Thinking about a new smoker...

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wbrian

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Nov 16, 2010
90
10
Hi All!

Currently I have the Brinkmann vertical square charcoal Smoker and enjoy using it.  But it's tough to maintain temps on a ling smoke.  I have a surgery coming up in the next week or so (17th) that will limit my mobility a lot.  So an electric smoker is coming to mind...  I'm looking at the MES 40 at Sam's.  Couple questions though;  How (in)accurate are the thermometer and the meat probe?  How tightly does the door seal?  (Is there room to run my own digital thermometer wires in an out?  What does the remote actually do/monitor?

Lastly, anyone in Virginia Beach have a Sam's Club membership and want to take a ride?  i don't have a membership...
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Thanks!

Brian
 
Hi All!

Currently I have the Brinkmann vertical square charcoal Smoker and enjoy using it.  But it's tough to maintain temps on a ling smoke.  I have a surgery coming up in the next week or so (17th) that will limit my mobility a lot. Best of luck on your surgery!!  So an electric smoker is coming to mind...  I'm looking at the MES 40 at Sam's.  Couple questions though;  How (in)accurate are the thermometer and the meat probe?  My meat probe is very accurate. The smoker therm is accurate too, but the place it is tends to be different than where your meat is. Better to have remote digitals to rely on. How tightly does the door seal?  The door is adjustable, and seals very good. (Is there room to run my own digital thermometer wires in an out? Many of us run the probe wires through the top exhaust vent.  What does the remote actually do/monitor? Just about Everything----Read & change temp & time, on & off, and all from nearly anywhere within 300 feet or more.

Bear

Lastly, anyone in Virginia Beach have a Sam's Club membership and want to take a ride?  i don't have a membership...
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Thanks!

Brian
 
Thanks Bear!

Sounds like just what the Doctor ordered...

Later,

B.
 
Just like Bear, and SmokinAl said: MES 40 is a great smoker.

Easy to use, handles plenty of food, and smokes great. With the

addition of an AMNPS it makes a great cold smoker also.

JMO though.

Happy Smokin' and best of luck.

Mike
 
Brian I have done a ton of research on Propane and Electric Smokers...I am definately going with MES 40 from Sam's...If you don't get anyone to take you to Sam's you can still order on line without a Membership ($100/yr)...They will add a 10% non-member fee...so for $30 more, It's all yours!...JJ
 
I don't know if they still do it,but sams used to let you have a free 1 day membership just by going to the customer service desk and asking.
 
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Hey it worth checking into for the free membership. But then if you get a new smoker then you will need more meat and they sometimes have good deals on meat. Not all Sam's have good meat thou so go look if they will let you. We have 5-6 Sam's in our town and I would only buy meat in 2 of them .
 
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Got it home a few hours ago!  I had a friend on Facebook who has a membership and was up for a shopping trip...

Now I owe them a rib dinner!  (I picked up the ribs while I was there too!)  I found a bunch of walmart gift cards that were partially used, saved another 35 bucks from them!

Now to see how much "putting together" there'll be...

Any suggestions on seasoning it?  Here's what I've read here about seasoning:  Basically, wash out with soapy water and dry it out.  Spray with pam type spray and heat it up to 275 degrees for 2 hours, then add wood chips for an hour.  Sound about right?

Thanks again!

Brian
 
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I think you should skip the soapy water and just run it hot for a few hours with some smoke after the first hour or so. Just my opinion.
 
Sounds good.  (It's what the directions actually say, too!)

I just ordered my AMNPS too!  Can't wait to get this thing smokin!

Later,

B.
 
Well, I skipped the soap as suggested.  Finished breaking it in last night around midnight.  Too much to do today, so looks like Ribs on Saturday! 

It was surprisingly tough to get the controller connected on top when assembling it.  Do you all really take it off and bring it inside after each smoke?  I had trouble getting the wires to seat into the cavity under the controller.  Any tips?

Now to find a cover for this bad boy...

Thanks again!

Brian
 
Well, I skipped the soap as suggested.  Finished breaking it in last night around midnight.  Too much to do today, so looks like Ribs on Saturday! 

It was surprisingly tough to get the controller connected on top when assembling it.  Do you all really take it off and bring it inside after each smoke?  I had trouble getting the wires to seat into the cavity under the controller.  Any tips?

Now to find a cover for this bad boy...

Thanks again!

Brian
I never remove my controller, and have never had a problem with humidity.

However, mine is always on my front porch, under roof, and I always put the cover on it after each use.

Bear
 
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