MES40 on its seasoning rub!

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msuman

Fire Starter
Original poster
Feb 2, 2012
50
10
Lucedale, MS
Got my new MES put together and its now seasoning. It heated up fairly quickly according to its temp controller. However, I'm halfway through the 3 hour run at 275° and according to my maverick its only at 241. That's got me a bit concerned. I know there are some problems with them but was hoping to be able to get hotter than that. I'm planning on smoking a but in the morning to break it in.

Is there a perfered rack to use? Guess the higher the better since heat rises.

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I have a MES30 and a Maverick ET-732. I trust the Maverick more than the temp gauge on my MES30. The closer to the burner the hotter the temp. On my MES it doesn't seem to matter much which rack that I use when smoking.
 
Just finished the seasoning run and the Max temp on my maverick was 251. So about 24° lower than what the controller was reading.

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Just finished the seasoning run and the Max temp on my maverick was 251. So about 24° lower than what the controller was reading.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Were you using an extension cord, or plugged directly into the socket?
 
 
Just finished the seasoning run and the Max temp on my maverick was 251. So about 24° lower than what the controller was reading.
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That's what mine does also. I'm closer to 20° off and that is using a Maverick ET-732 with the probe 1" away from the one in the MES.

I was told it was a problem with the unit and to cut the cord off and send it and the serial label off the back and they would replace the unit. I felt it was too much of a hassle so I just live with it. I just can't cook above 250°. I'm not happy about it but that's the way it is.
 
It was plugged directly into the outlet.

One thing that concerns me is that the door seal doesn't fully seal in one place. On the bottom left corner there is a little gap between the body and the seal. I tightened up the latch but it didn't fully seal it. I didn't feel any heat coming out down there but I know there has to be some escaping.

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Just finished the seasoning run and the Max temp on my maverick was 251. So about 24° lower than what the controller was reading.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
That's what mine does also. I'm closer to 20° off and that is using a Maverick ET-732 with the probe 1" away from the one in the MES.


I was told it was a problem with the unit and to cut the cord off and send it and the serial label off the back and they would replace the unit. I felt it was too much of a hassle so I just live with it. I just can't cook above 250°. I'm not happy about it but that's the way it is.

They want you to cut the power cord off and send it back? That's kinda odd.

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I contacted customer service and asked for a new controller for the top of the unit. I told them from the experience of other people on this forum, that seems to be the problem. MES told me that it had to be a wiring issue inside the walls of the box chamber. They are willing to ship the box, without the door or ANY OTHER parts included. It's just a stripped down box without the door, etc....

I thought about it and looked at the unit and saw how much reverse engineering would be required to tear it all apart and put it back together with parts that are smoked up and seasoned and felt it was not worth the trouble.

I wanted to use this unit all the time but I have found it is left for only occassions like rain, high wind etc. Otherwise I use my other smokers.

Oh, I found the email from customer service:

Mr. WC,

We will be replacing your smoker body under warranty.  Please cut off the power cord and remove the silver data plate (with your model  & serial # on it) from the back of your smoker and mail them to:

Masterbuilt Customer Service

Attn: SR11-DC049, Amanda

1 Masterbuilt Court

Columbus, GA 31907

Once I receive those items, the replacement body kit will be shipped out via FedEx or UPS.  Please do not discard anything as you will need to transfer your door, control panel, and all internal components (ie: water bowl, grates, etc) to the new body.
 
I hate your having problems with yours. I've read great things about these.

I tightened up the door latch more and the bottom corner is sealed better now. Just didn't want to get it to tight. I've got it preheating now for its first smoke.

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Mr. WC,

We will be replacing your smoker body under warranty.  Please cut off the power cord and remove the silver data plate (with your model  & serial # on it) from the back of your smoker and mail them to:


 I would have found a similar power cord at home depot or lowes or even an electrical supply house, cut it and send that plus the serial number plate.  Never hurts to have a backup smoker, you can replace the control with aftermarket as well as the heat elements and sensors.
 
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