Yeah, I know, such an annoying thread to start so I'll say sorry up front. I have a MES 30 on order that will be available in about 10 days. I got a really good deal on a black Friday sale paired with some gift cards I had so it was hard to pass on. It got back ordered, so just coming available now. I know a good number of members here love the MES, there are countless mods and tweaks to make it more reliable, and so on.
The more and more I have been thinking about it though, I'm not sure I want to have to get all MacGyver on this thing though. I started looking around a bit more and came across the Smokin-It line. I think if I were to go that route I would go for the # 3 model, no sense in buying small and regretting it in a year or two when you really want the space.
That said, it will be nearly $700 after everything is said and done for that rig (unit $499 + nearly $200 shipping). Price point wise it is like comparing apples to oranges - and I get that - just wondering if these things are that much more reliable and bullet proof. I am afraid that with the reliability issues that some folks have had with the MES line, after 5 - 10 years I'd be into it just as much as if I bought the Smokin-It to begin with plus all the headaches to boot.
The Smokin-It sure seems a lot nicer, all stainless construction and reviews seem to indicate this thing is a tank. No worries about seals failing, door hinges breaking, cracked plastic, etc. The heating element is centered - which only seems logical to me. This should help with the side to side temp differentials the MES has, vertical differential is something that I don't think you can engineer your way out of. It appears you can order Cookshack parts in the event this company folds, if you need them. I could see needing a new element after some years maybe. I plan on using the AMNPS with it, and it looks like drilling 1 or 2 holes in the bottom of this thing solves any issues with keeping it lit. Maybe fill the chip reservoir with sand for a heat sink to stabilize temps a bit? Both companies seem to have a decent reputation for customer service from what I have read.
I'm a firm believer in buying the right tool for the job, and I believe tools are an investment. You get what you pay for more often than not, just not sure if that is the case here.
Any help would be appreciated, and sorry for another "which" smoker post. At least I did some research before posting.
The more and more I have been thinking about it though, I'm not sure I want to have to get all MacGyver on this thing though. I started looking around a bit more and came across the Smokin-It line. I think if I were to go that route I would go for the # 3 model, no sense in buying small and regretting it in a year or two when you really want the space.
That said, it will be nearly $700 after everything is said and done for that rig (unit $499 + nearly $200 shipping). Price point wise it is like comparing apples to oranges - and I get that - just wondering if these things are that much more reliable and bullet proof. I am afraid that with the reliability issues that some folks have had with the MES line, after 5 - 10 years I'd be into it just as much as if I bought the Smokin-It to begin with plus all the headaches to boot.
The Smokin-It sure seems a lot nicer, all stainless construction and reviews seem to indicate this thing is a tank. No worries about seals failing, door hinges breaking, cracked plastic, etc. The heating element is centered - which only seems logical to me. This should help with the side to side temp differentials the MES has, vertical differential is something that I don't think you can engineer your way out of. It appears you can order Cookshack parts in the event this company folds, if you need them. I could see needing a new element after some years maybe. I plan on using the AMNPS with it, and it looks like drilling 1 or 2 holes in the bottom of this thing solves any issues with keeping it lit. Maybe fill the chip reservoir with sand for a heat sink to stabilize temps a bit? Both companies seem to have a decent reputation for customer service from what I have read.
I'm a firm believer in buying the right tool for the job, and I believe tools are an investment. You get what you pay for more often than not, just not sure if that is the case here.
Any help would be appreciated, and sorry for another "which" smoker post. At least I did some research before posting.
