possible replacement for MES 30 .

[fxsales1959]

hey Y'all I'll try and keep this short, but I'm not good at that. First off, I can't believe I'm even considering a pellet pooper as much shade as I've thrown at local bud's seeking advice. However I've got a MES30 that's hanging on by toenails. It's close to 7 years old, so i won't even consider the PID(etc) options as the grates are paperclip thin and the water pan is holey. One day it's not going to turn on and I will need a substitute. Here's what I use the MES for. short 225 cooks of things like pork belly for bacon, thick steaks for the first step in reverse sear. I like the set -it and forget functionality when i don't want to load up the WSM for a 1-2 hour cook at 225.Foot print is my main objective for looking at vertical smokers. It will have t fit in the spaceof the two pictured MES smokers pictured between the French doors. I have been considering Pit boss Vertical or another MES. Pit boss seems to get a great deal of negative reviews. Th only one I've seen in person was at my local Lowes, where the door would not close and latch tightly (could be employee assembly error.. I've had my "go-rounds with Masterbuilt, but I've nursed the current one along.
Anyway I've wasted enough of Y'alls time. just planning ahead for the ultimate demise of the MES
Thank you

 

[whistlepig]

I went from a MES 30 to a Masterbuilt 860. It was the right decision for me

 

[fxsales1959]

I went from a MES 30 to a Masterbuilt 860. It was the right decision for me

I've got a 560 and it still works. charcoal management for A 2 hour cook seems wasteful.

 

[chopsaw]

I used my 30 the other day . First time in awhile , but would be hard to be without it .
I've always had a thought about a side fire box on one . Might try that someday .


I put a 1500 watt analog element in a 22" kettle awhile back . Messed with it the other day with some ribs . Worked pretty good .

Did this sausage on my Weber pellet grill . Does a great job . Took about 2 hours on smoke boost . Pull just below the IT you want .


I've since added a smoke rod .


Not what you want size wise , but a pellet smoker works . Just adjust time and pull in time .

 

[normanaj]

Not for nothing but if you replaced every removable part and added a PID it would still be cheaper than a new smoker.

That being said if you have a few coins to rub together and want to stay in the set and forget electric realm you might want to look at Smokin-It or similar.

 

[fxsales1959]

Not for nothing but if you replaced every removable part and added a PID it would still be cheaper than a new smoker.

That being said if you have a few coins to rub together and want to stay in the set and forget electric realm you might want to look at Smokin-It or similar.

eek!! just looked at smokin it prices. forgot to mention budget.

 

[chopsaw]

You said you didn't want PID , I respect that ,,,,, But ,,,

 

[zwiller]

There's always cheap MES for sale on FB Marketplace.

 

[mneeley490]

My MES-30 went about 7 years also, but decided to die on Thanksgiving when I had 2 turkey breasts to smoke. Black Friday is coming, check out the ads. There will likely be some MES-40's on good sales, that's what I did. Enjoyed the extra room and used a mailbox mod to make it even more set-n-forget.

 

[whistlepig]

I use my Masterbuilt 860 for 1-2 hour cooks all the time. If charcoal management becomes a problem for me I'll use an oven instead.

 

[Timber II]

A little off topic but not really….questions I have about the 40. (Since I also have a 30 and will upgrade someday).

How much sausage can you smoke at once on the 40? I’m maxing my 30 out with 10 lbs.

Also if I remember the 40 can be plugged into the PID and go with no rewrite I think?

Maybe I need bigger than a 40, I’d like to do 20 lbs at once

 

[chopsaw]

Also if I remember the 40 can be plugged into the PID and go with no rewrite I think?

Some of the 40's can be bypassed just by redoing the factory harness . Unplug the connections , and bypass by plugging back into the other side of the loom . No cutting , but still needs to be bypassed .

 

[Winterrider]

A little off topic but not really….questions I have about the 40. (Since I also have a 30 and will upgrade someday).

How much sausage can you smoke at once on the 40? I’m maxing my 30 out with 10 lbs.

Also if I remember the 40 can be plugged into the PID and go with no rewrite I think?

Maybe I need bigger than a 40, I’d like to do 20 lbs at once

I did do a 50# batch of summer in my 40. I wouldn't recommend it though, I had to do a lot of maneuvering things before got everything done.

 

[zwiller]

Do not claim to know specs for all but IIRC 30 is 800W and 40 is 1200W so it certainly can handle more. I agree that 10lbs would be about max for the 30, I ran 2 butts (16lbs) once and that was a fiasco. I would wager 15-18lbs is doable for the 40, MAYBE it could do 20. Hopefully someone knows and will confirm. There are things you can do to help MES along. Preheat to warmer temp, bring sausage up to room temp if cured, etc. Worst thing you can do is throw a ton of meat in it and turn it on.

 

[Timber II]

Thanks for the above responses boys!!

 

[normanaj]

eek!! just looked at smokin it prices. forgot to mention budget.

Not the most budget friendly for sure!

I've always wanted a #2 with the Bella added but that is definitely out of reach for me.

 

[river100]

There's always cheap MES for sale on FB Marketplace.

I've owned 3 MES smokers, still have 2 40s. All three were used. The 30" was used once, one of the 40" was used about 10 times. Both looked like new inside and out. The other 40" had some wear on it but only paid $ 40.00 for it.