So as the title says I'm thinking hard about upgrading. I currently have a Gen 1 MES 30 (no window) and don't get me wrong I love it, but I wish I would have gotten the 40 for the increased size. I'm only cooking for two but I like to have a lot of left overs for later and I want to be able to smoke full packer briskets and full, uncut slabs of spare ribs. With the 30 I would have to cut either down to smaller pieces to fit. I'm a little sick of that.
I've been looking at the Smokin-It site today and have to say the build quality looks very impressive and I think I am leaning in that direction. I went half ass on my first smoker and wish I would have spent the extra to get the larger size and I don't want to make that mistake again so I'm thinking of going with the model 3 and maybe getting the cart and cover as well (what the hell, might as well do it right from the start).
I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone who owns the Smokin-It 3.
A few things I'm currious about:
1. How far apart is the spacing of the racks. My MES 30 they sit about 4" apart so I'm wondering how the Smokin-It compares.
2. I have come to love using an AMZN Pellet smoker inside my MES sitting right next to the heating element/smoke box. Will that fit next to the element/smoke box in the Smokin-It 3? I realize I may find I don't need to use the AMZN pellet smoker, but I like to have the option.
3. I like to fill the water pan in My MES 30 with Apple Juice which catches the drippings and absorbs the smoke and makes what I laughingly refer to as "the love juice" which makes a really tasty finishing sauce/aju. Will a water pan or foil pan fit anywhere inside the Smokin-It 3 whithout taking up one of the 4 racks? It doesn't look like it.
4. One thing I would LOVE to do but just have never felt comfortable with is overnight smokes. Get it started, monitor for a little while and then go to bed. Living in an apartment I just always worry about "what if something happens?". I'm curious if I should be worried about that and if the Smokin-It 3 is up to that task.
5. When I bought my MES 30 I had to return 2 seperate units because the gorillas at UPS damaged them. How is the packing job on the Smokin-It? Anyone had any issues with damage in shipping?
5. And last, with either the Smokin-It 3 OR the MES 40 they both use a 1200 watt 10 amp element. I think my breakers at my apartment are 15 amp ( the switches have a "15" on them), but I'm not 100% sure, could they be 10? If they are is that ok or am I pushing it? As a renter, I'm not big on taking chances.
Any advise is much appreciated!
Thanks.
I've been looking at the Smokin-It site today and have to say the build quality looks very impressive and I think I am leaning in that direction. I went half ass on my first smoker and wish I would have spent the extra to get the larger size and I don't want to make that mistake again so I'm thinking of going with the model 3 and maybe getting the cart and cover as well (what the hell, might as well do it right from the start).
I'd love to hear thoughts from anyone who owns the Smokin-It 3.
A few things I'm currious about:
1. How far apart is the spacing of the racks. My MES 30 they sit about 4" apart so I'm wondering how the Smokin-It compares.
2. I have come to love using an AMZN Pellet smoker inside my MES sitting right next to the heating element/smoke box. Will that fit next to the element/smoke box in the Smokin-It 3? I realize I may find I don't need to use the AMZN pellet smoker, but I like to have the option.
3. I like to fill the water pan in My MES 30 with Apple Juice which catches the drippings and absorbs the smoke and makes what I laughingly refer to as "the love juice" which makes a really tasty finishing sauce/aju. Will a water pan or foil pan fit anywhere inside the Smokin-It 3 whithout taking up one of the 4 racks? It doesn't look like it.
4. One thing I would LOVE to do but just have never felt comfortable with is overnight smokes. Get it started, monitor for a little while and then go to bed. Living in an apartment I just always worry about "what if something happens?". I'm curious if I should be worried about that and if the Smokin-It 3 is up to that task.
5. When I bought my MES 30 I had to return 2 seperate units because the gorillas at UPS damaged them. How is the packing job on the Smokin-It? Anyone had any issues with damage in shipping?
5. And last, with either the Smokin-It 3 OR the MES 40 they both use a 1200 watt 10 amp element. I think my breakers at my apartment are 15 amp ( the switches have a "15" on them), but I'm not 100% sure, could they be 10? If they are is that ok or am I pushing it? As a renter, I'm not big on taking chances.
Any advise is much appreciated!
Thanks.
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