MES 30 - Durability of electronics and covering them

[paulh1966]

I am getting a MES 30 Generation 1. Wanted to know if you need to cover it when not in use. Will rain and snow cause the digital display/controls to fail?

 

[rgautheir20420]

 
I am getting a MES 30 Generation 1. Wanted to know if you need to cover it when not in use. Will rain and snow cause the digital display/controls to fail?

The electronics would not last long in the elements. I would never leave my MES30 out in the elements. I have a specific spot in my garage that is sits in. I pick it up and move it to the back patio when it's in use. Even with the cover on, you'd still be risking the legs and such. Would if it got blown over or the cover got ripped and you didn't notice it? It's light enough to move pretty darn easy in my opinion.

 

[padronman]

Cover it or it will fail.

Scott

 

[paulh1966]

thanks Guys, I will either cover it or move it in and out of my shop.

 

[chef jimmyj]

I use a large rectangular Glad Food Storage Container, held down with a brick, to cover the electronics. It's been on my covered balcony like this for 3 year and has gotten wet while smoking meats and in windy storms. There has never been an issue using this method, especially when that unexpected down pour blows in during a smoke...JJ

 

[chiefwej]

I have the MES 40. It lives outside year round, I also put a large food container over the control (just like Jimmy) , but then I cover it with this:

image.jpg

• chiefwej
• May 19, 2014

It's a very nice, heavy duty fitted cover. Only $25 on Amazon. If it looks a bit weathered, that's two years in the Arizona sun. I'm due for a new one. Here's the link:

 

[Bearcarver]

I keep my MES 40 on the front porch, under roof, with a cover on it.

It's electric!!!  Electric & water don't mix!

I don't leave any of my power tools out in the rain either.

Bear

 

[darwin101]

I have the MES 40. It lives outside year round, I also put a large food container over the control (just like Jimmy) , but then I cover it with this:
...
It's a very nice, heavy duty fitted cover. Only $25 on Amazon. If it looks a bit weathered, that's two years in the Arizona sun. I'm due for a new one. Here's the link:

Chiefwej,  Thanks for the link.

I have the MES cover and it says in or on the box not to expose to sunlight.  

  I keep my unit in the garage and the cover is for dust only now that I know its useless.  When I need a new one I will check out the one you posted. 

 

[tjohnson]

All my smokers sit in a nice heated garage or my warehouse

The failure point of the Old Model MES are the crimp connectors for the wires that attach to the heating element.  They are made of cheap aluminum, and if they corrode just a little, "POP" and they're gone.  Of the (4) MES 40's I own, this has only happened to 1 of them, and it wasn't the oldest one either. If/When this happens, replace the factory aluminum crimp connectors with stainless crimp connectors from the auto parts store or an appliance dealer.

Other than the crimp connectors, my Old Model MES 40's have been pretty darn bulletproof

Even if you do cover the unit, I would bet sitting in a moist area could cause damage to the electronics

 

[daricksta]

 
I am getting a MES 30 Generation 1. Wanted to know if you need to cover it when not in use. Will rain and snow cause the digital display/controls to fail?

 
I am getting a MES 30 Generation 1. Wanted to know if you need to cover it when not in use. Will rain and snow cause the digital display/controls to fail?

Like other guys here I keep my MES in my uninsulated garage. I always keep it covered with a MES cover I bought off Amazon at the same time I bought the smoker. I have my MES bungee corded to a small handtruck which I use to wheel the smoker in and out of my garage. I've had the MES for about 3 years now and it still performs like a champ.

 

[daricksta]

I have the MES 40. It lives outside year round, I also put a large food container over the control (just like Jimmy) , but then I cover it with this:

image.jpg

• chiefwej
• May 19, 2014

It's a very nice, heavy duty fitted cover. Only $25 on Amazon. If it looks a bit weathered, that's two years in the Arizona sun. I'm due for a new one. Here's the link:

Love that cart. If I'd had the extra bucks I would have gone with that too instead of the small handtruck which I use.

 

[chiefwej]

The only downside of the cart is that it's chrome plated steel. It began to rust immediately. I wish it had been powder coated instead. No effect on the function, but it looks pretty shabby and I keep the mat under it so as to not stain my deck.

 

[daricksta]

The only downside of the cart is that it's chrome plated steel. It began to rust immediately. I wish it had been powder coated instead. No effect on the function, but it looks pretty shabby and I keep the mat under it so as to not stain my deck.

Did you know it was just chrome-plated when you bought it? I sure wouldn't know the difference by sight. The downside to my setup is that I still have to use the bungee cords and need to lift the MES off the handtruck onto a table and then to lower it back down again. But this all makes it easier to move it between my garage and wherever I'm smoking that day.

 

[chiefwej]

No, I guess I didn't think about the difference between chrome plated steel and stainless. I was surprised when it started to rust so quickly.

 

[darwin101]

A furniture mover and a few modifications (hooks & bungee cords) is a safe way to move a smoker around short distances.  Small wheels do limit things a bit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/movers-dolly-93888.html  $12

image_20492.jpg

• darwin101
• Aug 28, 2014

 

[themule69]

I keep my MES40 in my shop. I just open the doors when I use it. The shop smells so good for a few days.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[chef jimmyj]

The only downside of the cart is that it's chrome plated steel. It began to rust immediately. I wish it had been powder coated instead. No effect on the function, but it looks pretty shabby and I keep the mat under it so as to not stain my deck.

These carts are NSF certified and are available in a wet or dry use version that are used in the very moist environment of Walk-ins. The wet/dry units used to be plastic coated Green but I believe the newest versions are Black. May be a little late now but I figured I would let you know for a future purchase...JJ

 

[Bearcarver]

Cart or no cart, I have found the ideal height for an MES 40 is so that the bottom of the smoker is about 2' off the floor/ground.

Any lower than that hurts my back. But that could be just me & other old guys!!

Bear

 

[paulh1966]

Mine has arrived at Tractor Supply , going to pick it up then season it. I am thinking i might just leave it in my shop too , put a fan on low behind it when its on so not too much CO2 in the shop and leave the door open.

 

[tropics]

X2 on that but then again its only pain. LOL

Richie