Any feedback on newer 2nd Generation MES's

[joe jitsu]

I'm looking to get a 40" MES.  Having a heck of a time finding a 1st gen model at a decent price.  I was wondering if there are any feedback regarding the newer 2nd generation models.  Hopefully the newer production runs have fixed some of the earlier problems. 

 

[themule69]

 
I'm looking to get a 40" MES.  Having a heck of a time finding a 1st gen model at a decent price.  I was wondering if there are any feedback regarding the newer 2nd generation models.  Hopefully the newer production runs have fixed some of the earlier problems. 

I am not sure if they have the bugs worked out of the 2nd generation.

I see this is your first post. When you get a chance will you drop by roll call so everyone can give you a proper SMF welcome?

Happy smoken.

David

 

[chef willie]

Gen 2?...save your money unless you like shooting craps....

 

[ladygt]

I suggest you go through this section, read everything available, then make a decision.

 

[addertooth]

I have a Gen two, I won the lottery, mine works fine (except the meat thermometer).  If I had it all to do over again, I would spend the 40 bucks and get the two year extended warranty through Lowes. 

 

[daricksta]

 
I'm looking to get a 40" MES.  Having a heck of a time finding a 1st gen model at a decent price.  I was wondering if there are any feedback regarding the newer 2nd generation models.  Hopefully the newer production runs have fixed some of the earlier problems. 

What's your target price? This looks like a great deal on a MES 40 Gen 1 bundle for $230.61 (how'd they come up that price?).
You can tell it's a Gen 1 because the controls are on top and not in the front. It's a bare bones model like my MES 30 Gen 1: no window, no interior light, no remote. I don't miss any of the those. The unit I linked to above comes with a cover which just adds to the goodness of the deal. I had to order mine separately. I paid $189 (because that was the price when I wanted to buy and didn't want to wait for a better deal) for my MES 30; for only $41 more you can get a MES 40 with a cover.

I think it's worth considering. It's sold through Amazon by Wayfair which is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars. They're a major online seller and you see them on other sites such as Best Buy, Sears, etc.

 

[old sarge]

My only advice is to not skimp on the equipment. GEN 1 is much more trouble free than GEN 2 per the legion of posted complaints contained on SMF.  You want a long warranty?  Smoking-it, SmokinTex, and Cookshack; listed in order of lower to higher cost.  Search them out at SMF as well as their own sites/forums.  Quality costs.  So does dependability. 

 

[themule69]

If you buy it or anything from Amazon. Please use SMF to link to the site. It will pay SMF a little. Every little bit helps to keep the lights on here so we can all trade war stories.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[daricksta]

 
If you buy it or anything from Amazon. Please use SMF to link to the site. It will pay SMF a little. Every little bit helps to keep the lights on here so we can all trade war stories.

Happy smoken.

David

David, I didn't know this. Are you saying that if we click on a link embedded in a SMF post (like I embedded that Amazon link), SMF gets a commission? Is does this only work with Amazon? And if I find a product to recommend or to review I should always include a link to it in my post?

 

[dave from mesa]

 
David, I didn't know this. Are you saying that if we click on a link embedded in a SMF post (like I embedded that Amazon link), SMF gets a commission? Is does this only work with Amazon? And if I find a product to recommend or to review I should always include a link to it in my post?

Yeah I'd like to know this also.

 

[kentuckycal]

I have had no issues at all with my 2nd gen MES (purchased this August) and have used it 6 or 7 times so far.

Having said that, I have not actually measured the ambient temp in it so far and compared it to the digital readout temp, so I don't know how accurate the thermo is in it... and a lot of people complain about that.  Mine can't be way off though as stuff has been finishing when I expect it to.

 

[djstight]

I had no idea there was issues with specific generations. I have a 30 and love it so far. Only used it 2 1/2 times (whole chicken in there right now). So far so good. How do I know what generation I have? I took pics along the way today...I'll be posting it later

DJ

 

[daricksta]

I had no idea there was issues with specific generations. I have a 30 and love it so far. Only used it 2 1/2 times (whole chicken in there right now). So far so good. How do I know what generation I have? I took pics along the way today...I'll be posting it later

DJ

If your controller is on top you've got a Gen 1 (this is what I own):
If it's in the front you've got a Gen 2:  

 

[avfordguy]

:yahoo:I have a gen2 MES with the cold smoker attachment, and it just works great! If you find that the temperatures are off just call materbuilt and they will send you a new controller. Iq replaced mine and now all is good, smoked about 15 times since the new controller an I have no complaints. The cold smoker attachment gives you great TBS for about 4-6 hours depending on the chips you use.:yahoo:Thumbs Up