The heat difference between the two sides in my MES 30 is minimal, as borne out by the temp displays on my Mav. Bear reminds me that since the 40 is larger than the 30, the heating element is closer to the right side on the larger smoker. So, the minimum temp difference offsets space being at a premium inside my smoker, And contributes to me being a lazy but contented smoker each time out.Since our Gen 1's have the heating element, back wall Mes heat sensor and vent in a straight line in the right rear corner from the bottom of the smoker to the top vent, by design heat needs to be pushed to the opposite corners before it comes back to go out the ven. The back right corner gets much hotter than the others. The heat makes it around but it's much hotter in the right rear corner. People cooking Chxn say the Mes says 275*F (max) but Mav's read much lower in other corners, not actually getting to 275*F. Deflecting heat raises actual Mav temps more evenly to the far front left corner. I want the actual temp as close to the Mes contoller temp as possible, if not higher. Now when my MES controller reads 225*F = cycling temps between 225*-248*F on my Mav's. (236*F average.)
-Kurt