2012 MES Electric Smoker Recall

[timetosmoke]

Just got a recall in the mail

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...eId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&appID=170

Seems the smoker tray can be inserted wrong causing a possible fire hazard. I can only guess if it goes in cock-eyed then chips can fall directly on the burner? In any case I am going to get the parts to fix it (if MES ever answers the phone.. on hold for 30 minutes) but this smoker ONLY needs one (yes 1) chip at a time since it holds the smoke in so well. Anything more causes too much heavy white smoke and your food will end up tasting terrible.

 

[deltadude]

TimetoSmoke, thanks so much for your public service announcement!

Keep on Smokin!

 

[roadkill cafe]

Thanks a million TimetoSmoke. Just bought this MES 40 unit yesterday and assembled last night. Haven't even seasoned it yet. Hopefully I won't be thrown into the "hold zone" and never heard from again when I call them. We shall see....

 

[roadkill cafe]

No issue getting through whasoever. Call was completed in less than 5 minutes and redesigned parts are on the way. Don't know if it will even matter though. Ordered AMNPS from Todd today. :o)))

 

[atweigl]

I received my letter from Cabela's and called in about a week later with no hassles or issues. The new parts arrived in about a week.  I have not yet installed it yet but dont really see the reason for it, but have not looked at the issue vary closely.

 

[atweigl]

tts the smoker in your pic doesnt even look used!

 

[tjohnson]

How many of these faulty smokers are currently on shelves at stores or sitting in a warehouse, waiting to be delivered?

Knowing there is a recall, will retailers continue to sell these faulty units and then contact the buyer after the purchase?

OR...Will retailers pull these units from their shelves until they are fixed?

Still available at Cabelas, Bass Pro and Amazon

What is different about the new part(s)?

TJ

 

[dward51]

Hmmmm...... Wait a minute...

Seems like there was another thread on this a week or two back and the clerk at Bass Pro told the poster that the company (MES?) had sent someone out and "fixed" all the units (which if you query the model number at the MES website, are drop shipped from China and not directly from MES in USA.

Yep, I thought that tale was BS when I read it then too.....

 

[roadkill cafe]

OK, this is strange...I received the replacement parts today (chip tray assembly for 2012 MES 40). Upon comparing them with what came in the unit, they are EXACTLY the same. Looking at the replacement instructions, it looks like this would be for replacing the chip tray on an OLD model MES 40 (like this may be the retro kit). Pictures show the two bars running underneath the tray and the smaller tray. I verified my model number and it is the one described in the recall notice. Of course it's past their closing time on a Friday so I'll have to wait until Monday to call them to find out what the deal is. Anyone else receive their replacement chip tray assembly for the 2012 model yet? What were your findings? Did they ship me the wrong parts? Include wrong instructions? Just wondering....

Steve

 

[tjohnson]

Take Some Pics and post them

Anyone else have the updated chip pan for the recalled MES 40?

 

[roadkill cafe]

Here ya go Todd....

This is the assembly that came already installed in the unit.

Current Tray1.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

Current Tray2.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

This is the replacement tray assembly they sent me. Looks the same to me.

Replacement Tray1.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

Replacement Tray2.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

Here's the instructions they sent with the replacement tray assembly. Looks like they would be for a 2011 model.

Chip Tray Replacement Instructions.jpg

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

Whatchya think?

 

[tjohnson]

That's just plain CRAZY!!

You're right, the instructions are based on the old model

Take a pic of the 2 pans side x side....Any Diff?

How about the housings.....Any Diff?

There must be something different, to not allow chips to fall onto the element and catch fire

 

[tjohnson]

Does the tray fit tight up against the housing, or is there a space to allow air ans smoke out of the housing?

The old housing(in the directions) has 3 holes in it to release smoke

The new housing does not seem to have any holes

The Wheels Are Turning!!!!!

I got Me Some Ideas Already......

 

[roadkill cafe]

Todd, side by sides...Only 3 differences that I can see. Bottom edge on back of new housing in slightly longer, round edge where it bolts to wall now has a flange, handle of chip tray is now one piece with the tray instead of riveted on. Some of the spot welds are in different locations as well.

Old vs. New1.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

Old vs. New2.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

Old vs. New3.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

Old

Old Back Bottom Edge.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

New

New Back Bottom Edge.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

Old vs. New4.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

Old vs. New5.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

Old on left, new on right

Old vs. New Chip Tray Handles.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

That's about it. Doesn't seem like there's any difference in any of the thickness of the metal or dimensions but I haven't measured it.

 

[smokersteve7879]

I rarely use the chip tray and loader in my MES30 since I made a mailbox mod and use the AMZNPS. I swear by it. Estimate how many pellets I need, fire it up and I never worry bout loading chips anymore.

 

[roadkill cafe]

Steve, I don't plan on using mine either being I have a AMNPS too. Todd and I were just interested in the engineering differences. We're curious folks.

Todd, No holes in the end of housing on either one. Maybe the 2011 model had them. I think I found the major change. Look at the pics of the tray rail below. New one now has a little "lip" to keep the tray in the housing instead of just being able to slide straight out.

OLD

Old Tray Rail.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

NEW

New Tray Rail.JPG

• roadkill cafe
• Oct 19, 2012

 

[davidhef88]

Todd, can't you make a unit that will slip right in on their rails?


David

 

[baba bones]

I havent recieved mine yet i'll Let you guys know ,should be here by tuesdaythey said... I called earley thursday and didnt have a problem getting thru to a rep...a couple mins is all .So I'll let uall know when its in my paws..

 

[dward51]

Todd, can't you make a unit that will slip right in on their rails?
David

Wouldn't it burn the whole tray of pellets at once instead of following the maze pattern if one of his units was made to slide in on those rails? 

 

[tjohnson]

Placing a tray of pellets too close to the element will cause them to burn up waaaay too quickly

It looks as though the only diff is the little clips that hold the chip tray close to the housing

I would think a larger chip tray would be sufficient, and they would not have to send out a whole new housing and tray

My guess is that some chips that were dumped into the chip pan missed their mark, and piled up on the burner