If you want a smoke ring with your MES, try this.

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daRickstra, 

  The controller in the Bradley may have handled the extra load, BUT would would have been right on the top edge of limit. I  changed 18 gauge hi temp wire with 12 gauge hi temp wire in cabinet along with new fuse in PID. I am a retired cellular cell site tech with a lot of experience with wiring. And before that was a broadcast engineer for 16 years.  I will figure the current draw  on your 800 watts if you need. 

  AGK
 

Theres a pic of my MES attached to the vent stack hole of my Traeger.  I use the Auber PID for the element in the MES to augment the heat from the Traeger.  Rock solid temps and I can smoke at different temps in each unit at the same time.  Works very well.

A G K.....hope I didn't seem disrespecful on the post about smoke.  It was not my intention.

daRickstra..... back at you.  I always enjoy your postings.  And I'm well aware of that dense / sharp thing from day to day.  Although the dense seems to be taking the lead more and more.  All the best to all of you.
 
geerock,  That is an interesting way to get double use of your smoke & also run 2 different temps at the same time. You can cold smoke & hot smoke at the same time. Is your grocery bill going up??

  AGK
 
 
daRickstra, 

  The controller in the Bradley may have handled the extra load, BUT would would have been right on the top edge of limit. I  changed 18 gauge hi temp wire with 12 gauge hi temp wire in cabinet along with new fuse in PID. I am a retired cellular cell site tech with a lot of experience with wiring. And before that was a broadcast engineer for 16 years.  I will figure the current draw  on your 800 watts if you need. 

  AGK
Thanks for the offer AGK. But with my minimal knowledge of anything electrical and my history of irrevocably breaking things I attempt to fix without knowing what I'm doing. I can replace a light switch and a power outlet with successful. I've even installed a couple of lighted ceiling fans in my time, all with success. But there's also the electrical outlet that was melting the outlet and close to starting a fire inside the wall since I hadn't connected one of the hot leads properly.

So, if I need a replacement controller or heating element it's much safer for me to stick with what came with my smoker.
 
Sodium nitrate? So we are talking putting a chemically induced mark into the meat so we can say we added a certain look to the finished product. Maybe after you cut the meat you can paint on some food dye to get the smoke ring.

For mes (or other electric owners) broken up lump will get the look you want. What happened to the days we worried about how it tastes?
Lol.  You do realize Kingsford charcoal contains Sodium Nitrate?
 
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daRickstra, 

  The controller in the Bradley may have handled the extra load, BUT would would have been right on the top edge of limit. I  changed 18 gauge hi temp wire with 12 gauge hi temp wire in cabinet along with new fuse in PID. I am a retired cellular cell site tech with a lot of experience with wiring. And before that was a broadcast engineer for 16 years.  I will figure the current draw  on your 800 watts if you need. 

  AGK
AGK, I just saw this post. I can't recall if I responded or not. So far, my stock MES controller works but may be developing a problem. I'll know for sure the next time I smoke. How has your Bradley and PID worked out?
 
 
AGK, I just saw this post. I can't recall if I responded or not. So far, my stock MES controller works but may be developing a problem. I'll know for sure the next time I smoke. How has your Bradley and PID worked out?
  I have the Auber Sly 2342 that can handle up to 1200 watts with built in 10 amp relay. It has worked fine for the several years I have used it in mt Bradley digital with 2   500 watt elements. AGK
 
 
  I have the Auber Sly 2342 that can handle up to 1200 watts with built in 10 amp relay. It has worked fine for the several years I have used it in mt Bradley digital with 2   500 watt elements. AGK
I don't understand what an amp relay does. That's why if I need a new controller I'd buy a replacement MB one. I've just got a little MES 30 Gen 1 anyway.
 
 
I don't understand what an amp relay does. That's why if I need a new controller I'd buy a replacement MB one. I've just got a little MES 30 Gen 1 anyway.
  The relay is to increase the amps that the controller can safely handle. The PID makes it possible to control the temp to within 1 or 2 degrees, but requires some wiring changes. The Bradley comes with one 500 watt element for heating plus a 125 watt to produce smoke. I added the PID so I could add a 2nd 500 watt element to reduce recovery time after opening door & also for cold, windy conditions.
 
 
daRickstra, 

  The controller in the Bradley may have handled the extra load, BUT would would have been right on the top edge of limit. I  changed 18 gauge hi temp wire with 12 gauge hi temp wire in cabinet along with new fuse in PID. I am a retired cellular cell site tech with a lot of experience with wiring. And before that was a broadcast engineer for 16 years.  I will figure the current draw  on your 800 watts if you need. 

  AGK
AGK, that's a lot of work. I admire you guys with electrical backgrounds who can easily accomplish the rewiring and the installation of electrical/electronic components.
 
I just add (2) charcoal briquets in the smoke tray when I'm bringing my MES upto temp. It gets hot enough in there to get the briquets glowing orange. To also aid in the process I'll leave the wood hooper in and turned upside down so the incoming air gets drawn right over the briquets. 
 
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