New MES 40, Pellets vs Chips? Thermometer vs probe?

[Net Loss]

Hey,

Just saying hi for the first time on this forum. I've been reading for a couple short weeks, and decided to Purchase a Sams club MES40. Having never smoked anything before, i set out for information and landed here. So far, i've tried a pork shoulder, Baby Back Ribs and a few packs of Bratwurst. While my results have been mostly decent, i really have not hit my "Stride". My CharGriller Akorn is still out performing my MES. Aside from continued practice, i would like to get one of the A-MAZE-N smoker Tubes or Trays but don't know which one to get. I am also going to place an order for some of Jeff's Rub/Products and additional Pellets.

Do i buy the pellet tube or tray?
I will buy from A-Maze-N's website initially, but is there another preferred on-site vender or resource?
Aside from Jeff's Rub, is there any other go to Rubs for you? Do you make your own or purchase?


I appreciate all the help, i'm still very new to smoking meat and appreciate your patience. Please let me know if i'm missing something or if this is in the right forum.

Trevor.

 

[Nutshell]

Congrats on your purchase. I have the MES 40 as well and love it. While the MES is a great unit, it does have its shortcomings. To start...smoke generation. I have an AMNPS tray and love it. After 2-3 times smoking and putting chips in every 30 minutes or so is for the birds. Fill the AMNPS, light it, let it go out and your off. 10 hours of smoke for a full try...no refill needed.

Second...temp control. I found the factory controller to be very inaccurate...like 15 degrees. To fix this I bought an AUBER PID controller. It's pricey (more than the smoker) but so worth it. A 10 minute wiring modification to the smoker and your off. It's WiFi as well so you can run it from your phone.
https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_28&products_id=702

I'm sure others will chime in. Good luck!

 

[Bearcarver]

I would recommend you get your Amazing from "Todd @ Amazing Smoker", and for an MES the Tray "AMNPS" is best.
The Tube was designed for larger smokers & for Gassers, as it puts out more smoke than you want in an MES.
If your smoke is too thick (Heavy), you can end up with a nasty creosote taste.
Note: A light smoke for many hours is Good, but a Heavy Smoke for even a short time can be Bad.

If you get the Tray from Todd at Amazing, just get enough Pellets & Dust to get you to $50, to get FREE shipping.
Note: Todd sells Maverick Wireless Therms too, like my favorite ET-732.

Also Below are some things you might be interested in reading:
Masterbuilt Smokers (Bear's Thoughts & Findings)
MES Generation Number Recognition Pictures & Pics (Digital Units)
Avoid Temp Swings in MES

And:
Check Out Bear's Easy to Follow Step by Step Index Page.
Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps"


Bear

 

[normanaj]

You'll hit your stride,just takes a little time.

There are two essential things I've found that are indispensable when comes to the MES:
First is the Amazen smoker,I personally like the tube over the tray.I love intense smoke.

Second is a dual probe thermometer,I use a basic ThermoPro TP-08.One probe for food and one for chamber temp.

 

[dr k]

I have the Red Akorn and it is great. I got the Mes 40 Gen 1 and the Amnps tray and now occasionally use the Akorn since everything is assembled in layers like a WSM. I prefer the door than stacking and the mailbox mod is great. Since the Akorn has the removable bottom ash pan and is completely open you can put the Amnps on the coal grate for cold smoking with great air flow for the pellets with the top vent wide open. I also did the PID controller because 260 was my max Mes temp empty and lower with food inside so I can now get the temps below 300° I want. If I want higher temps, then the Akorn is the way to go.

 

[Net Loss]

Good Evening All,,

Thanks for the quick response as well as the post move by an admin. I do apologize as i'm very green and didn't mean to post this in the wrong section... Thanks!

I will absolutely order everything from Todds site, as i'd rather go direct than through a distributor. i think i am leaning towards a tray, ( I think they offer two sizes, and i'm not sure of fitment... guess i'll measure accordingly.) I like the idea of a longer smoke time than a tube, and am not a fan of "over smoked" food.

As for Thermostat, i tested my cheap Char Broil instant read thermometer https://www.charbroil.com/instant-read-digital-temp-gauge and have foundt it to be 1-2 degrees low on boiling water and 1 degree above on frozen water. so while inaccurate, it is well within reason of my cooking ability. my "probe" on the MES has seemed to be more accurate to real temps than my charbroil thermometer. I wouldn't mind buying a real temperature station, but i feel like i need to justify it first. Has anybody had an MES that is accurate? All i seem to read about is inaccurate models.

I bought Jeff's Rub Recipe last night and look forward to trying it out, and in the meantime have ordered a few Traeger rubs, per a neighbors advice.

Until i order/get a smoke tray through Todd, i Grilled/smoked some chicken for 1 hour 10 mins tonight on the Akorn and it turned out great. temps got a bit hot but it tasted great.
Thanks for all the help!

 

[GaryHibbert]

I've had a MES 30 for years and love it.
That said, I would definitely recommend both the pellet tray and a remote 2 probe dugital therm. Now John (Bearcarver) will dispute me on this but I would look seriously at the mailbox mod for the tray. John, unlike me, has great luck keeping the tray burning inside his MES.
The Maverick 732 is a great therm, but the 733 is a PIA to ooerate.
Gary

 

[mike243]

In all honesty the cook chamber temp will not affect the taste of your food in my opinion but will determine how long it stays in there till its done,food temps need to be less than 5 degree on accuracy for best results but there's been a lot of food cooked by folks who never had a thermometer,more ways than 1 to skin a cat and don't think you have to have a lot of $$$ to make great BBQ

 

[Bearcarver]

I've had a MES 30 for years and love it.
That said, I would definitely recommend both the pellet tray and a remote 2 probe dugital therm. Now John (Bearcarver) will dispute me on this but I would look seriously at the mailbox mod for the tray. John, unlike me, has great luck keeping the tray burning inside his MES.
The Maverick 732 is a great therm, but the 733 is a PIA to ooerate.
Gary

Gary,
I have no problem with people using a Mailbox Mod.
I just feel that people should try putting their AMNPS in their MES a few times, and give it a chance to do it's job, without the hassle of dealing with extra parts & room needed. All 3 of my MES units have worked fine for 8 years just by putting the AMNPS inside them.
People are telling them to build an MB Mod before they even acquire their MES, and I think they should at least try it without first.

And I have the same feeling as you have on the Mavericks.

Bear

 

[TomKnollRFV]

I got a MES 140s and I have had zero issues with keeping my 5x8 Tray going. I just open the top vent most of the way, and leave the side chip loader tray out.

As for the chips vs pellets? Well, I do both. If some thing only takes 4-5 hours at a temp in which chips light, I'll just use chips. But the MES will -not- really light chips under 200f or so. So for smoking sausage etc <and cold smoking> It just won't work. Thats when the Amazen tray is out and working.

My Amazen Tray also comes out for over night cooks; I like to start things around midnight and check it before bed to verify she's still going..then I go to bed.

AS For the size of the tray, get the 5x8, it'll fit into the MES just fine, IIRC it's that the smaller tray doesn't do pellets, just the dust. Where as the 5x8 does pellets and dust...

Oh and MES 140s is accurate within 2 degrees. I can set it for 240f, and after it heats up, the variance is within 2 degrees, and thats probably due to the fact I have the top vent open and the chip loader tray pulled out for my Pellet Tray. Even the built in probe is accurate enough I can go by it as a third probe.

Frankly I don't see the point of the mail box mod at all unless you want more clutter and hassle to get IMO the same thing. It might make reloading a tad easier, but I also have to screw around attaching ducting to my MES and dissassemble it and coil it etc for storage. I can also just quickly open my MES, take out the spent Pellet Tray, spray it off quick to ensure no embers are left, refill, blow torch it for 30 seconds, and put it back in. Results may vary, but try it with out a mail box mod first, you might be like John and have an inbuilt knack for not needing a mod to use it ;)

 

[daveomak]

The mail box mod is a valuable tool when you start cold smoking... Cheese... Bacon..... Fish.....

 

[daveomak]

If your smoker gets too warm, this could happen....

 

[Net Loss]

Good Afternoon Everyone, Just following up on this post.

I now have the recipe for Dave's Rub, and was able to get Amazn Smoke tray ordered along with enough pellets for awhile. Now i sit and wait.... or put some chicken in the akorn smoker.

Looking for some suggestions on where to order or get pellets from regularly. Is the best source Amazen Products or is there another preferred vendor?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Lonzinomaker]

I agree with daveomak. I melted several batches of cheese with tray inside the MES. Haven't melted any since doing the mailbox mod.

 

[Bearcarver]

I agree with daveomak. I melted several batches of cheese with tray inside the MES. Haven't melted any since doing the mailbox mod.

I use Dust when Cold Smoking, and my cheese melts in my mouth, not in my Smoker:
A Jug of Frozen Water goes a long way in avoiding things like melting of cheese:

 

[GaryHibbert]

No sense arguing over which is better--mailbox mod or not. Its all a matter of personal preference. Some, like me, use THE AMNPS and mailbox ifor EVERY smoke so theres NO hassle with putting it awsy. Some like to interchange pellets and chips. Some have good luck putting the AMNPS inside the MES. To each his own. The only right answer is the one thst works for each individual.
Gary

 

[Bearcarver]

No sense arguing over which is better--mailbox mod or not. Its all a matter of personal preference. Some, like me, use THE AMNPS and mailbox ifor EVERY smoke so theres NO hassle with putting it awsy. Some like to interchange pellets and chips. Some have good luck putting the AMNPS inside the MES. To each his own. The only right answer is the one thst works for each individual.
Gary

Exactly,
That's why I think a Newby should be able to try it inside his new MES before people tell him to build the MB Mod.