Recent content by hkeiner

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  1. hkeiner

    Test brisket doneness while wrapped in butcher paper?

    Thanks for the advice on bumping up the smoker temp. I just did that.
  2. hkeiner

    Test brisket doneness while wrapped in butcher paper?

    I'm smoking only the point. I do have a temp probe inserted in to the point to keep an eye on the internal temp.
  3. hkeiner

    Test brisket doneness while wrapped in butcher paper?

    I am smoking only the point. I have a temp probe inserted to monitor the IT.
  4. hkeiner

    Test brisket doneness while wrapped in butcher paper?

    I'm in the middle of smoking my first brisket point (at 230 degrees smoker temp) and just wrapped it in butcher paper when the meat was at 165 internal temp. It is now in the smoker to finish . I understand that doneness is best tested by inserting a probe (skewer, toothpick, or similar) and...
  5. hkeiner

    PID Controller?

    The display on my MES40 (bought in 2010) recently failed too and a replacement display was no longer available from Masterbuilt. I went ahead and bought an Auber Plug and Play PID (WS-1211 GPH for $120) and it works great. Assembling a PID myself (using a project box and on-line parts) would...
  6. hkeiner

    Recommended PID settings for Auber WS-1211GPH and MES40

    Yes, the P setting is the number of degrees below the desired target setting that full power stops and and reduced power begins. The power is reduced by an equal percentage until the target temp is reached. In the case of 3/0/0 and a target temp of 225, the power is 100% until 223, 66% until...
  7. hkeiner

    Recommended PID settings for Auber WS-1211GPH and MES40

    Once I have a few live smokes at 3/0/0 under my belt I’ll decide whether I want to make any up/down changes to “P” to improve things. Once I settle on a “P” that I like I’ll decide if I want to make any changes to “I” to possibly improve things even more.
  8. hkeiner

    Recommended PID settings for Auber WS-1211GPH and MES40

    I understand that the PID settings will vary depending on the PID unit and smoker model. That’s why my original question was directed at someone with the same PID unit (Auber WS-1211GPH) and smoker model (MES40) Having said that, it was still helpful to get suggestions on alternative PID...
  9. hkeiner

    Recommended PID settings for Auber WS-1211GPH and MES40

    The original question was for anyone actually using a PIDed MES40 and asking what PID settings they are using and would suggest. I’ve since installed the PID on my MES40 to replace the controller that broke and was no longer available as a repair part from Masterbuilt. I tried the default...
  10. hkeiner

    Recommended PID settings for Auber WS-1211GPH and MES40

    Thanks everyone for your replies. I recently ordered the PID from Auber to replace the digital control unit that recently failed and I have not installed it yet. My plan is to first use the default PID settings (P:7, I:600, and D:150) and see if they work OK. My next step will be to try...
  11. hkeiner

    Recommended PID settings for Auber WS-1211GPH and MES40

    Hi, I just purchased the Auber WS-1211GPH PID for my Masterbuilt MES 40 smoker and have the following questions: A) Can anyone recommend PID settings that would work well with this smoker? I understand that I can use AUTOTUNE to do this, but not sure how optimal the settings would be. I...
  12. hkeiner

    Smoke Hollow & PID Control

    Catherine, I would like to add my thoughts to the already great advice you got from Old Sarge... The actual location where you place the probe (within reason) does not matter nearly as as much as placing it in the same location each time. It is OK to have an offset between the actual...
  13. hkeiner

    Another AMNPS-MES Question

     To induce more air flow through the smoker, try placing a chimney (pipe) on top of the exhaust outlet. I did this on my MES40 and found it helped keep the AMNPS lit. I used a 2' length of 4" diameter plastic drainage pipe, but some 4" or 6" diameter metal heating duct piping would probably work...
  14. hkeiner

    4PoGo7 needs PID advice and help

    I don't know the specs of my espresso machine as a reference point, but I believe  a 25 amp SSR will handle anything that does not blow a 20 amp house circuit breaker. My rule of thumb would be to get a SSR that far exceeds the rating of the circuit breaker that handles the outlet the smoker is...
  15. hkeiner

    4PoGo7 needs PID advice and help

    You have been getting great advice from some very knowledgeable people. I can't supplement their already good advice and instructions, but I did want to post about my 'contrary' experience on buying cheap China junk on eBay. I bought on eBay a PID for under $15, a 25 amp SSR for under $4, and a...
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