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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Hey guys, first post with a question.

I picked up the 30" MES for $99 on the Amazon deal and being brand new to smoking, have gotten pretty excited. I really want to jump into cold smoking so my AMNPS will be here tomorrow. What I didn't realize until today is that my MES doesn't have the vent on top or the exterior chip dropper...

Will I have enough airflow to keep the AMNPS going?

Is there someone that has my smoker that can tell me everything is going to be all right?

Thanks!
 
I would give the company a phone call. They were very helpful when I contacted them. My MES 30 has chip dropper, vent and  4 racks. I do not know why they keep tinkering.

 Ted.
 
Hey guys, first post with a question.

I picked up the 30" MES for $99 on the Amazon deal and being brand new to smoking, have gotten pretty excited. I really want to jump into cold smoking so my AMNPS will be here tomorrow. What I didn't realize until today is that my MES doesn't have the vent on top or the exterior chip dropper...

Will I have enough airflow to keep the AMNPS going?

Is there someone that has my smoker that can tell me everything is going to be all right?

Thanks!
Sounds like you got the analog smoker. If that's correct for cold smoke you can put the AMNPS right on top of the chip and water pan rack, remove the grease tray so air can come in from the weep hole, and don't plug in the unit. If the AMNPS burning creates too much heat loosen the door clasp to let some air out, if more heat needed tighten same to keep heat in.
 
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Hey guys, first post with a question.

I picked up the 30" MES for $99 on the Amazon deal and being brand new to smoking, have gotten pretty excited. I really want to jump into cold smoking so my AMNPS will be here tomorrow. What I didn't realize until today is that my MES doesn't have the vent on top or the exterior chip dropper...

Will I have enough airflow to keep the AMNPS going?

Is there someone that has my smoker that can tell me everything is going to be all right?

Thanks!
If it is a digital MES, it has an exterior chip dumper.

If it is a digital with the top vent on the side, it is the Gen #2 "Problem Child".

There are ways of making it work better. #1 is to remove the water pan from the drip plate. Then put your AMNPS over the hole that the water pan was in. This will help get air flow to the AMNPS. I experimented with one, and that's all it needed to get the AMNPS to work, other than getting it lit properly to begin with.

Bear
 
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I'm new to the forum so a little confused with all these abbreviations. I've realized MES is Masterbuilt Electric Smoker but what is AMNPS?

Please ignore, figured it out :)
 
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Hi, I was wondering how the MES units are with your electricity bill?  I went to Home Depot to look at smokers, originally, and the guy there told me that the electric ones use the same amount of energy as a large heater...(from what I remember, heaters use quite a bit if you leave them on all the time or for many hours).

Just wondering, because he didn't seem to be excited and steered us toward the gas and charcoal smokers.  But, I can see the value in the MES, no pilot light, no charcoal, and electricity...you always have on hand.  

Who knows, it seems like a lot of folks have them....so maybe, it will be my 2nd one.  I bought the Masterbuilt Duel Fuel Pro (gas & charcoal) and am green to the experience for sure.

For the future, any particular brand that people like?

Thanks, so much....
 
 
Hi, I was wondering how the MES units are with your electricity bill?  I went to Home Depot to look at smokers, originally, and the guy there told me that the electric ones use the same amount of energy as a large heater...(from what I remember, heaters use quite a bit if you leave them on all the time or for many hours).

Just wondering, because he didn't seem to be excited and steered us toward the gas and charcoal smokers.  But, I can see the value in the MES, no pilot light, no charcoal, and electricity...you always have on hand.  

Who knows, it seems like a lot of folks have them....so maybe, it will be my 2nd one.  I bought the Masterbuilt Duel Fuel Pro (gas & charcoal) and am green to the experience for sure.

For the future, any particular brand that people like?

Thanks, so much....
That's not true.  At our rate per kwh I'm looking at a few bucks to smoke a pork shoulder at most.
 
Sounds like you got the analog smoker. If that's correct for cold smoke you can put the AMNPS right on top of the chip and water pan rack, remove the grease tray so air can come in from the weep hole, and don't plug in the unit. If the AMNPS burning creates too much heat loosen the door clasp to let some air out, if more heat needed tighten same to keep heat in.

Right on the money, the $99 special is analog. I used you post and I've smoking cheese for almost 20 minutes. It is 34 outside and 57 in my smoker.
 
I got the MES GEN II "Problem Child" at Lowes the other week. Ran a rack of ribs through it and all was fine. This weekend is dedicated to a 6lb pork shoulder. Cheap to test....

So far, mine is dead on on temp (verified on both a wireless and oven thermometer)

Found this forum AFTER I purchased, so I'm trying to figure out why it is called the "Problem Child"
 
 
Hi, I was wondering how the MES units are with your electricity bill?  I went to Home Depot to look at smokers, originally, and the guy there told me that the electric ones use the same amount of energy as a large heater...(from what I remember, heaters use quite a bit if you leave them on all the time or for many hours).

Just wondering, because he didn't seem to be excited and steered us toward the gas and charcoal smokers.  But, I can see the value in the MES, no pilot light, no charcoal, and electricity...you always have on hand.

Who knows, it seems like a lot of folks have them....so maybe, it will be my 2nd one.  I bought the Masterbuilt Duel Fuel Pro (gas & charcoal) and am green to the experience for sure.

For the future, any particular brand that people like?

Thanks, so much....
It all depends on how well insulated your particular smoker is and what you are smoking. Your only using elec. when the coil cycles on.  I have the Masterbuilt analog which is really not insulated, but double walled. When I do a moderate temp smoke say at 140- 160 to 180 degrees the coil cycles on for such short periods that I learned to get any constant smoke I had to use dry sawdust in the chip pan and put directly on coil. The smoldering dust alone helps keep the temp. up. I've never smoked anything higher say a turkey or ham but I suppose I could smoke for a few hours and move into home oven  ala Little Chief if I was concerned about elec. bill. But then again nat. gas isn't free,or propane,lump charcoal,or hardwood logs either.
 
My 40inch MES uses less electricity than an electric oven and definitely much less than an electric heater.

Jana in Indiana
 
My MES 30 has an element of about 800 watts , I believe. The replacement elements are 1200 watts.
They are only on part time to maintain the heat setting.
Stop worrying and cook. I bet your big TV uses more power unless it is the newest version.
Ted.
 
 
I got the MES GEN II "Problem Child" at Lowes the other week. Ran a rack of ribs through it and all was fine. This weekend is dedicated to a 6lb pork shoulder. Cheap to test....

So far, mine is dead on on temp (verified on both a wireless and oven thermometer)

Found this forum AFTER I purchased, so I'm trying to figure out why it is called the "Problem Child"
I think it has to do with the failure rate of the element and the price is costs to fix it. On gen 1 you can switch out just the heat element but on gen II it requires a whole extra piece to be installed with it which is more expensive. 

It's not to say everyone will have problems, just a lot of them. From doing some reading it seems a lot of people update their reviews in various places online after 1-2 years saying their element no longer works. 
 
That's great news, Thanks all.  I just was curious and wondered though, I have been having fun with the gas version.  I will keep it in my mind for the future.  I agree with the person who said that they all their own particular issues.  Good point.  
 
 
I got the MES GEN II "Problem Child" at Lowes the other week. Ran a rack of ribs through it and all was fine. This weekend is dedicated to a 6lb pork shoulder. Cheap to test....

So far, mine is dead on on temp (verified on both a wireless and oven thermometer)

Found this forum AFTER I purchased, so I'm trying to figure out why it is called the "Problem Child"
I believe there are a small handful of Gen #2 owners who agree with you. Most of them don't have them very long. There is a thread on here by Todd Johnson that tells of all of the shortfalls, such as weak hinges, door opening too far causing hinges to break, and a bunch of other things.

However I'll just give you a few that I found in performing tests on an Gen #2. That slanted drip plate that covers most of the inside of the smoker causes the heat coming from the element to be forced to the right side, making most of the smoker to be anywhere from 10* to 50* degrees hotter on the right side than on the left.  Putting the top exhaust vent on the left side was a good idea, but putting it on the side instead of the top was a bad idea, because it causes back drafts for many owners. Like any electric smoker, the chip burning device leaves something to be desired, so anyone who likes to use an AMNPS to have up to 12 hours of continuous perfect smoke has a problem with the Gen #2 because it has practically no air flow in the bottom of the smoker.

 Some of the bad opinions of the Gen #2 could be caused by those of us who have the Gen #1 for years, and love them. I have Gen #1 smokers for over 4 years, and have tested a Gen #2, and found it to be a definite "Problem Child".    

Bear
 
When I joined in May of 08 there were only a few here. Now it seems like ther are a lot of people using them.


Chime in and tell us how you like it.
30 inch with window which is useless. Love the smoker. It quit after 14 months. Ordered a replacement case for $68. Working again. I didn't think it runs a bit hotter than set.
 
How often do you clean your MES? I got mine for Christmas from Bass Pro Shops. I love it so far. I have smoked quite a bit in it already but have been wondering about cleaning it. I hear some say to let it build up and will make the food taste much better with all that "seasoning". I haven't heard many talk about cleaning them. Suggestions?
 
 
How often do you clean your MES? I got mine for Christmas from Bass Pro Shops. I love it so far. I have smoked quite a bit in it already but have been wondering about cleaning it. I hear some say to let it build up and will make the food taste much better with all that "seasoning". I haven't heard many talk about cleaning them. Suggestions?
I clean my glass in the door before every smoke, and Mrs Bear washes the grill racks I used after every smoke.

Other than that, I only clean the walls, ceiling, etc, etc, when stuff get loose enough to fall off onto the meat.

I also put new foil on my water pan, heat diverter plate, and floor, whenever needed.

Bear
 
How  often do you have to fill the wood chip tray, also do you by chips or do just make you own?  Thank you. Planning on buying an electric smoker this week-end, looking at the 40" at Sam's for $299, and the Bradley. Thank You
 
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