Masterbuilt MES 40 still good?

[SmokingUPnorth]

I’m Looking for an electric smoker for ease of use when I don’t want to use the kettles and saw the new (probably not new but new since I looked at them) MES40. I couldn’t find one of the old styles without the window but does anyone have any experience with this one in the link below? I had a MES30 a few years back and really liked it minus the size. I’ve seen a lot of posts with mixed reviews lately I’m just looking for the good bad and ugly with these newer models

https://www.basspro.com/p/masterbuilt-40-digital-electric-smoker-with-legs?hvarAID=shopping_googleproductextensions&ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=BPS%7CShopping%7CPMax%7CLIA%7CGeneral%7CNAud%7CGoogle%7CNMT&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD1TgtfU4VywZZ_FlGnQCy0XXqs_S&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_dbABhC5ARIsAAh2Z-RTLtxh3YYh5rtP2Wb-1tnUwnuE0NUPOoAqMrdU7GpJcPgh3jJizYYaApDQEALw_wcB

 

[ghostguy6]

I have the older version of the MES 40. The internal meat probe crapped out about 6 months in. The chip tray gave off far to much smoke so I use an Amaz-n tube or tray. I also had to rewire the heating element after a few years. The racks arent the greatest either.

 

[normanaj]

Honestly they really haven't changed all that much after the Gen2 models from a functionality standpoint.I can't speak on the quality of the internals like wiring and such but those were never truly the MESs strong-points anyway.You've owned a 30 so it's not like you won't know how to use it and it's limitations and shortcomings haven't changed and its strong-points are still pretty much the same.

I look at this way when and if it starts giving you trouble you can do the rewire and add a PID or you can find a used one for cheap and do that anyway and have kick-ass smoker right from the start.

 

[mike243]

I have had 1 for a long time and suspect it was 1 of the first ones, I have generally been happy with the results, i learned to buy chunks and bust them up small enough to use in the chip holder, I also ran it wide open , honestly has better smoke flavor than my stock pellet smoker,