Do these really work?

needsmetidaho · Dec 23, 2011

I have never used an electric smoker. Seems like sacrilege to me. However, I am curious about them. The problem with wood smokers is regulating the temp. it can be quite the challenge and babysitting them can be worse. Especially if the weather is bad outside.

On these electric smokers, Im thiking that they work like that guy on that Ronco commercial. Set it and forget it

Is that right? Do they still give that same smoke flavor and a regular wood smoker?

Phillip

SmokinAl · Dec 23, 2011

There are a whole lot of MES owners on here who turn out some great BBQ . The flavor will be a little different than a stickburner, but the ease of use more than makes up for the small difference in taste. If you couple them with a AMNPS pellet burner you will get a better flavor, than if you use the factory chip tray & wood chips.

big casino · Dec 23, 2011

I have an MES and use it regularly and I agree with Al, the flavor is slightly different, I think the MES makes a great smoker\cooker, for doing butts and briskets, chickens, many more things you can think of, and yes pretty much set it and forget it IF you use something like a maverick remote thermo that monitors smoker temp and meat temp.

I think they work as smokers for sausages and such but, they need a lil more attention and tweaking.

just my opinion,

oh and I think they work best with saw dust rather than chunks, but I have never tried pellets

hkeiner · Dec 23, 2011

It is kind of like comparing a charcoal grill with a gas grill. Some would claim that burgers and steaks grilled on a charcoal grill are way better than if grilled on a gas grill and would refuse to use a gas grill. Others might think the difference is minor and think that the convenience of a gas grill greatly outweighs any effect on taste. Considering that there are a lot of gas grills sold , convenience seem to be a big deciding factor to many grillers. Probably not so much with smokers, but the same general idea.

Having said this, my first smoker used charcoal and I found it a pain to use and clean so didn't use it much. After that I got a gas smoker and still found I had to baby-sit it to maintain a constant temperature, especially on windy days. After getting the MES, I smoke much more often and so enjoy having smoked foods much more often.

Just my thoughts...

frosty · Dec 23, 2011

I have a stick burner, and love it. However, the ease of use for the electric allows for more control, and a minimum of temperature spikes.

I also own a MES 40 and AMNPS (which you can get right here) and I'm looking forward to being able to do things that I could not do normally, (i.e. Smoked Salmon, Turkeys, etc.) due to those spikes.

Your additional benefit is being able to control long smokes or several briskets at once, without having to constantly monitor the temps.

Overall, no one product will be able to fit all situations. Pick the thing you do best, and the get the tools that you need.

Either way, you will benefit from experience and patience.

Good luck!

needsmetidaho · Dec 23, 2011

I think one ay I will invest in an electric and try it for myself. Recommendations on a good model to buy? I dont need anything to big.

SmokinAl · Dec 23, 2011

MES 40 with window at Sam's $299.

flash · Dec 23, 2011

Just remember when the power goes out, your meal is toast.

scarbelly · Dec 23, 2011

Flash said:
Just remember when the power goes out, your meal is toast.

Just kick on the generator or throw into the gas oven or the gas grill. It is all good

SmokinAl · Dec 23, 2011

needsmetidaho · Dec 23, 2011

SmokinAl said:
MES 40 with window at Sam's $299.

No Sams Clubs up here in Idaho. We had a Sams Club for a while, but it closed up. it couldnt complete with Costco.

Costco probably has it .

flyweed · Dec 23, 2011

I have both as well, and use them both. Just depends on what kind of mood I am in, and what I am smoking. I love to do snack sticks and game day buffalo wings on my MES, and the big smokes, like brisket, pork butt, or turkey on my stick burner.

Dan

tjohnson · Dec 23, 2011

needsmetidaho said:
I have never used an electric smoker. Seems like sacrilege to me. However, I am curious about them. The problem with wood smokers is regulating the temp. it can be quite the challenge and babysitting them can be worse. Especially if the weather is bad outside.

On these electric smokers, Im thiking that they work like that guy on that Ronco commercial. Set it and forget it

Is that right? Do they still give that same smoke flavor and a regular wood smoker?

Phillip

I don't quite know why using an electric smoker seem like sacrilege??

In an electric smoker, electricity is used to generate heat, and sawdust, pellets, chips or chunks are used to produce smoke

Good BBQ is more dependent on the operator, than the equipment.

I currently own (3) MES 40's and Pellet Pro Pellet Smoker.

A WSM may be my next on my list, and a stick burner does not interest me whatsoever.

Different strokes for different folks!

Todd

needsmetidaho · Dec 23, 2011

Stick Burner!!!!!

Thats funny. I have never heard it called that before.

tjohnson · Dec 24, 2011

No offense to those who can BBQ on a Stick Burner

It truly is an ART, but I just don't have the time or the patience to learn

TJ

fliphyzer · Dec 24, 2011

Or..... you can get a nanoq or other blower kit and comtrol your temps quite nicely. It eliminates the too hot and too cold issues you experience.

http://www.bbqguru.com/

My POS chargriller duo all modded up is running at a perfect 230 right now, with about a foot of snow on the ground and on the north side of the house.

And with a basket full of charcoal and using the minion method, I dont have to go back out there until she's done.

flash · Dec 24, 2011

Scarbelly said:
Just kick on the generator or throw into the gas oven or the gas grill. It is all good

Well, of course. IF you have a generator or gas oven or grill. Could use Charcoal too. I would suspect someone having a gas oven though, would go propane to start with though.

tdwester · Dec 24, 2011

I also live in Boise. The only place I have seen the MES 40 is at Cabelas. I picked up a MES 30 without window for 173 at Lowes. They do work very well and can make some great flavor even when it is in the 20's.

stovebolt · Dec 25, 2011

The MES 40 is a nice piece of equipment. Add the AMNPS and it's even better. You can

do great chow on lots of machines, but this is a good combination. The 30 is good also,

but you will end up wishing you had more room more than likely.

Just my $0.02.

Chuck

slaphead · Dec 26, 2011

I've used a Weber SM for about 8 years and love the way it smokes salmon, ribs and turkey. Acquired the 30" version of the MES just before Thanksgiving to provide a less fuss option with built in insulation and found it did a great job on a 16 pound, brined turkey. Cooked a few more things on the MES since then and concluded it really comes down to the wood you use and the way you use it (the MES and the wood). The old addage of "low and Slow" seems to work just fine with the MES. From my perspective the WSM and MES are complimentary and more importantly fun!

Happy Holidays everyone.

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