New MES Bluetooth Digital smoker

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I am considering the 30".  Was going to get the GEN2.  I don't care about the bluetooth, but have some questions regarding the other features.  

Regarding price, they basically cut out the remote they shipped with GEN2, and now make you supply your own remote, at their cost of a dollar or two for a bluetooth transmitter.  Any guesses what this will do to the price of the GEN2?  Any guesses on how much of a premium they will charge for Bluetooth?   Any feedback on what the legacy smokers think of the oval water pan, and enhanced drip tray, and enhanced wood feed tube?    The bluetooth technology, while cool, is not really a big deal.  They claim 150' range, what are GEN2 users getting in range from the MES with remotes?

Why do you say GEN1 is best?

Thanks.
 
Just spoke with customer service, price for new 3rd GEN MES will be $329.99.  Stores should have them first week of December.
 
If they wanted to redesign their smoker they should have partnered with amaze-n- products and designed it with a rack and proper vents for their pellet smoker to be included with the smoke house!
 
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Based on the limited range I see with my Bluetooth speakers out by my pool, I would rather stick with their old remote. It's range isn't great but better that BT.
 
iDevices iGrill 7685-IGLK Grilling/Cooking Barbecue Thermometer, Black (Discontinued by Manufacturer)
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Hmmmmm??????

Looks like Masterbuilt took the best parts of the Old Model, and repackaged them into the new box and added a Bluetooth controller

Did they change the terrible hinges on the new model?

Will the new model be more stable with temps or will they also run 25°+ Hot?

Also looks like Masterbuilt added 2 extra racks.  I wonder if these will be included, or an "Extra Charge" like the new leg kit??

The lowest rack is a PERFECT place for an AMNPS 5x8!!!

I'll get a new model as soon as the come out for testing

Todd

Oval Water Bowl

Now you can boil gallons of water inside your MES again!

The drip pan on the Gen 2 was an epic failure!

All the heat generated by the element was trapped along the right side of the cabinet and forced up the door or backside of the cabinet

This new design should allow for better airflow thru the smoker....Maybe!


Enhanced Smoker Box

looks like it has a slanted top

Not sure why this is called "Improved"?

The slanted top will force the heat up to the highest point of the slant, which is along the right sidewall of the cabinet

If they really want to improve the smoker box, center it in the middle of the cabinet, so it heats the space evenly

I'm not seeing how the new chip loader design allows for chips to be dumped into the chip pan?????

The new chip loader looks like it's 1/2 above and 1/2 below the top of the chip pan housing

The chip pan itself looks a bit flimsy


Air Damper

Now we're talkin'!

Somebody finally realized that a hole on the side of the Gen 2 was another epic failure!

Have you ever seen the opening for a chimney on the side?

Maybe because heat & smoke rise out the TOP of the chimney, creating a draft, so intake air can be drawn into the firebox

Looks like Masterbuilt moved the exhaust to the left side, hoping to reduce the hot spots inside the cabinet.

 
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So far I like what I see.

I haven't seen much yet, but they turned some of the suggestions I gave them into reality.

It's easy to see they're trying to make up for the Gen #2 & it's problems.

I told them to get rid of the left "side" vent & move it to the top left, opposite where the Gen #1 vent is.  They did.

I told them to turn the interior into something close to the interior of the Gen #1, and get rid of that stupid long slanted drip plate that traps heat on the right side. They Did.

I told them to keep it hinged left like the Gen #2, instead of hinged right like the Gen #1. They Did.

I told them to go back to the digital controls being in an easy to replace box like the Gen #1. I can't really tell by the pics how easy it is to replace, but if it doesn't have problems like the Gen #2 had, it may not need replacing.

So I wouldn't be so quick to condemn it. It could be even better than the Gen #1.  We'll see!!

Just my 2 cents.

Bear
 
I'll purchase the new MES as soon as it's available

I'm hoping they fixed the controller

Wonder if Masterbuilt will stop producing the Gen 2??

Todd
 
If Masterbuilt was smart they will have thoroughly tested a sampling of these new units over the summer to ensure a quality product that works as designed right from the get go through several dozen smokes rather than wait for customer praise or condemnation. No product be it a smoker or an automobile or anything else should require a mod or an add on to perform its basic function satisfactorily. Let's see what happens. A step up from the Gen 1 or a step back from the Gen 2.
 
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New guy from Georgia here. Landed on this site when I decided I was going to get an electric smoker to compliment my 22" Weber Smokey Mountain.

I've pretty well decided to go big or go home, (same as I did with the Weber) and get a 40", and I'm pretty sure it will be a Masterbuilt. Googled around (that's how I ended up here) and looked over their web site, they're in GA, I'm in GA, we have the same values, so now just which one to buy.

Almost made an impulse buy of a Gen2 40" available at $299 from several sellers. Then I saw they had some issues and almost jumped on a Gen1 that is also available at the same price.

Then I found out about the new 2015 "Bluetooth" models, and I'm leaning toward paying the extra $100 or so and get the latest and greatest. Bluetooth is not really a selling point for me, but I'm a techie and maybe running it from the iPad will be nice. The main thing that is pushing me in this direction is the improvements mentioned by BearCarver.

So, all that to say this...  I called Masterbuilt this afternoon to see what's up with the new smokers and they told me that Bass Pro should have theirs today, Sams Club should have them on 12/20, and everyone else after the first of the year. Just called Bass Pro and they have them in the computer, but none on the floor yet. They said the price would be $429 for the 40". I'm waiting to see Sam's Club pricing, but hope to have one soon!
 
I sure hope they go back to stainless steel inside!

My Gen2 is completely rusted

The inside of the Gen2 is "Aluminized Steel"
 
NOT going back to stainless steel interior. They will be the same as the Gen2.

Now you got me thinking about getting Gen1....
 
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