I'm not sure what generation MES I have, but it was branded "Cabela's Masterbuilt Sportsman Elite". I'll post a pic at the end of this post.
The first question pertains to the drain pan and reservoir at the bottom. There is a tray that fills the bottom of the smoker with a hole which corresponds with a hole on the bottom of the smoker leading to a small grease/liquid reservoir under the smoker. I think the reservoir is very small, but to date nothing has made it to the reservoir. I'm using the water pan lined with foil and that catches most of the drippings. I'm afraid the reservoir is too small and will fill with liquid and overflow, especially on a turkey or brisket. What liquid/grease that isn't caught by the water pan goes into and under the drain pan at the bottom(not underneath) the smoker and then somehow seeps under the drain pan and somehow gets between the pan and the bottom of the smoker, but not making it to the reservoir under the smoker leaving a mess on the bottom of the smoker.Maybe this is something I'll have to live with.
Issue two: How to y'all clean the grates after smoking? I can get them pretty clean with scrubbers and hot water, then dishwasher, but we have white counter tops and back splash and the area where I clean up ends up looking like black measles.
Third item: I love the smoke smell, but our microwave and some storage containers smell like a BBQ joint and my wife isn't as enamored with the odor as am I. Especially since I cut up a watermelon the other day and put it in a plastic container which previously had some smoked meat. Although I thoroughly washed it with hot water and soap, we now have what smells like smoked watermelon.
Sorry for the numerous question, but answer any or all with ideas.
Thanks,
Randall
The first question pertains to the drain pan and reservoir at the bottom. There is a tray that fills the bottom of the smoker with a hole which corresponds with a hole on the bottom of the smoker leading to a small grease/liquid reservoir under the smoker. I think the reservoir is very small, but to date nothing has made it to the reservoir. I'm using the water pan lined with foil and that catches most of the drippings. I'm afraid the reservoir is too small and will fill with liquid and overflow, especially on a turkey or brisket. What liquid/grease that isn't caught by the water pan goes into and under the drain pan at the bottom(not underneath) the smoker and then somehow seeps under the drain pan and somehow gets between the pan and the bottom of the smoker, but not making it to the reservoir under the smoker leaving a mess on the bottom of the smoker.Maybe this is something I'll have to live with.
Issue two: How to y'all clean the grates after smoking? I can get them pretty clean with scrubbers and hot water, then dishwasher, but we have white counter tops and back splash and the area where I clean up ends up looking like black measles.
Third item: I love the smoke smell, but our microwave and some storage containers smell like a BBQ joint and my wife isn't as enamored with the odor as am I. Especially since I cut up a watermelon the other day and put it in a plastic container which previously had some smoked meat. Although I thoroughly washed it with hot water and soap, we now have what smells like smoked watermelon.
Sorry for the numerous question, but answer any or all with ideas.
Thanks,
Randall