I got my MES40 unit in 2019 just before Christmas. The first one had some pretty good damage on a corner as FedEx brought it from SamsClub.com.
The replacement unit was rec'd after not much of a hassle. I started using the new one around Christmas and it worked well but the first element burned open by May. This unit is on my screen porch up near the house and is not exposed to weather/moisture. I found the listing for parts on the
Masterbuilt website and the price of two replacement elements plus shipping was around $30. This seemed fair as at least one seller on
Amazon was at $30 for one element shipped. It took over a week to show up in PA from GA (covid delays?). Replacing the element was fairly easy and I did a few more cooks with it and it worked for a couple weeks.
I had promised to bring lunch to some friends and had my chicken trimmed and brined. I lit my smoke tube and saw the element glowing as it heated up. I came back to check the progress and it had only reached 120 with the set temp at 225. Since I had just swapped the element I checked that first but the element still measured 12.2 ohms and the connections were good. I hooked my volt meter leads direct to the wires that feed the element and when you set up a cook and the unit showed it was heating, it only puts out 1.65vac and I'd expect 120vac on the element. I was able to cook the meat in the oven so it didn't go to waste but my
Masterbuilt has failed me twice in 7 months. I believe I read another thread here on SMF where negative opinions were shared on the quality of MES units sourced through Sam's Club.
I filled out a service request on their website as the phone number has a recording saying that the online/email support is the only option during covid. So far at 7 business days as of Friday I have an email that they rec'd my request for help but nothing further.
I'd really like to get my MES back in running shape and didn't expect that the quality would be lacking so much. I understand the option to convert to a PID should yield a much more consistent experience but for the short time I've owned this unit I feel like
Masterbuilt should be supplying the parts and support necessary to repair or replace this unit.
Other friends bought their own
Masterbuilt propane smoker after having dinner I provided for them a couple times. It's easy to get addicted to smoking meat like other smoking I guess. Not sure if Masterbuilt watches these forums or not but I'll jump over on Twitter or Facebook next and see if I can get some help from Masterbuilt via those channels.
I had held off doing any further disassembly/troubleshooting so as not to void my warranty...