MES 30" vs 40" - cast your vote!

[Bearcarver]

 
What about the AMPS fit in the 40?

As for where---They're all different:

Gen #1 MES 30 & MES 40 goes on the bars to left of chip burner assembly.

Ge #2 gets the water pan removed & it goes over the hole left by the water pan.

Ge #2.5-----Not sure where yet. Maybe on top of the water pan (No water of course!!), or if need be, on the bottom grill rack. 

Bear

 
Bear... how much better is the yield of beef sticks and other items in the 40?

I can't really say on the Beef Sticks----All I really cared about was getting 10 pounds in (my normal batch), and I can get that in, without using the bottom rack, with room to spare.

I don't have to cut rib racks in half, or a normal Brisket, and a whole lot of times I can get everything I want to smoke on one rack instead of two, or on two racks instead of three. This makes my Dishwasher very happy!!

Bear

 

[loweyj]

Thanks for the reply Bear,

Another question would be how many 8# butts could a person do in the SS 1200w MES40? I could do 6 in my old Broil Master Vertical propane unit with out any issues. Could the 40mes handle 6 or 8, or would the unit not be able to get up to temp properly?

I now see HomeDepot.ca  have the Gen1 SS MES 40 in stock, so that may be the way to go.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Thanks for the reply Bear,

Another question would be how many 8# butts could a person do in the SS 1200w MES40? I could do 6 in my old Broil Master Vertical propane unit with out any issues. Could the 40mes handle 6 or 8, or would the unit not be able to get up to temp properly?

I now see HomeDepot.ca  have the Gen1 SS MES 40 in stock, so that may be the way to go.

I never do a lot of meat at once, however I wouldn't be afraid to do 6 Butts @ 8 LBS each in an MES 40.

I wouldn't want to put 3 on one rack, because of blocking heat & air flow throughout the smoker, and I never use the bottom rack, because it's too close to the heating element. IMHO

I would also run it at least at 260°, because that's a lot of cold meat mass to fight back against, especially in the first few hours.

Bear

 

[daricksta]

 
What about the AMPS fit in the 40?

Bearcarver or Todd Johnson can answer the question of AMNPS placement in whatever generation MES 40 you have. If you don't get an answer here I suggest you PM either or both. You will get a response from both. The AMNPS has to be placed in a different spot in the newer gens.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Bearcarver or Todd Johnson can answer the question of AMNPS placement in whatever generation MES 40 you have. If you don't get an answer here I suggest you PM either or both. You will get a response from both. The AMNPS has to be placed in a different spot in the newer gens.

Answered above in Post #41.

However since that we found out there's plenty of room on the bottom left in the Gen #2.5. I'd try that first.

Bear

 

[daricksta]

 
Answered above in Post #41.

However since that we found out there's plenty of room on the bottom left in the Gen #2.5. I'd try that first.

Bear

I once had an aunt with the following life philosophy I still subscribe to: "I never look back!"

 

[Bearcarver]

Bump for more MES owners.

Which one do you prefer?

Bear

 

[garyweingarten]

The MES 30 is the one I received as a gift.  It does a great job for me.  So, that's the one I voted for.  If it dies, I will study the market at that time and get the smoker that best suits my needs.  I am retired and normally only smoke for my wife and me, so capacity doesn't matter.

 

[daricksta]

Can I vote twice? The first time I voted my druthers and a MES 40. But I own the MES 30 Gen 1 and even though I'd love a wider, deeper, taller smoker I prefer it for the price because it's a great value for an entry level smoker.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Can I vote twice? The first time I voted my druthers and a MES 40. But I own the MES 30 Gen 1 and even though I'd love a wider, deeper, taller smoker I prefer it for the price because it's a great value for an entry level smoker.

LOL----Prefer = Druthers. You voted right.

This is payback from the other Poll where we all voted MES 30, and couldn't vote again when we got the MES 40s.

Bear

 

[esteff001]

Heating elemental not
Heating, please any ideas? I have power at the input to the element. I get voltage from the ground screw to each side... am I missing something or do I just have a bad element? Sucks because I've only used it 5 times

 

[Bearcarver]

Heating elemental not
Heating, please any ideas? I have power at the input to the element. I get voltage from the ground screw to each side... am I missing something or do I just have a bad element? Sucks because I've only used it 5 times

This may sound like a strange question, but did you set your time?

It won't start until you set your time for whatever.

Bear

 

[Bearcarver]

Heating elemental not
Heating, please any ideas? I have power at the input to the element. I get voltage from the ground screw to each side... am I missing something or do I just have a bad element? Sucks because I've only used it 5 times

Did you find out what the problem was???

Bear

 

[daricksta]

 
@Bearcarver  is spot on. I love my 30" but I would replace it with a 40" if I had the money.

I know this comment is over a month old but I feel the same exact way. But Bmaddox, for the price, what other electric smoker could produce the outstanding Q the MES 30 Gen 1 (which I own) does?

 

[bdskelly]

Foatty with the 1200 watt element.  Because when the kids come over on Sunday and bring their kids... I need the extra cooking space. b

 

[rob sicc]

Where do the results of the voting get displayed?

 

[mummel]

Page 1 at the top!

 

[rob sicc]

 
Page 1 at the top!

Thanks.  i finally found it

 

[chef jimmyj]

I have 2 Gen 1 MES40's...Of course I met Bearcarver before the purchase and was warned to go bigger and All Stainless Steel...JJ

 

[bdskelly]

 
I have 2 Gen 1 MES40's...Of course I met Bearcarver before the purchase and was warned to go bigger and All Stainless Steel...JJ

I think Bear has forgotten more about MES and AMPS units than most of us know. He is a trusted source on both. b