New MES Bluetooth Digital smoker

[Bearcarver]

 
lol. Better not let her go out on her own or she might have a lot of guys following her around!

Exactly!!!  

 

[mummel]

I did try snuggle up last night a little more than usual! 

 

[daricksta]

 
I just let the flame burn until it dies. Seems it doesn't burn all of that long before dying on it's own. Should I be blowing it out earlier?

After setting the AMNPS on the ground, on a windless day the flame burns until I blow it out, which could be 20-30 minutes if I'm preoccupied with something else. With a bit of a breeze it might blow out after a few minutes but the pellets continue to burn and smoke. I always pick up and blow on the AMNPS to get the red cherry which also serves to reignite the flame. I blow out the flame prior to placing the AMNPS inside my smoker. If there wasn't a flame I blow on the pellets to get the cherry again before placing the tray inside the smoker. Works every time.

 

[mummel]

I also meant to mention that using the hairdryer, it was nearly impossible at blow out the flame.  Those pellets were burning so nicely.  At one point I actually thought about splashing beer on them to get the flame to go out.  Thats how I know that I had a good light.  It took first shot with the hairdryer.  Eventually after a really hard blow they flame went out. 

 

[Bearcarver]

 
After setting the AMNPS on the ground, on a windless day the flame burns until I blow it out, which could be 20-30 minutes if I'm preoccupied with something else. With a bit of a breeze it might blow out after a few minutes but the pellets continue to burn and smoke. I always pick up and blow on the AMNPS to get the red cherry which also serves to reignite the flame. I blow out the flame prior to placing the AMNPS inside my smoker. If there wasn't a flame I blow on the pellets to get the cherry again before placing the tray inside the smoker. Works every time.

Bear

 

[daricksta]

 

Bear

You're of one of the original guys who taught me the importance of getting that bright red cherry.

 

[mummel]

For the guys interested in the Cabelas model, you can get 20% off gift cards on Ebay here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-Cabelas-...646?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1a02f932fe

Stack this with a $20 off $100 coupon and you have yourself a $285 MES BT 40 out the door.

The cards take about a week to arrive so hopefully the $349 price wont go up again.  It's been going up and down all summer. 

 

[candurin]

I'm about to pick up one of these at sam's to replace my 6 year old mes 30 analog (the 1500w one).

I'm thinking of buying another one of these covers: http://www.the-cover-store.com/square-smoker-cover-32-32-40-inch-ultima/?color=Tan for the smoker. Anyone have any reason to think outside storage is bad for these 40" digital versions (we're in NJ)?

I've used the same cover on my (elite version) on my analog MES30 for the six years I owned it with zero issues to the smoker or cover.

It seems like it will fit, but the legs & wheels will be exposed.

Edit: looks like here is another option: http://www.empirepatio.com/itemdetail.aspx?p=P8011C (the one with the rust prevention, the first option, looks pretty decent).

 

[mab007]

I have the MES40 from Sam's with the legs and wheels.  Living in Maryland, similar winters.  Purchased MES in May.  Covered with an old DUCANE double width grill cover.  The cover did not have any tye-downs, but I attached a lot of strong magnets to the "hem" of the cover.  Legs are exposed, but top is not.  On top, I place a water filled jug to create a peak so water does not pool on the top of the MES/cover.

It lives 100% outside.  Once I forgot to cover in misty rain.  So far, no problems.  No sign of rust.  (I did purchase the extended warranty from Sam's. I don't plan on moving it from its unprotected spot, but will continue to use the DUCANE grill cover until it rots, then replace with a tarp or other cover.

You should be fine.

 

[daricksta]

I'm about to pick up one of these at sam's to replace my 6 year old mes 30 analog (the 1500w one).

I'm thinking of buying another one of these covers: http://www.the-cover-store.com/square-smoker-cover-32-32-40-inch-ultima/?color=Tan for the smoker. Anyone have any reason to think outside storage is bad for these 40" digital versions (we're in NJ)?

I've used the same cover on my (elite version) on my analog MES30 for the six years I owned it with zero issues to the smoker or cover.

It seems like it will fit, but the legs & wheels will be exposed.

Edit: looks like here is another option: http://www.empirepatio.com/itemdetail.aspx?p=P8011C (the one with the rust prevention, the first option, looks pretty decent).

Here's another 40" MES cover option:
There are MES owners on SMF who leave their smoker out on a patio under some kind of awning or a canopy. The smoker is still going to be exposed to cold, wet, humidity, and heat. These weather conditions can become extreme in some areas of the country. I think that exposure to the elements over time even under a smoker cover can affect the electrical and electronic components in the smoker, perhaps even shorten the life of the door seals. I've got a MES 30 and because it's so small I keep it attached to a hand truck in my uninsulated garage when not in use. I also bought a MES cover for it. I wheel it out for a smoke and then wheel I wheel it back into the garage when I'm done. I've had it for over 3 years and it's working great.

 

[mummel]

Talking about door seal, I have some smoke leaking at the top right hand corner of the door if you are looking at the smoker from the front.  I forgot to check it out when I finished smoking the other day, but what could cause this?  The seals are clean, no creosote.  Warping?

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Talking about door seal, I have some smoke leaking at the top right hand corner of the door if you are looking at the smoker from the front.  I forgot to check it out when I finished smoking the other day, but what could cause this?  The seals are clean, no creosote.  Warping?

Yours is pretty new-----Can you adjust your door latch a turn or 2 to tighten it up??

Bear

 

[mummel]

 
Yours is pretty new-----Can you adjust your door latch a turn or 2 to tighten it up??

Bear

Mmmmm, good point.  My son was messing around with it the other day.  I will take a look.  Thanks Bear.

 

[daricksta]

Mine is over 3 years old with no door seal leaks at all. Another reason why I keep mine under a cover and in my garage between uses. I also wipe down the door seals after or before each smoke.

 

[brickguy221]

 
Mmmmm, good point.  My son was messing around with it the other day.  I will take a look.  Thanks Bear.

It is easily adjusted where it latches. Only takes a few seconds.

 

[dr k]

 
Mine is over 3 years old with no door seal leaks at all. Another reason why I keep mine under a cover and in my garage between uses. I also wipe down the door seals after or before each smoke.

My first Gen1 was a nice snug fit.  The second was much looser.  That's probably why it's in the instructions for adjustment.  You never know what batch yours is from.

-Kurt

 

[mori55]

Has anyone noticed were the braided cable goes into the meat probe you can see the wires ? I'd send a pic but is locked up and dark. I'm afraid it'll pull out. I've only used it a couple times.

 

[five string]

Nope, there aren't any wires visible on mine. The braided cable is fully into the probe itself. Apparently there has been some strain pulling the braided cable out, or it was a manufacturing defect. My 40" MES is two months old. Use it 'til you lose it, then contact MB for a replacement.

Five String

 

[Bearcarver]

Has anyone noticed were the braided cable goes into the meat probe you can see the wires ? I'd send a pic but is locked up and dark. I'm afraid it'll pull out. I've only used it a couple times.

 
Nope, there aren't any wires visible on mine. The braided cable is fully into the probe itself. Apparently there has been some strain pulling the braided cable out, or it was a manufacturing defect. My 40" MES is two months old. Use it 'til you lose it, then contact MB for a replacement.

Five String

I had my ET-73 for years & cleaned the cable the same way every time, and I never had a problem.

Then when I got my ET-732, the second time I used it, when I was cleaning it, the cable pulled out of the probe. I called them & they replaced that probe & cable, and I bought a backup of each probe at that time. I haven't had that happen since.

Also, at that time there were others who had that happen to them, so it must have been a bad batch, and the replacements were all fine.

Bear

 

[mummel]

Yeah I dont wet my probes.  Easy to clean if they are still warm.  Oh and I not sure if would use a scourer.  I would be worried about the abrasion over time.