MES 40 Questions

[hydrostan]

I currently have, and have had a Smokey Mountain propane smoker for better than 15 years. While it has served me well, it is getting old, and I'm getting tired of constantly having to adjust the gas flow to keep the temperature somewhat stationary. I have been reading about the Masterbuilt electric smokers and they appear impressive. I do have some questions before I act:

1. I see the MES 40 is on sale at a few locations. I also notice that it is a "discontinued model" Is this something to be concerned about?

2. I'm assuming (again) that this smoker, being digitally controlled, will eliminate the varying smoking temperature problem?

3. I do a lot of sausage smoking and it is necessary to remove the racks to hang the sausage. I realize this is probably a stupid question, but again I assume this in not a problem (to put wooden dowels in the rack holders. 

4. I guess I have more reading to do as I see the "A-MAZE-N-TUBE" is recommended for this smoker. 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, advice, warnings, whatever!

 

[chef jimmyj]

 
I currently have, and have had a Smokey Mountain propane smoker for better than 15 years. While it has served me well, it is getting old, and I'm getting tired of constantly having to adjust the gas flow to keep the temperature somewhat stationary. I have been reading about the Masterbuilt electric smokers and they appear impressive. I do have some questions before I act:

1. I see the MES 40 is on sale at a few locations. I also notice that it is a "discontinued model" Is this something to be concerned about? Model # 20070311 is the Gen 1. Works very well. Model #'s ending in 15 are ok too.

2. I'm assuming (again) that this smoker, being digitally controlled, will eliminate the varying smoking temperature problem? There are some temp swings, 15-20°, but they decrease as the meat cooks and the average will be where you want it. Many models may run up to 20° hot or cold from the setpoint when measured with a seperate therm at the cooking rack. This is not unusual because the therm measuring set point temp is no where near the racks.

3. I do a lot of sausage smoking and it is necessary to remove the racks to hang the sausage. I realize this is probably a stupid question, but again I assume this in not a problem (to put wooden dowels in the rack holders. I do it but there is only 20" from the top or the rails to the botton drip pan, about 14" to the top of the chip pan housing.

4. I guess I have more reading to do as I see the "A-MAZE-N-TUBE" is recommended for this smoker. Tubes work well, the AMNPS Maze works well in the 311 model or add the Mail Box mod for other models.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, advice, warnings, whatever! Good luck...JJ

 

[hydrostan]

Wow, thanks Chef Jimmy! You pretty much covered all my questions. 

I didn't realize that there would be temperature swings in electric smokers. Here we thought it was pretty much confined to the gas models. 

Thanks again for all the good information.