Later MES Gen 2 question

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bikes blues bbq

Fire Starter
Original poster
Dec 13, 2010
34
12
Fulton, Missouri
The Bass Pro Shop Black Friday flyer has the MES 40 Sportsman Elite (w/ window) for $199.

I've read all the horror stories about the Gen. 2 which mostly discuss the 2012 models.  I am wondering if MB has made improvements in the later Gen 2s.  

I looked at one in the store today.  The model number is 20070315.  Looking inside, it appears to have the large oval drip pan like the one I have in my old Gen 1 rather than the drip pan/water pan in earlier Gen 2s.    

Can anyone shed any light on this before I buy one?  
 
This one had the flat top,  controller on the front, grease tray that comes out the front center, etc that lead me to believe it was a Gen 2.  Possibly, I "misremembered" the model number.     Maybe it was 2007305.  It also had 6 racks  

It did have the oval water pan though.    ?????
 
The 20070315 is the gen 1 stainless steel four rack smoker. It's one of the best out there. Masterbuilt did make improvements to the gen 2 but it's with the gen 2.5
 
This one had the flat top,  controller on the front, grease tray that comes out the front center, etc that lead me to believe it was a Gen 2.  Possibly, I "misremembered" the model number.     Maybe it was 2007305.  It also had 6 racks  

It did have the oval water pan though.    ?????
I have two 20070311 Mes  Gen 1 40 inch with window and SS  The 20070315 is the Mes Gen 2 with window and SS.  When I googled 20070315 it didn't even have the top vent.  Still o the side with front controller and hinged on the left. 

-Kurt
 
Last edited:
The 20070315 is the gen 1 stainless steel four rack smoker. It's one of the best out there. Masterbuilt did make improvements to the gen 2 but it's with the gen 2.5
 
The Bass Pro Shop Black Friday flyer has the MES 40 Sportsman Elite (w/ window) for $199.

I've read all the horror stories about the Gen. 2 which mostly discuss the 2012 models.  I am wondering if MB has made improvements in the later Gen 2s.  

I looked at one in the store today.  The model number is 20070315.  Looking inside, it appears to have the large oval drip pan like the one I have in my old Gen 1 rather than the drip pan/water pan in earlier Gen 2s.    

Can anyone shed any light on this before I buy one?  
I was informed there is no oval pan gen 2.  If there is an oval pan out there without the slant tray and small water pan, I would get it because it has their longer range RF controller.  Oval pan good, slant tray bad.  Especially if you go there and can open it up and inspect it.

-Kurt 
 
If it has the slanted drip "plate" that's higher on the right than the left, and a small water pan that hangs through a hole in that plate, I wouldn't buy it.

Anything they have with a full width oval water pan is a good one.

The one with the controls in a separate box that mounts on top is a Gen #1.

The Gen #2.5 comes bluetooth, and no RF remote.

Bear
 
Here's a pic from clicking on the smoker in the online circular.    Description says Model # is 20073012.      Seeing it in person, everything makes me think this is a Gen 2 except the oval drip pan.   Also the model number  in the store was different. (posts above)  Guess I'll have to get up early in the a.m. and go take another look.   The clerk a couple nights ago said they have 170 of them.   If I can spot a for sure Gen. 1,  I'll snatch it up!!
Can't tell for sure by that picture.

Bear
 
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