Newbie needs help on smokers masterbuilt gen 1 or gen 2???

[daricksta]

 
Are the Gen 1 and 2 digital?  I've seen digital displays in the front and on the back of the smokers.  Does the outside packaging say which Generation it is?  What is the one below?  It looks basic from Bass Pro with a free cover for $129.97.

-Kurt

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• dr k
• May 13, 2015

Kurt, this is the electric analog model. Stay away from it. You can tell the 1st generation smokers by the model numbers. Here's the Amazon listing for the one I own and love:
I don't think the 40" Gen 1 is available anymore. It's been about a year since I seen any online listings for it.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Are the Gen 1 and 2 digital?  I've seen digital displays in the front and on the back of the smokers.  Does the outside packaging say which Generation it is?  What is the one below?  It looks basic from Bass Pro with a free cover for $129.97.

-Kurt

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• dr k
• May 13, 2015

That one isn't a Gen #1 or #2.

It's a Masterbuilt Analog smoker. I think there are a couple guys who like them.

No Digital control & no top vent.  Therm in the door.

Bear

 

[Bearcarver]

OOOPS---Sorry Rick---Didn't see your reply before I posted mine!!

Bear

 

[tumbleweed1]

I have that same 200070910 as Rick & I love it so far.

 

[daricksta]

 
OOOPS---Sorry Rick---Didn't see your reply before I posted mine!!

Bear

The more the merrier, Bear!

 

[dr k]

That one isn't a Gen #1 or #2.

It's a Masterbuilt Analog smoker. I think there are a couple guys who like them.

No Digital control & no top vent.  Therm in the door.

Bear

ok. I'll go gen 1 when I get closer to buying. I'm in no hurry. Thanks.
-Kurt

 

[Bearcarver]

ok. I'll go gen 1 when I get closer to buying. I'm in no hurry. Thanks.
-Kurt

By then the Gen #2.5 might be the one to buy.

There aren't many reports on them yet, but the ones I've seen seem to be all good so far.

Bear

 

[daricksta]

 
I have that same 200070910 as Rick & I love it so far.

Tumbleweed, how long have you owned it?

 

[tumbleweed1]

I got it over the winter & have only used it a few times on ribs.

This Sunday I will be doing a pork butt.

 

[dr k]

Kurt, this is the electric analog model. Stay away from it. You can tell the 1st generation smokers by the model numbers. Here's the Amazon listing for the one I own and love: http://www.amazon.com/Masterbuilt-20070910-30-Inch-Electric-Controller/dp/B00104WRCY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1431553155&sr=8-1&keywords=masterbuilt+30+electric+smoker

I don't think the 40" Gen 1 is available anymore. It's been about a year since I seen any online listings for it.

Thank you for the input. My buddy that I spoke of on another thread to you that's a procrastinator and is waiting to run electricity before using his MES 30 has the controller infront and the vent on the side. I know more people favor the gen 1 so I'll use the model number. Just researching. First time on electric smokers forum so now I'll get post notifications.
-Kurt

 

[daricksta]

 
By then the Gen #2.5 might be the one to buy.

There aren't many reports on them yet, but the ones I've seen seem to be all good so far.

Bear

I agree. I really enjoy my Gen 1 but the Gen 2.5 looks very well designed. But it's still too pricey for my little wallet.

 

[daricksta]

Thank you for the input. My buddy that I spoke of on another thread to you that's a procrastinator and is waiting to run electricity before using his MES 30 has the controller infront and the vent on the side. I know more people favor the gen 1 so I'll use the model number. Just researching. First time on electric smokers forum so now I'll get post notifications.
-Kurt

It's just a matter of how much you want to spend for the quality and features you get. I researched electric smokers before I bought my Masterbuilt because I didn't want a charcoal or a propane gas smoker. The MES 30 was available at a good price and the reviews were overwhelmingly positive. I had looked at the Master Forge smokers at Lowes--I understand that Masterbuilt built some or all of them for Lowes as the chain's exclusive store brand--and I looked at Little Chiefs but the MES 30 was far and away the best smoker in its price point--which varied weekly--since I wanted to keep it below $200. It remains perfect for my needs.

 

[dr k]

 
It's just a matter of how much you want to spend for the quality and features you get. I researched electric smokers before I bought my Masterbuilt because I didn't want a charcoal or a propane gas smoker. The MES 30 was available at a good price and the reviews were overwhelmingly positive. I had looked at the Master Forge smokers at Lowes--I understand that Masterbuilt built some or all of them for Lowes as the chain's exclusive store brand--and I looked at Little Chiefs but the MES 30 was far and away the best smoker in its price point--which varied weekly--since I wanted to keep it below $200. It remains perfect for my needs.

With our Therms, AMNS, AMNPS and AMNTS is there any reason to get any other MES than the Gen 1?  Does the Gen 1 breathe better for these smoke generators?  The Gen 2 has/had problems with smoke generation from their factory set up.  I saw a 20078715 w/o window with a front controller and top rear vent (Gen 2.5?) but couldn't see inside to see if it was like the big water pan of the Gen 1 or sloping drip tray into the smaller water pan of the Gen 2.  I wonder what features are different/same than Gen 1 & 2.  Do people substitute clean play sand covered with foil from drippings in the Gen 1 water bowl as a heat sink vs. water?  I often hear if you have a water bowl use it.  I had an ECB in the late 1990's and wasn't crazy about the humid smoke. 

-Kurt

 

[Bearcarver]

 
With our Therms, AMNS, AMNPS and AMNTS is there any reason to get any other MES than the Gen 1?  Does the Gen 1 breathe better for these smoke generators?  The Gen 2 has/had problems with smoke generation from their factory set up.  I saw a 20078715 w/o window with a front controller and top rear vent (Gen 2.5?) but couldn't see inside to see if it was like the big water pan of the Gen 1 or sloping drip tray into the smaller water pan of the Gen 2.  I wonder what features are different/same than Gen 1 & 2.  Do people substitute clean play sand covered with foil from drippings in the Gen 1 water bowl as a heat sink vs. water?  I often hear if you have a water bowl use it.  I had an ECB in the late 1990's and wasn't crazy about the humid smoke. 

-Kurt

One of the reasons the AMNPS works good in the Gen #1 is because of the Awesome place it has to put it (on the bars---Lots of air flow access).

No electric smoker can smoke as perfectly as an AMNPS.

Some use sand, bricks, or stone in their pan---I use nothing in mine, but I rarely open the door. 

The MES is so well insulated that it doesn't need any added humidity by adding water. I use my water pan, but I use it empty.

Not sure what you're asking about the differences between which MES smokers.

Bear

 

[dr k]

 
One of the reasons the AMNPS works good in the Gen #1 is because of the Awesome place it has to put it (on the bars---Lots of air flow access).

No electric smoker can smoke as perfectly as an AMNPS.

Some use sand, bricks, or stone in their pan---I use nothing in mine, but I rarely open the door. 

The MES is so well insulated that it doesn't need any added humidity by adding water. I use my water pan, but I use it empty.

Not sure what you're asking about the differences between which MES smokers.

Bear

I have a 12" AMNTS to work with.  The confusing question I asked was if the Gen 2.5 has a water pan set up like the Gen 1 or  Gen 2.  Also, where are the top vent and controller located on the Gen 2,5?  I saw a model # 20078715 and was wondering if that is the Gen 2.5.

-Kurt

 

[Bearcarver]

 
I have a 12" AMNTS to work with.  The confusing question I asked was if the Gen 2.5 has a water pan set up like the Gen 1 or  Gen 2.  Also, where are the top vent and controller located on the Gen 2,5?  I saw a model # 20078715 and was wondering if that is the Gen 2.5.

-Kurt

The 2.5 has a big water pan more like the one in the Gen #1, except due to the objects below it, they made the bottom of the pan in a split level shape.

The top vent on the 2.5 is in the back left corner of the top.

I gave up keeping track of the hundreds of model numbers they have, however the controls on the 2.5 are up front with a sun shield built over them.

Note: There are some Gen #2 units with the top vent in the back corner, like the 2.5. They came out near the end of 2014, but I believe that was the only thing they changed on that unit.

So since they did things like that, it could be hard to tell a Gen #2 from a Gen #2.5 without opening the door.

Bear

 

[dr k]

 
The 2.5 has a big water pan more like the one in the Gen #1, except due to the objects below it, they made the bottom of the pan in a split level shape.

The top vent on the 2.5 is in the back left corner of the top.

I gave up keeping track of the hundreds of model numbers they have, however the controls on the 2.5 are up front with a sun shield built over them.

Note: There are some Gen #2 units with the top vent in the back corner, like the 2.5. They came out near the end of 2014, but I believe that was the only thing they changed on that unit.

So since they did things like that, it could be hard to tell a Gen #2 from a Gen #2.5 without opening the door.

Bear

WOW there are lots of model numbers!  I'm up to speed on MES.  Thanks for your help! 

-Kurt

 

[daricksta]

 
With our Therms, AMNS, AMNPS and AMNTS is there any reason to get any other MES than the Gen 1?  Does the Gen 1 breathe better for these smoke generators?  The Gen 2 has/had problems with smoke generation from their factory set up.  I saw a 20078715 w/o window with a front controller and top rear vent (Gen 2.5?) but couldn't see inside to see if it was like the big water pan of the Gen 1 or sloping drip tray into the smaller water pan of the Gen 2.  I wonder what features are different/same than Gen 1 & 2.  Do people substitute clean play sand covered with foil from drippings in the Gen 1 water bowl as a heat sink vs. water?  I often hear if you have a water bowl use it.  I had an ECB in the late 1990's and wasn't crazy about the humid smoke. 

-Kurt

I think if someone wants a MES Gen 1 they're restricted to the 30"; I never see the 40" Gen 1 for sale online anymore. I'm also confused as to what the 2.5 models are. Is it this one: or this one: ? The 30" models are identical in design to these.

Both have a large, non-sloping water pan. The 20070311 is just an updated Gen 1 with the same twin rails to place the AMNPS on. The 20070115 lacks the rails but Bear had a placement suggestion for that and so did another forum member. I've heard that the Gen 1s have the best airflow but I don't know much about these two newer models.

I don't put sand or anything in my water pan. If you want to fill it with sand start off with clean playground sand and foil over the pan. Not sure if the sand would absorb moisture over the course of a smoke or time but you'd probably want to change it out periodically if necessary. You don't want the exposed sand to catch drippings. Too messy to dispose of, I think.

I've been told it's best to keep the water pan in place for Gen 1 models but I've seen one or two guys post they've removed their with no problems. As I wrote in another comment I use mine to catch drippings. Todd Johnson maintains the water pan is way too large for the interior space of the MES 30 Gen 1 and just serves to steam the foods instead of allowing them to roast through low and slow cooking--like your ECB and the humid smoke. He first advised me to put play sand in the water pan and foil it over but it was Bear who suggested to keep it empty and covered with foil.

I can appreciate how a window would help to see what's happening inside but I've been fine without one. I can monitor how much smoke is rising out of the top vent and I've got my ET-733 to monitor smoker and meat temps. I don't need a window.

 

[Bearcarver]

Rick,

This---the second one you showed is the Gen #2.5:


As for sand in the Pan, I only suggest an empty pan for guys like you & me, who don't open their door a lot.

Those who open their doors more than a couple very short times should think about putting sand in, like Todd suggested:

Bear

 

[daricksta]

 
Rick,

This---the second one you showed is the Gen #2.5:


As for sand in the Pan, I only suggest an empty pan for guys like you & me, who don't open their door a lot.

Those who open their doors more than a couple very short times should think about putting sand in, like Todd suggested:

Bear

Thanks, Bear--clear on the 2.5 now. Looks like a great smoker. And now I'm clear on how heat sinks work. I only open the door a lot at the beginning if I think the AMNPS is going out. The last time I was mistaken and kept mothering it too death so that it did keep going out until I finally left it alone. I'd forgotten what TBS looks like and when the AMNPS produced it I failed to recognize it right away.