disappointed first smoke with MES....equipment issues?

[randyrayd]

Maiden smoke with 40" MES. I prepped yesterday and for some reason, the temp maxed at 311.  I figured this was maybe due to the unit being empty or maybe some chips had flared, but wasn't too concerned since I was curing it.

I bought some beef and pork ribs yesterday (no sense in wasting smoke) and was planning to do a 5-6 hour smoke.  Temp leveled at 225, and I watched everything for an hour or so, then I went to do some grocery shopping. (If my wife goes we end up with a week's worth of snacks.)  When I returned the temp was at 311!  The internal temps (probed) were: Pork-185* and beef 170*.  I took the meat out since I didn't want jerky.

I am a fan of strong smoke flavor on beef and pork, and these had barely a hint of smoke.  I've ordered an AMNPS so that problem will be gone soon, but any ideas why the unit overheated?  I have a bluetooth app on my phone and was using it and both days I left the house while using the app.  I'm wondering if the app has something to do with this?  Say when I left, the thing went berserk since it couldn't find the remote connection, and overheated.  Strange that it maxed at 311* and the display showed the heating unit was still on. Maybe the thing won't measure anymore than that.

The beef is so-so moist but the pork will need a lot of sauce. Neither are very tender, but that's to be expected with only a 2 hour cook.

rd

 

[SmokinAl]

I'm sure one of the MES guys will be along shortly to help you.

But I think that there are some issues with the bluetooth models.

They should be able to elaborate on this.

Al

 

[goldmine1965]

I would call or email Masterbuilt customer service. There are numerous posts on this forum of temps issues and a lot of them point to the controller. Most folks who run their problems by MB customer service say the  service is great and they send replacement parts out quickly.

 

[Bearcarver]

What was the actual Temp, or don't you have any other Therm, like a Maverick Digital Wireless?

When set at 275°, If the Heating element shuts off at 275° and the smoker temp coasts to 311°, that's normal.

However if it's set at 275°, and the element doesn't shut off at 275°, that's not good, and you should call Masterbuilt & tell them about it. They will most likely send you a new controller.

Some guys got wrong readings from their Bluetooth too, which is why I asked if you have another Therm in the smoker to see if it is only saying 311°, and really not that high.

Bear

 

[randyrayd]

Goldmine, I'm calling MB and see what they say.

Bear, I have other thermometers, but didn't use them at the time because all I could visualize was my ribs turning into crispy critters and wanted to get them out of the smoker.  The unit indicated the heating element was still on.  I quickly tried to reset the temp, but couldn't and the display was giving strange numbers and wasn't cooperating.  That's when I unplugged and got the meat temps.  

Thanks for your service.  I was regular Army 1969 and got an early out in '71.  Two years, 10 months, 2 days, 11 hours and 43 minutes.:-) 1st Division when discharged.  My daughter recently got medically retired from the USMC!

rd

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Goldmine, I'm calling MB and see what they say.

Bear, I have other thermometers, but didn't use them at the time because all I could visualize was my ribs turning into crispy critters and wanted to get them out of the smoker.  The unit indicated the heating element was still on.  I quickly tried to reset the temp, but couldn't and the display was giving strange numbers and wasn't cooperating.  That's when I unplugged and got the meat temps.  

Thanks for your service.  I was regular Army 1969 and got an early out in '71.  Two years, 10 months, 2 days, 11 hours and 43 minutes.:-) 1st Division when discharged.  My daughter recently got medically retired from the USMC!

rd

There's another hint you just gave me----<<<and the display was giving strange numbers and wasn't cooperating.>>>

I saw that a couple times before, and Masterbuilt gave them an RF control & RF remote control, to replace the Bluetooth with.

If you can get them to give you an RF control & remote, that would be Great, because RF is far better IMHO.

And Thank You for your service too!! (and your daughter)

I was in from May 10, 1968 to May 15, 1971 ('Nam '69)

Bear