How Many Mes Owners Here?

[shawn p]

Love my MES 40 with window.   Had a problem where the heating element went bad and kept tripping my outlets but called Masterbuilt and they sent me a new one no problem and it was an easy 15 minute fix!

 

[smoker55]

The survey didn't have enough options for the 30" so here goes. 30" digital w/window and remote control. It was a birthday gift last November. I have only used it about a half dozen times so far but no complaints yet. I read a lot of negative posts and reviews about this machine here and in reviews on other sites but I have not experienced any of the problems they post. Maybe I haven't given it enough use to screw up yet.

 

[mromj]

30" digital with the controls on the top/rear. No window.  I love it! I received it as a Christmas present in 2013 and I've done a couple briskets, chicken (wings and split birds) and a turkey for this past Thanksgiving that was the best tasting turkey I've ever had!  

No complaints with the unit at all.  Well, that's not completely true.  I can't trust the temp setting at all so I use a Maverick Redi-Chek to monitor the smoker and the meat.

I am considering adding an AMNPS as I am not always able to fill the chip hopper as often as I probably need to.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
30" digital with the controls on the top/rear. No window.  I love it! I received it as a Christmas present in 2013 and I've done a couple briskets, chicken (wings and split birds) and a turkey for this past Thanksgiving that was the best tasting turkey I've ever had!  

No complaints with the unit at all.  Well, that's not completely true.  I can't trust the temp setting at all so I use a Maverick Redi-Chek to monitor the smoker and the meat.

I am considering adding an AMNPS as I am not always able to fill the chip hopper as often as I probably need to.

That's Great !!

Sounds like you got the right MES 30, and leaned an awful lot since Christmas!!!

Rely on a Maverick you can test, and get an AMNPS, and Smoke Happily Ever After!!!!

And Welcome to SMF !!!

BTW: You might want to go to "Roll Call", and introduce yourself so everybody can welcome you.

Bear

 

[bigd3077]

I have the mes 30" sportsman and I purchased it at bass pro. Only smoked some tenderloin so far and loved it. Can't wait to smoke again!!

 

[vajinyan]

I bought a MES Sportsman Elite (it's a 30 inch with electronic controls are on top and to the rear) about a month ago and can't wait for the weather to turn better so I can get out and play with this baby.   I have only cooked a Pork-but and a roast (beef) and neither one turned out real great but probably something I did.   It was rather cold and windy both times I tried to cook out (er' smoke out). I did have trouble keeping the box up to temperature and seemed to fluctuate a lot.  Anyways I think milder weather is order.  Can't wait...  



Vajinyan

 

[wnc goater]

I got the 30 several weeks ago at Lowes.  Read reviews and it seems typical of most reviews, either "love it" or "hate it".   Looked like those who hated it had trouble with the controller going out (after warranty exp)  So I bought the two year warranty, something I never do.

After seasoning per instructions I did a whole chicken which was fabulously juicy with just the right amount of smokiness.  That was before I found this site.  Next I did some great ribs with Jeff's rub and wings.  This weekend it's summer sausage on saturday and more ribs, wings and a whole chicken for sunday.  I'm loving it.

 

[bamamontana]

I have an MES 40 digital smoker, and I really love it.  OK, call me lazy, but one of the biggest selling points for me was the wireless remote control that allows you to change the timer, temp setting, and check the meat temperature from your La-Z-Boy.  So, there's that.  But functionality-wise, it's been great so far.  I've used it outside, down to -20 temps, and I have noticed no fluctuation in temps.  Of course, the MES 40 is self-regulating.  Just set your box temp, and it does the rest.  The only thing you have to keep an eye on is the wisp of smoke from the vent...once that stops, pull out the chip tube and add a handful.  I find a 1/2 cup of chips lasts a little over an hour.

There are a coule of disappointments:  The MES 40 has a glass door, which is great in a showroom...you think WOW!  I can watch my BBQ as it cooks!  Nah.  It only takes an hour or so to fog up the glass with smoke residue and, if you have water in your pan, condensation.  Also, they have a nice little LED light in the front of the box.  That's great for when you need to shine light on the floor.  But why didn't they put it inside the smoker?!  It does very little to help you see what's cooking.

Clean-up is very easy.  There is a drip tray that goes right in the dishwasher, and most all of the parts are removable for cleaning.

I've done ribs, pork butt, and I've even smoked cheese with my Masterbuilt (with the assistance of a tube smoker from www.amazenproducts.com).  I love it so far, but I can see myself moving up to a Good-One competition smoker one of these days.  The MES is great for backyard smoking.

 

[bmaddox]

 
I have an MES 40 digital smoker, and I really love it.  OK, call me lazy, but one of the biggest selling points for me was the wireless remote control that allows you to change the timer, temp setting, and check the meat temperature from your La-Z-Boy.  So, there's that.  But functionality-wise, it's been great so far.  I've used it outside, down to -20 temps, and I have noticed no fluctuation in temps.  Of course, the MES 40 is self-regulating.  Just set your box temp, and it does the rest.  The only thing you have to keep an eye on is the wisp of smoke from the vent...once that stops, pull out the chip tube and add a handful.  I find a 1/2 cup of chips lasts a little over an hour.

There are a coule of disappointments:  The MES 40 has a glass door, which is great in a showroom...you think WOW!  I can watch my BBQ as it cooks!  Nah.  It only takes an hour or so to fog up the glass with smoke residue and, if you have water in your pan, condensation.  Also, they have a nice little LED light in the front of the box.  That's great for when you need to shine light on the floor.  But why didn't they put it inside the smoker?!  It does very little to help you see what's cooking.

Clean-up is very easy.  There is a drip tray that goes right in the dishwasher, and most all of the parts are removable for cleaning.

I've done ribs, pork butt, and I've even smoked cheese with my Masterbuilt (with the assistance of a tube smoker from www.amazenproducts.com).  I love it so far, but I can see myself moving up to a Good-One competition smoker one of these days.  The MES is great for backyard smoking.

The light does seem a little weird but it helps see what you are doing when the door is open. If it was inside the box it would get covered with soot and stop working. As for the glass, I keep a wet rag around so when I open the door I quickly wipe it off which keeps it clean enough during the smoke. I don't use my water pan so I don't have any condensation on the glass to obscure my view.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
I bought a MES Sportsman Elite (it's a 30 inch with electronic controls are on top and to the rear) about a month ago and can't wait for the weather to turn better so I can get out and play with this baby.   I have only cooked a Pork-but and a roast (beef) and neither one turned out real great but probably something I did.   It was rather cold and windy both times I tried to cook out (er' smoke out). I did have trouble keeping the box up to temperature and seemed to fluctuate a lot.  Anyways I think milder weather is order.  Can't wait...  
 
Vajinyan
 

Sounds Great !!

You just need a little practice & a couple hints.

Check this out (below) Might be some help:

Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

Bear

 

[bamamontana]

Good advice bmaddox. I suppose a flashlight might come in handy[emoji]128540[/emoji]

 

[benson56]

Here's a deal on a 40" MES if you're not afaid of a dent.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Masterbuilt...918?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4b62e19e

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Here's a deal on a 40" MES if you're not afaid of a dent.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Masterbuilt...918?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4b62e19e

That "Buy it now" price isn't really that great with the dent & possibly a bent door that might not seal properly.

The Dent wouldn't bother me, but the door looks away from the smoker at the bottom, below the dent.

I got the same one more than 4 years ago for $349, and they want $290 for that one.

That is the best MES made so far though.

Bear

 

[benson56]

Walmart has them now for $319!!

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Walmart has them now for $319!!

If the one at WM is a Gen #1, I'd pay the $319 before I'd take the chance on the damaged one for $290.

Bear

 

[inkjunkie]

If the one at WM is a Gen #1, I'd pay the $319 before I'd take the chance on the damaged one for $290.


Bear

Have to agree with Mr. Bear...

 

[wnc goater]

I'll add to my previous reply, while I DO very much like the ease and convenience of my MES 30 and have enjoyed it so far,  it is irritating the thermostat and meat probe is off so much.  I can understand several degrees but as near as I can determine, my meat probe is off by 30 degrees and the thermostat that controls heat by almost that much.  That is, they both read higher than actual temperature, which could cause some real problems with undercooking.  In this day and time, electronics are easy and cheap to manufacture.  I can't understand why these are off so far and there is no means to calibrate.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
I'll add to my previous reply, while I DO very much like the ease and convenience of my MES 30 and have enjoyed it so far,  it is irritating the thermostat and meat probe is off so much.  I can understand several degrees but as near as I can determine, my meat probe is off by 30 degrees and the thermostat that controls heat by almost that much.  That is, they both read higher than actual temperature, which could cause some real problems with undercooking.  In this day and time, electronics are easy and cheap to manufacture.  I can't understand why these are off so far and there is no means to calibrate.

Most times the smoker probe isn't really off much---It's more of a positioning thing, and also the fact that a digital probe like the Maverick is quicker to respond, which makes them farther apart at times.

As for the meat probe, are you comparing it with another meat probe while they are both in meat, or using the MES meat probe as a smoker probe to measure air temp?

My MES meat probe is only accurate when it's in meat./

Bear

 

[benson56]

Ya I'd buy the WM one too.

 

[kornchild82]

Just bought the mes 30 only seasoned it so far but will let you know how I feel about it after I've cooked with it