How Many Mes Owners Here?

smokin bison

Newbie

Nov 10, 2012

9

10

Alpena Sd

• Nov 16, 2012

• #341

My questions is, is the extra mony for the 40" w/ window worth it.  Even a 30" w/ window. Cabella's has the old style 30" no widow for 190. A 40" is aroun 250 or so. A bigger smoker would be nice, but just curious what people with 30" thought of the capicity.

Also I have been thinking of getting a Traeger, if people had the choice would they get a Trager or keep their MES?  Just looking to save some money with getting the MES or just save for the Traeger. I do have a Grill Pro Propane as of now but i figure how can a person have JUST ONE SMOKER..

Let me know your Thoughts???

 

hkeiner

Meat Mopper

Oct 31, 2010

280

18

San Francisco Bay Area, California

• Nov 16, 2012

• #342

Let me know your Thoughts???

Click to expand...

IMO a 40" MES vs 30" MES is worth the extra cost and a  MES with window vs a MES without window is also worth the extra cost. But just like choosing between different models of cars (e.g., features and sizes), a lot depends on what a person wants to have and what they are willing to spend for it.

 

Last edited: Nov 16, 2012

dewey51

Newbie

Jan 5, 2012

10

10

Renton, Wa

• Nov 16, 2012

• #343

Personally, I wouldn't want the window.  Granted it's nice to have when clean, but to keep it clean would be more work than what it's worth as far as I'm concerned.

 

W

wbrian

Smoke Blower

Nov 16, 2010

90

10

• Nov 17, 2012

• #344

I have to 40" SS with window, I think it's 1200watt, but not sure, now. Got it a year and a half ago from Costco. I love it. I came from a Brinkman square vertical coal smoker. It was tough to maintain the temps and a pain to keep loading it, etc. I was getting ready to have a leg surgery that would limit my mobility a lot. So, the MES 40 was a godsend. Having the remote saves me a lot of trips out to my deck on my knee roller. I just had a second surgery and having this unit will allow me to smoke a butt tomorrow easily. Love it!

 

revamped

Newbie

Nov 19, 2011

6

10

• Nov 18, 2012

• #345

I love my MBES, sometimes it is annoying to add chips every hour; but it is really unsafe to leave it unattended anyway so no big deal.  Just finished an entire pork shoulder and leg, and it fit fine.  Chip tray sticks really bad, but it is obvious that their sheetmetal work on that piece needs some improvement.  It is rubbing on the screws on the side. have done plenty of ribs, 4 briskets, braughts, and a couple of pork loins.  I know there is the taste of charcoal missing, so I put 6 briquets in the tray before starting, running them down the side and across the back of the tray so when you dump the chips there is plenty of room.  adds a little flavor, but not much.

 

shanenc

Newbie

Apr 9, 2012

1

10

• Nov 18, 2012

• #346

I messed up so one of the votes for the 40 with window should be one more. I really like it. I have the upgraded smoke unit and if you add chips e dry 45 min it will smoke like a charcoal one. I bought mine 6 months ago and it is so easy to smoke butts. But the best thing I have smoked so far is chicken wings.

 

prestoni

Newbie

Nov 18, 2012

2

10

• Nov 19, 2012

• #347

Bass Pro Shop  Texas

 

smokeinthewind

Newbie

Sep 4, 2012

2

10

Ankeny Iowa

• Nov 20, 2012

• #348

How often do you guys clean yours? I've had mine for a year and really have never cleaned it.

 

rickyldd

Fire Starter

Dec 6, 2011

40

12

W. Ky

• Nov 20, 2012

• #349

smokeinthewind said:

How often do you guys clean yours? I've had mine for a year and really have never cleaned it.

Click to expand...

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/96948/smoker-cleaning/80#post_887303

 

mattu1665

Fire Starter

Aug 31, 2011

45

10

Miflord, MI

• Nov 20, 2012

• #350

Got my 40" 1200 watt with window from Amazon back in July. I've done a half dozen smokes since ranging from brisket to ribs. After one attempt using the chip tray I purchased the AMAZN smoker. Was impressed with the ease of use and the lengthy smoking times.

However, I have to say that I'm not a big fan of the smoke taste created by the pellets. I have smoked with both the hickory and cherry pellets and wasn't happy with the flavor. My wife felt the same way. I don't want to give up on the MES 40 yet especially since I now have $400 invested.

I'm going back to my vertical gas smoker this thanksgiving. I know ill get a great tasting bird with a fabulous smoke ring. Any Detroit area forum members interested in purchasing an MES 40?

 

bone player

Newbie

Nov 1, 2012

29

10

Between the Edge of the Wood and the Pines

• Nov 20, 2012

• #351

I have an older model (ESQ30B).  I have seen different suggestions for installing a top air damper. Anyone done this?  Thanks.

 

rtbbq2

Master of the Pit

Mar 2, 2012

1,412

29

Minneapolis MN/Riding Country USA

• Nov 21, 2012

• #352

Going to buy the 30" MES at Gander Mountain on Black Friday....$120.00...Looks like the best price. Here is the ad page 14...

http://www.theblackfriday.com/ads/gander/gander-mountain-black-friday-ad14.shtml

I have a kamado but want this to smoke sausage and the overnight butts and brisquets...

 

rtbbq2

Master of the Pit

Mar 2, 2012

1,412

29

Minneapolis MN/Riding Country USA

• Nov 21, 2012

• #353

I guess it's $129.99...sorry for the typo all.........

 

jmr57

Fire Starter

Nov 16, 2012

31

10

In the sticks of NE Fla.

• Nov 21, 2012

• #354

RTBBQ2,    I called Gander and they said the MES 30" actually doesnt go on 129.99 sale until Saturday. If you look a page or two ahead of it in the flyer it says Saturday Specials.....that seems kinda stupid to list it in a Black Friday flyer if not on sale until Saturday don't ya think? I just hope that I don't show up on Saturday and they are all gone already at the normal $149 price !!!   That would be a bummer.

 

jmr57

Fire Starter

Nov 16, 2012

31

10

In the sticks of NE Fla.

• Nov 21, 2012

• #355

the Saturday Specials start on page 12 they said.....everything after page 12 isn't on sale until Saturday.......just trying to save ya some hassle and a trip.

 

rtbbq2

Master of the Pit

Mar 2, 2012

1,412

29

Minneapolis MN/Riding Country USA

• Nov 21, 2012

• #356

Thanks for letting me know...Randy

 

waucedah

Smoke Blower

Jan 6, 2012

105

10

West end of Michigans UP

• Nov 21, 2012

• #357

I have had good luck with the MES use it when I do not want to burn charcoal in the UDS
 

 

gejoo2000

Newbie

Aug 20, 2011

4

10

• Nov 22, 2012

• #358

I also have the thirty inch but it's just me and the wife but it is fine with us.  Everything I have smoked has been great and if had it to do again I'd buy it again.  So easy to use.

 

rtbbq2

Master of the Pit

Mar 2, 2012

1,412

29

Minneapolis MN/Riding Country USA

• Nov 22, 2012

• #359

Well I hurried over to Gander Mountain and picked up the last MES30 they had in stock. Yesterday they had 17 units. They did have the sale price $129.99 on early. Lots of folks will be upset since they are already out of stock. Glad I got a tip from a fellow SMF member to get down there asap..... This site rocks...........

....Many thanks...RTBBQ

 

redheelerdog

Master of the Pit

SMF Premier Member

Dec 4, 2011

2,036

666

Montana - Big Sky Country

• Nov 22, 2012

• #360

I got my MES all hopped up and modded out...

Got the exterior temperature dial AND the AMAZ-N air vent...

IMG_20121117_132957.jpg

• redheelerdog
• Nov 22, 2012

I ALSO have the highly coveted long extended smoker vent pipe - (AKA the Long Tube Header) - Gains 30-40 horsepower with this mod alone!

MES.jpg

• redheelerdog
• Nov 22, 2012

I also have a 1/4" thick, square steel plate sitting on top of the heat element box to keep the heat from going straight up the corner and frying the crap out of what is directly below the top vent. (helps with more even heating throughout the smoke box)

IMG_20121122_141711.jpg

• redheelerdog
• Nov 23, 2012

 

Last edited: Nov 23, 2012