New (to Me) MES 30

[bakerboy7]

I found this on Craigslist last weekend.  I love my stick burner but have been looking for one of these because I work a lot and don't have much time to babysit the fire.

The owner told me that he had only done five smokes with it and was happy to let it go for 75 bucks.

Doing an EOR for the inaugural run.

Rubbed down with EVOO and SPOG.  Beef stock and aromatics in the pan and hickory in the AMNPS.  Planning to take it to 125 and then I will foil and rest. 

 

[gotarace]

Excellent score on the MES!!! Looks like it is hardly used. In your picture it looks like your probe is going though the potato and touching the grate...move it off the grate if it is touching because it won't give you a accurate chamber reading. Mine reads 15 degrees higher on the Maverick compared to the controller.  They are great little smokers once you get them dialed in. I'm sure you will be happy with your purchase!!!

 

[bakerboy7]

Excellent score on the MES!!! Looks like it is hardly used. In your picture it looks like your probe is going though the potato and touching the grate...move it off the grate it it is touching because it won't give you a accurate chamber reading. Mine reads 15 degrees higher on the Maverick compared to the controller.  They are great little smokers once you get them dialed in. I'm sure you will be happy with your purchase!!!

I'm happy with it so far.  I noticed the position of the probe when I uploaded the pic and moved it right away.  Thanks for the advice. 

The only thing that I am concerned with is the size.  I'm putting a hog leg in the brine today in preparation for Easter ham and think it going to be a tight fit.  We shall see.  I might have to take a trip to Sam's Club and pick up the 40 inch.

 

[bakerboy7]

Here it is out of the smoker.  Pulled at 125.

 

[deltadude]

What a deal MES 40 for $75.  Did the previous owner say why he was getting rid of it?

After you get familiar with the MES, let us know how the Q from the MES compares to the stick burner?

I think you are going to get spoiled by how easy it is to use the MES compared to your stick burner.

 

[SmokinAl]

Great score! Congrats!

 

[bakerboy7]

What a deal MES 40 for $75.  Did the previous owner say why he was getting rid of it?

After you get familiar with the MES, let us know how the Q from the MES compares to the stick burner?

I think you are going to get spoiled by how easy it is to use the MES compared to your stick burner.

It is only the 30 inch model but so far, I like it.

The guy said that he is moving and he had only purchased it as a toy.  He had a couple of really nice Weber kettles and a 250 gal trailer mounted RF.

I believe this unit is going to give me the freedom to finally do some smoking while I am working from home on the weekends as well as the control that my real passion (sausage) requires.

 

[dnm0612]

bakerboy7...I have the same smoker. Just got it about 2 months ago and love it. The only thing I have a had a problem with is that it cooks to quick or the temperature on the display is wrong. I keep it cleaned pretty well but your looks a bit cleaner. Was just texting my girlfriend what she wants to put in the smoker this weekend and looks like it will be a brisket.

 

[bakerboy7]

bakerboy7...I have the same smoker. Just got it about 2 months ago and love it. The only thing I have a had a problem with is that it cooks to quick or the temperature on the display is wrong. I keep it cleaned pretty well but your looks a bit cleaner. Was just texting my girlfriend what she wants to put in the smoker this weekend and looks like it will be a brisket.

The display on mine reads about 10 degrees lower than the actual temp which is the reading that I get using my Maverick ET732. If you don't have one of these, I recommend purchasing one from Todd www.amazenproducts.com.

So far, I have done a EOR for roast beef sammies, a whole chicken and 10 pounds of pepperoni sticks all with great results.

I have yet to try a brisket. I have had a small flat in the freezer for a while but feel that I should get a few more smokes under my belt before I attempt to smoke such a cut.

If you do decide on the brisket, good luck! And, make sure that you post your results with plenty of pics.

 

[smokinhusker]

Nice score and great looking EOR! Great job!

 

[dnm0612]

Thanks for the information. I am still getting used to the smoker and I have a wireless thermometer for charcoal grilling that I guess I should use also.