MES Retro Kit

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thoseguys26

Master of the Pit
Original poster
Jan 4, 2012
1,341
60
Aspen Valley
I know this topic has been in the forums a bunch but I am a new owner of a MES 40 w/window and I got the retro kit free but haven't installed it yet. I've only smoked about 8 times using the chip pan and the amns and I've had fantastic results. I did notice the back right hot spot and will probably attempt one of the mods I've seen on here, like the tile or tinfoil. I'd like to weld a plate of some kind but I don't know how to weld! Yet.

I've never cold smoked anything yet either, which I think is a main reason for the retro kit, being it won't smoke at its lowest temp. I do have the amns so that shouldn't be a problem.

What are the major benefits of installing it?

What have been others main problems that they need to install it?

Thanks a bunch!!
 
Can't help on the retro fit as i have an older model that didn't need it.

 The Ceramic tile is a great fix for the hot spot.

 The inner cabinet walls of the MES are very thin so i would not attempt welding anything to it.

  with the amns if you are truly cold smoking you don't even need to turn the MES on.

Just use the cabinet as your smoking box.
 
I don't know if I really need to install it but I thought I'd ask the MES folks here who have. I just snagged it cause it was free.
 
I still have the small chip tray in my MES40 even though I also got the retro kit from Masterbuilt. The kit is still in the box in the garage. I don't use the chip tray setup much because I have an AMNPS, which is much better than using either the small chip tray, big chip tray, or AMNS for hot smoking. Just my opinion, but I would suggest getting an AMNPS rather than bothering swapping out the chip tray.

I also have an AMNS (bought during the pre-AMNPS era) but the AMNPS is so much better for hot smoking that it is worth spending the extra money on one even if you have an AMNS. Again... just my opinion.
 
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I also have an AMNS (bought during the pre-AMNPS era) but the AMNPS is so much better for hot smoking that it is worth spending the extra money on one even if you have an AMNS. Again... just my opinion.
What's the biggest pay off? Just curious? Cost? Smoke control / level ? I'd love to hear your opinion. Do you still have to start it with a blow torch? I ran out of propane the other week so I had to use chips / dust in my chip pan - worked fine but would have rather used my AMN$.
 
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