Confirmation that this is the gen 2.5 MES

[badbrad]

Been doing a lot of reading and trying to figure this all out myself on getting the correct generation MES 40. It is confusing but I think I found a 2.5. Is this correct and is this a good price? The 2.5 is considered the best these days correct?

Or does anyone have a link to buying a 2.5 somewhere else better? Thank you



https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ma...digital-electric-smoker#repChildCatid=4903505

 

[badbrad]

I also found this one which looks like the correct controls with the light guarding for $279. Thoughts?


http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS-BY-MB-BLACK-SMOKER-W-BT/1934608.uts?slotId=4

 

[MadMax281]

The first one is a Gen 2.5 you can tell by the drip tray. It is larger than on previous versions. You can also tell by the sun cover at the top of the unit where the digital controls are. The second one is probably a Gen 2.5 as well. They don't show the inside but the sun cover is a sign that it is. The Bluetooth is useless. They haven't updated the app since 2/16. The unit itself is awesome. I purchased the Sam's Club MES 40". It comes with the legs which makes it taller and easier to access the food.

 

[THW]

Hey Brad, I went through the same struggle to figure out what generation smoker I was looking at in the many ads that advertise them. I used the posts from bearcarver to help teach me the differences. I was looking for a MES 30" instead of the 40" but they seem to follow the exact same lines when it comes to generation.

Anyway, I am a newbie so verify this with more experienced folks but the the basics are, the Gen 1 was good. The Gen 2 had problems and the Gen 2.5, which is supposed to correct all the issues the Gen 2 had, is currently the best choice. Some may prefer to stick with the Gen 1.

As for your two links, I think the Academy ad is a Gen 1 or possibly a hybrid. It has the rear top control and I would think the vent will be on the rear top, right side. Some would prefer the vent to be on the Left side, opposite the heating element for more consistent internal temperatures.

The Cabelas ad is the newest Gen 2.5. If it has Bluetooth, it will be a Gen 2.5. Control up front with sun visor added. Vent on left rear making it opposite of heating element. Provides more consistent temperatures.

Finally, the Gen 2 cabinet has the up front control. Note closely the design of the cabinet where the control is located. The Gen 2.5 has somewhat of a notch right where the control is at where the Gen 2 has a growing notch that extends almost the entire width of the front. With no sun visor.

Again, check with more experienced folks but I think this will help in IDing Generations. Keep in mind, there are a few Hybrids that cross lines.

Tom

 

[badbrad]

I agree. I think the first one is the hybrid. Correct drip tray. Not correct controls.



Cabelas one is the 2.5 I'm almost posititve. Plus the cabelas one has 6 racks and the other ones have 4. I think that is going to be the one.

 

[THW]

Brad, I read madmax's post and looked at the inside arrangement of the Academy Sports smokes and the water/drip tray is the newest style but still the controls on the top are Gen 1 so I would think this was a Hybrid. Doesn't make it bad, just different.

Bounce this off Bear (bearcarver). He is the best source of information.

 

[THW]

I have read that the 6 racks compared to the 4 is more of a special design for a specific store. Several have said they would never need them all. I (although being very new) might think it would be good for maybe sausage or jerky because of the extra shelf space.

Keep in mind that the Academy model does not have the remote (at least I don't see it) where the Cabelas has the Bluetooth so you can get some remote operation or monitoring with a smartphone.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Bearcarver]

Been doing a lot of reading and trying to figure this all out myself on getting the correct generation MES 40. It is confusing but I think I found a 2.5. Is this correct and is this a good price? The 2.5 is considered the best these days correct?

Or does anyone have a link to buying a 2.5 somewhere else better? Thank you

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ma...digital-electric-smoker#repChildCatid=4903505

This one is a Hybrid, with Gen #1 exterior & Gen #2.5 Interior.

The one in your Post #2 from Cabelas is a Gen #2.5.

My newest one has 6 racks. I never used 4 at once, but 6 racks would be Great for things like sausage & Jerky.
Plus I like the 6 positions for doing things like Hams, so I can use:
Rack #1 for a pan of basting fat.
Skip Rack #2.
Rack #3 or #4 for Ham. (Depending on how big the Ham is).

Rack #6 Empty because it's too close to the Heat.

Bear

 

[meatsweats86]

I'm about to buy the Windowless Gen 2.5 from Cabela's. Where is everybody putting the AMNPS 5x8 pellet tray on this one. I tried searching a couple dozen threads and can't seem to find the answer.

 

[badbrad]

I'm about to buy the Windowless Gen 2.5 from Cabela's. Where is everybody putting the AMNPS 5x8 pellet tray on this one. I tried searching a couple dozen threads and can't seem to find the answer.

I am wondering the same thing.

 

[Bearcarver]

I'm about to buy the Windowless Gen 2.5 from Cabela's. Where is everybody putting the AMNPS 5x8 pellet tray on this one. I tried searching a couple dozen threads and can't seem to find the answer.

Put the bottom rack in, and put the AMNPS on the right end of that rack.
Then since the chip dumper is right under it, you can pull it out a few inches for more air flow to the AMNPS, or push it in for less air. You can also turn the Dumper 180°.
That Bottom rack is too close to the Heating element anyway for meat.

Bear

 

[THW]

Good luck

 

[Bearcarver]

Good luck

The 40" MES 2.5 that you are getting should look the same inside as the picture shown with the Hybrid you listed from Academy. You should have plenty of room to place the AMNPS on the very bottom drip pan under the water bowl. That is just left of the heating element.
I have the exact same MES, BUT in the 30" size and the AMNPS will fit on that bottom left side on mine which is more narrow than yours.




Not near as much air flow down there on the bottom.
The best place in the #2.5 is the right end of bottom rack, as I explained above.

Bear

 

[THW]

The 40" MES 2.5 that you are getting should look the same inside as the picture shown with the Hybrid you listed from Academy. You should have plenty of room to place the AMNPS on the very bottom drip pan under the water bowl. That is just left of the heating element.
I have the exact same MES, BUT in the 30" size and the AMNPS will fit on that bottom left side on mine which is more narrow than yours.




Not near as much air flow down there on the bottom.
The best place in the #2.5 is the right end of bottom rack, as I explained above.

Bear

I see, I thought sure there was room but that doesn't account for good air flow. So, that would be the same on my 2.5 MES 30" then. Good to know.

 

[Bearcarver]

I see, I thought sure there was room but that doesn't account for good air flow. So, that would be the same on my 2.5 MES 30" then. Good to know.

I tried the AMNPS all over. For awhile I used the Left end of the Bottom rack, but found it to work better on the Right end, because of the air from the chip dumper chute below it.
Serious problems keeping it from burning on the bottom left of the floor in the MES 40 Gen #2.5.
As for the bottom of the MES 30 Gen #2.5----I never tried it, because I don't have one, but some say it doesn't fit there, but if it does fit there I would imagine it would be even worse that in the bottom of the MES 40.

Bear

 

[badbrad]

Bear,

Stupid question. Do you just use the AMNPS just to supplement the smoker?

 

[Bearcarver]

Bear,

Stupid question. Do you just use the AMNPS just to supplement the smoker?

I used the MES built in the first year I had my MES 30 (2009), and I was ready to quit Smoking.
But then Todd Johnson invented the Amazing Smokers, and there is no way I want to go through that MES Chip Burner BS again.

I leave everything else in place to keep the Direct heat to a minimum, but cover things with Foil (Water pan, Bottom floor). Makes things easier to keep clean.

Bear

 

[THW]

Bear, I am sure there is a reason but I couldn't locate it. Why even leave the chip tray or water bowl in the smoker if it is not being used. Wouldn't it give better heat circulation without them?

Tom

 

[Bearcarver]

Bear, I am sure there is a reason but I couldn't locate it. Why even leave the chip tray or water bowl in the smoker if it is not being used. Wouldn't it give better heat circulation without them?

Tom

I figure it's designed with it in, so I leave it in to keep it there, blocking the direct heat from going straight at the meat.
I thought about cutting a piece of FREE Aluminum (Flat) to take the place of the Pan, but never bothered.
Circulation is fine, but you get that with the Pan in place, however the Pan blocks direct heat.
Chip tray is a different thing---It doesn't block as much direct heat, but it also protects the Element from Drips.

Bear