New Man MES 40

tillman752

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Jun 28, 2017

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• Jun 28, 2017

• #1

Ok my wife got me a MES 40 for father's day. I seasoned it the next day and did some ribs for the 1st time. They were ok but I know what I did wrong opening the doors a few times and trying to rush it. But besides that I have been reading a lot on here the past week and am getting a little nervous that this one is junk. It is the Gen 2 from what im reading. I will link it below. She got me the one without the stand bc she knew I could build it myself and save some $. My main question is what do I need to do to "fix" it the way it should be? Im just going to be doing ribs, wings and a butt every now and then. Iv been looking around the forum on what to do but there's so many different post on it I just wanted to ask in one place. Thanks for the help in advance.





http://www.basspro.com/RedHead-Spor...e-with-Viewing-Window/product/11090613460023/

 

Bearcarver

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• Jun 28, 2017

• #2

I would try it awhile the way it is---Get an AMNPS & a set of wireless Therms, because You'll want more consistent smoke & we go by Internal Temp for Great Smoking, and something like the Maverick ET-732 will give you the accuracy you will want, both in the Smoker & in the meat.

Maybe you'll get good results the way it is, but if you have Heat balance problems, I would try removing that slanted Drip plate above the Chip burner, put the bottom rack in, with a Foil pan on it to catch Drips, and your AMNPS can go on that bottom rack.

If you have no problems with heat balance, just leave it alone.

As for using your MES 40, here's something that might help:

Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

Bear

 

Last edited: Jun 28, 2017

tillman752

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Jun 28, 2017

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• Jun 28, 2017

• #3

When you say AMNPS in the bottom what do you mean?

 

Bearcarver

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• Jun 28, 2017

• #4

Tillman752 said:

When you say AMNPS in the bottom what do you mean?

Click to expand...

If you look at some of my Step by Step Links, you can see them in action, and they're all over this forum.

An AMNPS is a Perforated SS Steel Maze that you fill with wood pellets & light one end.

Then it takes about 10 to 12 hours of smoke to burn out, or you can fill it less or stop it earlier for short smokes.

Here is where they come from:

http://www.amazenproducts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AMNPS5X8

Bear

 

Last edited: Jun 29, 2017

tillman752

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Jun 28, 2017

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• Jun 28, 2017

• #5

That is one thing I noticed is the wood chips I would have to add new ones at least every 45 min

 

dr k

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• Jun 28, 2017

• #6

The rf controller that came with your gen 2 I believe is better than burning up the cell phone batteries with the bluetooth gen 2.5. If it were me I'd take out the slanted drip tray and baby water pan and put a 9x13 disposable aluminum pan on the bottom rack for a more open air circulation set up. On Home shopping network a couple years ago they had this set up with the oval pan of the gen 1 and rf controller.
-Kurt

 

Bearcarver

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• Jun 28, 2017

• #7

Tillman752 said:

That is one thing I noticed is the wood chips I would have to add new ones at least every 45 min

Click to expand...

Yeah---Probably closer to 30 minutes.

But the MES is so well insulated that once it gets to your Temp setting the heating element will shut off, and that's what burns your chips.

So using the Chip burner will give you from No Smoke to a little smoke, to too much smoke to little smoke & back to no smoke & time to reload.

Once the AMNPS is properly loaded & lit & burning, you don't have to touch it until your smoke is done (10 to 12 hours).

Bear

 

tillman752

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Jun 28, 2017

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• Jun 28, 2017

• #8

yea I just ordered one of the pellet trays and I will take that bottom slanted one out when I get home and should be good to go. Yes I did notice it held heat really good so I was thinking it wasnt burning my chips bc the element was cutting off on it so this should fix my only issues I was having.

 

Last edited: Jun 28, 2017

Bearcarver

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• Jun 28, 2017

• #9

Tillman752 said:

 
yea I just ordered one of the pellet trays and I will take that bottom slanted one out when I get home and should be good to go. Yes I did notice it held heat really good so I was thinking it wasnt burning my chips bc the element was cutting off on it so this should fix my only issues I was having.

Click to expand...

That's Great !

When you get it there are a lot of How to light it" threads, but this is my favorite one.

If you don't have a heat gun (I don't) just follow the second post:

Link:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/140859/how-i-light-my-amnps-w-video-link

There's also directions that come with it, I believe.

Bear

 

tillman752

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Jun 28, 2017

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• Jun 28, 2017

• #10

That's perfect I have both of those in my shop already. Thanks for all the help. I will be firing it up Saturday around lunch so it's ready for dinner