Masterbuilt gen 2 40" issues

[hillbillyrkstr]

Hello I was just seasoning my masterbuilt gen 2 40" smoker and it tells you to season it at 275 for three hours, and during the last hour it says to use wood chips. Within minutes my chips were on fire and I had to take them out and dump them. Tried two more times and same outcome. I was told on another thread it's a chip tray recall issue so that's good I guess. Hopefully that's all it is. Any other info on this would be appreciated. Also does anyone know if I will have to season this smoker again with the new tray or if I'm good with the three hour seasoning with one hour of opening it up because of fire? Thanks

 

[themule69]

 Welocme to the group. You will not have to reseason it. You might want to think about the AMNPS for smoke.

David

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

Thanks mule, I've been told by a few of this forums members to get the amazn and I'm gonna buy it this week for sure. You have any experience with the masterbuilt gen 2's at all?

 

[beernuts]

I have a MES 40 Gen 2 and a GMG Daniel Boone w/remote. They are two different smokers and have different characteristics. I've had the MES for quite a few months now and have made the usual amount of good and bad choices. I too set my MES on fire with the wood chips. There is kind of an art to get the chips to smolder properly without catching fire. The thing I did was start with a small handful then add a couple more each time I added chips until I was satisfied that I wasn't going to have another fire. Adding a few chips at a time allows a buildup of ash to insulate new chips as they are added therefore less likely to catch fire. Also if you have another fire close all of the vents to starve it of oxygen. I don't soak my chips beforehand but you may want to if the fires are a problem.

The first good choice I made was to get an AMNPS pellet tray to use as the main smoke source. I can light it and forget it as it produces a TBS that nicely smokes the food I'm cooking. Next I measured the temps at various levels and places on the grates to get an idea of heat distribution. Then I started cooking different meats to see how they cooked in a cabinet smoker. Practice, practice, practice is what you need to do.

There are lots of threads on the issues using the MES 40. The key is to see how it works for you and learn your smoker.

 

[mrspike]

You guys are soaking your chips in water first, correct?
 

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

I was told not to soak the chips in water.

 

[themule69]

Thanks mule, I've been told by a few of this forums members to get the amazn and I'm gonna buy it this week for sure. You have any experience with the masterbuilt gen 2's at all?

I have the 40 1st gen. works great,I use a AMNPS for smoke.

 

[chef jimmyj]

Soaking chips only generates steam until they dry out...Then they burst into flames...The AMNPS is the only way to go with a MES...JJ

 

[roadkill cafe]

I agree with JJ all the way. AMNPS is the way to go without a doubt. I have a Gen. 2 MES and the only time I've used chips is during the initial seasoning and no fire. I know the instructions say to add one cup of chips during the last hour but that's too much. I added only a palm full and that was good enough. The AMNPS will also keep you from having to add chips every 30-45 min. too. Masterbuilt will gladly send you the replacement chip tray if your particular unit needs it. They should be able to tell from the serial number.

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

Appreciate the info road kill. I'll probably be back asking you for more info and what not. Thanks again.

 

[chef jimmyj]

I would go ahead and contact Masterbuilt for the proper chip drawer. The AMNPS is great but for items like Shrimp and other seafood that only requires 30 minutes of smoke the Chip drawer and chips are more practical...JJ

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

Thanks chef jimmy. I'm gonna call them today. I ordered the amazn last night as well. You guys have all been a big help. Great forum!

 

[roadkill cafe]

Appreciate the info road kill. I'll probably be back asking you for more info and what not. Thanks again.

Not a problem. We're all here to help when needed and happy to do so. Enjoy your new "toy".

Steve

 

[gambitx]

I opened up my MES gen 2 40" this weekend and ran into the same issue with the chip tray lighting on fire.  Tried a number of different things, but ultimately the chips would catch on fire.  It only varied on when it finally happened and how big the fire was.  Note that I don't have the model that is under the recall.  

When I called Masterbuilt about it, they recommend that I soak the wood chips, which was one thing that I didn't try. I went ahead and gave that a shot... same result.  Just took a little longer and created a bunch of white smoke before catching on fire.  Called Masterbuilt a second time and the recording said their offices are closed for an hour (lunch break?).  After finally reaching them again, they tried to troubleshoot the issue but didn't seem to have any solution.  Finally, they decided to send me a retrofit tray.  I asked to confirm that this was for my model since it isn't the model under recall and she assured me that it is and it's a new tray they are making that fits better so may take a while to get to me.

I'm not entirely convinced this tray will be any different, but will wait and see.  I have been considering getting the AMNPS, but just missed the coupon that expired last month.  Not sure whether to go ahead and get the AMNPS anyway or wait for this new tray and see if it works any better.

 

[gambitx]

I got the retrofit from Masterbuilt today.  The descriptions on the parts are: "Wood Chip Retro Kit 2013 (Newly Tooled Tray)" and "Wood Chip Loader - Newly Tooled Version - 20070312".  

I have the gen 2 MES 40 from Sam's Club, model #20072612.  It has a full size tray and loader, no metal between tray and heating element.  I guess this was what the retro kit provided users who complained about not enough smoke.  Anyway, this new retro kit that I got now has a very small half tray, and the chip loader has more than half blocked off.  So I guess they are moving back to their old design to limit oxygen in the tray compartment and prevent the fire issue.

I'm going to go ahead and put it into my MES to see if it works any better.  But got the AMNPS on order so it probably doesn't matter much.  Although with the AMNPS, I'll have to see which tray unit provides the better airflow to keep the AMNPS going.

 

[spatrick]

I have the same model from Sams club. I have not had problems like this. I have smoked in this about 5 times. Ive got the smoker about 2 months ago. I have not seen any fires.

 

[gambitx]

I have the same model from Sams club. I have not had problems like this. I have smoked in this about 5 times. Ive got the smoker about 2 months ago. I have not seen any fires.

Not sure how our units differ.  I haven't even tried smoking anything in it yet.  Just cranked it up to season it and ran into the issue.  Pretty much everything I've tried has resulted in a fire.  Maybe in your case you are smoking at a much lower temperature than the max used when seasoning it.  Are you using a full loader of chips?

 

[spatrick]

I seasoned it just like you did. I also put 3 loads of chips about every time I smoke. I just smoked some wings and fattie tonight at 275f.

 

[gambitx]

3 loads of chips meaning you refill it 3 separate times I take it.  I'm really not sure how yours differs from mine and a lot of others who have the fire issue.  In any event, Masterbuilt did make a revised version of the tray and loader, so going to go ahead and try that while waiting for my AMNPS to arrive.

 

[spatrick]

Three loads one load at a time during the same smoking period.