OK guys, I just found this:
This is a PM I sent to MBTechguy, after I changed my chip burner in my new MES 40.
This should explain the great difference between a properly functioning MES chip burner, and one that isn't working properly.
This is from November of 2010:
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PM to
Masterbuilt Tech Guy:
Hi Darryl,
Thanks a lot for the great service!!!
As for the retro:
Remember how my original chip drawer did last week? It was 54˚ outside, and it had taken 17 minutes to start smoking, and the temp was already up to 169˚, when it finally started smoking.
With this new Retro-fix chip burner, it was 52˚ outside, it took 3 minutes to start smoking, and the smoker temp was only at 59˚ (light smoke)---65˚ (medium smoke). This thing now works Awesome ! I will still be using the A-MAZE-N-SMOKER a lot of the time, but this MES 40 is ready for any time I call on it !
Thanks Again,
Bear
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Note that if it the element had to be on continually for 17 minutes to get it to smoke, it will NOT smoke right once it gets to your set temp, because it will be cycling so much that it will not cause the chips to smoke. The replacement fixes that problem, in the fact that it only has to be on for 3 minutes to get it to smoke.
I hope this helps you guys in knowing if yours is working properly.
Remember to allow for outside ambient temps.
Bear