Some advise on MES decision please - Qview added

mikeaugu · Nov 23, 2011

I'm buying an MES in the next 2 days and have been driving myself (and wife) crazy researching a few points.

First, thank you all for sharing your thoughts in the earlier posts. I would just ask for any last minute thoughts if you have time.

1) Size is my major confusion. I will cook mostly for 2, on occasion 4-6 and very rarely more. Would the 30 be enough or another way to ask, is the 40 overkill?

2) There may be a lot of empty space inside the smoker when cooking for 2, does this have any negative implications?

3) With a larger retro-fit chip box, is the AMNPS needed?

One last thought, Sams Club offers the 40 for $299 and Bass Pro's Black Friday Sale will offer the 30 for $179. That's only a $120 difference so the 40 seems like the right choice but my circular logic take me back to point 1.

Any thoughts are appreciated as I want to get past my obsessive research. Thanks and Happy Holidays.

fpnmf · Nov 23, 2011

1) Yes,no...IMHO YMMV

2)No

3)NO..but highly reccomended.

I have a 30 and have been very happy with it.

I have made lots of food at one time..enough for 6+ at times.

Check some of my posts using the search tool concerning MES30.

They are on sale at amazon for 173 bucks right now with free shipping.

If you are gonna have a problem cutting rib racks in half to cook them get the forty.

They all get sliced anyway but there seems to be an issue with this in some arenas!!

Gobble gobble!!!

Craig

eman · Nov 23, 2011

Get the 40 if you can afford it. It is not over kill and once you get the smoking thing down you will be amazed at how many hungry friends you have.

I have only owned the 40 but have heard that you may have trouble getting a full rack of ribs to fit in the 30.

empty space is not a negative on the MES.

The AMNPS is not needed ,but it does make smoking so much easier.

fill the tray w/ pellets or dust , light one end ,place in smoker and let it go 8 - 10 hrs Vs. feeding the chip chute every 30 - 45 min.

scarbelly · Nov 23, 2011

I have the equivalent to the 40. I have a SmokinTex and I agree with the guys before me - buy the biggest one you can afford.

daveomak · Nov 23, 2011

Mikeaugu, morning... If the budget will allow, I'd go with the 40.... There will be room to do many different items at the same time... You can start a butt, later add chicken wings or ABT's for H'ordouvres.... maybe even some smoked nuts.... With remote therms you will know when each is done and ready to pull.... Multi-tasking and all in one stop shopping....

I would seriously consider the AMNPS for a smoke generator.... Use the electronics for heat control and the AMNPS for smoke control... The best of both worlds in one package.... You will not be disappointed...

I have a AMNPS "clone" and add different flavored chips from w-mart to the mild pellets to kick up smokey flavors and it seems to work well for me... Todd has a miriad of pellets that he has personally tested for flavor and folks are very pleased with the smoke profile flavors he has developed.... Good luck on your decision and report back with pics... we love pics of smokers and smoked food....

Dave

SmokinAl · Nov 23, 2011

What they all said, get the 40.

fpnmf · Nov 23, 2011

SmokinAl said:
What they all said, get the 40.

Well not quite everybody....

There one in every crowd aint there??

hahahahahahah

Gobble gobble!!!

Craig

mikeaugu · Nov 23, 2011

Thanks everyone,

I appreciate the validation and the wife is also in agreement which never hurts. So off to Sams Club after the holiday to get the MES 40 and I'll post a few pics after the first smoke. Probably a butt or a briskett, not sure which order.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving,

Mike

Bearcarver · Nov 23, 2011

A little late, but I agree with the MES 40 guys.

It's cheaper to get the MES 40 for most people.

I started with the MES 30, and didn't like the size, so I ended up getting the MES 40.

That means I ended up paying for both of them.

Had I just went and got the MES 40, I would have saved $169.

Bear

mikeaugu · Nov 23, 2011

Almost forgot, I'll order the retro-fit wood chip tray if it's not already there. The AMNPS sounds like a great product too, but since I'm over budget, any coupons for the holidays Todd?

This is going to be fun !!!

barflyngrill · Nov 24, 2011

Dont buy a MES. Piece of junk. Had 2 in my family both die. Junk. You have been warned.

tjohnson · Nov 24, 2011

IMHO.....

The MES 30 and 40 are both good units for beginners and experienced folks

I own (3) MES 40's and all have performed well for me

The terminal corroded off on one of the units, but it was an EZ fix

Todd

hoity toit · Nov 24, 2011

Go for the 40. You will appreciate the extra room even if you're only cooking for 2.

frizzlefry · Nov 24, 2011

I have a 40 and I would not want anything smaller.

The temp guage and meat probe usually read about 5 degrees less than other thermometers.

I don't have an AMNS (yet) and I do just fine reloading wood every 30 minutes or every hour.

Off topic, but I saw on a different forum a guy bought a brand new one, in the box, for $75 at a garage sale.

mikeaugu · Nov 24, 2011

$75, you know how to hurt a guy :-)

To Barflyngrill: I hope to purchase a 3 year warranty if Sam's still offers it. Then I get a new one in 2 1/2 years.

southensmoker · Nov 27, 2011

Most of the time I cook for 2 but I also like to have left overs so I can take them to work. You will notice that in my picture I have the 30 and I would love to have the 40. Inside the 30 the rack if ribs has to sit diagonal. When I hang meat snack sticks in there I would love to have more room as 5lbs just fits. Get the 40 if you can

mikeaugu · Nov 27, 2011

Thanks for the additional validation. I pulled the trigger today and picked up the MES 40 from SAM's today. YEA!!! I also ordered the AMNPS ansd lots of pellets from Todd yesterday.

Setup is put off until the xmas decorations are all up :-)

Mike

ewetho · Nov 28, 2011

Let me know how your experiences go. I got the basic one on sale from Gander Mtn. and don't get to use mine till X-Mas (Happily Bummed!!! LOL).

mikeaugu · Dec 8, 2011

quick update. My MES 40's inaugural smoke was some bone-in country spare ribs this evening. Boy do I love this smoker, so easy and such great results. Using one of Todd's a-maze-n devices (AMNPS) is a must, it's just so load and go and provides the right amount of smoke. Here's a qQview. you may notice the little taste I took from the bottom corner, yum.

Mike

tjohnson · Dec 8, 2011

Very Cool Mike!

It smart to start with something simple, and then get the hang of how everything works

What's next?

Ribs?

Pork Butt?

Turkey?

Todd

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