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,

 

[paulgeorge]

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 Online Twitch Clip Downloader.

I’ve had my eye on this for awhile and would love to have it for Christmas dinner. The reviews on Amazon are hit and miss and I’d like the advice of someone with a lot of smoking experience before wasting my money. I don’t mind spending, but I want a reliable and well working product. Does anyone here have any advice for me on model, or another brand I should be looking at?

 

[Winterrider]

Not sure about the new ones but the main downfall of these smokers was the electronics. I did do a lot of smoking with mine before the conversions of PID and Mailbox but temperatures were all over the place. Also I had a hard time getting smoke from the chip tray when temps were set below 200°, needed to use smoke tube when doing sausage at the lower temps.
Thought the glass would be a good thing. Gets so Smokey right away you can't see thru it anyhow.

 

[zwiller]

I'd grab a used Smokefire if spending that. If used is not cool, you can find NIB stuff ( I did) just takes longer. Got mine for $600. MES holds it own tho and imagine the new 30 is better than my old 30 and it made good food. Excels on sausage and cured stuff tho IMO. If you can sear on a grill after it's VERY doable. If you want to NAIL the chain rib thing (which I totally dig). Smoke in MES in advance/week to say 190F then rest/fridge. Grill and sauce to reheat.