MES 30 Chip Tray - Tight Fit

[cekkk]

It seems that each time I withdraw and insert the wood chip tray the fit gets tighter.  I've only used the smoker three times.  First was to season it, then to make meatloaf and brats and Sunday with the butt.  I hate to force anything, as it usually means there is a problem.  But everything look kosher, yet it took a lot of force to get it to slide into place and I barely was able to extract it at the end of the day, after it had cooled. 

Have other owners of this unit experienced this?  Any idea as to what's going on?

 

[themule69]

I don't use the chip loader.......I use a AMNPS.....It is the only way to go!

David

 

[chef jimmyj]

Mine is a little stiff but I so infrequently use it, 30 minute seafood smokes, since I got the AMNPS. http://www.amazenproducts.com...

...JJ

 

[dr jaws]

I am having a similar problem with my 40" MES.  Called customer service and they are sending a new Chip Holder, must be a common problem.  I'm thinking of replacing with AMNPS or MES Cold smoker attachment.  Will let you know.

 

[cekkk]

I made another post about not getting any smoke with the butt a few days ago.  But when I broke the unit in and during its first real use, the smoking went just fine.  The failure to smoke I'm now pretty sure was that the chips were too wet, never dried out properly to burn.  So this tray can work if  I can get it installed. I was going to pop for an AMNPS, but now I'm rethinking doing that until I try to get this thing working as it's supposed to.

I'll follow DRjaws approach and get ahold of the MES people, but I'm also going to look at both the tray and the guides it slides onto and see if I can't fashion something out of a little sheet metal, some sheet metal snips and a hand seamer.