Decided to make some sausage yesterday. Started my MES 40 Sportsman Elite to heat up and went back out an hour later and it was hovering basically at the 61 deg. Basically the temp it was outside. In recent smokes, it seemed to be taking a long time to come up to temp.
I have a few questions.
1. How do I know if it is the heating element or the high temp limit kit that need to be replaced. The unit's troubleshooting guide lists both as potential causes. The HTL is sold out of course.
2. I use a mailbox modification to do my smoking now. If I replace the heating element, should I just leave the ash pan and it's holder off, exposing the heating element, or with this effect how the cabinet is designed to heat and/or expose the element to drippage from the meat, which you wouldn't want. I still have the drip deflector in place.
Thanks for any help. I know these questions are pretty basic, but I like to defer to those more experienced than I!
I have a few questions.
1. How do I know if it is the heating element or the high temp limit kit that need to be replaced. The unit's troubleshooting guide lists both as potential causes. The HTL is sold out of course.
2. I use a mailbox modification to do my smoking now. If I replace the heating element, should I just leave the ash pan and it's holder off, exposing the heating element, or with this effect how the cabinet is designed to heat and/or expose the element to drippage from the meat, which you wouldn't want. I still have the drip deflector in place.
Thanks for any help. I know these questions are pretty basic, but I like to defer to those more experienced than I!