MES 30 question... Help!

[txinndbbqer]

Hey all, this is actually my first post to this site. I've been reading for a while but never posted until now.  I just got my first smoker recently and have a question regarding the chip tray.  Ive smoked plenty before with dad, uncle, and friends, but never had my own until now.  It's a MES 30, and I'm preseasoning it as we speak.  When I was assembling it, I noticed the chip tray is actually touching the heating element.  Doesn't seem normal, but I've been wrong once before (wink). Smoking my first butt Sunday for the Super Bowl and wanted to get this figured out before I burn chips.  I've done a search, but didn't find any threads regarding this exact issue.  Any advice appreciated!

 

[daveomak]

TX, morning and welcome to the forum.....   When using the chip pan and chip chute, the best method for adding chips seems to be... add about 1/4 cup or less at one time... let them smolder until the smoke is all but gone, (about 30 min) then add another 1/4 cup or less.....  this will give you thin, blue smoke that does not make the meat/smoke taste bitter......   Chip pans, depending on the smoker, are usually on the elements or 1/32" above...   If the chips burst into flame, bend (adjust) the chip pan to be just above the element....    

If all that seems to be too much work, T Johnson has designed and built (for sale) the A-MAZIN-SMOKER.... It is made for MES and other electric smokers....  check this out....    /AMAZIN/.   They really work well....  I think they go on sale periodically ...   watch the forum for sales....    It will make your smoking experience enjoyable....    Dave