Trying to decide MES 30 or 40

[workman215]

I'm just starting out and trying to decide on a smoker.  After reading several threads I've narrowed it down to an MES, I just can't decide on the size.  I know, I know... bigger is better, but I'll only be cooking for four.  There may be an occasion to cook for a few more but it would be rare (no pun intended).  I'll probably start out with chicken, ribs, maybe cold smoke some cheese and make some jerky.  

I'm looking at the next gen 40 from Sam's for around $300, but the the Gander Mountain BF deal on the 30 looks good at about half that price (after shipping is $150).  I don't mind spending the money, just not sure if the new features and the increased size are worth twice the money.  After reading the threads, I'm going to get the AMNPS and the Mav 732, sounds like both are a must.  

I'd appreciate any feedback or opinions.  

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[roadkill cafe]

MES 40 all the way. On those occasions you need the extra width & capacity you'll be glad you got it. It's nice not having to cut up your racks of ribs to get them to fit. Never heard of anyone downsizing their smoker? You? Have a great turley day and

 to SMF.

 

[red dog]

Yes, get the biggest and best if price isn't an issue. Someday you will want to show off your cooking skills for 8-10 or more people and you won't be saying "dang,I shoulda got the biggun!" 

 

[deltadude]

workman215, welcome to SMF, you ask the same question that most of us MES owners asked.

Let me ask you, when you watch BBQ TV shows, and they are cooking a whole rack of ribs, is that how you want to cook your ribs?  Or you are ok with cutting them to get them to fit in a smoker?

Believe it or not that was my biggest consideration, before the MES I got buy smoking meat on my Weber Kettle, for the setup I used I had to roll or cut the rib rack if I was trying to do more than one rack.  I just didn't want to do that, if I was going to get a smoker I wanted a rack of ribs to lay on the grate no cutting or rolling.  Does it really matter?  Probably not, I rarely serve whole racks at the table, they are cut up in two bone serving pieces.  However it does matter when doing a lot of racks of ribs, I'm not sure how many racks can be done in a MES 30, but I have done up to 15 racks in the MES 40.

Birthday parties, graduations, weddings, etc, depending on the age of your kids, you may be cooking for a lot more than four, you will be glad you got the extra space.

 

[workman215]

Thanks guys, you confirmed what I already thought.  I'm going to go order them now.  Hopefully by next weekend I'll have some TBS.  

 

[big casino]

like these fellas said if you can afford the 40 go for it, I wish I did!

 

[dnalsi]

Definitely get the 40.

Our 30 is not even a week old and I'm already wishing we had waited and gotten the 40.