Masterbuilt not working properly

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In the same way as some others I was all primed and the loins were marinated and ready to go this morning at 6:00 a.m. as I ran out into the teen wind chill to get my little smoker going.  Much to my surprise, nothing happened when I hit the power button.  Just a clicking sound in the control module on top.  If anyone has had this issue, please let me know.  I am wondering if a replacement control module is in order.  This is the first issue I have had and I have used my smoker probably a couple dozen times over the past 2 years. 

Thanks for the heads up on the connections, looks like a nice afternoon rebuild in order in the near future.  OH, and the loins are safely in a backup "old crusty" smoker that I built in high school.  I just have to baby sit them now until lunch. 
 
I have a Masterbuilt 30.  Having a similar problem where it was tripping the GFCI outlet and then all of a sudden the element stopped getting hot.  I have the newer version with the wiring external so I checked all of that and it seems intact and clean.  I'm assuming it's the element but I wanted to make sure it's not something else.  The controls turn on and work correctly.  It just doesn't heat up.
 
Whoa boy!  This is an old thread...I picked up a used, digitally-controlled MES with a remote today.  The price was right - I just had to go to pick it up.  Of course it doesn't work.  He said that it worked the last time that he had used it, about 6 months ago, but when he tried it last week it wouldn't heat up.  I suspect that it has something to do with the wiring and heating element. 

The photos on this thread don't open up anymore.  Is there any chance that someone can reply and post some pictures so that I know what I need to do?

Does anyone have some of that heat resistant wire left over that they'd liken to sell?  What length of wire is needed & the gage?

Thank you :-)

Cliff.
 
 
Whoa boy!  This is an old thread...I picked up a used, digitally-controlled MES with a remote today.  The price was right - I just had to go to pick it up.  Of course it doesn't work.  He said that it worked the last time that he had used it, about 6 months ago, but when he tried it last week it wouldn't heat up.  I suspect that it has something to do with the wiring and heating element. 

The photos on this thread don't open up anymore.  Is there any chance that someone can reply and post some pictures so that I know what I need to do?

Does anyone have some of that heat resistant wire left over that they'd liken to sell?  What length of wire is needed & the gage?

Thank you :-)

Cliff.
Hi Cliff,

 I used the link below when my connector burned out after 5 years of use.

Most of the time it's just the connector, and you don't have to replace the wiring.

Check this out:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/89886/mes-wiring-upgrade-mod

Bear
 
The Robertson screw is the Canadian version of our USA Square drive screws of different square drive dimension. There are several  choices of screw makeup & sizes readily available at any of your big box stores that have a decent supply for the builders. I Really like them & so damn tired of those cross top or "Phillips" & many years ago went to square or thorax type.

Harold from Grants Pass, OR 
 
Gotta luv the Robertson drive screw!!!  He tried to get Detroit interested in it, but the cheap so-and-so's wouldn't give him even a tiny royalty.  The Robertson was and still is superior to any other drive.  Detroit went to all sorts of fasteners, including hex-head, Torx, and a few which have since all but disappeared.  They could have paid Robertson a few dollars and made all of our lives simpler.

I did pick up my non-working MES, took a look at it and got it working!  Ya ba da ba do!!!  This morning I bought some vinegar, some fresh spices, and a small (10#) brisket.  Now to clean up the MES, get some pecan wood and start smokin'!  I may go to the Hong Kong Market or Viet Hoa grocery store in Houston to buy a fresh pork belly too.  They do have lovely pork at both places in addition to great fresh fish, various crabs, and shell fish :-)
 
Nit picking, but the Robertson is not the Canadian version of the U.S. square drive.  It was invented in Canada by a guy named Robertson who gave it his name - the Robertson drive.  The square drive is the U. S. version of the Robertson drive, after the patent ran out, of course - we had to call it something and couldn't use "Robertson", so "square drive" was the rather obvious choice. 
beercheer.gif
 
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I was having the same problems.  I ordered the new element kit because mine was pretty far gone.  Installed it and still nothing.  I didn't switch out the connectors because they didn't seem to be bad.  I guess I'll try that before I call again but any guesses what it could be if that's not it?  The control unit?  The electronics seem to work.  Turns on, set temp, heating light comes on, just the element never gets hot.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks
 
1. make sure the wires are firmly attached to the connectors.

2. also you may have moisture in the wires or the controller. Place your smoker in a warm place for a couple days or remove the controller and bring in your house.

hope this helps
 
Buzzkill warning ----   I cannot believe the volume of people buying Electronic MES's with all the probable problems.

Don't folks research before they buy?????

The housing and all is a fair deal for the money -- door setup, hinges, racks,  etc., 

But NOT the electronics.

Buy MES Analog for most smokes,like if you search, as low as around $120.

And then add a Maverick or Smoke remote therm.

THEN ,  if you need finer more controlled heat ( like for technical sausage smoking)THEN add aftermarket Auber controller.

Other upgrades possible after that,IF NEEDED----- AMNPS, and possibly "Mailbox".

But you do NOT need it for most meats.

AMNPS for multi hour smokes w/o having to reload chips.

DONE.

Folks do not study readily available info.             Marc
 
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Pat in Pa - The element itself either works, or it does not.

There is no middle iffy guess

It does not "wear out" and change, it just fails, on OR off, can happen, but rarely.  

It is always almost a connection problem, MES notorious for that.              Marc
 
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Marc +. The electric smoker is the easiest way to B.B.Q.. that said it also requires more maintenance over charcoal,wood or gas. Moisture is a by product of smoking in your cabinet. Electrical components like the wire contact points or the analog / digital element tend to corrode over time. Often electric smokers are left outside in the elements fog, dew and rain?

It takes very little moisture to trip a G.F.C.I breaker or burn up a wire. This can even be problematic even for the Aurber PID controler or the probe of the maverick thermometer you mention.

The best preventative maintenance is to never smoke outside in moisture, keep it under cover and store your smoker inside when not in use.

Thanks
 
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Mine was a gift so didn't have a choice. Being a rookie I will ashamedly admit that I left it uncovered in the rain so I'm guessing that is what fried everything. I'll swap out the connectors next. Can someone please post the part numbers for a new temp. Control? I guess that'll be my next swap out should the connectors not work
 
Mine was a gift so didn't have a choice. Being a rookie I will ashamedly admit that I left it uncovered in the rain so I'm guessing that is what fried everything. I'll swap out the connectors next. Can someone please post the part numbers for a new temp. Control? I guess that'll be my next swap out should the connectors not work
I would first replace the connectors.

Then if it still doesn't work, I would call them & tell them about it.

You will probably need your Model & Serial Numbers, because I don't think just any control fits any smoker model.

They might even send you a new controller for FREE, if you talk nice---Wouldn't be the first time.

Best of Luck,

Bear
 
 Originally Posted by Bearcarver

I would first replace the connectors.

Then if it still doesn't work, I would call them & tell them about it.

You will probably need your Model & Serial Numbers, because I don't think just any control fits any smoker model.

They might even send you a new controller for FREE, if you talk nice---Wouldn't be the first time.

Best of Luck,

Bear
Ok I swapped out the element and put the new connectors on.  Still doing the same thing.  

So I called Masterbuilt and all they will do for me is send another element kit even after I told them they just sent me a brand new one.  Anybody know the replacement part number for the controller?  That almost has to be what it is, everything else seems to work correctly it just doesn't get hot.

Thanks
 
 
Ok I swapped out the element and put the new connectors on.  Still doing the same thing.  

So I called Masterbuilt and all they will do for me is send another element kit even after I told them they just sent me a brand new one.  Anybody know the replacement part number for the controller?  That almost has to be what it is, everything else seems to work correctly it just doesn't get hot.

Thanks
You said yours is a "Newer one".

By "Newer" does that mean a Bluetooth?

If it is, I know some guys had trouble with their Bluetooth, which gave them the opportunity to get an RF Control & Remote to replace the Bluetooth control & Remote.

Maybe they won't give you one, but they might sell you one. Just have your Model Number ready.

Bear
 
You know being a rookie  I have done one hell of a lot of research. Yes I have an entry level smoker, a Meco with already some mods & when I do upgrade I sure will adhere to one heck of a lot of what I have been fortunate to learn on the forums. I also know here in Southern Oregon it is almost a toss up if you can't have your grill or smoker under some kind of cover for the long winter as to weather it is better to cover or not, I have found even with cover & inside or covered a small 7.5 watt incessant lamp within the cover really keeps moisture in control.  My thoughts   are still the same do a lot of reading & listen to the forum you will only advance your knowledge & skills

Harold from Grants Pass, OR
 
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