The low temp. connectors work if you remove the plastic and wrap with fiberglass electrical tape....
Exactly! I have only used my MES with an appliance extension cord (at least 1875 watts and under 8 ft.) I have never used my MES without an appliance cord. Damn things aren't long enough!
Hi, it only makes good sense to have good grounded cables on both or either or the extension cord or smoker cord. It is essential to have the receptacles wired with the right polarity.
You are right as far as I know about the construction of high temperature connectors The typically are made of copper coated in nickel steel. Normal connectors with nylon insulators are only good to something in the 300 degree range the non insulated approach 900 degree's The big box stores sell the low temperature connectors rather cheaply at about .10 or .15 cents each where as the non insulated are not available at the box stores and are harder to find and are .50 each. Another case of you get what you pay for. Jted
Butchtc, I will have to disagree with you on the voltage drop of a 12AWG cord out to 250 feet not having voltage drop. At 250 feet your voltage drop with a 6.6 amp load(800 watts) is 5.29 volts or 4.41%.
I have often read threads about not using an extension cord on these electric smokers Masterbuilt or not. The truth of the matter is if you use an extension cord, as I always have without issue, it has to be at least made from 12 Gauge wire or heavier, i.e. 10 Gauge or 8 Gauge and you'll be just fine. Residential wiring that supplies 120 volts to all your receptacles in your house are wired with AWG-12/2 w/ground to handle 15 amp circuits and there is no problem there. Inexpensive extension cords that are made from #14 or #16 gauge wire are too light creating an elevated level of resistance and that could pop breakers, but could also very easily burn up the 800 - 1500 watt heating elements found in these smokers due to voltage and or amperage starvation, for lack of better words. Think of it like a water pipe, if you have a big pipe running into a smaller pipe water flow slows. Your electric smoker can't tell that it's plugged into your house receptacle or a 12 gauge (or heavier) extension cord...no difference. Note: You can run a 12 Gauge extension cord out to 250 feet in length without a voltage drop, longer than that you must go to a 10 or 8 Gauge extension cord, but those get fairly pricey. Hope this helps and sorry for rambling.
Butchtc
Arnold, Missouri