couple ????'s

[smokin pop-pop]

I've been thinking about going electric and wanted peoples opinions.
First question - brand, I'm thinking MES from Cabelas and maybe I'm wrong
Second question - window or no window
Third question - 30 or 40 not sure how much more you really get for the $
Any and all info will be greatly appreciated pros and cons

 

[Wisconsin smoker]

I have had masterbuilt electric smoker 30 with no window for about 8 months and love it. Never had the window but seems like it is going to blacken over in time and what are you going to look at anyway, its all about tempature not looks.

 

[oddegan]

I got the 30 and wish I'd gone with the 40. Can't get a full packer in and sometimes butts are crowding. The 30 is a great machine just not quite as big as I would like.

 

[chopsaw]

I see you are in PA . So I think you're gonna need a 40 with a window . :rolleyes:
You're going to get alot of answers to that question and they will all be right , and different .

I bought a gen 1 30 from Cabelas 5 years ago . Works for me . Some will say don't buy a 30 . I have other options to cook on , so it has it's place here . If it quit working tomorrow , would I buy another 30 ,,, no , probably not . I would get the 40 . i use mine all the time , and have no regrets . Whatever you do , know that there is a learning curve involved .
Good luck

 

[jted]

Hi, You have asked the classic Chevy-Ford question. Get ready you are about to get some opinions. I use a gen 1 Mes 30
I have never needed more space but I am smoking for 3 max 4 people. The bottom rack is used for the drip pan Large pieces of meat (2 pork butts) go on the next then I can cut up a rack of ribs. that is as much as I have ever smoked at one time. Do you need more space, you need a 40 but remember you still will need to cut your ribs in half to smoke them or smoke them sideways and crowd them. Full packer briskets will need to be split in either machine.
Windows, I don't have one so I will Keep my opinion to my self but they do sell some machines.
Do some reading on the different generations of smokers and then research the options you get with them since some you pay extra for are worthless.
Once again just MY OPINION. Jted

 

[SmokinAl]

I have an old MES 40 with the window. Probably seven years old.
It only gets used for sausage now, but it's still humming along.
I like the window so I can see how much smoke is in the CC.
And if you clean the glass after each smoke, with rubbing alcohol & a paper towel it will stay nice & clean.
I would go with the 40 if it's in your budget.
Al

 

[petehalsted]

Only reason to get a 30 instead of a 40, is if you need to room or portability a 30 offers. The meat you are going to put in is going to cost more than the difference in price. I have a 30, but it is because I travel fulltime in an RV. I have to do my ribs in half. Taste the same but there's something about placing a bunch of full racks on the servering table! I have never heard anyone with a 40, say I wish I would have got the 30.

I don't have a window, I think the window is really a preference thing, it won't have any effect on performance. It let's you take a peak and make sure nothing crazy is happening, without opening the door. But after a few smokes, you should know and trust your smoker well enough for it to not matter. Bottom line I wouldn't let window or not influence my decision 1 way or the other. So if your budget conscious and find one without a window cheaper go for it. If the model that you like best has a window, go for that. You won't regret it either way.

 

[Bearcarver]

This is easy for me to answer:
I started with an MES 30 with no window, because it is only the two of us, and I don't think they even had windows back then. Then I got tired of having to cut my Ribs & Brisket to fit, and I made 10 pounds of Beef Sticks & had to smoke them in two days because only 7 pounds would fit in my MES 30.

So I got an MES 40 with Window, and the size is much better, and the wattage is better for the size.
And there is no way I would ever get another Smoker without a Window----I'm Spoiled by having a window for nearly 8 years.

Bear

 

[normanaj]

I've had my MES 30 since black friday.I use it in conjunction with a modified AMNTS and haven't looked back.My old trusty WSM has been feeling very lonely lately.

There's only two of us also so the 30 works out good for us.And if Cabelas has another sale on MES smokers again like they did this past black friday I can see myself going for the 40.