I got my 30" MES several weeks ago from
Amazon. For $177 and free, 2-day shipping, it seemed a bargain. I have been smoking for years, most of it on a large grill with indirect heat. Five years ago I purchased a Brinkman Electric and did lots of smoking with it ... nothing fancy as it is a one-temperature smoker. I did learn a lot though and have now moved on to my MES, 30" with no glass door and top, back control panel. I have used it several times and the results were much to my liking ... ribs and later, some beef burgers. My cold smoking kit arrives tomorrow (probably not as we are supposed to get a foot of snow and we live in the woods of Maine) and I have already purchased 3" dryer vent hose and attachments. I am looking forward to smoking salmon, more ribs, a pork butt, and a pork belly for bacon. I already have created some good recipe for a variety of BBQ sauces and rubs. Also, I have been making sausage for several decades and am looking forward to smoking those, as well.