Not real thriled.....

[inkjunkie]

Decided to do ribs in it today. Turned it on..set it at 225*....stuck a probe from my Thermoworks in thru the exhaust vent....290*.....hmmm......turn it down and mess around with it....170* on the panel nets me 210-230*.....give or take a bit. Get the ribs on a grate....one of the grate holders broke during shipping....keep forgetting to call about it....go to slide the rack into one of the "good" spots....it breaks off as well. Hoping the one we are using holds up to us pulling the ribs out to foil/unfoil them....does not look like it will....

 

[themule69]

Sounds like you are having hell! Remember to post some pics. Also call Masterbuilt in the morning.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[inkjunkie]

Got thru the first pull of the ribs without the bracket snapping off....one more to go...

 

[smokindontcb77]

This unit is one of the worst when it comes to temperatures. I usually just "wing it" and hope for the best.

 

[holyfeld]

 
This unit is one of the worst when it comes to temperatures. I usually just "wing it" and hope for the best.

I had no problems with my MES-30. I'd read about the new MES-40 so when it arrived, I had a Auber PID controller ready to install. Still some variation based on where I put the "chamber probe", but the control probe stays +/- 1 deg F. I just need to be aware of where I place meat in the the chamber.

I've never had a bracket break.

 

[smokindontcb77]

just as an example: I set my smoker for 240 and the temperature according to my digital thermometer was 225.

 

[inkjunkie]

I had no problems with my MES-30. I'd read about the new MES-40 so when it arrived, I had a Auber PID controller ready to install. Still some variation based on where I put the "chamber probe", but the control probe stays +/- 1 deg F. I just need to be aware of where I place meat in the the chamber.

I've never had a bracket break.

spent just about an hour on hold with Masterbuilt last week. After doing some reading I didn't mention the temperature thing. Been waiting for the brackets. The woman that "helped" me was far seriously lacking in social skills.

 

[freakynorm]

It's funny, I called Masterbuilt about ordering different rack brackets and they were less than helpful. I have the basic MES30 which has space for 4 racks. The Sportsman's Elite model is identical to mine with the exception that it can accomodate up to 6 racks. So I called them and tried to order the rack holder brackets and was told they wouldn't fit my model and they would be useless. Basically she was trying to talk me out of the sale and it was becoming almost awkward.

I had already measured the racks and placement in the smoker and both models were identical other than the rack capacity. They really didn't want to sell me those rack brackets for some reason. Eventually she agreed to sell them to me but on the condition that I can't return them. It was very weird. She wasn't hostile but more like aggrivated I would try to circumvent their design scheme to get more money by buying a whole new smoker than just change out the racks.

I could be wrong with all of my measurements and such but she didn't come off like she was warning me politely about the difference between the two. It was llike she was disgusted or something. It was a very weird call.

 

[inkjunkie]

 
It's funny, I called Masterbuilt about ordering different rack brackets and they were less than helpful. I have the basic MES30 which has space for 4 racks. The Sportsman's Elite model is identical to mine with the exception that it can accomodate up to 6 racks. So I called them and tried to order the rack holder brackets and was told they wouldn't fit my model and they would be useless. Basically she was trying to talk me out of the sale and it was becoming almost awkward.

I had already measured the racks and placement in the smoker and both models were identical other than the rack capacity. They really didn't want to sell me those rack brackets for some reason. Eventually she agreed to sell them to me but on the condition that I can't return them. It was very weird. She wasn't hostile but more like aggrivated I would try to circumvent their design scheme to get more money by buying a whole new smoker than just change out the racks.

I could be wrong with all of my measurements and such but she didn't come off like she was warning me politely about the difference between the two. It was llike she was disgusted or something. It was a very weird call.

Might have spoken to the same person I did as she seemed aggravated by my call. Beginning to look like they might have sent them thru the USPS even though she said they were coming UPS. We do not have a mailbox at the house so anything coming to our physical address has to come UPS/FedEX, if it is shipped thru the USPS it just gets turned around. Really not looking forward to another hour on the phone.

 

[foamheart]

My MES30 works so well this summer I bought a MES40.

Thats why it is so strange to hear others having problems. I call in and they just amaze me helping. Seriously I don't rep MES, or even get kick backs, but their CSR as always been top notch. I was really surprized too, 'cause usually when you have as many setbacks as they had (I said that very nicely), the first thing to slip is the CSR.

I called last Thursday, the digital controller for my MES40 started acting like a slot machine...LOL. They agreed with my evaluation and I had a new controller arrive yesterday. That is pretty amazing to an old country boy that can't get Sears out for waranty repairs but every other Thursday. And usually its more like a month or 6 weeks. I have been trying to get those riding mowers to work since last July.

I am sorry for your woes. I am glad though I have not had any of the same problems. I am not usually that lucky.

 

[inkjunkie]

If the day ever gets here that I am in the market for another cabinet style smoker I will be looking elsewhere....Have only used it once or twice, kind of difficult to use when I only rack that I trust and it does seem to work well. But the hour on the phone, without even an apology left a very bad taste in my mouth.

 

[inkjunkie]

They showed up today...

 

[pc farmer]

I love my mes30.


Hope you can get it worked out.

 

[inkjunkie]

Disappointed.....again....was told they were going to ship me a pair of the brackets.....invoice states they shipped 2....yet there is only one in the box....

 

[freakynorm]

That's what I'm worried about. That and that they will ship the 4 slot racks and not the 6 slot racks lol.

 

[inkjunkie]

Seriously hope if I decide to call them again I don't have to spend another hour on hold...

 

[green1320]

    injunkie,

I would ask to speak with another person if I got her back. I have dealt with their customer service 5 times in the last month for 3 different smokers my family and I have and it has always been superior service from them. The calls have been fast and they always have got the problem solved with quick shipping if parts were needed. They have been the best experience I have had with a company's customer service. When parts needed sent they were always received with in 3 days and always had the right parts. I do not understand how they can get some problems right and handled so well and screw up others.

 

[cmayna]

With the MES being so popular, yet so many members having issues with them,  I'm seriously looking for a used Mes 30 or  40 Gen 1,  just to do some mods.  Hope my 3 current smokers don't get bent out of shape with a new bro'

 

[inkjunkie]

With the MES being so popular, yet so many members having issues with them,  I'm seriously looking for a used Mes 30 or  40 Gen 1,  just to do some mods.  Hope my 3 current smokers don't get bent out of shape with a new bro'

I should really call about the missing grate holder just fearful of being on hold that long again. To be honest seems like bad customer service is just my luck. When I was shopping around for a replacement coil over/rack and pinion front end for my project car I first called a guy that everyone in the Mopar world raves about. After getting nothing but one word answers and damn near having to pry them out of him I went elsewhere. On another site I used to,frequent there is nothing but praise for this guy.

 

[freakynorm]

I got my grate holders in the mail today and sure enough, they sent me the 4 rack holders and not the 6 rack holders. I even confirmed it with her 3 times that it's the 6 rack holder, not the 4. She said an annoying, "Uh, yes." every time I asked too.

I bet they give me a hard time about returning them. If they do, I will dispute the charge on my credit card. I bet they won't rush ship me the right item either. They'll probably try to make me pay to ship it back, and take forever to get me a refund. Sigh.