Ventless MES 30 Mod Question

[Bearcarver]

View attachment 350638

Yup---That's an oldie!!
No top vent back in 2005.
That was 4 years before I bought my first MES.
I know what you mean about wanting to go without any kind of mailbox. All 3 of mine have been working fine without one, and the AMNPS works great right inside any of MES units.
All you need is a decent adjustable top vent like you mentioned.
Make sure you put it close to the back "Left" corner of the top. Don't put it in the top right, like Masterbuilt used to do with all the Generation #1 units.

Bear

 

[tropics]

That is an oldie,I agree with Bear
Richie

 

[dr k]

I understand there was a recall on a model from July 2005-May 2006 due to fire. I'd call MB.

 

[Mastercaster]

Does this smoker have a plate with a model and serial number?

Kurt-Here’s the data plate...

 

[Mastercaster]

I understand there was a recall on a model from July 2005-May 2006 due to fire. I'd call MB.

Yes, I saw that online today. Said they offered a repair kit.

 

[Mastercaster]

Yup---That's an oldie!!
No top vent back in 2005.
That was 4 years before I bought my first MES.
I know what you mean about wanting to go without any kind of mailbox. All 3 of mine have been working fine without one, and the AMNPS works great right inside any of MES units.
All you need is a decent adjustable top vent like you mentioned.
Make sure you put it close to the back "Left" corner of the top. Don't put it in the top right, like Masterbuilt used to do with all the Generation #1 units.

Bear

Thanks Bear. I’ll do that. Glad to hear that your AMNPS is able to breathe.

 

[Bearcarver]

Thanks Bear. I’ll do that. Glad to hear that your AMNPS is able to breathe.

I haven't seen the inside of any 2005 models, but if it has the two support rods going from the left side of the chip burner assembly to the left interior wall, on those support rods is a good place for the AMNPS. if need be a couple small holes below the AMNPS in the wall or the floor would solve any air flow needed. The top vent in the top left should do the drawing.


Bear

 

[dr k]

You have ESQ30B (B for black exterior.) ESQ30S (S for stainless steel exterior.) Embers would fly out when the door was opened, creating a safety and property concern. No injuries but two smokers were destroyed from fire due to this problem. MB made 10,700 of these. Give 'em a call telling them your firing it up again and see what they say. At this point they maybe done with this unit but if it still works then a recall is a recall.

 

[Mastercaster]

You have ESQ30B (B for black exterior.) ESQ30S (S for stainless steel exterior.) Embers would fly out when the door was opened, creating a safety and property concern. No injuries but two smokers were destroyed from fire due to this problem. MB made 10,700 of these. Give 'em a call telling them your firing it up again and see what they say. At this point they maybe done with this unit but if it still works then a recall is a recall.

I’m going to call them and see what they say. I’m sure my sales receipt is long gone, but worth a try.

 

[dr k]

The recall is on the model and date your plate shows. If you send them these pics they may have you cut the cord and take a pic showing it's rendered unuseable and send you a new one like they did me. They still make ventless Mes. Your controller looks melted and they need to know. If the smoker operates. they have to honor the recall fix or better.

 

[Mastercaster]

The recall is on the model and date your plate shows. If you send them these pics they may have you cut the cord and take a pic showing it's rendered unuseable and send you a new one like they did me. They still make ventless Mes. Your controller looks melted and they need to know. If the smoker operates. they have to honor the recall fix or better.

I ran the unit at 275* for 4 hrs last weekend doing a burnout. Ran fine. I don’t know how the controller got melted but it was like that before I ran it the other day. I give MB a shot before I start hacking into it.

 

[azbohunter]

following

 

[Bearcarver]

I ran the unit at 275* for 4 hrs last weekend doing a burnout. Ran fine. I don’t know how the controller got melted but it was like that before I ran it the other day. I give MB a shot before I start hacking into it.

Like kurt said, they might have you cut the cord & send you a new one after they see the pics of the cut cord & the model number. You got nothing to lose by calling them. Good Luck!!

However I wouldn't worry about flying embers if you use an AMNPS.
And that melt on the control box looks like something hot was set against it.

Bear

 

[Mastercaster]

Like kurt said, they might have you cut the cord & send you a new one after they see the pics of the cut cord & the model number. You got nothing to lose by calling them. Good Luck!!

However I wouldn't worry about flying embers if you use an AMNPS.
And that melt on the control box looks like something hot was set against it.

Bear

I agree Bear. I don’t think the melting was from an overheated cabinet.

I really appreciate everyone’s input. I’ll update as needed. Thanks.

 

[hank2000]

Yeah they missed that one for sure.

 

[Stasher1]

No expert here, but I think a hole-saw and a 4" vent assembly from Amazon (or other vendor) would solve the problem for less than $25.

If Masterbuilt doesn't want to help you (or even if they do), I think it would be a waste to leave it in its current configuration.

 

[Mastercaster]

No expert here, but I think a hole-saw and a 4" vent assembly from Amazon (or other vendor) would solve the problem for less than $25.

If Masterbuilt doesn't want to help you (or even if they do), I think it would be a waste to leave it in its current configuration.

Yes, it’s definitely getting a top vent.

 

[Bearcarver]

Yes, it’s definitely getting a top vent.

Just make sure you put the Vent in the top left---Not Right.

I told them for years to move the vent to the top left. They finally did in the Gen #2.5, and it's the best unit of all, but they keep making the Gen #1 & Gen #2 with the vent on the right. That's the main reason the Gen #2.5 is better than the Gen #1.

Bear

 

[Mastercaster]

Just make sure you put the Vent in the top left---Not Right.

I told them for years to move the vent to the top left. They finally did in the Gen #2.5, and it's the best unit of all, but they keep making the Gen #1 & Gen #2 with the vent on the right. That's the main reason the Gen #2.5 is better than the Gen #1.

Bear

Bear, top left is my plan. I’ve also read where it may be better to have the vent on a vertical plane, like the upper rear left side or back panel. Something about condensation and dripping occurring if mounted on top. Your thoughts?

 

[Bearcarver]

Bear, top left is my plan. I’ve also read where it may be better to have the vent on a vertical plane, like the upper rear left side or back panel. Something about condensation and dripping occurring if mounted on top. Your thoughts?

No Way.
The first Generation #2 had the top vent in the left side, a couple inches down from the top.
It had all kinds of Backdraft trouble. Then the newer models had them in the top, but I believe on the right.
And the right side is bad, because the heating element is on the right side too, so without a deflector, the heat wants to run up from the element, straight up the right side & out the vent.
The best place for the top vent is where they put it in the Gen #2.5, proven by the great way the Gen #2.5 works.

Bear