unpack my MES 40 today I bought from Academy sports I found that my heating element was in direct contact with a rod that was holding up the smoking box I don't know what would've happened if I plug smoker in and turned it on, but I'm glad I looked first, the rod was a little bit bent and I straight it out now it is not contacting the heating element. Could this have been a shock hazard, maybe, maybe not please let me know what you think .