New MES 40 (from SAMS) questions, Doing a brisket tomorrow, Need Help!

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

thepctech

Newbie
Original poster
Sep 2, 2010
6
10
Ok, so I have been reading amout the MES smokers and I have a couple on questions.

1. Can someone post a pic of the "Big" and "Small" wood chip box?

2. Does it matter which one I have?

3. I have an AMNS (large) and a 10 lb box of hickory, I see everyone saying that it works great with this.  How?  Can I get some help with this?

4. If I use the wood chip tray, where do I put this 12" x 12" tile?  Do I need it if I use the AMNS?

5. How long and at what temp should I cook a beef brisket.

6. The weather is nice here in CO today, do I need to extend cooking times if it is really cold?

and last...

7. Do I need to cure this unit prior to using?  If so what temp and how long?

Thanks for all the help, in advance.

Brian "ThePCTech"

Go Colorado Rockies!
 
Ok, so I have been reading amout the MES smokers and I have a couple on questions.

1. Can someone post a pic of the "Big" and "Small" wood chip box?

2. Does it matter which one I have? If you use the AMNS it doesn't matter.

3. I have an AMNS (large) and a 10 lb box of hickory, I see everyone saying that it works great with this.  How?  Can I get some help with this? I put the AMNS in the water pan & a foil pan on the rack above it with water in it. I fill all the rows with dust, tamp it down lightly & light both ends. Some of the guys leave the center row empty to keep the rows from jumping across, but I have never had that problem.

4. If I use the wood chip tray, where do I put this 12" x 12" tile?  Do I need it if I use the AMNS? The 12x12 tile is a heat diffuser, it distributes the heat more evenly throughout the cabinet. Without it the MES has a hot spot in the right rear. If you don't use the tile, which I never did, just put the thick end of the brisket on the right side and keep it toward the front of the unit.

5. How long and at what temp should I cook a beef brisket. I like to cook my brisket in the 210-220 range. For a juicy brisket smoke until IT is 165, then put in aluminum pan with some liquid. Cover tightly with foil & put back in smoker or in oven until it hits 205 IT. Then wrap it in towels & put in a dry cooler for a couple of hours. It is very hard to estimate the time for a brisket, they are very uncooperative as far as time prediction goes. I always figure 2 hours per pound & that includes the rest in cooler.

6. The weather is nice here in CO today, do I need to extend cooking times if it is really cold? Cook by temp NOT time. Yes it will take longer in cold weather.

and last...

7. Do I need to cure this unit prior to using?  If so what temp and how long? I would cure it. Just spray the inside with PAM & set the smoker at 250. This is also a good time to put a good temp probe inside to see what the actual temp on the grate is when the smoker is set at 250. Put some wood chips in the chip box & see how it goes. I would let it cure for a couple of hours.

Good luck Brian! Let us know how it turns out with some Q-view of course.

Al

Thanks for all the help, in advance.

Brian "ThePCTech"

Go Colorado Rockies!
 
Last edited:
Also great answers from Al.

The only change I might make would be to set your digital control to 275˚ for your seasoning of the smoker. I would also put another "accurate" thermometer, like an ET-732, in your smoker. This way, while you are seasoning it, you can also find out what it actual top end is, and how accurate your control box read-out is.

Also make note at what temp the smoke starts, so you will have an idea if your smoker needs the FREE retro kit.

Bear
 
As Al has said this is what I have done with mine. BE SURE to cure it like it says in the manual or with the pam but be sure to cure it. It will smell like some kind of nasty the first time you turn it on and this is normal. Good Luck. I just use some heavy foil instead of tile and it works very well also. Be sure to keep the top vent wide open when you are smoking also.
 
Thanks for all of the info; I.m going out to cure it now.  I mentioned the heat defuser (tile or heavy foil), where do I put this?  Do I put it on the bottom rack or do I put it on the heater element/smoke box unit?

Brian "ThePCTech"

Go Colorado Rockies!
 
I use the tile and just set it on top of the chip box.
 
Thanks for all of the info; I.m going out to cure it now.  I mentioned the heat defuser (tile or heavy foil), where do I put this?  Do I put it on the bottom rack or do I put it on the heater element/smoke box unit?

Brian "ThePCTech"

Go Colorado Rockies!
When I put something there, it is a piece of aluminum plate, about 11" deep, by 6" wide. I put it tight against the back & all the way to the right. I have put it on the heat shield, under the water pan, and I have also put it on top of the water pan. When I put it on top of the water pan, I raise the left side of the aluminum plate just slightly, to help direct the heat to the left. Many times I don't put anything in there at all. It depends on what I'm smoking.

Bear
 
 
So just so I am correct, use either the wood chips, or the AMNS.  If I use the AMNS I need to leace the chip loader open just a bit to keep good airflow in the smoker?

Brian "ThePCTech"

Go Colorado Rockies!
 
So just so I am correct, use either the wood chips, or the AMNS.  If I use the AMNS I need to leave the chip loader open just a bit to keep good airflow in the smoker?

Brian "ThePCTech"

Go Colorado Rockies!
 
I never leave the chip loader open even a little bit when I use the AMNS. There is plenty of air flow, just keep the top vent open at least half way. I keep it open all the way.
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky