I have MES 30 analog smoker, love it, except for the fact that I am now on my (soon to be) third heating element. Any body else have this problem?
Then if it's not the wire this time, I would have to say there's something else wrong that is causing this.
Smoker is less than a year old, element is less than 2 months old. I use it once or twice a month, and keep it covered when not in use.