How Many Mes Owners Here?

[garryt0161]

running long extention cords over 75 feet will lower te amps/volts,,,,was my experience along time ago,,,,,i have other places to plug directly in,,,,outside plug in at the fuse box pole,,,i have a mobile home,,,,just need a wind break,,,i got ideas about pc pipe and tarps 

 

[thunder lite]

For placement of the AMNPS

See this photo

DSCF5536.JPG

• thunder lite
• Sep 24, 2014

  in thread http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/133955/2012-mes-40-vs-old-model-mes-40

I thought Todd did another thread showing the different options for placement, but I couldn't find it.

Ron

 

[riverrat3]

Got a new 30 inch at sportsman's warehouse in Chattanooga tn. Its the gen 1. So far so good waiting on funds for an amnps. Learned real quick chips explode into flames! Chopped up some chunks and worked great. Did some country style pork ribs with mesquite. The thinner ones were good but a little dry. The thicker ones and ones with bones.......well let's just say whoooo lawdy! Can't wait for the amnps and a big ol' butt. By the way 15 foot 12 gauge cord worked great. Recovery time was a few minutes. By the way I too wanna say thanks bear. Without those who serve, we would surely live a different life. God bless you.

 

[jted]

 
I went on line and found this. I was also in the construction business for most of my life and have seen lots of my electric tools get ruined because of running to many feet of the wrong size chord

MAXIMUM    DISTANCES             UP TO   10 AMPS           UP TO 15 AMPS

             0' to 25'                                   16 Gauge                       14 Gauge

            25' to 50'                                 16 Gauge                        14 Gauge

            50' to 75'                                 16 Gauge                        12 Gauge

            75' to 100'                               16 Gauge                        12 Gauge

Extension Cord Ampere Rating

Wire Size (Copper) Single        Phase Two and Three Conductor Cords                             Three Phase Cords

16 AWG                                               13 amps                                                                             10 amps

14 AWG                                               18 amps                                                                             15 amps

12 AWG                                               25 amps                                                                             20 amps

10 AWG                                              30 amps                                                                              25 amps

8 AWG                                                40 amps                                                                              35 amps

6 AWG                                                55 amps                                                                              45 amps

4 AWG                                               70 amps                                                                               60 amps

2 AWG                                               95 amps                                                                               80 amp

  Hi Gary, Lets hope we are using a 3 phase cord with a electric smoker. Masterbuilt uses a 16 AGW cord on their 30 inch 800 watt smoker.  They also only have about a 6 foot cord and cover themselves by saying don't use a extension cord. The 800 watt models pulls 6.6 amps and the chart says it will handle the extension cord. I don't know what  cord size the 1200 watt 40 uses. I would suspect in the case of a element not heating properly the use of a undersized and to long of a extension cord is the culprit.

 Most of the cord problems I have herd of involve the connectors at the element. How hot is it there I don't know but I am sure it's over 300 degrees(150 c), The 1/4 inch female connectors that have colored insulation( plastic looking)  on them won't hold up. They burn up, a high heat connector is needed. On my unit installing heat shrink on the  new connectors is not needed. Also the heat shrink is rated for about 100c. 

After reading my original post I edited  my post.       Jted

 

[earld]

I always planned to upgrade the power cord gauge to 14ga if I ever had to re-terminate the cord for some reason.

 

[garryt0161]

I got a 7 lb pork roast,,how long do I smoke it??? haven't got the pellet thingy yet,,,,gonna have to baby sit it,,,,

 

[thunder lite]

 
I got a 7 lb pork roast,,how long do I smoke it??? haven't got the pellet thingy yet,,,,gonna have to baby sit it,,,,

What kind of roast?

It's usually best not to cook by time, but by internal temperature of the meat.

 

[piedmont smoker]

I had a Masterbuilt electric smoker.  I think it was a Friday at 4:30 smoker.  Ran once and died.  I went round and round with Masterbuilt, followed their instructions to a tee.  The shell arrived and didn't work either.  They sent me a brand new one and have been afraid to try it.  Sure hope you have a much better experience.

Piedmont Smoker

 

[lanshark42]

 
I got a 7 lb pork roast,,how long do I smoke it??? haven't got the pellet thingy yet,,,,gonna have to baby sit it,,,,

If it's a Boston Butt (Shoulder roast) I've had VERY good luck with those.  Start by wiping it down with worcestershire sauce.  Then use your favorite rub.  Put it in your MES30 and insert the temp probe.  Set your temp for 225 and time for about 12 hours.  Add wood chips as necessary.  Watch your temp monitor.  It will probably stall at about 170-180°.  Let it ride.  When it gets to about 200-205°, take it out, pull it apart and enjoy the heck out of it!

BTW, I'm still a noob at this.  But I've done 4 butts in my MES so far.  Every one turned out delicious.  Probably just beginners luck...

 

[lanshark42]

 
I had a Masterbuilt electric smoker.  I think it was a Friday at 4:30 smoker.  Ran once and died.  I went round and round with Masterbuilt, followed their instructions to a tee.  The shell arrived and didn't work either.  They sent me a brand new one and have been afraid to try it.  Sure hope you have a much better experience.

Piedmont Smoker

Why would you be afraid to try the new one?  They made an attempt to make things right for you.  Give them a chance to redeem themselves.  

Just my 2¢...

 

[daricksta]

 
If your element is 1200 watts it pulls about 10 amps . If you are using a extension cord like Bear says it is not a good thing. It is probably a orange big box cord that is 16 or smaller. a extension cord of 14 AGW will work on a reasonable run. Find a14AGW cord or go to a big box store and buy some 14AGW SO cord. It is 3 conductor (black-white-green) cable that makes nice cords. There you can also buy the ends. Measure the distance and add a few extra feet just to make sure.  Typically, 3% or less is the recommended level for efficient operation of equipment.  The less the better.   25 feet of extension cord will drop about1% maybe 1 volt. You should be able to get away with that easily.     SIZE DOES REALLY MATTER.    Jted

jted, I have two orange 25 ft. extension cords; one I bought at Lowes, have no idea where I got the other one. I use them for plugging in outdoor Christmas lights and also for plugging my MES 30 into an outside power outlet on my home. The plugs are never hot when I unplug the smoker so I'm sure the power draw is fine.

There's no markings on the cord or the plugs so how can I find out what the AGW rating for the cords is? And what's an SO cord?

 

[frw mes30]

I have the MES 30 and use it 3-4 times a week. I was amazad at the good taste it has with minimal smoke. Mine is the newer model with the larger window remote control and built in meat probe. I especially like the remote it makes smoking even easier .
We have used an Old Smokey well used for small meals for years and use our homemade Bohemeth rig if we are smoking allot of chickens and beef or our season big sausage make all at one time. This year I plan to smoke all of my homemade sausage in the MES 30. Even if I have to do it in small batches, It will still be easier than the Bohemeth smoker we have used for years.
I grew up in a family that killed Hogs in the winter 4-6 at a time and my grandfather and I manned the smokehouse .He would have loved the MES 30

 

[riverrat3]

Here ya go daRicksta


The letters used to describe portable cords hold significance. Below are the meanings for each letter.[1]

S = Severe Service Cord - 600 volts (also 277/480 or 480) - May be utilized in place of SJ in extra-severe service
SJ = Junior Severe Service - 300 volts (also 120 or 120/208 or 120/240 or 240 or 277, but not 277/480)
T = Thermoplastic
H = Heat Resistant or High Heat (HH) Resistant
N = Nylon Outer Jacket Material
E = Elastomer - thermoplastic that looks and feels like rubber
O = Oil Resistant Outer Jacket Material
OO = Oil Resistant Outer Jacket and Oil Resistant Insulation
V = Vacuum (typically used with vacuum cleaners and other portable cleaning equipment)
W = CSA Weather and Water Resistant (approved for indoor and outdoor use)

Sjo is most standard extension cords of the orange variety. My rule of thumb is if a cord doesn't list its awg or rating I ain't buying it. Also beware of the new mm size marketing scheme. You'll find them at the big box stores a lot now .

 

[riverrat3]

Also jted is dead on,I needed a cord to place mine where I wanted. I bought a 12 awg 15 foot shop cord with a fused surge multi outlet on the end. Overkill yes but I don't have to worry if I need to plug in a small light or something extra.

 

[jted]

Rick, You have had a great answer to your question from riverrat3. Basically a SO cord is one of the most basic types of multi conductor cord(extension cord w/o ends).When it is listed as 16/3 that means it has a wire size of 16 AGW  and 3 conductors in it. As I think I recall you won't find a cord smaller than 18 in stores .When using a size 18 cord properly you have a specific use for it because of the small size. Typically I used them for a radio. Don't use them on power tools smokers or other devices that pull much currant.  I don't have or carry a way to measure the conductor's of a existing cord. It should carry the UL  label and should have the type of wire and size on the cable. It may be small but should be there. If it is not use it for your radio. Go to a box store and buy some 14/3 so cable the length you need it is not all that expensive. The cord ends will be as much as the cable .Some times you can buy short cords with molded ends. 15 foot 14/3 cords are great.

Riverrat3 bought a 12/3 with a multi tap end on it. A great cord he can use every bit of amperage he has. With the multi tap (multi receptacle) he can keep more than one device plugged in perhaps not running at the same time. Like two different saws plugged but not running.

Not to change the subject but tomorrow is pork tenderloin Thursday. It is suppose to be a nice day for smoking and I have a nice 2lb tenderloin I must trim and inject with a nice brine. Early tomorrow I will put my rub (actually it is Mike Mills Magic dust with extra sugar) on it and smoke it at about 1PM. Got to go.   Jted

 

[garryt0161]

just a quick question,,,,,do I brine my pork roast???,,

 

[Bearcarver]

 
just a quick question,,,,,do I brine my pork roast???,,

Depends on which cut of Pork.

Butts definitely don't need it, but it wouldn't hurt with a Pork Loin.

I don't brine any pork---I just Yellow mustard & use a Pork Rub on it.

I take Pork Loin to 145*--150* (No higher), and Butts to 205* to pull (About 190* to slice).

Bear

 

[daricksta]

 
I went on line and found this. I was also in the construction business for most of my life and have seen lots of my electric tools get ruined because of running to many feet of the wrong size chord

MAXIMUM    DISTANCES             UP TO   10 AMPS           UP TO 15 AMPS

             0' to 25'                                   16 Gauge                       14 Gauge

            25' to 50'                                 16 Gauge                        14 Gauge

            50' to 75'                                 16 Gauge                        12 Gauge

            75' to 100'                               16 Gauge                        12 Gauge

Extension Cord Ampere Rating

Wire Size (Copper) Single        Phase Two and Three Conductor Cords                             Three Phase Cords

16 AWG                                               13 amps                                                                             10 amps

14 AWG                                               18 amps                                                                             15 amps

12 AWG                                               25 amps                                                                             20 amps

10 AWG                                              30 amps                                                                              25 amps

8 AWG                                                40 amps                                                                              35 amps

6 AWG                                                55 amps                                                                              45 amps

4 AWG                                               70 amps                                                                               60 amps

2 AWG                                               95 amps                                                                               80 amp

This is a great chart. Thanks, Gary! I use a 25 ft. 16 AWG 13 amp cord when needed to connect my MES 30 to one of the outdoor power outlets on my home. I've talked to MB customer service about this and they agreed it was fine. I know just a little about extension cords and was confident when I bought two of these cords they'd do the job. I also use this type cord to power my outdoor Christmas tree light strings.

 

[daricksta]

 
Depends on which cut of Pork.

Butts definitely don't need it, but it wouldn't hurt with a Pork Loin.

I don't brine any pork---I just Yellow mustard & use a Pork Rub on it.

I take Pork Loin to 145*--150* (No higher), and Butts to 205* to pull (About 190* to slice).

Bear

Bear, I used yellow mustard for the first time on baby backs and...I'll never go back to no mustard. After I put the rub over the mustard I looked at the ribs and I was finally looking at ribs the way I've seen them in pictures and on TV. The mustard held the rub onto the ribs really well.

However, I've got a question you might not have an answer for. I had two racks of very meaty ribs and I smoked them at around 225-240* (you know how the MES 30 controller can swing temps over time). For the first time, the meat on both racks split vertically over the thickest parts of each rack. I noticed this when I unfoiled the ribs to baste them with BBQ sauce during the last hour of cooking (I ended up doing a 4-1.5-.5 method which turned out to be right on the money for how I wanted the meat to turn out). Could it the mustard have contributed to this since it's never happened before? I have no idea which is why I'm asking.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Bear, I used yellow mustard for the first time on baby backs and...I'll never go back to no mustard. After I put the rub over the mustard I looked at the ribs and I was finally looking at ribs the way I've seen them in pictures and on TV. The mustard held the rub onto the ribs really well.

However, I've got a question you might not have an answer for. I had two racks of very meaty ribs and I smoked them at around 225-240* (you know how the MES 30 controller can swing temps over time). For the first time, the meat on both racks split vertically over the thickest parts of each rack. I noticed this when I unfoiled the ribs to baste them with BBQ sauce during the last hour of cooking (I ended up doing a 4-1.5-.5 method which turned out to be right on the money for how I wanted the meat to turn out). Could it the mustard have contributed to this since it's never happened before? I have no idea which is why I'm asking.

Don't think I've seen that, but I don't think mustard would do anything like that. Not sure what you mean by vertically---You mean cracks across the bones?? Or between the bones?

Bear