Mod to MES 30 ?

larrym · Sep 2, 2011

Just a thought. I was wandering around the hardware store and saw a couple huge size pop rivets. Was wondering,,,, If I drilled a hole in top of my old MES and then put in a pop rivet with a center hole that was almost big enough to hold 2 wires,, I could go with a remote sensor thermometer which would be way more accurate then I have now. I dont like the idea of having wires going through the door because if I clamp it too tight, then I could break them. Anyone else tried to mod an old analog MES in a similar way ?

Bearcarver · Sep 2, 2011

Many of us drop our probes through the top exhaust vent (that is those with the digital MES).

That's probably a good idea for an analog MES.

Bear

larrym · Sep 2, 2011

I do not have a top exhaust vent. I have no vents in my older model. The only hole in the entire case is the drip hole in the bottom.

Bearcarver · Sep 2, 2011

LarryM said:
I do not have a top exhaust vent. I have no vents in my older model. The only hole in the entire case is the drip hole in the bottom.

Yup---It's probably is a good idea for you then.

Where exactly is your heating element?

If it is toward the right, I would put the hole toward the left.

If it's toward the left---hole toward the right.

In middle---put top hole in middle too.

Just my 2 cents,

Bear

SmokinAl · Sep 2, 2011

You could also use the brass lamp repair kit that a lot of guys use. It's a threaded brass nipple with 2 brass nuts. It's big enough for 3 wires.

larrym · Sep 2, 2011

Heating element is centered in the middle Bear. Lil pic included,, but dont look at my shoulder,, internal temp just hit 148 so not ready yet :)

SmokinAl · Sep 2, 2011

I've never seen an MES like that.

Frankly, ( to me ) it looks like a better design than the new models.

Instead of making a smaller element & chip pan off to the side.

Why not a big chip pan above the element, then a full sized water pan above that, & an exhaust vent right in the middle of the top.

hkeiner · Sep 2, 2011

So how does it work without a vent or ample leakage around a loose fitting door? I would have thought you would get too much smoke inside the box without any venting. Just curious....

larrym · Sep 2, 2011

Unless the outside temp is cold and if I remember right,,it worked great with lots of smoke in the winter,, around 40f outside temp. With summer heat,, I get very little smoke but I can smell it and the wood chips do get too charcoal stage. I dont know,, this is my first smoker,, trying to make it work. I suppose I could adjust door clamp so it is looser but still would be leary of trying to run some remote probe wires through there without them getting crimped... There must be more then me that have this older model,, someone had to make it work or M would have some refit kits. Nothing for this model that I have found.

candurin · Sep 2, 2011

That looks exactly like my Analog MES 30. But, I have a vent hole in the rear of the unit on the top right hand side, it's strange you don't have that as our units look identical. I simply thread my probes through that hole and hang the remote off the side handle (the plastic does NOT touch the cabinet).

I simply loosen the door latch to allow plenty of heat to be retained but vent the smoke.

teeznuts · Sep 2, 2011

LarryM said:
Heating element is centered in the middle Bear. Lil pic included,, but dont look at my shoulder,, internal temp just hit 148 so not ready yet :)

I just bought that same unit for my wife's father to teach him to smoke and so I can smoke when I go to the midwest to visit. I almost like it better than my digital MES.

Bearcarver · Sep 2, 2011

It would seem to me, like Al said, it could be better than our digitals, unless there are other things bad about it.

I would think you could get a top vent like we have, and install it (in the center)---or 2 smaller vents---one right, one left???

How many watts is that element?

Bear

teeznuts · Sep 2, 2011

I can't recall the wattage of the element and I called masterbuilt to confirm but they're now closed for the weekend. The only thing I didn't like about the unit is it only has 3 cooking racks and my MES digital has 4. I was thinking about trying to find a metal cooling rack to sit on the top rack to create a fourth rack since there is plenty of room.

Bearcarver · Sep 2, 2011

My MES 40 is a bit tight between the top shelf & the ceiling.

And the bottom is a bit close to the heat.

I think if I'd have designed it, I'd have made it 3 shelves, like yours, but a 4 shelf smoker is easier to sell than a 3 shelf.

The order I use them in is:

1st choice----#2

2nd choice---#1 ( top shelf, if the food I'm doing fits)

3rd choice----#3

4th choice----#4 (if ever---So far I have never put food on that one)

My 2 cents,

Bear

teeznuts · Sep 2, 2011

I originally set out to buy him the digital MES30 like I have which is a 4 rack but I saw the analog 3 rack at a good price and figured how often do I actually use all 4 racks. I would like him to have the option of a 4th rack for the occasional massive ABT smoke of for cooking for a crowd but the price was right and he's new to smoking and didn't know the difference. Now if I can only get the wife to smart smoking maybe she'll like it and let me get an MES40.

larrym · Sep 2, 2011

:) guess I go with some type of mod if I want a vent. I normally have door adjusted tight so no air leakage. I went by the infommercials. Its supposed to work as is. Winter or fall,, if outside temp is low,, the heater control kicks in a lot, and that creates the smoke. As is right now,, in almost 100f outside temp,, control is barely used so then no heat to wood chip tray, thus no smoke. Unless I do a mod to somehow keep the heat control fired up, I dont see what else I can do.. As a side note,, sitting at 10 hours now, this is how it looks, internal temp is just 168 from a couple test spots,, so guess maybe I am in stall ...

larrym · Sep 2, 2011

OMG,, I feel like an idiot now. Something I never noticed,, there is a plug on top right corner that can be unscrewed. I didnt notice it on the inside,, was covered with smoke residue,, started looking around after posting this,, its not big, bout 1/4 inch,, but I can remove plug and run wires through there. duhhh,,, idjut, well at least now I can get a decent thermometer with sensors.

Bearcarver · Sep 2, 2011

LOL---I would have never looked at anything 1/4" either.

Bear

larrym · Sep 2, 2011

here it is,, small but yet I do feel stupid for not seeing it there.

daveomak · Sep 3, 2011

SmokinAl said:
I've never seen an MES like that.

Frankly, ( to me ) it looks like a better design than the new models.

Instead of making a smaller element & chip pan off to the side.

Why not a big chip pan above the element, then a full sized water pan above that, & an exhaust vent right in the middle of the top.

I agree with Al.......That baby is a keeper......A 2" or so vent in the top and a 1" of so vent in the middle of the bottom would be my suggestion....(for additional mods if you sere so inclined)

Somehow I can't leave well enough alone and modify everything......Just being me....After seeing your MES....Masterbuilt should have kept that design on the retail shelves.......

Mod to MES 30 ?

Meat Mopper

Gone but not forgotten RIP

Meat Mopper

Gone but not forgotten RIP

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

Meat Mopper

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

Meat Mopper

Meat Mopper

Smoke Blower

Master of the Pit

Gone but not forgotten RIP

Master of the Pit

Gone but not forgotten RIP

Master of the Pit

Meat Mopper

Meat Mopper

Gone but not forgotten RIP

Meat Mopper

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

Similar threads

Hot Threads

Featured A couple thick strips please!