Gentlemen of Smoking Meat Forums,
I have a MES that I've used for past 4 years. I use it relatively often with my AMNPS - mostly to make beef jerky, ribs and pulled pork. Haven't been using it as much now that I've built a mini-WSM and having too much fun with charcoal. Anyways, I keep my smoker covered outdoors under an awning in so cal so it rarely gets wet. I've had to take the back panel off to address some issues like how the wires were fried that connects to the heating element. So I've cleaned and added new connectors. This only lasted few more months and they were constantly being fried out. Now the control panel only shows some of the numbers and heating element is no longer heating. So I'm thinking I need new connectors, control panel and heating element. Is it worth it for me to do replace all of this or just buy a new/used one on craigslist. I see a new one with windows for $100 right now. I was just thinking I give up the MES and get an 18inch WSM but I love me some smoked beef jerky! Thanks.
I have a MES that I've used for past 4 years. I use it relatively often with my AMNPS - mostly to make beef jerky, ribs and pulled pork. Haven't been using it as much now that I've built a mini-WSM and having too much fun with charcoal. Anyways, I keep my smoker covered outdoors under an awning in so cal so it rarely gets wet. I've had to take the back panel off to address some issues like how the wires were fried that connects to the heating element. So I've cleaned and added new connectors. This only lasted few more months and they were constantly being fried out. Now the control panel only shows some of the numbers and heating element is no longer heating. So I'm thinking I need new connectors, control panel and heating element. Is it worth it for me to do replace all of this or just buy a new/used one on craigslist. I see a new one with windows for $100 right now. I was just thinking I give up the MES and get an 18inch WSM but I love me some smoked beef jerky! Thanks.