MES Cold Smoker Broke...

[raselkirk]

Hi All,

One of the leads burned off the element, tried to buy a new box and they're out-of-stock everywhere. Then I got to thinking - can I replace the element? I've not been able to find anything specifically for this smoke box and don't think MES even sells parts for it. I'm pretty good at hacking stuff, does anyone know about what wattage this little "U x L" shaped element is? That's in "U" shaped, with the legs bent 90° into an "L", about 4 1/2" long.

Thanks!

Russ

 

[dr k]

Is it 150 watts? Im not sure if soldering the wire directly to the conductor is too close to melt the solder while in use. Weld a new male spade to it and get high heat lugs.

 

[Braz]

Toss the thing in the trash and get an Amaze-N pellet tray and do the mailbox mod. You'll thank me later.

 

[raselkirk]

Toss the thing in the trash and get an Amaze-N pellet tray and do the mailbox mod. You'll thank me later.

Tell me more, I'm all ears!

Is it 150 watts? Im not sure if soldering the wire directly to the conductor is too close to melt the solder while in use. Weld a new male spade to it and get high heat lugs.

Solder = NFG, I hadn't thought of welding on a spade. Will give it a shot tomorrow.

Russ

 

[Braz]

Tell me more, I'm all ears!

Do a search on "mailbox mod" and about a million posts will come up. Here's one to get you started.

How to Build a Mailbox Mod for an MES Smoker (pic heavy)

I searched around high and low and couldn't find a tutorial on how to build a mailbox mod - even there there are lots of photos of everyone's mailbox mod (and you have to piece all of them together to figure out how to build one. Yeah, they're pretty simple, but I thought I'd try and put...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

For the pellet tray go here: www.amazenproducts.com

 

[smokerjim]

Toss the thing in the trash and get an Amaze-N pellet tray and do the mailbox mod. You'll thank me later.

what braz said

 

[Dumprdog]

Home Depot and Lowes just got some MB slow smoker units in recently. I know this because I bought one online. Dicks Sporting Goods also has one left, they will match price and ship to home for free except a $5 oversize fee added. That is, if you're still interested. $53 at HD, $67 at L

 

[Khrakk]

Same thing happened to me. I searched all over, but the Masterbuilt cold smoking attachment looked like it was discontinued. They actually renamed it to the slow smoker. I ordered a new one 6 months ago, but never got it out of the box. During my search for the cold smoker, this forum pointed me to the Amazn Smoking tube. After trying the tube, I like it better. It generates just as smoke and once you light it, it requires no maintenance. No need to check it to ensure the chips are feeding down the chimney.

Search for the Masterbuilt Slow Smoker or check out the Amazn Smoking tube.

Good luck.

 

[raselkirk]

Toss the thing in the trash and get an Amaze-N pellet tray and do the mailbox mod. You'll thank me later.

Gawd, I love this forum! I looked at a couple vids and decided to get started. Got the box, a pair of elbows, and a sack of hickory pellets. Should get 'er done the next few days, still need to order the 5" x 8" tray...

What are your thoughts on venting the box? Some do, some say enough air gets in through the mounting holes.

Thanks!

Russ

 

[Winterrider]

My box I drilled 1" hold in top front, and 2 - 1" holes on bottom. Can tape up 1 on bottom if find out burning to quickly. Search daveomak mailbox mod.

Edit: also if going to use tray in box, use some type of elevated legs for air circulation.

 

[Braz]

Here's mine. Upper vent holes are 5/8" dia. The lower holes are (4 of them) are also 5/8. I swiped the vent control off the top of the smoker since it always runs wide open anyway. In the other pic you can see the legs (bolts) I added to the pellet tray.

 

[daveomak]

You can solder directly to the stub sticking out.... It's doesn't get hot... Heat is not generated directly at the point of connection.... If you do that, it will not fail.... as the connector is tight and no room for corrosion.... If that part is inside the smoker body, use bare wire and slip fiberglass electrical repair insulation and slip over the wire... it's a "tube shape" fiberglass insulation.... and roll fiberglass tape to protect the wiring....

 

[raselkirk]

My box I drilled 1" hold in top front, and 2 - 1" holes on bottom. Can tape up 1 on bottom if find out burning to quickly. Search daveomak mailbox mod.

Edit: also if going to use tray in box, use some type of elevated legs for air circulation.

I'm 2/3 through this 15 page monster thread, I'll do mine like Dave's - couple holes in the bottom of the door & one towards the top. Luckily I had time to cancel the tray and order the tube!

Russ

 

[Winterrider]

The trays work in there fine also. You can get a longer burn time with the tray. Anyhow , hope it works for you.

 

[raselkirk]

The trays work in there fine also. You can get a longer burn time with the tray. Anyhow , hope it works for you.

I got nervous reading about all the trouble people were having keeping their trays lit, seems nobody has any issues with the tube...

Russ

 

[Winterrider]

I think they were having more of an issue keeping the trays going inside the smoker. I know I did that is my reasoning going with the mod. Had no trouble keeping tube going inside smoker. Tube will serve you well also.

 

[raselkirk]

Q about removing the guts of the MES, does this have any negative effect on the lifespan of the element? Thinking about fat drips and flare-ups too. Have seen this asked in "the thread", but not answered?

Russ

 

[Lonzinomaker]

Try the mailbox without drilling the holes first. I never had to drill any extra holes or elevate tray on legs. I did make a 8 in chimney to put on the exhaust port of the smoker that helped the draft.