Leaky MES 30"

poolecw

Fire Starter

Original poster

Apr 13, 2015

37

29

• Apr 13, 2015

• #1

I have a MES 20070910 that I bought a couple years ago.  It was a huge upgrade to the cheap propane vertical smoker I got at Bass Pro several years back.  Regardless, I've been having a very annoying issue with it.  It leaks water from around the front right corner of the door.  I think that the water is accumulating on the inside of the door, puddling on the inside floor, and then finding its way out.  When I look at design of the interior of the door,  I can see that a sheet of metal is flared out at the bottom.  This flare should allow water to drip into the drip pan.  However, there is a failure somewhere.

My dad has the same exact smoker and has never had this issue.  Is this a known problem with the MES?  Any fixes or recommendations?

I'm smoking two whole chickens tomorrow so I'll update this thread with example photos.

Thanks... 

 

bmaddox

Master of the Pit

Jan 5, 2015

1,705

144

Central FL

• Apr 14, 2015

• #2

Do you fill your water pan? The consensus seems to be that filling the pan in the MES creates too much moisture and will cause issues such as yours. 

 

twoalpha

Smoking Fanatic

Nov 20, 2014

528

203

Lexington, NC

• Apr 14, 2015

• #3

Also make sure that the vent is in the full open position.

 

poolecw

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Apr 13, 2015

37

29

• Apr 14, 2015

• #4

Thanks guys. I did find a few older topics about this after I started my thread.

Yes, I used water in the pan and had the vent nearly closed. I will see how it does today without water and with the vent wide open.

 

jaxman

Newbie

Mar 25, 2015

7

11

• Apr 22, 2015

• #5

What is the general consensus of water in the pan on the MES 30. I d notice while smoking in the winter there is a lot of steam comeing out my exhaust. I have been reading that guys don't use anything in the pan also...but doesn't that dry the food out ???

 

Rafter H BBQ

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 18, 2013

12,106

5,584

S.E. Idaho

• Apr 23, 2015

• #6

poolecw said:

Thanks guys. I did find a few older topics about this after I started my thread.

Yes, I used water in the pan and had the vent nearly closed. I will see how it does today without water and with the vent wide open.

Click to expand...

The water pan is just a temp control, heat sink.... Put some sand in it as sand is a great distributer of heat & cover with a few layers of heavy duty foil for easy clean up !

 

Rafter H BBQ

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 18, 2013

12,106

5,584

S.E. Idaho

• Apr 23, 2015

• #7

jaxman said:

What is the general consensus of water in the pan on the MES 30. I d notice while smoking in the winter there is a lot of steam comeing out my exhaust. I have been reading that guys don't use anything in the pan also...but doesn't that dry the food out ???

Click to expand...

The water pan is just a heat sink or temp control if ya will... Put some sand in your pan as sand is a great distributer of heat & cover with a few layers of heavy duty foil for easy clean up....

You do not need water in the pan for juicy BBQ !

 

bmaddox

Master of the Pit

Jan 5, 2015

1,705

144

Central FL

• Apr 23, 2015

• #8

Water can actually be detrimental in an electric smoker. Electric smokers are typically pretty well sealed so the moisture stays in the box and prevents the meat from shedding its water. The "juicy" part of BBQ comes from the fat in the meat not the water.

I leave the water pan in my MES empty and line it with foil for easy clean up.