It's Official...My MES40 is DEAD temporarily... NO LONGER!!!!!!

smokinhusker · Aug 16, 2012

It really stinks cause my little over a year old MES40 is dead

! I smoked jerky last week and had to reset it 4 times cause it kept losing temperature even though the heating light was on, and the element was barely warm to the touch. Finally got it going again and finished the jerky.

So yesterday I made summer sausage and had the same problem again, but I only had to reset it 1 time. So this morning I preheated and everything was going great, put the snack sticks in and then about 2 hrs in and I noticed the temp dropping again and the heating light on, but no heat on the element. So far in 6 hrs, I've reset it 6 times and I'm done resetting it, I'll finish them in the oven.

I emailed Masterbuilt and explained what's going on with it. They replied within 15 minutes and said it sounds like a bad element. They will replace it at no cost to me. Don't know how long it will take but it's good news nonetheless.

So I wish they'd hurry up and get the 2013 40" Propane out and about so I can get one of those!

No smoking for me for a while...at least until the new element gets here.

This is the first time I've contacted Masterbuilt, but I am really happy with the customer service at this point.

indyadmin1974 · Aug 16, 2012

That stinks Alesia but at least they took care of you. I'll have to fire mine up for you.

smokinhusker · Aug 16, 2012

Thanks for thinking of me! Of course I have another batch of snack stick meat in the fridge, just waiting to be stuffed. Oh well, could be worse!

red dog · Aug 16, 2012

As a Mes 40" owner and fellow smoker I hate to hear that. I hope your repair goes well.

xutfuzzy · Aug 16, 2012

I'm sorry for your loss!

I have an MES40 myself, and have heard this is a typical problem. Maybe someone could post a picture tutorial on replacing the element.

fpnmf · Aug 16, 2012

Have you cleaned off the sensors inside the cabinet lately??

Fixed mine several times...

daveomak · Aug 16, 2012

Alesia, evening.... It could be corrosion where the wires connect to the element..... sand paper and a little crimp on the wire terminals and slide them back on could fix the problem..... When I took mine apart to make the mods, the terminal ends were not tight..... A connection that is not tight, will draw high amperage and cause many problems.... Dave

BGKYSmoker · Aug 16, 2012

Bradley 6 rack

big lew bbq · Aug 16, 2012

Bummer Man!!!

Big Lew BBQ

smokinhusker · Aug 17, 2012

Thanks for the words of sympathy all!

nepas said:
Bradley 6 rack

I don't want the puck thingy or I would get one.

DaveOmak said:
Alesia, evening.... It could be corrosion where the wires connect to the element..... sand paper and a little crimp on the wire terminals and slide them back on could fix the problem..... When I took mine apart to make the mods, the terminal ends were not tight..... A connection that is not tight, will draw high amperage and cause many problems.... Dave

Are these inside the back cover? The smoker did the same thing, one time back in May, and we took the back off and checked all the connections at that time. There was no corrosion or burnt wires and they were all tight. Might have to check them again.

fpnmf said:
Have you cleaned off the sensors inside the cabinet lately??

Fixed mine several times...

Are you referring to the sensors inside the smoker? If so, I clean them off every time I smoke. If not, where might I find them?

xutfuzzy said:
I'm sorry for your loss!

I have an MES40 myself, and have heard this is a typical problem. Maybe someone could post a picture tutorial on replacing the element.

If I have to replace the element, after trying the above stated fixes, I'll try to post one up for everyone.

sam3 · Aug 17, 2012

Sorry to hear. I do agree with nepas though.

smokinhusker · Aug 17, 2012

Thank you! I like the look and size of the Bradley, just don't wanna pay the price they want for those pucks. Bradley was my first choice but the price of those pucks really put me off, so I went with the MES.

daveomak · Aug 17, 2012

DaveOmak said:
Alesia, evening.... It could be corrosion where the wires connect to the element..... sand paper and a little crimp on the wire terminals and slide them back on could fix the problem..... When I took mine apart to make the mods, the terminal ends were not tight..... A connection that is not tight, will draw high amperage and cause many problems.... Dave

Are these inside the back cover? The smoker did the same thing, one time back in May, and we took the back off and checked all the connections at that time. There was no corrosion or burnt wires and they were all tight. Might have to check them again

Yep, that is what I was suggesting.....

smokinhusker · Aug 17, 2012

Okay wanted to make sure we were thinking of the same ones...will have the BF pull the back off tomorrow and check them again.

nozzleman · Aug 18, 2012

I have the MES 30 and I had to fix the wires to get mine going after about 18 months, it worked!

daricksta · Aug 18, 2012

This bothers me because I just bought an MES 30 last April. No problems so far but I wonder how many people have this happen after a year or so of using it? I make sure it's stored in my garage when not in use.

rabbithutch · Aug 18, 2012

Sorry to hear about the MES, Alesia!

This would be a good reason to go to Lowes and get a Smokey Joe and to Wal*Mart to get a tamale steamer. The mini-WSM just might find a warm spot in your heart. :yahoo:

smokinhusker · Aug 19, 2012

rabbithutch said:
Sorry to hear about the MES, Alesia!

This would be a good reason to go to Lowes and get a Smokey Joe and to Wal*Mart to get a tamale steamer. The mini-WSM just might find a warm spot in your heart.

BF is going to build me one of those. We haven't seen the tamale steamers at Wally world, but did see them at Albertson's. He's going to use stainless steel in place of the tamale steam as he can get any gauge and then have it rolled to fit.

daRicksta said:
This bothers me because I just bought an MES 30 last April. No problems so far but I wonder how many people have this happen after a year or so of using it? I make sure it's stored in my garage when not in use.

Don't know what model your's is but it probably won't cause any problems (I hope). Mine's MES 40 and it's never been in the weather at all...it was in my storage building when we first got it and then BF built me a sweet cabinet closer to the house.

nozzleman said:
I have the MES 30 and I had to fix the wires to get mine going after about 18 months, it worked!

When it did this one time in May, my first thought was the wires, so we checked them and they were fine and tight. We re-checked them Friday evening when he got home and again, no problems with them. Just a bad element I'm figuring and nothing is fail safe any more.

smokinhusker · Aug 27, 2012

Well I received the new element on Thursday. Friday morning we installed replaced the element and also went ahead and replaced the wires and connectors with the ones included with the element.

Plugged it in and NOTHING!!!!! Still doesn't work, no heat from the element at all. Back to the drawing board, so I emailed Masterbuilt and let them know the replacement element didn't work.

We're thinking it's the control panel, so I'm waiting to see what Masterbuilt offers, if anything. If they don't then I'll be buying a Bradley!!!

daveomak · Aug 27, 2012

Alesia, morning.... If you don't get a new controller.... Here is a fix that works well for me.... Bypass the controller completely, if you want, and install a dimmer switch.... It will provide 100% control of the element (like a gas burner on your stove top).... You will not have high temp turn off, but the infinite control of the burner output is a plus.... Click on the pictures for explanations.... if you have any questions, I'm here.... Dave

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/gallery/album/view/id/9195

It's Official...My MES40 is DEAD temporarily... NO LONGER!!!!!!

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