- Sep 14, 2025
- 16
- 45
I found this forum about 10 months ago when I was researching an electric smokehouse build that's percolating in the back of my mind. That project is still percolating, but I've already gleaned a bunch of great info from many members here who have shared their builds and knowledge.
I've been smoking meats and making sausages for 25+ years on a variety of gear (Klose offset, WSM, Kamado ceramic, RecTeq 700.) My go-to smoking forum has been The Virtual Weber Bullet forum since about 2002, and I recognize a number of members here from there. My current backyard cooking arsenal includes the RecTeq 700, a red Genesis 1, a red Mastertouch kettle (circa '95), an Ooni Koda 16 and the aforementioned MES 30 (oh, and I guess my Garcima paella burner counts, too.)
I have recently acquired a Gen1 MES 30 from Craigslist for $40 as my first foray into electric smokers. Did an empty heat test in it yesterday, and experienced the expected heat swings, as well as a built in temp probe that reads ~20° lower than my tested/verified probes from Thermoworks. Not to worry, I can make it work, knowing how it's operating, and will likely add a PID anyway. I have some snack sticks in the MES right now, but I'll share that in the appropriate forum.
When I'm not messing around with my smoker or sausage gear, I can be found in the kitchen cooking other stuff, on my road bike, at the golf course, or just chilling with a game on (soccer, football, baseball, etc.) I'm also an avid sourdough baker, running a permitted bakery out of my house (currently on pause due to work schedule "issues".)
I look forward to participating here, and I'm sure if/when my smokehouse project gets to the actual build phase, will have some questions to ask.
Thanks in advance!
Rich
I've been smoking meats and making sausages for 25+ years on a variety of gear (Klose offset, WSM, Kamado ceramic, RecTeq 700.) My go-to smoking forum has been The Virtual Weber Bullet forum since about 2002, and I recognize a number of members here from there. My current backyard cooking arsenal includes the RecTeq 700, a red Genesis 1, a red Mastertouch kettle (circa '95), an Ooni Koda 16 and the aforementioned MES 30 (oh, and I guess my Garcima paella burner counts, too.)
I have recently acquired a Gen1 MES 30 from Craigslist for $40 as my first foray into electric smokers. Did an empty heat test in it yesterday, and experienced the expected heat swings, as well as a built in temp probe that reads ~20° lower than my tested/verified probes from Thermoworks. Not to worry, I can make it work, knowing how it's operating, and will likely add a PID anyway. I have some snack sticks in the MES right now, but I'll share that in the appropriate forum.
When I'm not messing around with my smoker or sausage gear, I can be found in the kitchen cooking other stuff, on my road bike, at the golf course, or just chilling with a game on (soccer, football, baseball, etc.) I'm also an avid sourdough baker, running a permitted bakery out of my house (currently on pause due to work schedule "issues".)
I look forward to participating here, and I'm sure if/when my smokehouse project gets to the actual build phase, will have some questions to ask.
Thanks in advance!
Rich
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Amazing how much time you can spend thinking about the details of what is essentially an insulated box with a heat source, a smoke source, and some airflow! :)
