How Many Mes Owners Here?

[m00se]

 
What gen?

I...I don't know? How do you tell?

 

[mummel]

Well after 7-8 weeks my 40" MES arrived from Cabelas, seasoned it last night and plan to break'er in with a few pork loins.

I have the same one.  You'll never look back.

 

[m00se]

 
I...I don't know? How do you tell?

Quoting myself I know. It's a model 20076515 and it's 1200 watts not 800 like I was lead to believe. I had to go to the shop and read the service tags on the back of it. Good thing I did too, because I was in the process of shopping for a Auber PID dual probe controller or equivalent. Is this one new gen/old gen?

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Quoting myself I know. It's a model 20076515 and it's 1200 watts not 800 like I was lead to believe. I had to go to the shop and read the service tags on the back of it. Good thing I did too, because I was in the process of shopping for a Auber PID dual probe controller or equivalent. Is this one new gen/old gen?

I was going to say something about that maybe not being only 800 watts, but I looked it up, and there has been some MES 40 units with only 800, but I think they were all pre-2010 MES 40s. So I just kept my mouth shut (so to speak). 

Do you have a Pic of the inside & outside?

Bear

 

[m00se]

 
I was going to say something about that maybe not being only 800 watts, but I looked it up, and there has been some MES 40 units with only 800, but I think they were all pre-2010 MES 40s. So I just kept my mouth shut (so to speak). 

Do you have a Pic of the inside & outside?

Bear

This is the one I bought, Bear. It was on sale at the time. I will go to the shop and snap some better pix tomorrow and paste them here. There's surprisingly little about it that I can find.

http://goo.gl/OAtPMA

It's a "signature" model only sold at Lowe's and has a big picture of John Mclemore plastered all over the box.This is the only thing they have on their site about it: 

https://www.masterbuilt.com/john-mclemore-signature-series

I've been lurking here and learning a lot about this smoker and the WSM, which I also have. From what I gather, the built-in digital controller/thermometer is pretty sketchy and bypassing them with a good controller like the Auber WSD-1500GPH dual probe would be a good idea. I will call them tomorrow to determine whether the lower wattage unit (the WSD-1200GPH at 1500w) would be adequate or if I should spend the big bucks on the 1800 watter. Thanks for your help and input!

Bob

 

[smokingearl]

If it doesn't have BT it's s gen 2

 

[Bearcarver]

 
This is the one I bought, Bear. It was on sale at the time. I will go to the shop and snap some better pix tomorrow and paste them here. There's surprisingly little about it that I can find.

http://goo.gl/OAtPMA

It's a "signature" model only sold at Lowe's and has a big picture of John Mclemore plastered all over the box.This is the only thing they have on their site about it: 

https://www.masterbuilt.com/john-mclemore-signature-series

I've been lurking here and learning a lot about this smoker and the WSM, which I also have. From what I gather, the built-in digital controller/thermometer is pretty sketchy and bypassing them with a good controller like the Auber WSD-1500GPH dual probe would be a good idea. I will call them tomorrow to determine whether the lower wattage unit (the WSD-1200GPH at 1500w) would be adequate or if I should spend the big bucks on the 1800 watter. Thanks for your help and input!

Bob

Both of those links look like Gen #2 units. I wouldn't buy them.

I would go for the Gen #2.5 or Gen #1--------Most of them are 1200Watts.

Bear

 

[m00se]

Thank you, Bear. I'm still not clear on these generational differences. Is there a write-up on them somewhere, because I've googled and found very little to nothing on the topic. It's a day late and a dollar short for me. I've bought it and put it together already.. Thank again for sharing your knowledge!

m00se

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Thank you, Bear. I'm still not clear on these generational differences. Is there a write-up on them somewhere, because I've googled and found very little to nothing on the topic. It's a day late and a dollar short for me. I've bought it and put it together already.. Thank again for sharing your knowledge!

m00se

Below is one I did that tells a few things.

However this doesn't tell exactly how to tell them apart.

There are some things that overlap from Generation to Generation.

Here ya go:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/235820/masterbuilt-smokers-bear-s-thoughts-findings

Bear

 

[m00se]

Thank you again Bear. I got waylayed today and didn't get down to the shop like I had planned, so I'll get down there tonight and take a few pix so you can get a better idea of which one I have. That thread was informative.

I'm hoping the Auber controller will allow me to not have to play around too awful much and combined with the Amazen pellet smoker I hope to get some good food out of it.

m00se

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Thank you again Bear. I got waylayed today and didn't get down to the shop like I had planned, so I'll get down there tonight and take a few pix so you can get a better idea of which one I have. That thread was informative.

I'm hoping the Auber controller will allow me to not have to play around too awful much and combined with the Amazen pellet smoker I hope to get some good food out of it.

m00se

I'm sure you'll do Great !!   You'll see!!

My "Step by Step Index" is linked at the bottom of all of my posts. They can give you a good start on most things.

Bear

 

[m00se]

Ok, got a chance to swing by and take some shots. I hope there's enough here to determine it's pedigree.

Cheers!

ry7ZA5G.jpg

• m00se
• Mar 8, 2016

0ODxGdh.jpg

• m00se
• Mar 8, 2016

qKJAKGI.jpg

• m00se
• Mar 8, 2016

CszeV2s.jpg

• m00se
• Mar 8, 2016

 

[smokingearl]

It's a gen 2.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Ok, got a chance to swing by and take some shots. I hope there's enough here to determine it's pedigree.

Cheers!

qKJAKGI.jpg

• m00se
• Mar 8, 2016

OK---Like Earl said, That is a Gen #2. The easiest way to tell is by that Slanted Drip Plate above the chip burner.

That is only in a Gen #2 unit, and it is the biggest problem with the Gen #2 (IMHO).

Bear

 

[m00se]

Thanks guys. So I've eliminated the controller problems with the Auber PID, and the smoke issues with the AMNPS. Where do I go from here? I'd really like to get this smoker to the level where I can set it for long cooks...you know, briskets, big pig parts, etc.... I'm pretty handy they tell me (I can set the clock on a VCR for instance) and I have experience with wires (you should see the front of this desk!). 

You have been SO helpful. I am in awe of the wealth of knowledge on this forum and your willingness to share it!

EDIT: Also, this is a perfect instance where an impulse buy due to a dramatic price discount ends up costing you substantially more than the original asking price, sometimes in magic dust and twirly lights, to make it work as advertised.

EDIT #2: I'm a sucker for a good deal! And I am passionate about my hobbies!

 

[dbriefly]

Bought mine at Lowes this weekend for $199 - 30" MES with front controls.  While I prefer to shop at Home Depot, my local store didn't have any.  I got tired of lugging propane around.  Since I'm legally blind and can't drive, it was always a hassle planning to get propane for my propane smoker.  I've been smoking meat for 20 years.  The first was a Brinkman charcoal bullet style, then a Brinkman with an electric element, then a Brinkman with a propane burner, and finally a Masterbuilt with a propane burner. I've loved them all and we've had some pretty incredible meals from them.  I'm looking forward to getting the add-on smoke generator, or building a Mailbox mod so I can do some cold smoking this year.  Like I say, it's all good.

 

[larryb]

My 2nd MES has given up the ghost. They seem to last 3 to 4 years. Looking for a different model / brand that i can just leave on the deck in the weather. Any recommendations?

 

[Bearcarver]

My 2nd MES has given up the ghost. They seem to last 3 to 4 years. Looking for a different model / brand that i can just leave on the deck in the weather. Any recommendations?

I wouldn't do that with any electric smoker, unless it has a cover that is "WATERPROOF". My Son put his in a big storage box, on his deck, he got from Home Depot.

My MES 30 is 7 years old & my MES 40 is 6 years old, and they both still work fine. Had to replace a 29 cent connector in the MES 40 last year.

Smokers other than Electric, I guess you just have to keep them from rusting too bad.

Bear

 

[m00se]

So I had a little time tonight and decided that I'd prep the 40 for next weekend's Boston butt and pulled turkey marathon. After 33 trips to Home Depot and Lowe's over the past couple of nights I finally got it slapped together about an hour ago. This is how I modded it. I didn't take any step-by-step pix because I assumed there are hundreds of how-to's out there already. Wire nuts, Form A Gasket, repurposed sheet metal, and time mostly. Oh, and about half a dozen Dremel cut-off wheels. Those darned things are expensive!

DKCPO4w.jpg

• m00se
• Mar 13, 2016

I did incorporate the high temperature cut-off sensor, but I'm not happy with how I had to attach it. It's just bare (insulated) 12 gauge wire coming out of the box there, and under the plate with the thin gasket only. I'll have to brainstorm that a bit and come up with something a little more water resistant and safe. I might put a box over it like the one on the calrod. This picture is misleading because it looks like I have the sensor connected to that flexible conduit. It isn't.

eooBX2O.jpg

• m00se
• Mar 13, 2016

8CfBkup.jpg

• m00se
• Mar 13, 2016

I'm connecting an Auber WSD-1200GPH with the clip-probe to it. Then it's headed out to my sister's house where I keep my WSM (I live in an apartment in the city - no smoking). I'll take it through the auto-tune and burn off all the oils. Hopefully have a useful smoker soon! Everything original is intact and wrapped so if I ever decide to revert back to OEM I can with little hassle. Just a few screw holes unaccounted for ;-)

Thanks for looking!

 

[miatawnt2b]

really nice clean work there. makes mine look like a frankenMES.