a new toy came in yesterday!

[checkdude]

Had to put it together right away. Season it. Built a rolling stand,hanging rods inside and my old mailbox mod. Hooked up. Had extra therm inside when seasoning and was suprised the temps were within 5 degrees from the factory one. Am itching to smoke something! Question please--- do I leave the water tray in to better distribute the heat or toss it? As soon as I decide to smoke something will post. Cheers all!

 

[bdskelly]

The great debate. Water in the pan or not. Some do and some don’t. I did both on my MES. In the end I used water or play ground sand. I’m in the camp that it helps steady the temp swings. You will get many opinions on this one I think. B

 

[Geebs]

I like the toolbox being used instead of a mailbox, makes it look cool!

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

I fill both my mes 40s with water.

Scott

 

[tallbm]

I ditched the pan but I could see how filling with sand and covering with foil would help with heat retention and such. I just never did it. I use a PID controller so keeping within a set temp is a non issue for me :)

 

[checkdude]

thanks for the replies. in my other smoker i have never used water just sand. was not sure in this gen. 2.5 if the pan would help distribute the heat .spread it around so to speak.

 

[GaryHibbert]

I just filled mine with sand and foiled it over. I never use water in my MES 30.
Gary

 

[Bearcarver]

Great Score!!
You're gonna love that thing---Same as mine, except mine has 6 racks.
I have not put water in my MES water pans in 8 years.
Check my Step by Steps for Smokes & Info on MES units:
Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

Bear

 

[checkdude]

Great Score!!
You're gonna love that thing---Same as mine, except mine has 6 racks.
I have not put water in my MES water pans in 8 years.
Check my Step by Steps for Smokes & Info on MES units:
Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

Bear

Thanks Bear. I have read your step by step numerous times but don't remember about the pan.Wil do so one more time .

 

[SmokinAl]

I only use my MES for cold smoking, or sausage making, so no water in the pan!
Al

 

[phatbac]

Looks like you are ready to put out some good Q!
get some pics of that thing in action!

Happy Smoking,
phatbac (Aaron)

 

[Bearcarver]

Thanks Bear. I have read your step by step numerous times but don't remember about the pan.Wil do so one more time .

As for the water pan, I don't know if I have an actual Step by Step on that, but I've mentioned many times that I cover the water pan with Foil, and put it in place in my smoker. This keeps some of the direct heat away from the meat above, and makes it easier to keep clean, changing the foil only when it gets real bad.
You can see the foil covered pan in many of my Pics throughout my Step by Steps.

Bear

 

[checkdude]

As for the water pan, I don't know if I have an actual Step by Step on that, but I've mentioned many times that I cover the water pan with Foil, and put it in place in my smoker. This keeps some of the direct heat away from the meat above, and makes it easier to keep clean, changing the foil only when it gets real bad.
You can see the foil covered pan in many of my Pics throughout my Step by Steps.

Bear

Thanks Bear. I thought that might be the case -,keeping the direct heat from the sausage and spreading it around. Will do as you suggested. Thanks.