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  1. hkeiner

    MES 40 goes dead intermittantly - Bad controller or overheat sensor?

    Hi, While using my MES 40 (model 20070710) this past weekend to smoke some ribs, it went temporarily dead after about 3 hours of smoking. The controller display went completely dead along with the heating element and the inside light. I confirmed that there was power at the outlet. I unplugged...
  2. hkeiner

    Your advise on purchase, please

    An good alternative to the retro-kit is to modify the existing small tray setup by cutting out the extra piece of metal between the heating element and the wood tray. I did that and it worked great. The following link explains the mod in greater detail. I use the AMNS mostly, but it is good to...
  3. hkeiner

    New chip tray in MES

    I did  a mod of the existing small wood tray (removed the extra piece of metal between the tray and the heating element) and the wood tray works just fine now. With this mod the heating element is not too close to the wood tray (resulting in too much heat) nor is the heat from the element...
  4. hkeiner

    Ever since I started using my MES 40...

    The vent should always be open when smoking. You may want to re-read the instructions.
  5. hkeiner

    MES 40 Arrives Monday.

    Many MES users will suggest that it is not necessary or beneficial to wet the chips. It only delays the start of the smoke.  Some MES units with the the "small" wood tray have had problems and users have obtained replacement "large" wood tray kits from Masterbuilt that solved the problem...
  6. hkeiner

    Smoker Review

    I thought I would point out that the Cajun smoker is a lot like the Masterbuilt MES, but it is not identical. The Cajun has a "chute thingy" for feeding chips in to the metal wood tray while the MES has a "loader cup thingy" for feeding the wood chips. Both are located in the same location...
  7. hkeiner

    MES 40 with stainless steel body - Is it hard to keep exterior clean and shiny?

    I did end up buying the MES 40 with all stainless steel body with window and found that cleaning the window was easy by warming up the smoker a bit and then using a single sided razor blade to scrape off the smokey/oily build up off the inside glass. I don't bother cleaning the inside light as I...
  8. hkeiner

    Bradley vs MES

    I decided on choosing my first cheap gasser smoker using price as a primary consideration. Turned out I didn't use it much as it was a pain to use. It needed constant attention to keep the temps correct and the smoke going. I later learned about and bought an MES and find that I use it much more...
  9. hkeiner

    New to the smoking game!

    A regular lighter, a BBQ lighter, even a candle will work but the flame is a bit under powered and so a pain in the butt to use.  I have read in other posts that propane torches may have a bit too much flame and blow the dust around too much. A butane torch is just right.  That is my experience...
  10. hkeiner

    Bradley vs MES

    Here are my thoughts..as an MES 40 and AMNS user 1. I read somewhere (Amazon review I think) that manufacturers recommend not using extension cords with electric smokers. I do have a power outlet in my yard, and I'm planning to put down patio blocks under the smoker. I'm just wondering how long...
  11. hkeiner

    4 BIG Slabs Ribs In The MES Using the AMNS 6X8 For Smoke...

    Beer-B-Q, At what temperature did you smoked these ribs? Did you set the MES for a constant temperature during the whole smoke or did you change the setting as the smoke progressed? I ask because I have tried smoking pork ribs in my MES several times at different temperatures and I have never...
  12. hkeiner

    3-2-1 method - What are some alternatives to using apple juice as the liquid?

    So it seems that using beer, white wine, or Pepsi would not be a big mistake. Only one at a time, not mixed all together. Thought I would ask instead of learning from experience in case one of these was a very bad idea. Thanks for the opinions...
  13. hkeiner

    3-2-1 method - What are some alternatives to using apple juice as the liquid?

    Hi, Are there many alternative liquids that can  be used when doing the 3-2-1 method for pork ribs? That is, the liquid put in the foil with the ribs during the "2" phase. I have been using apple juice (and it works just fine ) but often I don't have any on hand. Rather than going out to buy a...
  14. hkeiner

    Several general questions (MES 40)

    It is kind of like having a discussion over what is more important, convenience or results. Those that use a MES will likely feel that a MES is much easier to use than a gas, charcoal, or wood smoker and that the results are not much different. Those that prefer a gas, charcoal, or wood...
  15. hkeiner

    New MES 40 model 20070211

    I have found that if you put cold water in the water pan when you start, it takes a lot longer time for the MES to heat up. Try putting hot (boiling) water in to the pan and see if the MES heats up faster. I have found that the the temperature immediately above or near the water pan will be...
  16. hkeiner

    My solution for lack of smoke at low temps on my MES 30"

    I think it is less the fault of the smoker and more the fault of those darn wood chips that don't like to smoke well at 140 degrees. If your MES has the small wood tray with the extra piece of metal between the tray and the heating element, the below linked mod will improve the smoke potential...
  17. hkeiner

    MES 30 analog or digital??

    You can have greater confidence that the temps stay within the desired range using the digital model, especially when smoking unattended for a long period of time. The digital is less affected by wind and outside temperature changes that may occur during a smoke. Just my experience.
  18. hkeiner

    Another "I am buying my first smoker and have some questions" thread, horray!

     I got the 6x8  and am glad I did. For hot smoking it is usually necessary to keep the middle row empty, so the extra size compensates for this and there is plenty of room for the 6x8 an a MES40 anyway. Just my opinion.
  19. hkeiner

    Need help with AMNS

    I had a similar problem the first time I used my 6x8 AMNS. I found that placing the AMNS inside a metal pan provided a sufficient heat shield so that the dust did not burn up too quickly. I also keep the middle row empty and then light one end on each leg. I find that two burning ends provides...
  20. hkeiner

    Regret my propane smoker purchase...

    I had a Brinkman gasser (before I bought my MES) and I also had problems keeping the temperatures low. The gas valve allowed me to turn down the gas far enough, but when I did that the flame would be very small and it would occassionally blow out. This was not good, of course. I modified the...
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