I know there can be a temperature variance on the MES, but this much?

[mljones99]

I just got a MES 30 and went through the seasoning steps per the instruction manual.  I also setup my Maverick thermometer in the middle of the second rack from the top to get a feel for the temperature variance.  I checked it after about an hour, hour and a half and the MES was in the 271-275 range and my Maverick was in the 306-310 range.  I know a little variance is common but 35°?

 

[jesse t]

I think I recall other people having similar differences.  Are you getting your MES reading from an analogue door thermometer or do you have a digital MES 30?
 

 

[hkeiner]

I know a little variance is common but 35°?

The temperature on my MES40 display is typically 20 degrees higher than what is shown on  my Maverick (with probe placed on center shelf). I deal with this by setting the MES controller accordinlgy (20 degrees higher than my desired temperature). I do find that the disparity is less if I do not put water in the water pan and place a tile over the chip box to disperse the heat some and to shield the MES probe from direct radiant heat. I understand that some MES owner experience less of a disparity and some more of a disparity. Some also return their smokers for replacement or get a replacement controller.   I hot smoke in the 225 -250 degree range, so my MES works OK for me even with the 20 degree disparity. I could probably live with a 35 degree disparity allowing a maximum smoking temp of 240 (275-35), but that would be about the max I would consider acceptable.

 

[deltadude]

I do find that the disparity is less if I do not put water in the water pan and place a tile over the chip box to disperse the heat some and to shield the MES probe from direct radiant heat.

While water isn't exactly thermal mass is does hold heat better than air, which btw is passing through the inlet & exhaust, so I find it strange that your MES holds temp better or has less variance in temp disparity readings without the water pan?

As to the OP's question, my MES 40 has always had a 15-20 deg reading higher than all these thermometer systems I have used to keep tabs on what the inside cabinet temp is in my MES, this includes (analog oven therm., taylor digital remote probe, and my new Maverick).  Since my Maverick has two probes, I have check the difference between the bottom rack and top rack temps and there is approx 20 deg.  So rotating your Q isn't a bad idea if using multiple shelves.

 

[mljones99]

I have the digital MES 30".  I'm trying my first smoke right now with a whole chicken and some sausages  and it is a little closer.  I'm having to watch the temp though as it is hot outside and the smoker is getting direct sunlight.