This MES 40S seems like a good deal. Am I wrong?!?!

[goldwingnut54]

The internet says they have these in stock locally. I am re-working a used MES 30 GEN 2.5 for my son, and don't have it all sorted out quite yet. But after monkeying around with it for a few weeks, I DEFINITLEY see why I need to add some flavor of MES to keep my WSM 18" company. It gets lonely in the shop when I'm away. (grins...)

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ma...ker-with-window?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051

And what gen is this thing?? Is it okay??

Thanks!
Stan

 

[dr k]

The internet says they have these in stock locally. I am re-working a used MES 30 GEN 2.5 for my son, and don't have it all sorted out quite yet. But after monkeying around with it for a few weeks, I DEFINITLEY see why I need to add some flavor of MES to keep my WSM 18" company. It gets lonely in the shop when I'm away. (grins...)

https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/ma...ker-with-window?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051

And what gen is this thing?? Is it okay??

Thanks!
Stan

It looks just like the Gen 1 40 I have but no inside pics, no raised medallion logo on the door just the word Masterbuilt, can't find 20072618 on Amazon, mine is 20070311. When zooming in on Academy pic the sensor on the back wall is higher than mine. Mine is just below the second from the bottom rack. Its a great price but it would be nice to see the inside. The plain looking door with just MASTERBUILT and no logo trademark is a little concerning and mystery part MB number. Maybe call MB.
-Kurt

 

[Bearcarver]

Yup---That's a Gen #1 MES 40, with remote, window, etc.
That's the second best MES made!
I don't understand why it's that cheap---I'd get on it fast.

Bear

 

[goldwingnut54]

I called the East Wichita (KS) location. They said they have 70 in stock.

Something doesn't sound right....

What is the BEST MES model made anyways??

 

[dr k]

I just saw a person on FB comment on the Academy $170.00 ad and their pic of the unit they unboxed looks identical to the 20070311 gen 1 40 with emblem on the door. Maybe Academy has an obsolete pic they put up. I commented on the FB post so I'll report back if they respond.
- Kurt

 

[Bearcarver]

At that price, if I was in the market for an MES, I wouldn't hesitate, or discuss it with any other potential buyers.
I'd suck it right up while it's still available at that price.
Any problems, they'll always take it back, but it looks legit to me.

Bear

 

[goldwingnut54]

Well well well. I'm parked outside Academy with a new MES 40S in my pickem up truck. Trying to think why I might oughtta get a 2nd one for my brother in law.

 

[dward51]

That is probably the lowest price I've ever see on a good model MES 40!!!!! If your BIL could use one that is a great Christmas gift!

 

[Bearcarver]

That is probably the lowest price I've ever see on a good model MES 40!!!!! If your BIL could use one that is a great Christmas gift!

Exactly!!!

Bear

 

[Bearcarver]

I called the East Wichita (KS) location. They said they have 70 in stock.
Something doesn't sound right....
What is the BEST MES model made anyways??

The Generation #2.5 is the best, but the Gen #1 is pretty close. IMO

Bear

 

[goldwingnut54]

If I could figure the best PID controller to buy, I'd get this MES 30 GEN 2.5 all finished up, and if I like it, I'll have a idea whether I want to also set one up for the MES 40S, GEN 1.

The MES 30 project is going to be a beast, in whatever conditions I might like to cook. It seems that 1200 watts (just converted it yesterday) is plenty of horsepower to hold temps in the cold, wind, or with a big load of cold meat. It was pretty feeble with 800, for yardbird....at least in winter conditions.

Will I probably want to mod this MES 40S GEN 1 right out of the gate?

I COULD just do Low and Slow with this 40", since I have a WSM if I need 300+. (Those things are pretty hard to wear out.)

I might want a PID, once I see them work...but for sure a Mailbox Mod....and maybe a Leg/Wheel kit. I can see why they are popular on this board....especially AFTER an add-on Smoke Generator of some sort.

 

[dward51]

The Academy website lists the MES model number as MB20072618. Apparently they have given it a new number that does not directly correlate to one of the previously documented 40" models.

As to modding a Gen 1, get a pellet tray or pellet tube. Depending on if the interior above the heating element and the existing smoke chamber are the same as the original Gen 1 or the current generations (I suspect the latter as those parts would be in stock and not specially made), how you use the tray may vary, but a pellet tray or tube is the way to go for smoke.

Oh and one other thing about having a MES and a WSM. I've been smoking and cooking on a WSM since 2005. Owned a BBQ Guru since 2006 and that little gem makes a WSM about as set and forget as fire can be. This year I bought a analog 30" MES to custom modify for snack sticks, jerky, and smoked sausage. I crank the analog element to full on and plug it into a Auber "PID in a box" controller and let the PID run the show. Runs from ambient temp up to about 275* with no problems (I insulated the MES analog with rock wool as one part of the mod).

I have been finding myself using the MES which was "supposed" to be for sticks, jerky and sausage, for other things more and more as of late. There is something to be said for a PID that can be programmed in up to 6 stages holding a temp within about a degree and the convienence of flipping a switch to start it up vs having to light charcoal, get out the BBQ Guru, etc...... Not saying I don't use the WSM anymore, but it's so easy to toss a couple of chicken thighs, some country style ribs or whatever for just the two of us on the MES and let the PID run the show. I use a pellet tray for my smoke source.

Running 7 pounds of sticks in the MES Custom SS over apple pellets right now..... (on 4 of the 8 available racks).

If anyone goes by Academy to check these out, take a couple of snap shots of the floor model (including interior) with your cell phone and post them here. That would be a great help in identifying what this model actually is and what mods might be advisable for anyone interested in buying one.

 

[Bearcarver]

Sorry I can't help you with the PID, but there's a few guys on here who are masters at that stuff.

After almost 9 years of MES units, I can pretty much get my Stock Units to do what I want with only an AMNPS inside.

Bear

 

[Bearcarver]

The Academy website lists the MES model number as MB20072618. Apparently they have given it a new number that does not directly correlate to one of the previously documented 40" models.

I don't even pay attention to their Model numbers any more, since I found out some get their own Model number for no other reason other than the store they are going to.

Bear

 

[chipnputt]

thanks for the heads up. I bought one yesterday.

 

[tallbm]

If I could figure the best PID controller to buy, I'd get this MES 30 GEN 2.5 all finished up, and if I like it, I'll have a idea whether I want to also set one up for the MES 40S, GEN 1.

The MES 30 project is going to be a beast, in whatever conditions I might like to cook. It seems that 1200 watts (just converted it yesterday) is plenty of horsepower to hold temps in the cold, wind, or with a big load of cold meat. It was pretty feeble with 800, for yardbird....at least in winter conditions.

Will I probably want to mod this MES 40S GEN 1 right out of the gate?

I COULD just do Low and Slow with this 40", since I have a WSM if I need 300+. (Those things are pretty hard to wear out.)

I might want a PID, once I see them work...but for sure a Mailbox Mod....and maybe a Leg/Wheel kit. I can see why they are popular on this board....especially AFTER an add-on Smoke Generator of some sort.

Hi there and welcome!

You may want a PID controller at some point. The questions to determine so are the following:

• Do you want to do sausage and/or bacon without fear of temp swings causing fat out? (My MES would swing 35F)
• Do you want to get edible chicken skin? (you can push the MES a little with a PID controller for chicken but I wouldn't push it regularly)
• Do you more accurate temp holding around the set temp?
• Do you want movable grate level temp measuring rather than fixed temp measuring?
• Do you want any advanced features for controlling your smoker? (steps up/down, etc.)

If you answer "yes" to most of these questions then you probably will want to move to a PID.

I've run an Auber Plug N Play PID and it was great. I have also run the HeaterMeter (much more hardcore and complex) and I am blown away at the features and LOVE running 1 smoker probe and 3 hybrid probes. Here is a picture of one of my rib smokes recorded by the HeaterMeter, yes I probed the ribs and cooked to temp hehehehe:

So it's all up to you and what you want. As Bear puts it, he gets everything he needs out of his with simply adding an AMNPS inside of it. It all matters on what you want to do :)

 

[bosoxfan]

Pardon the possibly stupid question, but what is the gen 2.5? How do I tell, when going to purchase one, that it is gen 2.5? Also, what makes the 2.5 better?

 

[tallbm]

The new interior design with weird shaped water pan will let you know it is a gen 2.5:

The gen 2 has a big slanted metal thing in it that runs to a water pan:

Gen 1 has an oval water pan and a big rectangle'ish metal box on the right.

 

[Bearcarver]

Pardon the possibly stupid question, but what is the gen 2.5? How do I tell, when going to purchase one, that it is gen 2.5? Also, what makes the 2.5 better?

Talbot covered it pretty good, but here's more of how to tell them apart & another link that explains my thought & findings when I tested all 3, and why one is better than the other:
About Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse (Digital)
Masterbuilt Smokers (Bear's Thoughts & Findings)
MES Generation Number Recognition Pictures & Pics (Digital Units) (How to tell them apart)

Bear

 

[kboff]

I just went by Academy and looked at the floor model. The one at Academy looks most like the 2.5. I didn't pay attention to the shape of the water pan but it does have the small slide out wood tray. Thinking about going back and getting one. I have a older analog MES 30 and would like the digital control and wider box.