MES 30" question

[maverick]

I've read a few posts on here concerning the MES not turning the wood chips to ash in the chip tray. My question is - should my chips be turning to ash, or is having the chips just turn black (basically charcoal) ok?

 

[mythmaster]

Mine turn to ash. As long as you're getting smoke you're fine.

 

[ronp]

White ash.

 

[hannibal]

Mine turn to ash for the most part. I do from time to time have some chips that are just burnt a bit.

Try not using so much, so quickly. About a cup each time and give it time to burn before adding more.

 

[maverick]

I have the new-style MES with the smaller chip loader/chip tray, so I think a cup of chips would be overkill. I will pay a little closer attention to it the next time I use it, but I remember only putting a few chips in (probably 1/3 of the chip loader full) and letting it go for 45 minutes, and not winding up with ash.

But, I did get some smoke out of it, so maybe I just need to empty the tray every now and then, and quit worrying about it.

 

[Bearcarver]

Good luck with that model.
I even took the drawer out of that model, and put the chips right on the piece of metal that is between the element and the drawer, and still only got it to turn the chips black (no smoke to speak of), but we only ran it up to 230˚---LOL

It went back to Cabela's, and an MES 40 followed my son home on the way back.

That one works great, as does my older model MES 30.


Bearcarver

 

[bobbygee]

I got the newer model and had the same issue.You need to leave the vent open for more air flow.I wish they didnt reduce the loader and holder capicity but you do get smoke and you will get white ash.I have no idea why the manufacturer changed the chip capicity but it does work.

 

[Bearcarver]

I don't have that model, but I had bought one for my son (he took it back & got an MES40), but if you're talking about the exhaust vent----We had it wide open. If you're talking about any other vent----What vent would that be????
Like I said, it doesn't really matter to me----just wondering.


Bearcarver

 

[bobbygee]

BC-the exhaust vent.I'm thinking your sons heating element was probably faulty.

 

[Bearcarver]

Yeah, Me too.
It all worked out in the end. Cabela's took it back (even though it sat in the box since Christmas----4 months), and he bought the MES40. He loves it! Got no satisfaction whatsoever from the two different girls that answered the phone at Masterbuilt. It appears Cabela's backs Masterbuilt's product better than Masterbuilt does.


BC

 

[bobbygee]

Yeah,I read that link you gave me in the other thread.I cant believe they tried using the extension cord as an excuse!

Sounded like they were looking for any reason not to honor there warranty.

 

[Bearcarver]

Not really, it didn't seem like they were trying to avoid the warranty. I said good-bye to the first girl, because she was giving me stupid answers. Then I called back in a couple minutes. The one that answered the second time sounded exactly like the one that answered the first time, but with a different name. It really didn't matter if it was the same girl (giving me a different name) or a different girl. I think she/they were both blondes. It seemed they/she had a list (short) of answers to any problems. The "You can't use an extension cord (no matter what gage)" answer would go for anything from "door seals leaking" to "paint chipped on left side of top surface" to "one of the feet is missing". Yup, that would be the old extension cord use excuse.

I asked her if she ever even saw one of these smokers. She said, "Yea, there's one in our showroom".

Bearcarver

 

[figure8]

I finally got the chips to burn by heating the unit up to 270' and then putting the chips in dry and getting them smoking good before putting in the meat. If I smoke at 250' or higher the wood will burn to white ash. Phil

 

[Bearcarver]

That isn't the way it's supposed to work. I'd see about taking it back. You can call Masterbuilt, but hope you get somebody with a brain. Cabela's took my son's back.


BC

 

[bobbygee]

Well I spoke to soon and am having the same issue BC son had...I thought I had it figured out by leaving the vent wide open, but I had a hard time producing smoke today.I have the 30" w/ window and probe and getting the chips to smoke is just about impossible unless the heat is cranked way up,around 250.Which is too hot for most smoking.Not sure what the problem is..could be bad element or bad design.What dont make sense is that the internal temp was reading 225 and was cycling on and off.Oh well..I was siked i got it for 174 at home depot.com. I'll returning mine to home depot and spending the extra cash and get the 40".

 

[Bearcarver]

Great-----The MES40 my son got has the full sized chip drawer, like my older model MES30. Works GREAT! You're gonna love it.

BC

 

[smitty20]

Just seasoned my new MES. Only put the chips in for the last 45 minutes.  Had ALOT of smoke.  Looked at the chips, a few on the top were turning to ash, while most were black.  But again, that was only 45 minutes, and I didnt do any soaking.

Also, mine came with the vent damper missing.  I'm going to call masterbuilt tomorrow, but I should be good this weekend without the damper, right?  Sounds as if most people run it with it wide open anyway.

Planning on a butt on Saturday, and some chicken on Sunday. :)

 

[Bearcarver]

Smitty,

You were seasoning at a very high temp. Being able to produce smoke at 230˚ & 250˚, and being able to produce smoke at 140˚ or 160˚ are two different things.

Is the whole thing missing?

Having the 4 little holes wide open, and having the whole thing missing is also two different things. You could just lay something (metal) over the vent hole to cut it down a bit, until you get the parts.

Bearcarver

 

[smitty20]

True.  I will get a better feel for how much smoke is coming through this weekend.  TBS, right? ;)

Just the top part of the damper is missing, so I can see the 4 holes.  I should be fine, right?
 

Smitty,

You were seasoning at a very high temp. Being able to produce smoke at 230˚ & 250˚, and being able to produce smoke at 140˚ or 160˚ are two different things.

Is the whole thing missing?

Having the 4 little holes wide open, and having the whole thing missing is also two different things. You could just lay something (metal) over the vent hole to cut it down a bit, until you get the parts.

Bearcarver

 

[Bearcarver]

Oh Ok----It's not a big gaping hole. It's just like it would be if it was there, but opened all the way-----You're in good shape.
[h1]One last thing----Don't forget the Qview !!!!!   

[/h1]
BC