Disappointed with amount of smoke; bought a master built electric 40" added updated part sent by mas

[patvance]

mes box.jpg

• patvance
• Apr 11, 2014

Masterbuilt sells a side box. It should be included (my opinion) it makes all your smoke issues go away.

 

[smoking in nye]

Hi,

as I stated in an earlier reply, the tube AMNPS will produce lots of smoke in the 40" Gen2 Masterbuilt.

Bill

 

[pfeaz]

I just recently (today) joined the SMF but have been smoking meats for many years on smaller charcoal and gas smokers. I also just recently purchased a newer 30" MES model 20071514 at Lowe's and was most certainly disappointed in the amount of smoke it produced. I tried dry chips and wet chips but could not get the wood to smoke even at 250 degrees. I talked to MB with no luck whatsoever then decided to take matters into my own hands. I drilled eighteen (18) 3/16" holes in the bottom of the chip tray and filled it about 80% with dry Weber Mesquite wood chips. The smoke began at about 150 when warming up and I have had smoke for the last 1-1/2 hours without adding chips. Seems extreme but the unit was worthless the way it was. I also found that the Weber 5"W x 8"L x 1.33"H aluminum drip trays (sold at Walmart) will slide into the existing wood chip tray and work pretty well also. I just think the thickness of the wood chip tray does not allow it to properly heat the wood. Do whatever works I guess but I have sufficient smoke now and that is what matters.

 

[patvance]

pfeaz, Check out the included links?

This MES add-on works great and the smoke flavor is many times better than the internal tray. 

The cold smoker add-on creates more smoke and does not burn out, thus my amnps is now my backup unit.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Masterbuilt-Cold-Smoking-Kit/22172493



Good luck!  Seems we all go thru this evolution with the MES.

 

[pfeaz]

Thanks patvance for the info. I'm going to try my adaption a couple of times before I invest the $70 but it looks like I now have another option should it fail. I didn't want to give up on the MES and figured there were enough determined smokers out there with good advice to help me out. Again thanks.

 

[pfeaz]

I'm convinced. After reading several reviews and finding the MBE cold smoke generator for $59 I'm going for it. I might use the original tray for small smoking jobs such as chicken breasts etc. I also agree totally about this item being part of the original package. Still wonder why customer service at MB didn't recommend it when I talked to them? Again thanks for the input.

 

[putcz]

I have been using the cold smoke attachment ever since they came out. Works just great, well worth the investment

 

[patvance]

From the day I seasoned my new MES I noticed a pungent oder in the smoke, nowhere near the smooth deep smokey aroma of my stick burner. So taking advice from here, I tried wet, dry, used a little, used a lot, thick chips and fine chips. Nothing improved on the flavor. ( Frustrated, I Craigslisted the MES within the first month)  Then, again taking advice here, I purchased an amnps and a bunch of pellets, a small investment.  Ahh, flavor was back.  With amnps I experienced issues with it staying lit or putting out enough smoke.  Reading more advice here,  I tried drying the pellets in an oven, lighting both ends of the amnps, venting, torching... Also, moisture in the MES, amnps in the MES don't mix.  Well, I about fell off my bar stool when my first smoke from the cold smoker was absolutely smokey delicious. It smoked the entire cook and I am able to use the water tray again. Life is in balance again. Yes sir, I wholeheartedly recommend the add-on.  If you move forward with getting one, please let me know how it goes? 

 

[magicland]

 
I'm convinced. After reading several reviews and finding the MBE cold smoke generator for $59 I'm going for it. I might use the original tray for small smoking jobs such as chicken breasts etc. I also agree totally about this item being part of the original package. Still wonder why customer service at MB didn't recommend it when I talked to them? Again thanks for the input.

Where did you find it for $59? It's usually $10 more where I've seen it. I've got an AMNPS for my MES 30, tried using it for the 1st time last night. Got it to light using the torch, but it didn't want to stay lit and didn't produce much smoke when it was lit (had the vent open, the tray pulled open and the chip tube pulled out a few inches, as per instructions). Ended up just putting chips in a few times while the butt that I had in the MES smoked. I usually get 3-4 hours per 1/2 cup of chips (following the directions, and keeping the vent closed so they don't burn too quickly), but I liked the idea of being able to do a brisket or butt without needing to re-load the chips, especially in the middle of the night. I'm going to give the AMNPS a few more tries before giving up on it, but if I can't convince it to work for me, I'll definitely pick up one of the cold smoker attachments.

 

[slots]

 
Most electric smokers have a difficult time making decent smoke

Some do a better job than others.....

I came up with my first gadget, because I was just as frustrated as you with my brand new MES 40

3 years later and lots of happy MES owners out there who own one of my gadgets

Todd

I am most certainly a believer in this product, it literally is the best thing you can do for a smoker (I too own an MES 40").  I love my AMNPS more than i love my smoker, and it opens you up to a whole new world of smoking that you could not achieve with the MES, i.e. cold smoking cheese, etc.  Also, Todd's customer service is without a doubt second to none.  Highly recommended.

 

[pfeaz]

I found the MES cold smoke attachment at Cabella's for $59.00 but didn't want to order additional products from them to get the free or $5 shipping. You might want to check it out though. I ordered it from Amazon for $69 but free shipping and no tax. I also ordered a cover for my 30" MES and several bags of wood chips (apple, hickory, cherry etc.). If you have the same model #20071514 as mine check out my earlier post #123 on this thread about drilling holes in the wood chip tray. This works great and I may consider sending the smoke generator back if I get good results after smoking a large pork butt and several chickens this weekend. I can send you a pic of the tray after modification if you like. I just clamped tray to work bench and used a 3/8" drill with a 3/16" bit. Would be easier if you had a drill press but not necessary.

 

[sseriouss1]

Cardboard box idea is cool but it's not shiny. I thought about building my own or just sticking with my Brinkman electric or using parts from the Brinkman in my home built, but then I saw the stainless all around the window on the front of that 30" mes and I lost my mind.

 

[dcrosby007]

I have been using the 40" MBS for a year now... I had a few issues in the beginning with GFI's tripping but MBS quickly resolved that issue...Like others have posted none of these smokers our fool proof & will need mods no matter how much you pay for one... Bottom line is getting the best taste with minimal effort... The 40" MBS has allowed me to spend less time worrying about the water, temp settings & adding wood over any of the propane models I have owned & used... It's like an info commercial says "Set it & Forget it" but any smoker know that's not 100% true because your meat has to be watched & no perverted direction meant... But if your ADD or OCD & happen to forget it for a few hours it will be ok... You have a box that's like a fridge so it generates it's own moisture & burns wood decently... It's decently priced so despite all the crap I have been thru with this manufacturer I can still say the product is capable of producing quality smoked meat...

 

[johnbphotos]

Due to the inconsistencies of my MES 40 gen2 I elected to bypass all their electronics and installed an Auberin Thermocouple Based Smoker Controller.

Then for the perfect smoke I purchased an A-MAZE-N-PELLET-SMOKER 5X8, resulting in the most accurate "Set and Forget" known to mankind :D hahahaha

 

[chuck41]

Apparently I am one of the few.  I have had my MES 40 with window and remote for nearly 4 years and love it.  Agreed, smoke is minimal at lower temps, but I never have a problem with the temp set at 215 or higher.  It does require you add chips about each hour for the first couple hours to get the degree of smoke I like, but that is still much less attention that you would have to pay to other types of smokers.  I hear great comments here for the AMNPS unit from folks here but so far simply haven't found enough reason to pay the price to get one.  Maybe next year.

 

[irishpride114]

I have mentioned more times on this topic how much I like the cold smoke attachment. I bought one when they first came out and now that is all I use for cold and hot. It is the only way to go, but for some reason it does not get much play on this blog.

I took your advice and bought the cold smoker attachment (I have the Masterbuilt 40" gen 2) from Amazon on Wednesday.  Install was simple (assuming you have even the small mechanical ability), straight forward, and fast. It mated up perfect. And was seasoned last night.

I started a brisket last night around midnight with the M/B Cold Smoker. So far, it has ran almost flawless. (every 3 hours or so, you need to push the chips down. As they get "stuck" in the hopper. But I knew that going in.) But so far, it stay pretty true to the claim of 5-6 hours per load. I have to say, its pretty nice. Granted I have been waking up every 2-3 hours to make sure it still working as this is my first using it. But I blame this on my fear that its not going to work like my AMNPS. But like other have stated, that is now my first back up.

I know there have been more success's for the AWNPS then complaints (I am one of the complaints myself), I just got fed up with it. I tried using it a few times since my original post back in December. I reread the comments on here, Googled for hours, watched all the YouTube videos that I could find. I just could not for life of me get it stay lit inside my smoker. That is why I bought the M/B Cold Smoker. But such is life, sometimes something's just don't work no matter what you do. But with that being said, I am going to keep it around for the time that this smoker has to be replaced. That and I have a barrel smoker I am going to start using for large cold smokes. As I am going to start doing deer jerky and sausage this coming fall. But I digress.
 

 

[bel420]

What can i say i just finished seasoning my new MES40 the temp did fluctuate a bit here and there (nothing to worry about) and for the amount of chips(dry not soaked, pecan) i put in there (1/2 cup as per the directions) I'm stumped a little as to why everyone is looking for more smoke, for me it was bellowing out the vent very nicely. Round one VS my charcoal smokers so far so good. Tomorrow i have 4 racks of st louis cut ribs i'm doing on it. We will see how they turn out.  

 

[maxgunner]

mes box.jpg

• patvance
• Apr 11, 2014

Masterbuilt sells a side box. It should be included (my opinion) it makes all your smoke issues go away.

This looks awesome.  But I can't find it or any mention of it on the Masterbuilt web site.  Do you have a link?

MG

 

[patvance]

Masterbuilt is their own worst promoter of their Cold Smoker Box. No worries, here's a couple other links to check out.  The Amazon site has 30+ reviews.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Masterbuilt-Electric-Cold-Smoker-Box-20070112/203868163


http://www.masterbuilt.com/cold-smoker.html

 

[maxgunner]

Thanks, brother.  Order placed...

MG