Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
Recent content by chuck41
Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
My MES 40 needs to have the water pan be emptied and cleaned after each use, the drip pan in the bottom likewise. I usually take the racks out and spray them off and replace but not always, depending on what I cooked. Wipe down the window with a soapy paper towel then dry it with another paper...
Apparently I am one of the few. I have had my MES 40 with window and remote for nearly 4 years and love it. Agreed, smoke is minimal at lower temps, but I never have a problem with the temp set at 215 or higher. It does require you add chips about each hour for the first couple hours to get...
I have a MES-40 with the remote and glass door and love it. The glass door needs to be cleaned after each use or it becomes worthless after a couple uses. Not a big deal, but you do need to do that. Mine has a stainless door with steel cabinet. Stainless cabinet would be nice but certainly...
Yep, Mr Smokestein is right. Electric is the best choice for what you inidcated. I have a MES-40 and love it. Have had a bit of problems, each of which I have been able to fix, but mine is 4 years old and has done a lot of smokin' so I can't gripe. Propane, wood and charcoal units wear out...
If I were having that problem I would just contact MES and order a new heating element. The tripping GFCI indicates excessive current on the ground line and that could mean a hot cabinet with current leakage in a bad spot in the element. That could leave you with a real "eye opening" experience...
Repaired my MES 40 yesterday. Ordered a new 1200w heating element from MES. Cost about $30 including shipping which I thought was a very good price. I have seen them on line for about twice that price. I am anxious to get some more chicken legs and thighs to smoke up. Its been down for a...
Just ordered a heating element from MES for my unit. Apparently the environment we have in our smokers with salt, liquids dripping off meat, salt, etc is tough on electric elements. They just do not last real long.
MES customer service was very helpful and I just gave them the model number...
I use common old garden variety spray-on oven cleaner. Have used several brands with no difference noted. Quick spray and wait a bit and it wipes clean with just a few paper towels. Takes maybe 30 seconds of effort. No problem at all. I have cleaned it with a month's baked on grime or one...
Take good care of those pictures Bear. It ain't gonna be that purdy fer long once you startin' usin it for what you bought it for. Love my 40". Keep it well exercised.
Found turkeys on sale today and bought two more! In no hurry to smoke them since I still have lots left over but figured I better get them while they are on sale. Love my smokey toy!
Sounds like it could be burned connector to the heating element. There is a relatively standard Chinese solenoid in the bottom of my MES 40 that went out. Mine died in the ON position and burned anything you put in the unit, but it could die in the OFF position just as easily with results as...
Hard to say. I had one that was toasted a bit but still usable. I would try to repair it first and then replace if necessary, but that's just me. Make sure that you heat shrink it well to prevent possible shorting. It does tend to get pretty warm in that little box where the connection is...
I really don't understand these comments. My MES 40 digital with glass front is a little over 2 years old. It works great and the remote works fine except when the battery wears out which is not frequent. Inside temp in mine tracks fairly close to a second oven thermometer which I use...
I like pecan chips the best personally with hickory a close second. Use them for poultry, pork and venison with equal preference. Some advocate apple for poultry but I prefer the pecan or hickory myself. Also used manzaneta and it was very good. I have not smoked fish so another type might be...