Hey everyone
Just got my 1st smoker a couple days ago (I've never owned or even used a smoker before). Decided to go with an MES 30. They had a good deal at the Lowes in my area so I pounced on it. Also got a Maverick ET-732 meat probe.
(also, thanks to
Bearcarver
and @jimmyinsd for their helpful input in the other thread)
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Masterbuil...-Common-34-449-in-Actual-34-449-in/1000274391
Got it out of the box on Saturday and assembled it. Didn't get a chance to "season" it yet as it was pretty cold and rainy this past weekend. Will hopefully get it fired up this coming weekend and get my 1st smoke done!
So, a few questions as I'm getting started-
Also any good random tips for a newb please share!
Just got my 1st smoker a couple days ago (I've never owned or even used a smoker before). Decided to go with an MES 30. They had a good deal at the Lowes in my area so I pounced on it. Also got a Maverick ET-732 meat probe.
(also, thanks to

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Masterbuil...-Common-34-449-in-Actual-34-449-in/1000274391
Got it out of the box on Saturday and assembled it. Didn't get a chance to "season" it yet as it was pretty cold and rainy this past weekend. Will hopefully get it fired up this coming weekend and get my 1st smoke done!
So, a few questions as I'm getting started-
- Can someone educate me on wood chips vs A-Maze-N pellets? I see lots of posts on here about these pellets and it seems like it's generally accepted that they're better than chips. But I also noticed several places in the owners manual it stated to not use pellets and only use chips...?
- What is the real impact of using or not using the water dish while smoking? Is filling it up a necessity?
- Any tricks to keeping the window clean and clear so that it's easy to see through while the smoker is filled with smoke? Or just wipe it down with a wet rag in between uses?
- Any tricks to keeping the inside clean? Is it safe to put aluminum foil on some of the spots that might otherwise get covered with grease and what not?
Also any good random tips for a newb please share!