New MES Bluetooth Digital smoker

[madtownmonkey]

I did some ribs this weekend and a couple of small pork roasts. The third party probe was near the built in probe and they were off by less than 5 degrees most of the time. The food came out great. I was quite frustrated by the cold smoke attachment, when it  works it's great, but it clogged up so much, it needed a lot of baby sitting, which is exactly what I thought I wouldn't need to do.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
I did some ribs this weekend and a couple of small pork roasts. The third party probe was near the built in probe and they were off by less than 5 degrees most of the time. The food came out great. I was quite frustrated by the cold smoke attachment, when it  works it's great, but it clogged up so much, it needed a lot of baby sitting, which is exactly what I thought I wouldn't need to do.

I heard that about the Cold Smoker, but I have no personal experience with it.

Using an AMNPS, from Amazing Smoker makes Smoking so much easier. You might want to look into getting one.

Bear

 

[iamdmphil]

Well folks I hit the jackpot! After carefully searching and watching prices, the wifey and I just purchased the gen 2.5 40 inch from Sam's for $279 on an instant rebate weekend! My father in law is a member and all I have to do is pick it up this next Thursday and the smoking will begin!:yahoo:
Now to rack up with the AMNPS and the wireless therm. Only downside is that it's my weekend to work at the hospital next weekend....I guess Q 101 will come to those who wait.

David

 

[pilch]

Well done, sometimes it pays to wait.

Unfortunately I'm the impatient type and have to have it yesterday.

Waiting one more week will be nothing compared to all those smoke ups ahead of you,

Happy days,

Cheers from Down Under.

 

[candurin]

The only place I worry about the Smoker Temp is where the meat is.
If I'm only using one rack, it would be the 2nd rack from the top (in a 4 rack MES), which is usually the most consistent.

I stick the Smoker probe through that rack, so the point is about 2" to 3" below the rack, and about 2" to the left of the Meat.
That way it will be far enough away from the Cold meat at the start, yet close enough to measure the Temp near the meat.

My MES usually reads 15° lower than the actual Temp that my Maverick reads, so I adjust accordingly. The thing to do is adjust your MES to get your third party Therm to read the Temp you want the meat to be in. That's why you want your third party Sensor near the Meat.


Bear

I've been really slacking this year! First smoke (brisket) just went in an hour ago.

Now I have two ET-732's setup in the smoker.

BBQ temp on #1 is 228 (top shelf)
BBQ temp on #2 is 232 (3rd shelf)
Set point on smoker is 225 with brisket on 2nd shelf
MES is reporting as 225 degrees

Admittedly; never had temps that close. Very happy and it seems to get better with age (going on 2 years, if I recall).

 

[Bearcarver]

Well folks I hit the jackpot! After carefully searching and watching prices, the wifey and I just purchased the gen 2.5 40 inch from Sam's for $279 on an instant rebate weekend! My father in law is a member and all I have to do is pick it up this next Thursday and the smoking will begin!

Now to rack up with the AMNPS and the wireless therm. Only downside is that it's my weekend to work at the hospital next weekend....I guess Q 101 will come to those who wait.

David

Great Smoker & Great Price, David !!!

Sounds like you'll be good to go real soon.

In case you haven't already seen it, here's something that could help get you started:

Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

Bear

I've been really slacking this year! First smoke (brisket) just went in an hour ago.

Now I have two ET-732's setup in the smoker.

BBQ temp on #1 is 228 (top shelf)
BBQ temp on #2 is 232 (3rd shelf)
Set point on smoker is 225 with brisket on 2nd shelf
MES is reporting as 225 degrees

Admittedly; never had temps that close. Very happy and it seems to get better with age (going on 2 years, if I recall).

Great Numbers!!

Time to get Smoking!!

Bear

 

[ontherocks]

I just picked up a a 40in MES at Sam's with it being such a great deal; I also picked up a ET-733 and the Amazen Tray

.  During seasoning I placed the two probes on the 2nd tray from the top onee facing L and the other R.  I set the MES to 275 and during the seasoning the probe facing the right ranged from 304-334 and the probe facing the left ranged from 288-306.  Do these ranges seem right?  

The meat probe was always 10 degrees cooler than the left probe which was next to it.

Going forward I will just set the temp on the MES according to the 733 is this the correct way to handle the temp difference?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Bearcarver]

 
I just picked up a a 40in MES at Sam's with it being such a great deal; I also picked up a ET-733 and the Amazen Tray

.  During seasoning I placed the two probes on the 2nd tray from the top onee facing L and the other R.  I set the MES to 275 and during the seasoning the probe facing the right ranged from 304-334 and the probe facing the left ranged from 288-306.  Do these ranges seem right?  

The meat probe was always 10 degrees cooler than the left probe which was next to it.

Going forward I will just set the temp on the MES according to the 733 is this the correct way to handle the temp difference?

Thanks for any help!

Which Generation MES is it?

With the Gen #1 the right side is always hotter than the left, without adding any type of Heat deflector.

The Gen #2.5 is more balanced, due to moving the top vent from right to left.

Those high numbers you posted are usually just until it settles down.

I would like to see what happens if you put a probe on each side of the #2 rack, in an empty smoker, and take notes of the cycling highs & lows of each side at 15 minute intervals for a couple hours.

And like I said---Which MES Gen is it?

And "Yes that is exactly the correct way to handle the temp difference."

Bear

 

[ontherocks]

Which Generation MES is it?
With the Gen #1 the right side is always hotter than the left, without adding any type of Heat deflector.
The Gen #2.5 is more balanced, due to moving the top vent from right to left.

Those high numbers you posted are usually just until it settles down.

I would like to see what happens if you put a probe on each side of the #2 rack, in an empty smoker, and take notes of the cycling highs & lows of each side at 15 minute intervals for a couple hours.

And like I said---Which MES Gen is it?

And "Yes that is the exactly the correct way to handle the temp difference."

Bear

This is the 2.5 with bluetooth.

Those seemed to be constant ranges during the 4 hrs of seasoning the smoker empty. It was pretty constant basically everytime the element came on to bring the mes back to about 277 it would hit the top of the ranges and when it hit the bottom range it was at about 271. I did have the vent almost closed only open about 1/4 of the way.

Ill try again tonight when i get home and put the probes closer to the temp sensor

 

[Bearcarver]

This is the 2.5 with bluetooth.

Those seemed to be constant ranges during the 4 hrs of seasoning the smoker empty. It was pretty constant basically everytime the element came on to bring the mes back to about 277 it would hit the top of the ranges and when it hit the bottom range it was at about 271. I did have the vent almost closed only open about 1/4 of the way.

Ill try again tonight when i get home and put the probes closer to the temp sensor

I keep my top vent all the way open, except when it's Windy (about Half way), or when I'm preheating or stopped adding smoke (closed), or for storing (closed).

The main thing is to keep your probe about 3" from the meat, and just adjust your MES to make your Maverick read the Temp you want the meat  to be in. 3" is far enough from the meat to not get false readings from the cold refrigerated meat, and close enough to read what the temp is in that part of the Smoker.

Here's something that might help you get started:

Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

Bear

 

[remsr]

I don't wet my chips in the MES cold smoker and so used paint remover to remove all the paint from the shoot befor I ever used it. I also get it smoking then I crack the ash drawer a bit and turn the unit off, you can get 10 to 12 hours of smoke out of one full shoot. Clean all that gunk out of the shoot and try it.

Randy,

 

[iamdmphil]

image.jpeg

• iamdmphil
• Jun 11, 2017

Got the MES in preseason as I type this and we are smoking tomorrow! So ready to see what this baby can do! :sausage:

David

 

[Bearcarver]

Got the MES in preseason as I type this and we are smoking tomorrow! So ready to see what this baby can do!

David

Bear

 

[brudeal]

Hello Guys and esteemed Bear,

I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading around some of the posts.  Very informative.  After having bad experiences with my Smoke Hollow 30162EW electric smoker (inadequate heat), I am now considering the MES 20072115 30" Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker w/window (Gen 2.5).  This forum has steered me away from Gen 2.  30" is good for the capacity I plan to cook (yeh, I realize I may have to cut racks of ribs in half).

Right now Home Depot has the 20072115  on sale for $211, regularly $276, through June 21, 2017 (online only w/free shipping).  Is this a good deal?  

I'm contemplating launching on this.  I'm also nervous about controller problems and the short 90 day warranty, although my belief/assumption/hope is that the Gen 2.5 models should have worked out prior issues.

-BruDeal

 

[iamdmphil]

Hello Guys and esteemed Bear,

I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading around some of the posts.  Very informative.  After having bad experiences with my Smoke Hollow 30162EW electric smoker (inadequate heat), I am now considering the MES
20072115 30" Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker w/window (Gen 2.5).  This forum has steered me away from Gen 2.  30" is good for the capacity I plan to cook (yeh, I realize I may have to cut racks of ribs in half).


Right now Home Depot has the 20072115 on sale for $211, regularly $276, through June 21, 2017 (online only w/free shipping).  Is this a good deal?  


I'm contemplating launching on this.  I'm also nervous about controller problems and the short 90 day warranty, although my belief/assumption/hope is that the Gen 2.5 models should have worked out prior issues.

-BruDeal

This doesn't seem to be a bad deal at all. Most of the guys on here will recommend using a 40" because it gives you the most bang for your buck for the long run but if you are happy with the size go for it! When it comes down to it, anyone that is on this forum will tell you to get what makes the best Q for you.

I would recommend getting the AMNPS for your smoker and some kind of wireless thermometer to round out the package. Most folks get a Maverick therm and trust them day in and day out. Once you you have it we will be ready to see some posts!

David

 

[candurin]

If all you need is the 30, you'll be very pleased with it!

As David mentioned, get the maverick (I like the 732 models) and the amnps and you'll be good to go.

 

[remsr]

Congratulations on the MES 30" you don't have to cut rib racks if you curl them and secure them with string. I often use a rib rack I think they cook and smoke more evenly in a rack while utilizing space I think curling them would work the same. A full packer Brisket can be separated from the point and smoked on separate racks. My neighbor has had his gen 1 30" for five years and it works as good today as it did five years ago and he does brisket in it often.
I have a 221/2" WSM with a temp controller that turns out fantastic smoked foods, but the hassle free experience my neighbor was having with his MES and the ability to smoke small meals like burgers and such without building a fire and cleaning out the ash when done inspired me to buy a MES.
I bought the gen. 2.5 40" because I do neighborhood yard party smokes every year and needed the space.
Every knows that the WSM is second to none with a 5 star rating. But guess which smoker I use most? Yep the MES.

Randy,

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Hello Guys and esteemed Bear,

I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading around some of the posts.  Very informative.  After having bad experiences with my Smoke Hollow 30162EW electric smoker (inadequate heat), I am now considering the MES 20072115 30" Bluetooth Digital Electric Smoker w/window (Gen 2.5).  This forum has steered me away from Gen 2.  30" is good for the capacity I plan to cook (yeh, I realize I may have to cut racks of ribs in half).

Right now Home Depot has the 20072115  on sale for $211, regularly $276, through June 21, 2017 (online only w/free shipping).  Is this a good deal?  

I'm contemplating launching on this.  I'm also nervous about controller problems and the short 90 day warranty, although my belief/assumption/hope is that the Gen 2.5 models should have worked out prior issues.

-BruDeal

Definitely get the Gen #2.5, and avoid the Gen #2.

I started with an MES 30, but went to the 40 because of things like size of Ribs & Brisket. Not a big deal cutting them.

Then I made 10 pounds of Beef Sticks & could only fir 7 pounds in the MES30. That was the last straw!!!

Plus the MES 40 has 1200 Watts, and the MES 30 only has 800 Watts.  MES 40 Recovers faster.

MES Warranty length doesn't seem to matter much, because I often see guys have problems after the Warranty ran out, and they still help them out.

Bear

 

[brudeal]

David, Candurin, Randy, Bear,

Thanks for the responses.  I figured I'd get an AMNPS or the cold-smoker add-on after I do some smokes using the built-in wood tray (pork ribs).  It sounds like I'd need the AMNPS or cold-smoker add-on for doing thick meats like a butt or brisket.  Same with a more accurate thermometer.

On the 30", wife isn't too fond of my smoking and we don't have others at home that will eat it really.  (health-minded - yah, I know, I can smoke vegetables, but that's no fun).  Also, I figure I'll be wheeling it in an out of the garage to the backyard with each use.  So 30" is the right size for my sitch.

Unfortunately, the Home Depot  20072115  shows out-of-stock now.  I hadn't launched yet.  Ugh.

-BruDeal

 

[hooked on smoke]

Ahhh. I saw the same one on amazon for $211. Free shipping with prime. Went back an hour later to buy one and it jumped op to $279.00. Bummer. I'm new on amazon didn't realize prices change like that.