Search results

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
  1. martok

    I'm abandoning ship in favor of another!

    You guessed it.  My element died and after I learned that a higher output element is used in the newer MES 30, I decided to replace mine with the new higher wattage one.  I live in Minnesota and it gets damn cold here and I like to smoke in the winter also, so I wanted the extra output.  That is...
  2. martok

    I'm abandoning ship in favor of another!

    Hey Jay, I seem to remember that I just Googled the heating element and found a good price on it.  Wish I could remember.  Also corrected my other post to reflect Masterbuilt, not Masterchef.  Major brain fart! Tom
  3. martok

    I'm abandoning ship in favor of another!

    Hey Jay, I can't remember where I got the element.  I know that Masterbuilt has them, but I am pretty sure I bought it from them.  Seems to me I remember it being a 1200 watt.  I know I found the information regarding the element in one of the posts on this forum.  It was one of the threads...
  4. martok

    I'm abandoning ship in favor of another!

    I had my share of issues with my 1st gen MES 30.  Was discouraged from using it and then another project saved the day.  I cast boolits for reloading handgun and rifle ammunition and the same temperature issues of the lead can affect the quality of your boolits.  A gentleman on another forum...
  5. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Welcome to the forum!  Lots and lots of good info and help located here. I think you just answered your own question.  In your post, you said that "about 30 feet from the outlet", which to me says that you are using a long extension cord.  If you are and it is a normal light duty variety cord...
  6. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Hey Bear, just wanted to let you know that I did mount the temp probe below the second shelf where you suggested.  I am really liking this accurate temp control for a change, no more giant temp swings like before!  Now I hope my cooking is as good (or better) than before.  My total cost, not...
  7. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Well, my new heating element showed up today.  Installed the temperature probe, the element, and all is good!  Hooked up the PID, set the temp to 225 and turned her on.  Climbed up to 225 and held between 225 and 229 degrees.  This setup works fantastic! So the bottom line was that the element...
  8. martok

    MES30 Burned up

    I agree with you guys.  Their is NO way that chips caused that much heat.  The controller had to have stuck and you had a runaway heating element that caused all the damage. I haven't ever smoked overnight or without keeping an eye on my smoker, leaving it unattended with the possibility of a...
  9. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Hey Swede, still waiting on my new heating element I ordered.  Got my probe for my PID and waiting to install it along with the new element.  I looked that old element over with a microscope (not really) and I'll be darned if I can see any cracks or anything out of the ordinary.  Hope the new...
  10. martok

    No Power

    I had just purchased a MES side smoker last week, plugged it in and, no power.  What's the American consumer to do, why finish what the Chinese didn't do that's what!  Took it apart and found one wire to the power switch laying loose and not connected.  Plugged in the wire and I was in business...
  11. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    That is strange, no logical answer I can think of!  Good tip to know, Thanks! Tom
  12. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Hey, thanks Bear!  That was going to be my next question if I go ahead with this.  I think I will pick up the thermocouple that Auberins has for smokers that mounts thru the wall and is insulated from the sheet metal temperature and the location you suggest makes perfect sense to me.  Although I...
  13. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Thanks again for the input everyone.  The outlet I am using is the same one I have used for my smoker for the last 6 years or so.  No changes to anything. I decided to get drastic so I ran my AC directly to the element bypassing everything.  Heats for a bit longer than before and then pops the...
  14. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Good morning Smokers!  Here we are back at the think tank.  Swede, the element looks brand new when I had it out of the smoker yesterday and can't see anything out of the ordinary.  Looking up parts, an element is available for the 20070910 which is the improved model of the 0106.  I understand...
  15. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Hi Guys, the element is heating up before the circuit trips, so it is getting power.  Have to leave the forum now, be back tomorrow. As always, thanks so much for your assistance! Tom
  16. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Been there, done that, Mike.  My MES is an older one from 2004 and their isn't any shrink tubing or anything.  Just wiring crimped to the spade connedtors and they look brand new, not even discolored.  The spades were a bit loose so I took them off and crimped them a bit with a pliers and they...
  17. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Well Swede, Ryan, and everyone else, after getting the cover off the back side of the heat element and the connectors are like brand new with no corrosion or anything, I have decided to cut my losses.  I'm not going to start throwing parts at this thing.  I think I am going to pickup a 20070910...
  18. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    My hotplate with a 1000 watt and an 800 watt burner (both on at the same time)  didn't trip the GFCI.  Thinking I have to look deeper into the wiring and the element.  I haven't dug any of the insulation out of the way around the connection covers on the smoker backside and was wondering how the...
  19. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Hey Ted, I had the controller off and looked it over, no moisture was evident.  Did you actually see the moisture on/in yours? Swede, I had just fired up mu MES side smoker unit and ran it for about 45 minutes in the same outlet.  Granted, the power draw is less than the smoker itself, but I...
  20. martok

    MES popping ground fault outlet

    Well folks, I drilled out all the pop rivets holding the back cover on and found that everything is pretty well covered with spray foam insulation.  Can't really see anything obvious.  No moisture at all. I wonder if the controller could be causing this?  Anyone heard of this before?  My cousin...
Top Bottom
Back
Clicky