New guy here

[smokinjjj]

I recently decided to try my hand at smoking meat.  I first bought a vertical charcoal smoker and used it a couple times.  The meat came out great, but I found I would get busy and forget to check the temps.  On top of that my wife started coming up with so many ideas for stuff to smoke that we decided we needed something bigger and easier.  To the internet I went in search of information, and that is when I stumbled upon this great site.  I've been lurking around for a couple of weeks reading all the great info and drooling over everyone's wonderful results.  

Well today I took the leap and went to SAMS and bought me the MES 40.  I've got it out seasoning right now and can't wait to smoke some meat in it this weekend.  I look forward to sharing my results and learning with the advice of everyone here.  Thanks Ya'll.

 

[jrod62]

Welcome to SMF .
Can never have enough smokers :grilling_smilie:

 

[indyadmin1974]

Welcome to SMF!  Loads of folks have the MES 40 so you'll find plenty of help.  Don't be afraid to search the forum and ask questions.

 

[s2k9k]

 to SMF!!! Glad you found us! You will find a lot of great people here with a lot of great advise and experience. I don't use an electric but there are a lot of people here that do and the MES is probably one of the most popular so there is a lot of info here on getting the most out of it. There is a free 5 day E-course that you can take that is really good and will really help you on your journey:

http://www.smoking-meat.com/smoking-basics-ecourse.html

Happy Smoking!

 

[scarbelly]

Hello and 

 top SMF - glad to have you here - do yourself a favor and pick up one of the AMNPS units and an ET73 temp unit. One of our members sells both and it will help you improve your smokes a lot

www.amazenproducts.com/

 

[smokinhusker]

Hello and welcome to SMF! Scarbelly is correct in recommending the thermometers and the A-MAZE-N smoker products.

I own an MES 40 and love it. First thing to do is check the actual cabinet temperature to the set thermometer. Depending on what temp I am smoking at, it runs anywhere from 5* to 25* cooler in the cabinet than what I have it set for.

It produces great smoke at temps above 200*, not so good at the lower temps, hence the A-MAZE-N smokers. It is wonderful for cold smoking cheese, sea salt, etc (no heat and using the A-MAZE-N smoker) and I make lots of jerky, snack sticks, summer sausage at the lower temps.

Hopefully you will enjoy yours as much as I do!

 

[smokinjjj]

Thanks everyone for the welcome.  Just finished the seasoning of my smoker and got it all cleaned up.  Now I can't wait for this weekend to do some smoking.  Just have to figure out what I want to try first...lol.  

I am definitely going to order one of those AMNPS units and the temp unit too when I can afford it.  Honestly never really considered cold smoking before, but now my interest is peaked so I'll have to give it a try.  I do love a good smoked cheese.