MES 20070610

[hawk2000x]

I am relatively a smoking novice - I have occasionally smoked salmon and venison in a propane smoker that's part of my grill (Brinkman I believe). Found a MES 20070610 for $99.99 at a local wholesale outlet store. Seems to be a good deal. Was wondering what others think about this model and price - should I pull the trigger and get it? Was wanting to get m ore into smoking other meats (beef and pork) as well as the salmon and venison. Is this a good middle of the road smoker? Comments appreciated.

 

[sb59]

It's a Masterbuilt analog,which I have & goes on sale near that price quite often at many sites. Good basic meat smoker for higher end temps. as is but takes quite a bit of baby sitting to prevent temperature creep. For more versatility you will probably end up doing several modifications as I did (  smoke generator, extra racks, additional venting, PID ) etc. You will find many of the smokers on this site modify their smoke boxes  ( no matter the model )to better suit their needs anyway. But unless you're pressed for cash , or in a hurry or if you're not handy or comfortable modifying your smoker I think you could do better with one of the digital smokers.

 

[hawk2000x]

SB59 - thanks for the reply. Not in any rush for a smoker. Just starting my research into them. Will keep your comments in mind.

 

[sb59]

Best research is to check this site & see how these guys like their smokers. While I'm OK with my analog I could have gotten a digital model when I figure in the cost of the PID etc. On the plus side when something finally breaks I can replace individual components instead of whole smoker. My parts don't have to be OEM. Keep your eyes on sites like Cabela's,Gander Mtn., Sportsmans Guide etc. for sales. I got mine from Gander for $89. with free delivery ! I've seen some really good deals on the digital smokers at the Cabela's site. Their web prices are often better then their in store deals. Also Amazon flash deals & used like new deals with simply damaged shipping boxes.

 

[sb59]

Here is an example on Amazon>


I think this may be the prized gen 1 , but I could be wrong. Maybe one of the MES guys could tell you.

 

[daricksta]

I am relatively a smoking novice - I have occasionally smoked salmon and venison in a propane smoker that's part of my grill (Brinkman I believe). Found a MES 20070610 for $99.99 at a local wholesale outlet store. Seems to be a good deal. Was wondering what others think about this model and price - should I pull the trigger and get it? Was wanting to get m ore into smoking other meats (beef and pork) as well as the salmon and venison. Is this a good middle of the road smoker? Comments appreciated.

Stick with the Masterbuilt digital electric smokers. The temp controllers work differently and better than with the analogs. I think the interior designs are better too. You want to stick with Generation 1 or Generation 2.5 models. After you do some research just post a question with model numbers you're interested in and you'll get feedback on which are the best choices.

I own a MES 30 Generation 1, what I call the basic black model, no bells & whistles just a really good little smoker.

 

[hawk2000x]

After doing some research and considering what my needs are, I have decided to go with the MES 20070910 with the AMNPS addition.  Currently see the 0910 for about $169 and the AMNPS for $35.  In no immediate rush to obtain - will be on the lookout for the next several weeks to see if any deals come about.  Thank you to those that posted comments to my original post !

 

[daricksta]

 
After doing some research and considering what my needs are, I have decided to go with the MES 20070910 with the AMNPS addition.  Currently see the 0910 for about $169 and the AMNPS for $35.  In no immediate rush to obtain - will be on the lookout for the next several weeks to see if any deals come about.  Thank you to those that posted comments to my original post !

You won't be sorry. It's the same setup I have and I've turned out really great Q with it. I also advise buying a dual probe therm like the Maverick ET-733. There are guys here who prefer the ET-732 but I've had great success with the 733.

Happy smoking!

 

[brickguy221]

 
You won't be sorry. It's the same setup I have and I've turned out really great Q with it. I also advise buying a dual probe therm like the Maverick ET-733. There are guys here who prefer the ET-732 but I've had great success with the 733.

Happy smoking!

Rick, I have the ET-733 Maverick.

What is the difference between it and the ET-732, do you know?

Maybe I should have checked it out before buying the ET-733????

 

[daricksta]

 
Rick, I have the ET-733 Maverick.

What is the difference between it and the ET-732, do you know?

Maybe I should have checked it out before buying the ET-733????

Jim, The ET-732 was the model previous to the ET-733. It has smaller display screens and I think it doesn't have the 15 preset programs (which I'm not sure what they really do since I manually set the FOOD and BARBECUE temps to be monitored. I'd read that transmitter/receiver range in the 733 was farther than that of the 732 but Maverick claims that temps can be monitored with either therm to up to 300 feet away. The 732 is also $10 cheaper than the 733.

Guys complain that it can be heard to see the receiver display screens on the 733. Well--that's what the MODE button with the light bulb icon is for! When you're not in SET mode, you push that button and an orange backlight illuminates the screens. Problem solved. The 732 has that same button.

What I don't know is if the 732 gives you a longer amount of time to push the buttons before locking you out than you get with the 733. @Bearcarver prefers the 732, I prefer the 733 because I like the larger receiver display screen. I bought it from Todd and have been using it for about 3 years now.

 

[brickguy221]

 
Jim, The ET-732 was the model previous to the ET-733. It has smaller display screens and I think it doesn't have the 15 preset programs (which I'm not sure what they really do since I manually set the FOOD and BARBECUE temps to be monitored. I'd read that transmitter/receiver range in the 733 was farther than that of the 732 but Maverick claims that temps can be monitored with either therm to up to 300 feet away. The 732 is also $10 cheaper than the 733.

Guys complain that it can be heard to see the receiver display screens on the 733. Well--that's what the MODE button with the light bulb icon is for! When you're not in SET mode, you push that button and an orange backlight illuminates the screens. Problem solved. The 732 has that same button.

What I don't know is if the 732 gives you a longer amount of time to push the buttons before locking you out than you get with the 733. @Bearcarver prefers the 732, I prefer the 733 because I like the larger receiver display screen. I bought it from Todd and have been using it for about 3 years now.

The time thing is my only complaint with the 733. It doesn't give you any time to think, so you have to somehow program your brain thru practice and practice and etc so that you can automatically push buttons with out thinking. At 78+ years old, my "thinker" doesn't think nearly as fast as it once did....sigh Other than that, I like my 733...

 

[daricksta]

 
The time thing is my only complaint with the 733. It doesn't give you any time to think, so you have to somehow program your brain thru practice and practice and etc so that you can automatically push buttons with out thinking. At 78+ years old, my "thinker" doesn't think nearly as fast as it once did....sigh Other than that, I like my 733...

I agree about the short lock out time with the buttons and I can also sympathize with the mind slow down. I'm 63 and my brain doesn't work the way it did even 10 years ago. When my son visits during college breaks, we can hear him in his room playing his Xbox over the Microsoft Live network. He's 21 and has outstanding hand/eye coordination. That would make feel really older than I am except that I'm fully aware I never had hand/eye coordination like that in my life.

 

[daricksta]

 
The time thing is my only complaint with the 733. It doesn't give you any time to think, so you have to somehow program your brain thru practice and practice and etc so that you can automatically push buttons with out thinking. At 78+ years old, my "thinker" doesn't think nearly as fast as it once did....sigh Other than that, I like my 733...

Just thought over your comment again about how at 78+ years old your "thinker" is slowed-down.  Let's turn that around a bit. I hope that in 15+ years I'm still in good physical shape to use my smoker and my grill. I've got a bad lower back and some days I really pay for some of the physical stuff it takes to move both of those around or from bending down to move things into and out of the smoker.

 

[brickguy221]

 

[brickguy221]

 
Just thought over your comment again about how at 78+ years old your "thinker" is slowed-down.  Let's turn that around a bit. I hope that in 15+ years I'm still in good physical shape to use my smoker and my grill. I've got a bad lower back and some days I really pay for some of the physical stuff it takes to move both of those around or from bending down to move things into and out of the smoker.

 I approach each day as if nothing is wrong.  A person can do a lot more than one would think if they simply put their mind to it and not think about their health condition.

You will do fine also in 15 years if you have good Doctors and approach each day with the attitude that you are normal and have nothing wrong with you..... Works for me and I know with you being the kind of person you are that you will make it work for you also.

 

[daricksta]

 
 I approach each day as if nothing is wrong.  A person can do a lot more than one would think if they simply put their mind to it and not think about their health condition.

You will do fine also in 15 years if you have good Doctors and approach each day with the attitude that you are normal and have nothing wrong with you..... Works for me and I know with you being the kind of person you are that you will make it work for you also.

Thank you very much for your wise words and kind comments.

 

[daricksta]

 
 I approach each day as if nothing is wrong.  A person can do a lot more than one would think if they simply put their mind to it and not think about their health condition.

You will do fine also in 15 years if you have good Doctors and approach each day with the attitude that you are normal and have nothing wrong with you..... Works for me and I know with you being the kind of person you are that you will make it work for you also.

You're truly an inspiration to me, Jim. As for doctor's with my health insurance my PCP is a physician's assistant (PA-C) but he's excellent. I get referred to specialists when necessary. 

I guess what George Harrison said in "Yellow Submarine" is true: It's all in the mind, you know. And in a good doctor's hands. 

 

[hawk2000x]

 
You won't be sorry. It's the same setup I have and I've turned out really great Q with it. I also advise buying a dual probe therm like the Maverick ET-733. There are guys here who prefer the ET-732 but I've had great success with the 733.

Happy smoking!

So my purchase is now complete:  MES 0910, AMNPS, Maverk ET-732 Thermometer, Cover and 40lbs Perfict Mix smoking pellets.  Took delivery of smoker today and just got done seasoning it.  Ready to do a first smoke later in the week.  The biggest next decision is the first meat to smoke - salmon, pork butt or ribs - decisions, decisions

.

One question - when I added the chips to the smoker through the loader about 3 hours into the seasoning at 275deg with vent about 1/2 way closed, about 15-20 mins later I got some "blow back" through the loader access port where some whisps of smoke first came out of the access port, sucked back in and then I think the chips "flashed over" and blew the loader tray about 2 inches back out of the access port.  This happened 3 times in about 5 min (only blew the loader tray back once though).  I notced that the temperature climbed to 300deg - before it was only getting up to about mid 280's with the thermostart set at 275.  It was just like a scene out of the movie "Backdraft".  Looked and sounded pretty cool, but was wondering if this was normal?

 

[hank2000]

I've never had that to happen in my MES. I would not think that would normal

 

[brickguy221]

 
So my purchase is now complete:  MES 0910, AMNPS, Maverk ET-732 Thermometer, Cover and 40lbs Perfict Mix smoking pellets.  Took delivery of smoker today and just got done seasoning it.  Ready to do a first smoke later in the week.  The biggest next decision is the first meat to smoke - salmon, pork butt or ribs - decisions, decisions

.

One question - when I added the chips to the smoker through the loader about 3 hours into the seasoning at 275deg with vent about 1/2 way closed, about 15-20 mins later I got some "blow back" through the loader access port where some whisps of smoke first came out of the access port, sucked back in and then I think the chips "flashed over" and blew the loader tray about 2 inches back out of the access port.  This happened 3 times in about 5 min (only blew the loader tray back once though).  I notced that the temperature climbed to 300deg - before it was only getting up to about mid 280's with the thermostart set at 275.  It was just like a scene out of the movie "Backdraft".  Looked and sounded pretty cool, but was wondering if this was normal?

I had some blow back thru the chip loader hole a few times on my former 40" Gen 2.0 Smoker like you described getting on yours, but didn't have a problem though with it blowing out the chip tray as you describe yours did. I never did figure out what caused it.