2 Double Smoked Hams, because there are 6 positions of rack hangers, so I can put my perforated "Fat Drip Pan" on the top position. Then Skip one to make room for a Ham, Then another Drip Pan, Then skip another one for the second Ham.  Couldn't do that with a 4 position rack smoker.

Plus I may use the #6 position for my AMNPS.  All kinds of options here.

Bear
 
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