Total disappointment.

krash5100

Newbie

Original poster

Apr 11, 2014

4

10

• May 24, 2014

• #1

I bought an MES 40" and it's total junk.
Once it gets to the set temperature is starts falling and once the element comes back on it never shuts off. The display temperature shows below the set temp and just keeps falling.
Contacted them and got a replacement control unit. No change!! Thermometer in the vent shows it's way higher than set temperature. I'm currently " broiling " a brisket.
I cannot believe anyone would sell such a useless product.


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Rafter H BBQ

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 18, 2013

12,106

5,584

S.E. Idaho

• May 24, 2014

• #2

Krash5100 said:

I bought an MES 40" and it's total junk.
Once it gets to the set temperature is starts falling and once the element comes back on it never shuts off. The display temperature shows below the set temp and just keeps falling.
Contacted them and got a replacement control unit. No change!! Thermometer in the vent shows it's way higher than set temperature. I'm currently " broiling " a brisket.
I cannot believe anyone would sell such a useless product.


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Click to expand...

Sorry about your struggles there ! There's a bunch of folks on here that use them MES's, I'am sure there will be some by to give ya some advise ! I personally don't own one so not much help to ya !

 

john kelly

Fire Starter

Sep 11, 2013

35

10

Kentucky

• May 24, 2014

• #3

i went propane for just that reason its less likely to break down on you bad thing propane is high if you smoke allot.  i spend about 60-80 bucks a year and i smoke a bout once a month maybe twice here and there

 

krash5100

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 11, 2014

4

10

• May 24, 2014

• #4

I was able to fight with it and ended up with an awesome brisket. I'm not giving up on this thing yet. I'll figure out some way to make it work right. I just need to find what detects the internal temp. That has to be the problem.


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JckDanls 07

Legendary Pitmaster

OTBS Member

SMF Premier Member

Sep 10, 2011

8,026

2,659

Tampa area, Florida.

• May 24, 2014

• #5

I believe the thermocouple is in the upper left hand corner on the back wall ... the thing about the MES's is that the temp readout is NEVER what the actual temp really is.. most people use a backup thermometer (usually a maverick 732 or the likes) to read the true cabinet temp at grate level ... you will have to go by average temp as that;s the way the thermostat works... (10` over set temp and then 10` under set temp as the heating element cycles)

 

Last edited: May 24, 2014

O

oldeboone

Smoke Blower

Dec 21, 2013

109

11

Mahanoy City, Pa

• May 24, 2014

• #6

Don't have a MES, but lots do and love them. Seems like whatever you buy today takes some wrangling to get it to work right. Hang in there you'll get some help to get it working. Ernie

 

krash5100

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 11, 2014

4

10

• May 24, 2014

• #7

I used a long thermometer that I use for frying turkey's stuck inside the vent this time. I was able to keep the temp right around 250 where I wanted it.
I think I've narrowed the problem to the heating element. I'll replace that next. Kind of a shame since I've only had this thing since February and have only used it 5 or 6 times. This was my first brisket in it.
I'm confident I'll get this figured out but I'm still disappointed that someone would sell something that has this many problems.
Thanks to all for the comments and advice.


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daveomak

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Nov 12, 2010

27,123

4,979

Omak,Washington,U.S.A.

• May 25, 2014

• #8

It's not the heating element.... It's the controller...... If you hook up a PID directly to the element, and bypass the controller, you will have a great smoker....


http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...0-new-pictures-for-attaching-elbow-to-mailbox

And the mods to the heating element..... My controller still does it's job.... so I haven't moved to a PID yet.... Now my smoker works AWESOME after $150..... beats throwing out a $200 smoker and starting over...

Dimmer Switch.jpg

• daveomak
• May 25, 2014

installed back.jpg

• daveomak
• May 25, 2014

installed front.jpg

• daveomak
• May 25, 2014

MES wiring.jpg

• daveomak
• May 25, 2014

MESwiringschematic.jpg

• daveomak
• May 25, 2014

Outlet correct wiring.jpg

• daveomak
• May 25, 2014

 

smoking b

Smoking Guru

OTBS Member

Sep 20, 2012

5,095

486

Middle of Nowhere, South Central PA

• May 25, 2014

• #9

I have an MES too. Glad your brisket turned out good man - & like Dave said it's not your heating element that's causing your grief...

 

krash5100

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 11, 2014

4

10

• May 27, 2014

• #10

The element was bad. That's why it didn't over heat too much Saturday. I replaced it and now I have to set the temp at about 195 to keep it at 250. Otherwise it goes over 300.


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