MES Parts

mtmcbr · Dec 17, 2014

Not exactly sure what the problem is.... Thanksgiving day with a bird in it, my smoker decided to act up. I assumed the connections were corroded, they were so I replaced them. Since then the smoker has not gotten as hot as it previously had and takes much longer to warm in general. Last night I turned it on to test it and it took almost 2 hours to reach 270 according to my digital therm with the controller reading only 225. Now I don't smoke too much over 230 so its not a terrible problem to have I guess. My question to all of you is, where can I find parts for it? Called Masterbuilt and they say they cannot help as they don't have parts that will fit in anymore. I have read countless threads about upgrading to the 1200 watt element, but most of those were years ago. This smoker was purchased in 2009 and gifted to me not long ago. It is USED and I'm really not sure that I can even get the chip holder and element out with the corrosion on the screw heads. I am desperately hoping to keep it working as I have enjoyed my short time with the MES. Any ideas are welcome!

azbohunter · Dec 17, 2014

If the element is heating you know you have power. I wonder if you may not be getting low voltage?

My guess is that you have a poor connection and losing current to the heating element. That is only a guess.

You said it started acting up when you were doing the turkey.

HOW did it act up then?

Is it digital or analog?

Were the connections corroded badly when you changed them?

That is where I would start looking.

red dog · Dec 17, 2014

Sounds like maybe a bad element. If you give them a newer model number they may sell you a newer element. I think it's a liability issue that keeps them from selling the hotter elements for use in older smokers. Is it a 30 inch or 40? Access plate on the back or rivets holding the back on?

mtmcbr · Dec 17, 2014

Digital control. When I say acting ip I meant it would not get to set temp. I had actually replaced some of the wiring and connections when the previous had it. Most recent time they were not terrible, but did not have good contact so I did them again. It's the older rivets on back style. I currently have the back off and wiring exposed. Heating light comes on and goes off if it reaches set temp so I believe the controller is working. I can take voltage readings from wiring in it, but I am not familiar with what those reasons should be. Ill have to grab my Fluke from work tomorrow.

mtmcbr · Dec 17, 2014

And wouldn't you know.. I came home and reseated connections and plugged it in. Set it for 275 and 24 hours. It's at 225 on digital therm and 180 on controller in 30 mins in 25 degree weather. Seems to be heating fine now. I'll keep an eye on it to see if temp continues to climb at a steady pace and report back.

azbohunter · Dec 17, 2014

I might be wrong but I would think, if, they element went bad that it would not work at all? At least that is what I have found but never had one fail on my smoker. Hot water heater, small electric space heaters, that is it for my experience so I may be wrong.

I am not sure how you would/could check it either. Minimum 110 volts and 8 amps but how you would check the load on the element itself??

Maybe a "real electrician" will help here.

I am not.......

azbohunter · Dec 17, 2014

mtmcbr said:
And wouldn't you know.. I came home and reseated connections and plugged it in. Set it for 275 and 24 hours. It's at 225 on digital therm and 180 on controller in 30 mins in 25 degree weather. Seems to be heating fine now. I'll keep an eye on it to see if temp continues to climb at a steady pace and report back.

My first thought was lose connection..that is what it sounds like. Hope your set!

mtmcbr · Dec 17, 2014

45 mins in and digital reads 265. Pretty typical preheat time for mine. Not sure about others. So long as it continues to heat at this rate I'm a happy camper. I'll update what I find. Thanks for the quick responses.

mtmcbr · Dec 17, 2014

Forgot to mention it's a 40" so it takes a bit more time to heat and recover anyway which was why I was hoping to go from the 800w to the 1200w element. Anyone know the newer model numbers I could "borrow" so that masterbuilt will sell me the bigger element?

red dog · Dec 17, 2014

azbohunter said:
I might be wrong but I would think, if, they element went bad that it would not work at all? At least that is what I have found but never had one fail on my smoker. Hot water heater, small electric space heaters, that is it for my experience so I may be wrong.

I am not sure how you would/could check it either. Minimum 110 volts and 8 amps but how you would check the load on the element itself??

Maybe a "real electrician" will help here.

I am not.......

Wrong I believe. As the element goes bad the resistance changes. You could check with a Ohm meter. Google it to find out how. You also need to check specs of the element to see what the resistance should be. It could still heat but not at full potential. Now the easy way. Starting from a cold smoker set the temp to 270. Open the door and watch the element. The element should get red hot as it tries to heat the smoker. If it never gets red hot or takes more than about ten minutes the element is going bad.

red dog · Dec 17, 2014

I don't remember what mine is but could check tomorrow. It's a 1200.

mtmcbr · Dec 17, 2014

Ok Red Dog I'll keep that in mind. For some reason my gut tells me the element may be going south. Been used for many many hours and had plenty on things dripped in it over the years. Like I said for now its working, so for now I'm happy!

mtmcbr · Dec 17, 2014

That's I would appreciate it. At least give it a try.

red dog · Dec 17, 2014

Good deal. Glad it's working. I have seen some photos of these bad elements, some look fine, some are crusty and nasty as hell! It's easy to think that they all fail all of a sudden. What you don't see is the element working overtime trying to do it's job and then reaching a point where it just can't keep up anymore. Hopefully it doesn't happen in the middle of a 15hr brisket smoke. Or in the middle of cooking Christmas dinner! I'll check my model number sometime tomorrow.

azbohunter · Dec 17, 2014

I guess I have learned something about elements tonight! Thanks Red Dog

jted · Dec 17, 2014

Before You put the back on. If your fluke is a clamp on type check the amperage on both sides of the element.. Do this when it is heating. Your element is on or off with the stock controller. That will tell you if it is at full power. I am not sure what wattage yours is but it is on the back plate . Jted

Remember Watts divided by Voltage = AMPS 800 w divided by 120 v = 6,666 amps

mtmcbr · Jan 26, 2015

Reviving this thread to double check things. I am going to order a 1200w element from MES model #20070710. Everything looks to be the same as my MES which is model #20070508, they just won't sell me a new higher wattage element for the older model. Before I ordered the new one I was hoping someone would know if it fit without modification. I would assume it is the same size with the same mounting holes? Also does anyone know of other places to buy parts for these things. I am looking to replace a few things (racks, bottom pan, water pan), and just curious where you guys buy parts.

jted · Jan 27, 2015

mtmcbr said:
Reviving this thread to double check things. I am going to order a 1200w element from MES model #20070710. Everything looks to be the same as my MES which is model #20070508, they just won't sell me a new higher wattage element for the older model. Before I ordered the new one I was hoping someone would know if it fit without modification. I would assume it is the same size with the same mounting holes? Also does anyone know of other places to buy parts for these things. I am looking to replace a few things (racks, bottom pan, water pan), and just curious where you guys buy parts.

Hi, I have found that the cheapest place to buy parts is from Masterbuilt. That being said appliance factory parts will sell most items at a premium. as far as you element swap there have been threads on this . The search button is a good friend. try heating element upgrade and see what comes up. I did notice the 1200 watt element was about 50.00 Jted

This is a link to the thread I was thinking about

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/a/masterbuilt-electric-smokehouse-heating-element-upgrade-how-to

One thing to consider is the wiring upgrade. You will be going to a 10 amp element.Jted

mtmcbr · Jan 27, 2015

Thanks jted, I have scrolled through that page multiple times before, just never really looked at it. I will go ahead and order the element today. Can't wait to get back up and smokin' as weather in Kansas is abnormal and halfway nice out. A whole let better than the northeast US right now. I feel bad for those guys, having to dig a path through the snow to their smokers.

mtmcbr · Jan 27, 2015

Also still waiting to hear back from Darryl @ Masterbuilt. I know he is a busy guy, has anyone had contact with him lately?

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