Questions on the MES 30 & 40

bigfish98 · Oct 14, 2011

I am in the market for a new smoker. Had to sell my propane smoker when we moved. We also went from a house to an apartment so I am looking for something easily moveable. In my search, I came upon the MES 30 and 40. I can get the MES 30 at walmart for 180 (that's the model without the window and straight black) or I can get the 40 at sams for 300 (that's with the window, remote, etc.) I am trying to decide which one would be better. I am leaning towards the 40 not only because of the window and other features, but because of the capacity. I like to smoke larger quantities. Is the capacity of the 40 sufficiently more than the 30 to warrant the price?

Also, I have been reading reviews and have seen a lot of reviews saying they couldn't get enough smoke out of the unit. I watched some videos on youtube and a couple were saying that the wood wasn't fully combusting, but it looked like they were using chips. Wouldn't the more finely shredded "sawdust" products work better in these units?

Also, saw a lot of people use the AMNPS in theirs. Is this generally considered a must? Can you use the cheaper AMNS? And do you have to use their wood products or can you use anything in them?

I know that's a lot. Thanks in advance! I will be smoking 3 racks of spareribs and two chuck roasts this weekend in my father in law's propane smoker so I will try to get some pics!

SmokinAl · Oct 14, 2011

bigfish98 said:
I am in the market for a new smoker. Had to sell my propane smoker when we moved. We also went from a house to an apartment so I am looking for something easily moveable. In my search, I came upon the MES 30 and 40. I can get the MES 30 at walmart for 180 (that's the model without the window and straight black) or I can get the 40 at sams for 300 (that's with the window, remote, etc.) I am trying to decide which one would be better. I am leaning towards the 40 not only because of the window and other features, but because of the capacity. I like to smoke larger quantities. Is the capacity of the 40 sufficiently more than the 30 to warrant the price? Yes, get the 40.

Also, I have been reading reviews and have seen a lot of reviews saying they couldn't get enough smoke out of the unit. I watched some videos on youtube and a couple were saying that the wood wasn't fully combusting, but it looked like they were using chips. Wouldn't the more finely shredded "sawdust" products work better in these units? No, Masterbuilt has a retrofit chip box & loader that will make smoke much better, they are free for the asking.

Also, saw a lot of people use the AMNPS in theirs. Is this generally considered a must? For consistent smoke for long periods of time without reloading the chip box, IMHO the AMNPS is a must have item.Can you use the cheaper AMNS? It doesn't work as well for hot smoking. The AMNPS can use pellets or dust. And do you have to use their wood products or can you use anything in them? You can use any sawdust as long as it is pure wood without any additives, and you can use any wood pellets. I prefer to buy mine from Todd because I know they are 100% wood.

I know that's a lot. Thanks in advance! I will be smoking 3 racks of spareribs and two chuck roasts this weekend in my father in law's propane smoker so I will try to get some pics! Good luck!

larrym · Oct 14, 2011

I have to agree with Al. I have an older MES 30,, it has no vents and I couldnt get a good smoke on it, unless it was cold enough outside. I have also found that 3 racks is just not enough sometimes. I just got my AMNPS and from 1 pork butt run,, it outperforms the standard wood chip tray by miles. So many times the chips just charcoal and dont burn down,, I just got in the habit of adding fresh chips every 4 hours. Last night,, with full AMNPS,, I got about 6 hours of full steady smoke, though I must give Todd a disclaimer here,, I recently modded my MES 30 and no way right now to adjust intake so it burned hot. Boy it did smell good while it was going though :)

ptcruiserguy · Oct 14, 2011

I have an MES 40 and love it. Smokin anything is very easy and "almost" fool proof.(I being the fool of course)

I also have the amns, and the amnps. I use them both from time to time but believe I will be going with the amnps for good.

With this item cold smoking is a breeze. Todd has done a great job on this product. I also only but pellets and dust from Todd,

because I trust him and the others on here, and their opinions.

So If I were telling you what to get it would be the MES 40 and the amnps. JMO

Happy Smokin'

Mike

Bearcarver · Oct 14, 2011

What SmokinAl said, PLUS :

I started out with the same choice you have in front to you.

I chose the cheaper MES 30.

I used it for a year, but it was after only a few months that I started wishing I had bought the MES 40.

Now I have them both, but I only use the MES 40.

The old MES 30 is sitting on the bench waiting to hear the famous words, "Suit up, You're Going In !!!"

Some guys are happy with the MES 30, because they are great smokers, but many are glad they got the MES 40.

Hope that helps,

Bear

bigfish98 · Oct 14, 2011

Thankz for the advice guys. Now do you have any on how to get my wife to go along with it?!!:biggrin:

Bearcarver · Oct 14, 2011

bigfish98 said:
Thankz for the advice guys. Now do you have any on how to get my wife to go along with it?!!

You could tell her about all the Bucks you'll be saving, when you make things like Bacon, Canadian Bacon, Smoked Pork Chops, Double Smoked Ham, Rare Roast Beef lunch meat, etc, etc, compared to expensive store prices. Then show her some pics of those things. If you need a quick place to get them, take your pick in my signature, at the bottom of any of my posts. Just click on whatever meat you want to show her.

Then move on to the "Please, Please, Please Honey" phase!!!

It's in the bag !!!

Bear

bluebombersfan · Oct 14, 2011

I have an MES 30 and the new pellet smoker from Todd and would have to say these two together are great!!!!

larrym · Oct 14, 2011

My question would be does she like sausage ? My wife loves pulled pork and the first one I ever did according to her was the best she ever tasted. My fault is that I didnt keep rub recepie,, so have no clue what I did. Butt........ the first fatty I did,, she loved and now she comes up with her own version. Let wife know that she can determine what goes in,, you will just put on smoker for a couple hours max, dont guarantee that rest of family will fall in love with the flavor but lightly hint,, that they will come back for more :) If a couple of stuffed fatties doesnt get her on board :) You may have to really wow her with something else,, of course there are plenty of ideas for anything on the site :)

bigfish98 · Oct 15, 2011

Does anyone know the internal dimensions of the mes 40?

Bearcarver · Oct 15, 2011

bigfish98 said:
Does anyone know the internal dimensions of the mes 40?

The 4 grill racks are 12 1/2" deep, by 19 3/4" wide.

Bear

tjohnson · Oct 15, 2011

Get the AMNPS and some pellets

You can get pellets locally in Bismarck

MossyMo lives just north or you, near Huron, SD

Todd

bigfish98 · Oct 15, 2011

My parents were asking me what I wanted for christmas so I told them an AMNPS!! Pretty sure it will be my number one present! I think I'll get the MES 40 for myself for christmas in October!:grilling_smilie:

eman · Oct 15, 2011

As the others have said, Get the 40" If you don't you will wish you had down the road. I have done 50+ lbs of meat at once on my 40" and it's the old style 800 watt. The new ones are 1200 watt and have a lot more features.

jc1947 · Oct 15, 2011

Bigfish, I had the MES 30 for about 1 smoke and sent it back and got a MES 40. I also have the AMNPS...Works great.

Everything I have smoked came out fine. I would recommend buying your sawdust from Todd. I tried some sawdust from a mill that saws only maple and it was a pain to dry and keep lit. Learned my lesson lol.

JC1947

Bearcarver · Oct 15, 2011

bigfish98 said:
My parents were asking me what I wanted for christmas so I told them an AMNPS!! Pretty sure it will be my number one present! I think I'll get the MES 40 for myself for christmas in October!

Now that's funny you said that!!!

That is what I did last year--and it was in October too!!!

Only difference is I didn't end up paying for it.

A young Santa came to the rescue!!!!

Check this out:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/99899/mes-40-with-remote-christmas-present

You will love that MES 40 and the AMNPS !!!

Bear

bigfish98 · Oct 15, 2011

Bearcarver, thanks for the link to your post. Wish my kids were old enough to buy me a smoker like yours did! Maybe I'll just say its from them! Thank you for your service as well.

Bearcarver · Oct 15, 2011

bigfish98 said:
Bearcarver, thanks for the link to your post. Wish my kids were old enough to buy me a smoker like yours did! Maybe I'll just say its from them! Thank you for your service as well.

Thanks Bigfish!!

LOL---That'll work!!-----

"To Dad,

with Love,

From Us Kids"

Or the old stand-by:

To Dad,

From Santa

smokinit · Oct 17, 2011

Here is a little mod I did on mine to get more smoke out of it. you have to make sure to add chips in when it at temp or almost at temp since more heat is now getting though to the chip pan and ignition may occur. First remove fire box and drill a few holes in the base. Then drill a few extra holes in the side they are already three there this will allow more smoke out. just doing my first cook on it now i will post my results.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r134/smokinit/IMG_20111015_105546.jpg
http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r134/smokinit/IMG_20111015_110645.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r134/smokinit/IMG_20111017_132214.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r134/smokinit/IMG_20111015_110828.jpg

Bearcarver · Oct 17, 2011

Smokinit,

I like your mod. I have seen some guys cut that whole piece of metal out, since it isn't even there on the chip burner assembly that works properly.

That would be the way to go, if they weren't giving out the retro-kits that work properly for FREE.

I don't know if they will continue to give them away, but I guess as long as they have bad ones out there, they should.

Bear

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