How Many Mes Owners Here?

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Which One Do You Have?

  • 40'

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 40' with window

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 40' 800 watt

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I like it a lot

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Where did you buy it?

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Sams Club

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other please list where in a post

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    2
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I just used my MES 30 yesterday to hot smoke some bacon. Just set it at 107° (actual temp was closer to 130°). Put in my AMNPS, and it chugged along for 12-1/2 hours, no problem. When I took it out, the AMNPS still had about 2" of pellets to go. And for the record, it was a VERY windy day yesterday.
 
I really don't know which one I have but the book says Model 20070511.

I am disappointed that this is made in China, especially knowing that this company is a home grown family owned business. At the same time, I am part of the problem because I liked the very low price at Cabela's and might not have bought a thermostatically controlled smoker if it was much more expensive.

Out of the box, this smoker does not do well at the lower temperatures that I like to smoke. I am most interested in salmon and jerky and I found that the heating element is not on enough when the temp is set to 130. I fixed this problem though, by adding an external smoke generator that I made from some martini shakers and other off the shelf parts. I wrote that up and submitted it with photos but for some reason it has still not been approved by the site admin so as of this minute you can not see that.

The smoker's built in chip tray does great at higher temperatures. I cut round of filbert and then hand split them down to make my chips. If I carefully stack those in the tray and really pack it, the smoke goes for a long, long time. Like another poster on this site, I tried some pellets when it was new and did experience a small flash explosion kind of thing. No harm was done to me or the smoker. I don't think that pellets are recommended and I can tell you that loading it up with them is not a very good idea.

If you store the smoker under an eve or such, put a plastic bag on the controller. They are not weatherproof and I did have to replace one, maybe because of moisture. The company took good care of me on that and does recommend covering the controller.

I find that the built in thermocouple and the meat probe indicate differently as to the temperature of the chamber. I see pics on this site where people put a cork on their thermocouples to keep them off of the metal racks and trays. Good idea. I also run a thermocouple in and hook it to a remote. It indicates a different temperature yet. None of that is an issue for me. I just adjust the setting to compensate and rely on my remote thermometer.

Overall this smoker has been a really good value. I have several other smokers in various states of build and would say that unless a person has no, money, lots of time, real good tinkering skills, and a good stash of materials, they should just buy a smoker like this. 

BB
 
 
Thanks for the advice Bear, it worked great. Lit both ends of the AMPS and had almost 6 hours of smoke on a nice calm day. We'll have to see how much a windy day affects the process.
That's Great, Wreckincrew!!!

I'm real glad it worked good for you!!!

Just more proof that "The Bear Doesn't BS" his Smoking Buddies!!!
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Bear
 
Just got my first one last week for my birthday. Made ribs on the weekend. WOW were they good!!!
 
Got the MES 30'' Gen 1 in last week - it came with a nasty smell in it from all the foam wrapped grates etc. seasoned it with 4 different smokes- warmed a meal in it then decided to toss 10 chicken thighs for the first smoke...

It did a really good job and I guess I got lucky, my temps in the smoker and my probe temps were only off about 7 degrees but this unit does fluctuate as the burner kicks on and off...

The only complaint I have is they should put a better temp control box on a outdoor model smoker... It should be water proof so I dont have to worry about using it even though the weather man calls for rain...
 
We're on our second MES; it's the 39-inch model with glass in the door, remote control, temperature probe, external wood chip "drawer" for adding chips and top-back mounted controls. Our first model was the 30-inch "black box" with no bells and whistles, which I used for over two years. We purchased both from QVC, and love it (even as I type, I'm in the last few minutes of smoking tonight's protein).

In both models, I've done Boston butt, steaks, lots and lots of pork spareribs, prime rib, turkey and chicken. What I hated about the "black box" was the neccissity of opening the door to add wood chips, losing all temperature in the process. I didn't know anything about pellet smoking trays -- I just heated it, added wood chips, threw the food in and waited. At the time, I thought the end product was good -- until, with the new one, I can control temperature and add wood externally... the first rack of ribs done in the new smoker made ribs in the old one suddenly feel like they'd been cooked by one of the fast-food BBQ joints that dot the Atlanta suburbs. My first big experiment -- duck -- was like a quick bite of heaven.
 
We're on our second MES; it's the 39-inch model with glass in the door, remote control, temperature probe, external wood chip "drawer" for adding chips and top-back mounted controls. Our first model was the 30-inch "black box" with no bells and whistles, which I used for over two years. We purchased both from QVC, and love it (even as I type, I'm in the last few minutes of smoking tonight's protein).

In both models, I've done Boston butt, steaks, lots and lots of pork spareribs, prime rib, turkey and chicken. What I hated about the "black box" was the neccissity of opening the door to add wood chips, losing all temperature in the process. I didn't know anything about pellet smoking trays -- I just heated it, added wood chips, threw the food in and waited. At the time, I thought the end product was good -- until, with the new one, I can control temperature and add wood externally... the first rack of ribs done in the new smoker made ribs in the old one suddenly feel like they'd been cooked by one of the fast-food BBQ joints that dot the Atlanta suburbs. My first big experiment -- duck -- was like a quick bite of heaven.
Its really nice to hear from someone that is not only happy with, but also a returning customer using the smoker without upgrades. Thats great!

Boy, I hate to say this now, but while A-MAZ-N has their sale going on, you should try there aux. smoke generator. Its adds that cold smoke capability as well as restful nights. Just a thought there. Also you can use some awesome different smokes you probably will not have acess to the chips. It just adds a new dimension to smoking.

Anyway, its really nice to hear someone who is happy with what they bought. Refreshing, thats the word.
 
This is a commercial blog so lots of posts prompt promotion of a product in return, but to take a look a few posts up from here where I show you how to create and awesome external smoke generator for almost nothing. BB
 
Had my MES 40 with window for a couple years.  Love it.  I am on a low carb diet and the chicken I smoke in it is a real staple in our house.  It quit working recently and I am experiencing withdrawal symptoms.  Apparently the relay switch is failed and the heating element is on all the time when the unit is plugged in, even with the control module removed from the unit! 

I will take the cover off the access box on the bottom tomorrow to check it out and hopefully I can find a replacement locally.  Mine came with no paperwork or instructions and although I downloaded owners info it still gives precious little info about the unit.

Wish it had included a simple wiring diagram.  That would have made it so much easier to figure out what the problem was.  Fortunately a kind soul here sent me a picture of a wiring diagram that someone had shared with him.  That makes it pretty obvious what the problem is.
 
I am happy with it and, before tonight, had no real complaints.

But tonight, according to an oven thermometer I keep in the box, I had to set the controls for 250 degrees to reach 225 degrees -- a full ten percent difference between set temperature and actual temperature. For quite some time, during the last ten minutes or so of the recipe's suggested time for my chicken, my internal meat probe read 162 degrees. I checked the meat with another thermometer, and got a temperature of 168 degrees meaning my chicken was, slightly, overcooked. On top of that, three times during the smoke, the read-out on my remote control just went blank.

The RC issue is probably just the battery. But from what I've read (both here and other places) temperature control, along with failing heating elements has been a problem for Masterbuilt. I guess I'm going to have to keep an eye on that.

Now... I'd like to know more about the pellet smoker tray... Like where it's on sale, how much, how it adds functionality to my MES, etc. :drool

Eric Payne
Lawrenceville, GA
 
get the amazn tray form Todd. guarantee it will be the best purchase you make in 2013.

X 2 mine works great as long as you protect it from drippings.

I dont want you guys to think that I dont like my MES 30- I really do and got some good plans to use it quite often,going to be cold smoking in it pretty soon as well as my regular smoking that I do about every weekend til I learn my unit a little more to set it for the all nighters ... I cover the control box if its raining,its not really a big deal.. every pit,grill,egg,smoker has its pros and cons its a game of give n take..
 
Now... I'd like to know more about the pellet smoker tray... Like where it's on sale, how much, how it adds functionality to my MES, etc.
drool.gif


Eric Payne
Lawrenceville, GA
Click the "Sponsors" icon from the banner on the top of the page, or the A-MAZ-N-SMOKER icon at the bottom of the page.

Functionality? It will allow you to have a continious smoke, thats no refilling the chip tray for 12 to 24 hours depending upon your vent position. Thats a whole 'nother discussion. That allows you to load your MES, today and get your finished product out tomorrow with no tending required. This type smoke generator is nice because it requires no installation which means one can be used on multiple pits. No power required, although you'll need a small torch to light it. Numerous different wood flavors to chose. Basically what you are doing is giving your MES the ability to walk away from and smoke like a fire burner with the dependability of an electric. Throw in a Remote Temperature Sensor, and you stick your meat in, light your smoke generator, set your box controls, and it tells you when its done.

You wipe some water from the hose on your face, walk in the kitchen and get a beer and everyone thinks you are a smoking genious. LOL
 
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Its ok, after years of fireburners I most definately can. But that is why they sell both kinds. I mean I don't understand why anyone would want an electric car.... but they are sure selling fast. Besides without electrics we wouldn't have got to meet Todd! That in itself should justify 'em.
 
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