New to smoking, hoping for some equipment advice

kevin james · Jul 30, 2012

Hi everyone. As the title suggest I'm new to smoking and looking for some equipment advice.

I currently live in an apartment that forbids gas or charcoal so electric is my only option. I saw the Master Forge EBC1102L at Lowes and I liked the fact it has adjustable temperature control as well as a temp guage on the dome. It's priced right at $79 and available in store at my local Lowes. I actually found this forum by searching for reviews on that smoker and found a thread with several peaple who really seem to like it.

I see that a far more popular smoker here seems to be the Masterbuilt MES 30 though, which is priced much higher at about $270 on Amazon with free shipping.

I'm curiouse to know what you guys would recomend for a first time beginner. Is the Master Forge any good, or would I be far better off with the MES 30? Or is there something else in between those price wise that would be a better fit?

<Edit>

I now see there are two different versions of the MES 30, one with the window and RF control for $270 which is the one I was looking at or one without those for $179. Are the extra features of the window and RF control worth the extra cost?

da maxx · Jul 30, 2012

I just quickly looked at the Master Forge. And a few things real quick. The MES 30 is insulated. It will work great and maintain steady temps in all kinds of weather outside. Secondly, you can set a temp and it will maintain the settings for the duration. I have the older MES30 without the window, rf control, or window. Not a big deal. Does an excellent job. Just plan on purchasing a digital temp probe and the AMNPS smoker. Excellent for jerky and cheese.

kevin james · Jul 30, 2012

Thanks for the response. What is the AMNPS you mentioned (sorry, total newbie here). So if I'm understanding correctly, you think the less expensive version without the window or RF control is just as good (or good enough)?

badbob · Jul 30, 2012

Greetings and welcome, AMNPS is Amazin pellet smoker. It's a smoke generator made by one of the members of this site. You can get all the info you need from back threads. I got one when I first started and haven't been disappointed with it. Hope this helped

da maxx · Jul 30, 2012

KJ, sorry for not being clear. I would opt for the MES30. Not the newest MES30 with the added features. I think the added features of the MES30 @$179 will be a better investment from the Master Forge. Save yourself the headache and enjoy the taste.

kevin james · Jul 30, 2012

DA MAXX said:
KJ, sorry for not being clear. I would opt for the MES30. Not the newest MES30 with the added features. I think the added features of the MES30 @$179 will be a better investment from the Master Forge. Save yourself the headache and enjoy the taste.

OK, so you recomend the one without the window and RF control. OK cool. I looked on Masterbuilt's site and was disapointed to see they don't really have any info on that unit. There is a picture of it under the "Digital Controled Electric Smokers" but no actual product info. Their site wasn't very helpfull unfortunitely.

scarbelly · Jul 30, 2012

Here is the info on the AMNPS

http://www.amazenproducts.com/

chickenman09 · Jul 30, 2012

for the money and the fact when you start this life you will want bigger. IMHO the MES 40 at sam's club is the way to go.$300.00 and they stand behind their product very well. It has a remote, a window, and a meat probe built in. It is a larger size so you can do more if you want. I have a 30 and if I knew then what I want now, I would have gotten the 40. I might anyway, so there might be a 30 for sale soon. Hope that helped.

tom

kevin james · Jul 30, 2012

chickenman09 said:
for the money and the fact when you start this life you will want bigger. IMHO the MES 40 at sam's club is the way to go.$300.00 and they stand behind their product very well. It has a remote, a window, and a meat probe built in. It is a larger size so you can do more if you want. I have a 30 and if I knew then what I want now, I would have gotten the 40. I might anyway, so there might be a 30 for sale soon. Hope that helped.

tom

Thanks. I think I would have to stick with a 30 though because my patio is pretty small. I'm a little confused though because I seem to see a lot of talk about the new model vs the old, but i don't know how to tell the difference because this is ALL new to me LOL

Really what I want is just something that's high quality, that will cook evenly and that will last all without breaking the bank. I am thinking the window would be nice sine a newbie like me will probably be tempted to open the door and peek.... which I already know is bad.

Either way I'm sure the Master Forge is out, it's just a matter of which masterbuilt MES to go with.

indyadmin1974 · Jul 31, 2012

I bought the older model MES 40 and don't regret it at all. I think you're safe in getting the old 30".

Honestly after you get the MES you're going to get so into it you're going to want to try different smoker types anyway. No worries. You're in the right place and on the right track.

smokinhusker · Jul 31, 2012

Hello Kevin,

I have an older model MES40 from Sam's for $300.00. Glad I went the route of the larger one, because it's even pushing it to get a 13 lb brisket to fit in it. It has the RF remote and window. I could live without the window since most of the time you can't see very well in it anyway (just my opinion).

Old Models - this is the older MES30, window is longer on the 40

Old MES.jpg

smokinhusker
Jul 31, 2012

Specs for MES30 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions - 29"H x 15-3/4"W x 17"D. Four racks provide 640 sq. in. of cooking space. 25-lb. capacity.

Specs for MES40 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions - Four racks provide 930 sq. in. of cooking space. 35-lb. capacity. . 35-lb capacity.

New Models - MES30, the window is longer on the 40

New MES.jpg

smokinhusker
Jul 31, 2012

Specs for MES30 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions: 33.5"H x 20.3"W x 19.6"D. Four racks provide 640 sq. in. of cooking space. 25-lb. capacity.

Specs for MES40 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions: 41.3"H x 25.6"W x 19.3"D. Four racks provide 930 sq. in. of cooking space. 35-lb. capacity.

[font=Arial, Verdana]Obviously the control unit has been moved to the front of the unit on the new models and there are other changes as well and you can see those in the photos.[/font]

[font=Arial, Verdana]Hope this helps and there's more info about them in the Electric Smokers and MES Owners Group here on the forum. [/font]

kevin james · Jul 31, 2012

SmokinHusker said:
Hello Kevin,

I have an older model MES40 from Sam's for $300.00. Glad I went the route of the larger one, because it's even pushing it to get a 13 lb brisket to fit in it. It has the RF remote and window. I could live without the window since most of the time you can't see very well in it anyway (just my opinion).

Old Models - this is the older MES30, window is longer on the 40

Old MES.jpg

smokinhusker

Jul 31, 2012

Specs for MES30 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions - 29"H x 15-3/4"W x 17"D. Four racks provide 640 sq. in. of cooking space. 25-lb. capacity.

Specs for MES40 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions - Four racks provide 930 sq. in. of cooking space. 35-lb. capacity. . 35-lb capacity.

New Models - MES30, the window is longer on the 40

New MES.jpg

smokinhusker

Jul 31, 2012

Specs for MES30 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions: 33.5"H x 20.3"W x 19.6"D. Four racks provide 640 sq. in. of cooking space. 25-lb. capacity.

Specs for MES40 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions: 41.3"H x 25.6"W x 19.3"D. Four racks provide 930 sq. in. of cooking space. 35-lb. capacity.

[font=Arial, Verdana]Obviously the control unit has been moved to the front of the unit on the new models and there are other changes as well and you can see those in the photos.[/font]

[font=Arial, Verdana]Hope this helps and there's more info about them in the Electric Smokers and MES Owners Group here on the forum. [/font]

Hi SmokinHusker. Thanks for the photos! Now I can see the difference beteween new and old so that will be very helpfull.

I'm positive at this point I will be going with a version of the 30, just not sure which one. I'm very limited on space and also while I knew smoking was all about low and slow,

I didn't realize a pork butt (my favorite) could take over 12-15 hours if not more. I figured 8. I now see its about 2 hours per pound at 250 or so.

I'm kind of a worry wart and not sure I want to leave anything unattended for long periods of time (worried if something goes wrong, liability etc yada yada yada) so I think I will be looking at doing smaller pork butts/ briskets etc to keep the time down. Anything more than 10 hours is probably too much for me, keeping it to 8 would be ideal. So that should mean the smaller 30 should be more than enough.

gunner65 · Jul 31, 2012

I went with the older MES30 did not see the value in a window and spent my extra money on a maverick wireless thermo and the amnps. Was not sure about the quality and longevity of the MES RF temp control

smokinhusker · Jul 31, 2012

Kevin James said:
SmokinHusker said:

Hello Kevin,

I have an older model MES40 from Sam's for $300.00. Glad I went the route of the larger one, because it's even pushing it to get a 13 lb brisket to fit in it. It has the RF remote and window. I could live without the window since most of the time you can't see very well in it anyway (just my opinion).

Old Models - this is the older MES30, window is longer on the 40

Old MES.jpg

smokinhusker

Jul 31, 2012

Specs for MES30 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions - 29"H x 15-3/4"W x 17"D. Four racks provide 640 sq. in. of cooking space. 25-lb. capacity.

Specs for MES40 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions - Four racks provide 930 sq. in. of cooking space. 35-lb. capacity. . 35-lb capacity.

New Models - MES30, the window is longer on the 40

New MES.jpg

smokinhusker

Jul 31, 2012

Specs for MES30 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions: 33.5"H x 20.3"W x 19.6"D. Four racks provide 640 sq. in. of cooking space. 25-lb. capacity.

Specs for MES40 with window, RF Remote from Cabela's: Dimensions: 41.3"H x 25.6"W x 19.3"D. Four racks provide 930 sq. in. of cooking space. 35-lb. capacity.

[font=Arial, Verdana]Obviously the control unit has been moved to the front of the unit on the new models and there are other changes as well and you can see those in the photos.[/font]

[font=Arial, Verdana]Hope this helps and there's more info about them in the Electric Smokers and MES Owners Group here on the forum. [/font]

Click to expand...

Hi SmokinHusker. Thanks for the photos! Now I can see the difference beteween new and old so that will be very helpfull.

I'm positive at this point I will be going with a version of the 30, just not sure which one. I'm very limited on space and also while I knew smoking was all about low and slow,

I didn't realize a pork butt (my favorite) could take over 12-15 hours if not more. I figured 8. I now see its about 2 hours per pound at 250 or so.

I'm kind of a worry wart and not sure I want to leave anything unattended for long periods of time (worried if something goes wrong, liability etc yada yada yada) so I think I will be looking at doing smaller pork butts/ briskets etc to keep the time down. Anything more than 10 hours is probably too much for me, keeping it to 8 would be ideal. So that should mean the smaller 30 should be more than enough.

You're welcome. I've done some very long smokes on my MES40...I just did a 13 lb brisket the other day, took 26 hrs. Coupled with the AMNPS and I slept like a baby all night! No worries. I don't feel the price of the new models is worth it...I paid $289 and the new model is $449...no freakin way.

kevin james · Jul 31, 2012

SmokinHusker said:
You're welcome. I've done some very long smokes on my MES40...I just did a 13 lb brisket the other day, took 26 hrs. Coupled with the AMNPS and I slept like a baby all night! No worries. I don't feel the price of the new models is worth it...I paid $289 and the new model is $449...no freakin way.

I think you're right and I will be going with one of the older models, just trying to decide between this one:

or this one which is less expensive, but doesn't have the window or internal probe.

Not too worried about the internal probe but the window would be really nice since I know I would be tempted to peek.That said I'm leaning more towards the one with the window at the moment.

kevin james · Jul 31, 2012

It was brought to my attention (luckily BEFORE I spent any money) that just because my apartment allows electric grills, does not mean they will nessessarily allow an electric smoker. I will have to discuss it with the manager to see.

I'm wondering though, how well contained is the smoke in the MES 30/40? Is the smoke contained well enough that it should not bother neighbors? Being that it is electric with no open flames, and no need for gas, charcoal or any accelerant I guess the amount of smoke leaking out and bothering neighbors would be the biggest concern.... I think??? Any insight would be appreciated.

haeffb · Jul 31, 2012

Kevin,

The smoker will output some smoke, but certainly less than an electric grill. If you invite the neighbors for a nice snack, they're less likely to complain.

You don't need the door. The door on my MES40 is so covered with smoke residue that it's impossible to see through. Yeah, I could clean it after every smoke, but it's really not worth the effort. Save your $$ for a good thermometer or other accessories.

kevin james · Jul 31, 2012

haeffb said:
Kevin,

The smoker will output some smoke, but certainly less than an electric grill. If you invite the neighbors for a nice snack, they're less likely to complain.

You don't need the door. The door on my MES40 is so covered with smoke residue that it's impossible to see through. Yeah, I could clean it after every smoke, but it's really not worth the effort. Save your $$ for a good thermometer or other accessories.

OK, so you recomend the one without the window or RF control. Good to know. The window sounds like a nice feature, but if you can't really see through it then it's a moot point I guess.

haeffb · Jul 31, 2012

You can see through the window if you clean it after every smoke. I just don't think it's worth the effort. And after your first couple of smokes, I'm guessing you probably wouldn't use it any more either.

There are better ways to spend the extra $100, IMO. Get a Maverick thermometer and AMNPS instead - either of which would help you to make better food than a window.

kevin james · Jul 31, 2012

haeffb said:
You can see through the window if you clean it after every smoke. I just don't think it's worth the effort. And after your first couple of smokes, I'm guessing you probably wouldn't use it any more either.

There are better ways to spend the extra $100, IMO. Get a Maverick thermometer and AMNPS instead - either of which would help you to make better food than a window.

Good points. I thought I read somewhere that another difference is that the heating element on the one without the window can't be replaced. Not sure if that is correct but if it is that would be enough to tip the scale for me. I'm thinking your right about the window though.

Good news though, I spoke with the manager of my apartment complex and she gave me the greem light, so I'm good to go. Just need to make a final decision on which one.

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