MES 30 always on -- advice request

[Alan Schwabe]

Hi All,

Can you give advice on a way forward with my MES30?

• Unit is electric, digital controller on top/back, from Sam's Club, about 6(?) years ago
• Worked o.k. until recently
• Set time/temp for 275/one hour - got called away for family emergency - came back hours later, unit very hot, err message on LED
• Unplugged it, opened it with gloves, glowing hot metal
• now unit powers element on when plugged in, controller has no effect, element stays on when unit is plugged in

Called Masterbuilt tech support, two times, two different people, two different suggestions from them:
1. Unit is toast, cannot be fixed.
2. It just needs a new heating element.

My thinking is that the element is fine (it heats up), and that perhaps I should just get an external controller. I have two main questions...
1. Is there something that I'm missing in my thinking here?
2. Are the cheaper controllers o.k.?
• I don't mind a bit of DIY
• If I have to drop $150, I'd rather put that toward a new pellet grill.

Thank you for any thoughts/opinions/advice.
(long-time lurker, first-time poster)

 

[Electric88]

I'd swap the controller with a PID. Replace heating element if necessary.

 

[chopsaw]

If you had glowing hot metal on the inside the insulation must have been on fire . Are you talking about the side walls ? You have more trouble than just replacing a controller . Be careful . Sounds like you got back just in time .

 

[radioguy]

It's unsafe as it sits. You can rewire and make it safe with a PID, if you are up to the task. If not get a pellet grille, this one owes you nothing after 6 years.

RG

 

[smokerjim]

if worst comes to worst and you can't fix it it will still make a good cold smoker.

 

[Alan Schwabe]

If you had glowing hot metal on the inside the insulation must have been on fire . Are you talking about the side walls ? You have more trouble than just replacing a controller . Be careful . Sounds like you got back just in time .

The racks were glowing. There wasn't really much smoke. I was surprised nothing in the smoker stopped it and it didn't trip the breaker. My guardian angels working overtime that day.

 

[Alan Schwabe]

It's unsafe as it sits. You can rewire and make it safe with a PID, if you are up to the task. If not get a pellet grille, this one owes you nothing after 6 years.

RG

The box itself is still in good shape (always covered when not in use). I'd like to keep
using it in some form.... Just don't know if I want to tear it down to replace insulation...

 

[chopsaw]

The racks were glowing.

Sounds like you got very lucky . For me , at this point the only electronics I would trust is the heating element . You could buy an Auber controller , wire the cord directly to the element and plug it into the Auber . That way every thing else is not in use . Therm , limit switch , wiring and circuit boards all taken out of operation .

 

[Alan Schwabe]

Sounds like you got very lucky . For me , at this point the only electronics I would trust is the heating element . You could buy an Auber controller , wire the cord directly to the element and plug it into the Auber . That way every thing else is not in use . Therm , limit switch , wiring and circuit boards all taken out of operation .

Thanks. It looks like my way forward is to get a controller, take the original wiring/electronics out of the picture, and motor on.

Thanks everybody!