So COOOOLD outside - MES struggling - suggestions?

[jjlnyc]

Greetings all - I have my MES 30 out on the deck, trying to smoke a #7.5 boneless turkey breast, and a #7 bone-in breast. Have the dial all the way up (it is not digital) but with the temp outside in the LOW 20'S, I cant seem to get the smoker past about 200f!
It did get up to 275 during pre-heat, without the birds in it

I was thinking of putting like a moving blanket on top, anyone see any issues with that, or have any other hacks? Or do u think it will eventually get up to 250-275, and that its just the cold birds holding it back at the moment? (Have had them in for about 45 minutes so far)

Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[uncle eddie]

Back in the day when I had a brinkman electric bullet smoker, I would use a big cardboard box wrap-around to help knock down the wind. I agree a blanket would help as well.

 

[jjlnyc]

Back in the day when I had a brinkman electric bullet smoker, I would use a big cardboard box wrap-around to help knock down the wind. I agree a blanket would help as well.

Oddly enough, there is not much wind (deck is fairly well surrounded with high fences)
I am getting ready to try the blanket

 

[normanaj]

I'm doing a 7lb bone-in.I have a digital and am having no issues,I'm actually going to be done ahead of time.Its pretty freakin cold up here in RI too!

45 mins isn't that much time for 14lbs of bird.I'd give a little more time.

What are you using to measure temp?A good dual probe therm like a Thermopro will give much more accurate temp reading than the built in gauge on your unit.

 

[zwiller]

This is normal. (+1 normanaj beat me to it)

 

[davidhef88]

I use welding blankets. It 14* outside at the moment

 

[jjlnyc]

I'm doing a 7lb bone-in.I have a digital and am having no issues,I'm actually going to be done ahead of time.Its pretty freakin cold up here in RI too!

45 mins isn't that much time for 14lbs of bird.I'd give a little more time.

What are you using to measure temp?A good dual probe therm like a Thermopro will give much more accurate temp reading than the built in gauge on your unit.

I am using the Maverick ET733. But I only have one, so both probes are in the birds. Yes, using the built-in thermometer to gauge temp. I laid a moving blanket on the top and sides, has helped bring it up to 225, and birds are reaching temp on schedule.

 

[jjlnyc]

Normally, the MES Temp dial is at about 1/2 way to keep the temp at 225. Now it is all the way up - which of course makes the wood chips burn hotter and quicker - more of a cloud than a thin blue line..
Trials and tribulations! Family better appreciate all the work!

...first world problems lol

 

[normanaj]

I am using the Maverick ET733. But I only have one, so both probes are in the birds. Yes, using the built-in thermometer to gauge temp. I laid a moving blanket on the top and sides, has helped bring it up to 225, and birds are reaching temp on schedule.

Excellent!

 

[jjlnyc]

Ok, 6# bone-in finished - somewhat ahead of sked - because likely temp inside smoker is hotter than door thermometer says.
No, didnt smoke it in the foil pan, just resting it there
Photo a little greener than IRL

 

[normanaj]

I'm about to pull mine.Also a little ahead of schedule.

 

[davidhef88]

Ok, 6# bone-in finished - somewhat ahead of sked - because likely temp inside smoker is hotter than door thermometer says.
No, didnt smoke it in the foil pan, just resting it there
Photo a little greener than IRL
View attachment 380989

Looks great

 

[jjlnyc]

The one on the right was done in the oven, the one on the left in my MES. Much more even skin color from the smoker!
Smoked was about 7.5#, oven roasted about 8.5# - each took about 4:15 hrs
Eat hearty my friends!

 

[normanaj]

Looks good.Enjoy!

 

[Bearcarver]

First of all, if it isn't Digital it isn't an MES. All MES are Digital.
If it isn't an MES, and it's made by Masterbuilt, it's a 30" Analog Smoker.
If it's a 30" Analog, it's not insulated.
So Run it as high as you can & try to keep it out of the Wind.

The one from your Smoker looks much better!!

Bear

 

[jjlnyc]

First of all, if it isn't Digital it isn't an MES. All MES are Digital.
If it isn't an MES, and it's made by Masterbuilt, it's a 30" Analog Smoker.
If it's a 30" Analog, it's not insulated.
So Run it as high as you can & try to keep it out of the Wind.

The one from your Smoker looks much better!!

Bear

Thanks - I did run it all the way up, and I use "MES 30" because it's what Lowe's calls it, which is where I got it from. Though now they are up to the MES 35B, which is also analog. Look: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Masterbuilt-MES-35B-Electric-Smoker/1000386191
^^That is pretty much exactly what I have, only mine is a couple years older^^

 

[Bearcarver]

Thanks - I did run it all the way up, and I use "MES 30" because it's what Lowe's calls it, which is where I got it from. Though now they are up to the MES 35B, which is also analog. Look: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Masterbuilt-MES-35B-Electric-Smoker/1000386191
^^That is pretty much exactly what I have, only mine is a couple years older^^

Yup---That's an Analog, not an MES, and it is not insulated, unless they changed things lately.
And if Lowes is calling them "MES", they should stick to Building Supplies.

I hate when people call their Analog an "MES 30", because they ask me questions & I may take a lot of time & effort to help them, before I find out that it is actually an Analog, and all the answers & help I gave them had nothing to do with their Smoker.

Bear

 

[normanaj]

Not to be a stick in the mud but I just googled "Masterbuilt MES35B.Its not just Lowes calling the analogs "MES".All retailers use "MES" when describing that particular analog.Even Masterbuilt uses "MES" in the model#.
https://wp-production.masterbuilt.com/product/mb20070210-electric-smoker/

 

[Bearcarver]

Not to be a stick in the mud but I just googled "Masterbuilt MES35B.Its not just Lowes calling the analogs "MES".All retailers use "MES" when describing that particular analog.Even Masterbuilt uses "MES" in the model#.
https://wp-production.masterbuilt.com/product/mb20070210-electric-smoker/

Could be they do it to get people to their Ad, because of the popularity of the "MES".
Doesn't make it right.

However it's still a PITA when somebody with an Analog asks for help with their "MES 30", without telling me it really isn't an MES.

I got on one thread where about 5 guys were answering questions for a Newby, and all of their answers were for an MES, but after I read his first post, I figured he was asking about an Analog, and I was right.
So most of the help he was given was useless.


Bear

 

[jjlnyc]

Could be they do it to get people to their Ad, because of the popularity of the "MES".
Doesn't make it right.

However it's still a PITA when somebody with an Analog asks for help with their "MES 30", without telling me it really isn't an MES.

I got on one thread where about 5 guys were answering questions for a Newby, and all of their answers were for an MES, but after I read his first post, I figured he was asking about an Analog, and I was right.
So most of the help he was given was useless.


Bear

Sorry if you misconstrued my smoker - though to be fair, I did indicate in the second sentence that it is NOT a digital smoker. And yes, as you can see from the photo of the manual, Masterbuilt is also calling analog smokers "MES" - so, maybe your definition of MES applying only to digitals has become too limited?