FIRE in MES 40

[stevensondrive]

This is my first time using the 2nd generation.  I previously used the 1st gen MES40.  I never had this problem with the last smoker.

I had oak and hickory chunks that I cut myself from my wood shop. 

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• stevensondrive
• Mar 30, 2013

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• stevensondrive
• Mar 30, 2013

 

[Bearcarver]

I think your heating element is tight against your chip drawer.

See if you can change that.

If not, get an AMNPS & enjoy life.

I never use my MES 40 chip drawer.

Bear

 

[scubadoo97]

Nice to see you back Bear

 

[stevensondrive]

I'll check it

 

[Bearcarver]

Nice to see you back Bear

I Thank You!!

Bear

 

[daveomak]

If you limit the smoker to one chunk, you shouldn't have any fires.....  Dave

 

[stevensondrive]

If you limit the smoker to one chunk, you shouldn't have any fires.....  Dave

I am using the exact same method I used with the previous smoker.  No changes

 

[Bearcarver]

I am using the exact same method I used with the previous smoker.  No changes

Here, I'll tell you the whole story:

When I got my MES 40, it was one of the ones with the extra piece of metal between the heating element & the chip drawer. It wouldn't smoke chips until it got well over 200 degrees. So I ordered the FREE retrofit chip burner assembly. This one had that piece of metal removed, and would begin smoking at about 60 degrees, but it flamed everything I put in there, including one chip, one chunk, or a handful of either. I was going to bend the chip drawer away from the heating element, but I just said the heck with it & started using my AMNPS all the time.

And I smoked Happily Ever After!!!

Bear

 

[smokingrk]

Although the best way to continue would be the AMNPS, make sure that after you put the chips, chunk or whatever in the tray, rotate the side chip "feeder" all the way clockwise to limit the amount of air getting in. I tried that with marginal success then gave up on using the chip tray altogether and continued only with the AMNPS - gave the chips and chunks away to avoid further temptation for playing with it.    

 

[smokinhusker]

If I'm not mistaken on the 2nd GEN MES, that was one of the reasons it was recalled.

 

[beernuts]

The first time I used my MES 40 (the 2nd gen model) was to break it in.  I heated it up as required. I then added the requisite amount of wood chips.  Within a couple of minutes I heard a "whump" from inside the box and there was a great deal of white smoke billowing inside.  I opened the door (bad idea. It made the flames bigger) closed it again and shut the vent.  The fire was out in a couple of minutes.  Walked in the house and ordered an AMNPS with an assortment of pellets.  I never used the chip tray again.  When I gave the smoker to my son to use I made it very clear to only use the AMNPS in it not the chip tray.   Now my problem is he hasn't brought it back yet.   I think it may be lost and I'll have to get another one.....

 

[Bearcarver]

The first time I used my MES 40 (the 2nd gen model) was to break it in.  I heated it up as required. I then added the requisite amount of wood chips.  Within a couple of minutes I heard a "whump" from inside the box and there was a great deal of white smoke billowing inside.  I opened the door (bad idea. It made the flames bigger) closed it again and shut the vent.  The fire was out in a couple of minutes.  Walked in the house and ordered an AMNPS with an assortment of pellets.  I never used the chip tray again.  When I gave the smoker to my son to use I made it very clear to only use the AMNPS in it not the chip tray.   Now my problem is he hasn't brought it back yet.   I think it may be lost and I'll have to get another one.....

LOL---You'll never see that again!!!

Bear

 

[roadkill cafe]

The first time I used my MES 40 (the 2nd gen model) was to break it in.  I heated it up as required. I then added the requisite amount of wood chips.  Within a couple of minutes I heard a "whump" from inside the box and there was a great deal of white smoke billowing inside.  I opened the door (bad idea. It made the flames bigger) closed it again and shut the vent.  The fire was out in a couple of minutes.  Walked in the house and ordered an AMNPS with an assortment of pellets.  I never used the chip tray again.  When I gave the smoker to my son to use I made it very clear to only use the AMNPS in it not the chip tray.   Now my problem is he hasn't brought it back yet.   I think it may be lost and I'll have to get another one.....

I can hear it now...."Gee Dad, what smoker?"

 

[geerock]

There is a safety recall on the chip tray for this exact reason. Call customer service and they will ship you a new chip tray that doesn't sit in contact with the element. No charge.

 

[beernuts]

I can hear it now...."Gee Dad, what smoker?"

Well I called the lad tonight and got the "I'm using it a lot. Mind if I keep it for a while?" response to my "Where's my smoker?" question. I'm so screwed. I'll never get it back......