Just found out that the 40" Masterbuilt Smoker/Glass window in door at Sam's Club does not come with a remote control. I am wondering how important those of you that have one find this Accessory?
Ditto.I bought a 40 MES at Sam's in April 2012 and it has a remote.
Got mine last November from Sam's and it came with a remote.
My biggest criticism of the MES is that the electronics are not designed as well as they might be. You cannot read the internal temp without turning the unit on so that the heating element comes on. That creates real problems trying to cold smoke. The ON/OFF button on the remote can be too easily tapped turning the unit off. I've done this my accident several times. After about 6 months, I now sync the remote when I turn the unit on and very carefully bring it in the house and set it on the table by my chair where IT CANNOT BE BUMPED.
There are several really good threads here on MES mods that are helpful. Search for posts by DaveOmak and MES.
hth