Ribs taking too long?

[meat-case]

The PitmasterIQ looks very cool. It is essentially doing the same thing as the Auber Instruments controller. By that I mean it is monitoring the temperature and making adjustments as necessary to maintain a precise temperature. It looks to be about the same price as well.

By the way, what is a UDS?

 

[shyzabrau]

By the way, what is a UDS?

Ugly Drum Smoker

 

[jmiller1990]

It's a ugly drum smoker. Made out off a metal 55 gallon barrel

IMG_0046.JPG

• jmiller1990
• May 9, 2017

. Ugly but works amazing always get good results even in the dead of winter

 

[meat-case]

I went ahead and ordered the Auber Instruments controller. Even if MasterBuilt replaces my controller under warranty, it's not going to work as good as the Auber Instruments controller. The Auber Instruments controller can do multiple steps based on time or internal meat temp and when final internal temperature is reach, it can set the cabin temp to warm.

I'm also thinking that I can get my cabin temp higher than the 275F limit of the built in controller. The cabin itself may only be built for withstanding temperatures up to 275F and so this may not be wise.

Once the controller arrives, I'll do another rack of ribs. I'll post my results, perhaps in another thread, with a review of the product.

 

[tallbm]

 
I went ahead and ordered the Auber Instruments controller. Even if MasterBuilt replaces my controller under warranty, it's not going to work as good as the Auber Instruments controller. The Auber Instruments controller can do multiple steps based on time or internal meat temp and when final internal temperature is reach, it can set the cabin temp to warm.

I'm also thinking that I can get my cabin temp higher than the 275F limit of the built in controller. The cabin itself may only be built for withstanding temperatures up to 275F and so this may not be wise.

Once the controller arrives, I'll do another rack of ribs. I'll post my results, perhaps in another thread, with a review of the product.

FYI, You will need to do a rewire job on your MES if using an Auber Plug and Play controller.

This is actually not as complicated as it sounds but it will take a few tools and minor parts (drill with bits, wire cutter/crimper, high temp electrical spade connectors, $5-$10 multimeter, etc. etc.).

You are correct that with the Auber you can push you temp a little bit but know that there is a safety rollout switch that is built into the masterbuilt.  It is for 301-302F degrees and when the sensor hits that temp it will cut off electricity to the heating element for a time period.  This is so you don't have a run away heating problem that leads to burning down your smoker and anything else near by.

I personally replaced my rollout with a 350F rollout so when performing the tuning functions (like the Auber autotune) I had some more cushion to let the tuning do it's thing as it went up and down in temp.  Also I must admit I push the temp over 300F when doing chicken to get edible chicken skin rather than the rubbery/leathery skin I was getting at temps under 300F.

Anyhow, feel free to PM me if you have some questions or start another thread for what it takes to rewire an MES for an Auber plug and play PID :)

 

[meat-case]

 
FYI, You will need to do a rewire job on your MES if using an Auber Plug and Play controller.

My Auber won't be in until Friday but I got started on the MES right away.

In my case it couldn't have been easier. On the bottom of the MES there was an access panel. Just a few Phillips head screws and it comes right off. Behind this access panel the wires from the power cord plug into a big ugly black box. Coming out of that box are the two wires leading to the heating element.

I cut out all of that crap and hooked the power cord directly to the heating element wires with butt connectors. The great thing about this access panel is that nothing gets hot in this area. Standard connectors will do just fine. The safety rollout switch is no doubt in line with one of the wires leading to the element and so that safety is still in place.

If I do want to replace that safety rollout. There is another access panel on the back, again with a few Phillips head screws for access. I took a look at it and I think I will replace it to get just a tad higher on my temps.

It seems like the model I purchased is much easier to get into than the older ones. There are two more access panels as well. One for replacing the element and another on the bottom where the power cord plugs in.

I plugged the unit in to test and everything worked as expected. The heating element is simply on whenever the smoker is plugged into an outlet. I took it up to 275F and unplugged it.

I'm so glad my controller will be here Friday. Just in time to do some more ribs this weekend!

 

[tallbm]

 
My Auber won't be in until Friday but I got started on the MES right away.

In my case it couldn't have been easier. On the bottom of the MES there was an access panel. Just a few Phillips head screws and it comes right off. Behind this access panel the wires from the power cord plug into a big ugly black box. Coming out of that box are the two wires leading to the heating element.

I cut out all of that crap and hooked the power cord directly to the heating element wires with butt connectors. The great thing about this access panel is that nothing gets hot in this area. Standard connectors will do just fine. The safety rollout switch is no doubt in line with one of the wires leading to the element and so that safety is still in place.

If I do want to replace that safety rollout. There is another access panel on the back, again with a few Phillips head screws for access. I took a look at it and I think I will replace it to get just a tad higher on my temps.

It seems like the model I purchased is much easier to get into than the older ones. There are two more access panels as well. One for replacing the element and another on the bottom where the power cord plugs in.

I plugged the unit in to test and everything worked as expected. The heating element is simply on whenever the smoker is plugged into an outlet. I took it up to 275F and unplugged it.

I'm so glad my controller will be here Friday. Just in time to do some more ribs this weekend!

Excellent, it looks like you are well on your way and yeah having those newer panels definitely helps.  I have now rewired an MES that had the panels and one that did not.

If you replace the rollout switch that is where you will want high temp connector spades.  Be careful to make sure the connectors are all the way on, snug, and that you don't damage/loosen the rollout switch tabs while putting it on.  I have a simple way to avoid this so if you get to that point feel free to reach out :)

Also if you are doing it for the rollout switch you may as well do it for the heating element since that area is way more susceptible.  I bet you $10 that if you go and try to remove the connector spades on your heating element that they crumble or easily break off.   Since you would already be pulling things apart it would be a good idea to get everything in tip top shape one time and be done with it :)

Oh some insulation shrink wrap would be helpful too as that stuff usually crumbles off the connectors as well.

Anyhow best of luck and enjoy your new setup! :)

 

[meat-case]

 
Anyhow best of luck and enjoy your new setup! :)

Have you got any links on where to purchase the rollout switch and high temp connectors?

 

[tallbm]

 
Have you got any links on where to purchase the rollout switch and high temp connectors?

I think links to other site for products or other forums for information is frowned upon so I will PM you rather than post the links here.

I can say that 350F rollout switch I use is the "Amana Goodman L350 rollout switch" which can be found for just under $10 on ebay, that is where I have gotten mine.  Use at your own risk if you want to go above the 301-302F rollout switches that the MES comes with :)

Also on ebay I found the best price on search for "Supco T1111" Female 1/4" 14-16 AWG high temp spade connectors for less than $6 for a pack of 20.