That doesn't tell which Generation it is.
It's the MES 30. It's the newer version that they got smarter and put the connectors to the element in a small compartment in the back so you don't have to take the whole back off to get to them.
Yes--The changes for the MES 30 and the MES 40 are basically the same.
It looks identical to the MES 30 generation 1. I didn't see pictures for the 30 for generation 2 and 2.5 or are the changes the same as the 40?
What is your model # or serial # that would help people so they can help you.
It looks identical to the MES 30 generation 1. I didn't see pictures for the 30 for generation 2 and 2.5 or are the changes the same as the 40?
OK---Good---It's a Gen #1. Now it's easier to say what I would do.
It's the Generation 1 then. The model # is 20070910.
Sounds like a good plan.
Ok thanks Bear. I called them after I had initially replaced the connectors and the element and they would only send me another element. They sent it for free so I guess I'll try that even though I'm almost positive that that's not the problem. After that I'll try and sweet talk them for a new controller.
Thanks for the help
It's hard to tell how bad that is in the pic, but it wouldn't hurt to call them, and maybe send them a Pic.
Anyone have this problem? The other day while getting out my smoker I noticed a crack in the top of the door. This is a picture of the door on my 40. The same thing happened to my 30. Should I contact Masterbuilt or just fix it myself? The 40 was purchased on Black Friday from Academy and the 30 is about a year and a half purchased from Lowe's.
The heating element in the digital mes not being centered in the smoker because it would cost more to make a longer chip loader tunnel blows me away. Then the top vent on the gen 2.5 could be in the top center rear not directly over food for condesation to drip on. At least that would eliminate interior mods for even heating. I don't have mes digital controller issues yet and have never used chips so the heating element is exposed since I removed the interior chip burning system. I do need to get down low for occassional sausage smokes. The original heating element connectors didn't last a year but that was an easy fix. The designs over the years with not getting the units symmetrical in everyway is perplexing. When this gen1 40 hiccups I'll gut it for parts and recyle the box/door or give it away and plug in my back up identical. When that fails I'll PID. Then when the heating elements fail MB may have a gen 5 that is symetrical or whater and I can start over. Or just do what you did. I do like insulated smokers.I have resisted saying for DAYSSSS now, but I can't any longer.
I know this does not help this thread, but I want to get the word out to future Masterbuilt buying prospects.
The volume of Electronic "Digital" Masterbuilt Smoker problems of varying technical sorting, is frickin Insane.
VERY, WAY to high % differing "failures"
Thank God, I am a reader, and purchased a Masterbuilt "Old School" Analog after my research.
Marc
Hi Kurt,The heating element in the digital mes not being centered in the smoker because it would cost more to make a longer chip loader tunnel blows me away. Then the top vent on the gen 2.5 could be in the top center rear not directly over food for condesation to drip on. At least that would eliminate interior mods for even heating. I don't have mes digital controller issues yet and have never used chips so the heating element is exposed since I removed the interior chip burning system. I do need to get down low for occassional sausage smokes. The original heating element connectors didn't last a year but that was an easy fix. The designs over the years with not getting the units symmetrical in everyway is perplexing. When this gen1 40 hiccups I'll gut it for parts and recyle the box/door or give it away and plug in my back up identical. When that fails I'll PID. Then when the heating elements fail MB may have a gen 5 that is symetrical or whater and I can start over. Or just do what you did. I do like insulated smokers.
-Kurt
The heating element in the digital mes not being centered in the smoker because it would cost more to make a longer chip loader tunnel blows me away. Then the top vent on the gen 2.5 could be in the top center rear not directly over food for condesation to drip on. At least that would eliminate interior mods for even heating. I don't have mes digital controller issues yet and have never used chips so the heating element is exposed since I removed the interior chip burning system. I do need to get down low for occassional sausage smokes. The original heating element connectors didn't last a year but that was an easy fix. The designs over the years with not getting the units symmetrical in everyway is perplexing. When this gen1 40 hiccups I'll gut it for parts and recyle the box/door or give it away and plug in my back up identical. When that fails I'll PID. Then when the heating elements fail MB may have a gen 5 that is symetrical or whater and I can start over. Or just do what you did. I do like insulated smokers.
-Kurt
Hi Bear
Hi Kurt,
My Gen #2.5 doesn't need any mod, like my Gen #1 did. Moving the Top vent to the back left worked fine, and the vent isn't right in the middle of the top, dripping on the food, like the CookShack my Son had used to do. The Gen #2.5 is Awesome!!!
Putting the heating element in the center would have made more unusable space in the smoker, because the farther away from the side it is, the higher it has to come through the wall. Probably more of a reason than the cost of a longer chip loader chute.
Bear
I think I know what you're saying, Kurt, however if you look at the pains they went through in the way they shaped the cover over the inside of the Chip dumper in the Gen#2.5, and the way they made the water pan "Split-Level bottom", you'll understand what I meant by them not wanting to move the element to the center, because they don't want to lose any space by moving the chip dumper up any higher. They need more height for the chute to have the proper drop down to the chip pan, if they would move the Heating element to the center, where WE would like it to be.
Hi Bear
I didn't clarify all digital Mes top vents are in proximity to the back wall (including the gen 2 top side vent.) My intended meaning was to put the top vent in between the gen1 and gen 2.5 top vents (centered between those two at the back of the smoker so no condensation drips on food) if the element was centered in the bottom. Then if the element was centered in the bottom, the chip burner dumper system accessed under the door (looking at the door from the front) maybe identical to the side systems we owners know. If you took one of your chainsaws and cut down the middle of any digital mes from the front looking at the door and those two halves are identical on the inside, that's the smoker I want (but doesn't exist.) I have empathy for those of us that haven't had five years of flawless operation but dream of what we think could be perfection. All's good!
-Kurt