MES Smoker -- help please

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

rivertonsmoker

Fire Starter
Original poster
Jun 28, 2011
34
10
Denver, NC
I just realized the MES 30" I bought from Home Depot is not the digital version.  Is this bad for a first timer? Should I take it back and get the digital one or will the one I got be a good one still?

I don't think there is a big difference in price... arg... I wanted to start smoking this week.
 
You want the digital version. You can dial in the exact temp you want . If you are gonna guess at your temp then you might as well have a stick burner.

The analog will work fine, BUT, the digital is way easier!
 
AND the digital has a remote control for lazy folks like me.
2thumbs.gif
 
You guys are killing me... 

anyone have the opinion that I should use the analog until I learn some about smoking then upgrade??
 
LOL......obviously NOT the answers you wanted. I'm not a MES owner....however, with the issues many of the new generation MES units are having that I've read about on here many SMF members would love to have the analog version over the digital. Decisions....decisions....IF you upgrade I'd go for the 40, just sayin'
 
I have the Old Gen MES 40 with remote and love it...other than you really need a good thermometer to go with it so you know the temp of the chamber (mine runs 15-25 degrees cooler in the chamber than what I set it for, so I never get 275 degrees). Depending on how much food you want/need to smoke, will help you decide if you need a larger smoker. 

Unfortunately I know nothing about the analog smoker. I doubt that the 30" digital will have the remote if you say they are close in price. 

Would you mind updating your profile to include a location please? It helps folks when answering questions, etc to know what part of the world you are located in. 
 
Elan, morning......  Hey..... you very well could like the analog smoker better than the MES digital.....   You can add many different styles of temp controllers for as little as $70 or so.....   You can add a household dimmer switch to control the heat output of the element or you can add a PID controller to add versatility to the smoker......   you can easily drill holes in it for better airflow...    Lots of stuff you can do to design it the way you want it to operate....   

Once you mod it, and learn how to use it, which is necessary regardless of what smoker you get, you will be making GREAT Q.......

Dave
 
Ok... since I read these replies... I already went in and ordered the digital one (Masterbuilt 20070910) since you guys recommended it.  I ordered it for rush deliver to be here by tomorrow.

I also ordered a Maverick ET-732 (the dual one).

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]So now I am all set... I can return the analog one back to Home Depot, I havent even opened it yet.[/font]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Did I do good now?[/font]
 
That's the same units I have. Just add a AMNPS and you'll have the perfect setup. I just did a 16 hour smoke and used both Maverick and the smoker, meat and chamber probes, (I always do, just for piece of mind). The temp readings all agree within a couple degrees. The AMNPS gave hours of beautiful TBS, without reloading. What could be better!
 
Last edited:
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky