Dwayne&Heidi
Newbie
- Sep 4, 2020
- 11
- 3
Thank u for the great picsI have a new MES 30 It has what u call the split level water pan as well
Thank u for the great picsI have a new MES 30 It has what u call the split level water pan as well
I have a new MES 30 It has what u call the split level water pan as well
How bad is MES 40 gen2 ? I just bought one for $60 on craigslist! I haven't used it yet, I just turned on to see if it would get to 275*. So does removing the drip and water pan make a difference? Any solution to the backdraft vent problem?View attachment 468148 View attachment 468147
I never used one , but that is my thought exactly . Bore a new top vent , change the drip plate and add a pid . You'd have an awesome smoker for under 250 bucks .If I was going to use it, I would Scrap the Slanted Drip Plate & the small hanging water pan. Then I'd put the bottom rack in & put a regular oval water pan in the center of that rack. Then I would put another top vent in the top left back corner, just like the Gen #2.5 is. Then I would treat it exactly like I use my Gen #2.5 MES 40.
I found a free Gen 1 30 in great condition on FB Marketplace. Wouldn't heat but I could hear the relay on the bottom pcb board click closed and element lugs were good so I figured the round over temp switch was the problem. No access to it on the back of the smoker so used a dremel cut off wheel to access it. The thermal sensor lugs were cooroded and one disintegrated so I stripped the wires and bypassed the sensor with a wire nut. Plugged it in and started heating. Paired my rf remote to the Mes 30 controller (spare parts) and used it the second half of the summer for small smokes. Removed all the metal chip housing and set the chip pan on the element to burn chunks. Used the Gen 1 40 and PID on everything else. My therm has a range alarm for the pit so that's my safety alert if it gets too high or low. Since you have the PID and mailbox mod and they are out of your smoker you may find one on Marketplace nearby. Unless yours is on it's way and now sold out. I did make a power cord with high heat lugs and stripped the ground wire to wrap around one of the element access screws to ground the chassis for a direct connect to the element for testing the element for trouble shooting if your tripping a gfci or if the thermal switch fails during a smoke to finish in the smoker when you have a PID. I used it to test the element right off the bat and it was heating so I just had to go to the thermal switch next and found the issue. No more brand new Mes for me. People are having a hell of a time with warranty claims with no phone help or email replies. The MB page on FB and messenging is the best and only option to reach MB.Wow, I'm so excited to see this thread. Yesterday I just ordered the MES 40 Gen 2.5+ from Masterbuilt. It was only $179 + shipping. Unfortunately when I look today it seems it's sold out.
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Smokers
Masterbuilt makes innovative digital charcoal grills, griddles, electric smokers, propane smokers, combination grill & smokers, fryers and more. For the backyard griller or on-the-go meat smoker, master the art of cooking with Masterbuilt.www.masterbuilt.com
However, they do have the newer versions on sale:
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Adventure Series 40 inch Bluetooth® Digital Electric Smoker
When given the right tools, anything can be mastered. Designed specifically with the barbecue enthusiast in mind, the Adventure Series 40-inch Bluetooth® Digital Electric Smoker features innovation ready to handle any adventure. Perfect slow-smoked flavor with five different smoke settings...www.masterbuilt.com
Anyway, I am so happy to find out that the version I bought is the good one.
I have had an MES 30 Gen 1 for about 5 years now, and I've loved it, until the LEDs started to burn out. I almost bought a new control unit, but after finding SMF and lurking here for a few weeks I decided to get the Auber WiFi PID controller and now I'm deep into researching all the great MES mods.
I just did a Mailbox Mod last week with the AMNPS and am pretty pleased with that, although I want to get more smoke flavor so I will be tinkering with this setup.
Anyhow, I wanted to thank the guys here like Bearcarver, dr k, daveomak, tallbm, SonnyE, johnmeyer, and anyone I may have missed for such great advice on modifying these MES boxes.
Since you have the PID and mailbox mod and they are out of your smoker you may find one on Marketplace nearby. Unless yours is on it's way and now sold out.
Hey dr k,
Sorry my post was a little confusing. I was able to order the MES 40 smoker. I wanted to share the deal with everyone on the forums, but was dissapointed it was already sold out. So I will now have two smokers, my Gen 1 MES 30 and my Gen 2.5+? MES 40.
My MES 30 now has the Auber and Mailbox mod. I think I might use that one for traveling with my camper trailer. And I think I'll use the MES 40 at home. I'm excited to try out this bigger MES 40 box and smoke a whole brisket, rather than cutting it in half. Also might try the popcorn tin version of the mailbox mod for that one. I think I'll keep the Masterbuilt controller on it until it poops out too.
I told my husband about this, but he is concerned about the food dripping on that metal shielid that covers the heating elementAn alum disposable pan on the bottom rack will be better than that slant drip tray that blocks heat on the left and right side of the smoker, making heat only rise against the back wall and door. If you have an alum baking sheet 11x15 from the dollar tree you can slide it left and right on the bottom rack a fulll/half rung to even temps left to right.
I told my husband about this, but he is concerned about the food dripping on that metal shielid that covers the heating element
People cover the top of the chip housing roof with alum foil so tear it off when build up from burnt on drips gets heavy and replace with new foil. Most co er every flat surface that can be dripped on for easy clean up to eliminate vaporizing grease smoke.I told my husband about this, but he is concerned about the food dripping on that metal shielid that covers the heating element
I sent you a PM with links to some threads on cleaning mold from an electric smoker .got left outside all winter and rusted out and full of mold.
I have what I would have to assume is a MES 30 Gen 2.5 based on your pictures. It has the controller on the top center with the little shade cover over it and the drip pan that pulls out from the bottom center on the front of the unit. I love this thing compared to the newer "Pro 30" unit that I bought to replace it as it got left outside all winter and rusted out and full of mold. I regret buying this newer unit and need to try and find a way to properly clean and salvage my old one. It's just crazy to me how much better of a product older stuff seems to be and how much worse and cheaper the new stuff is.