What MES electric smoker for a moder/tinkerer?

[krautfed]

This is my first post, I smoke chicken and small meats on my Weber Genesis which does a decent job. Im ready to dive in electric and a lot of people recommend MES but then list all the problems with MES. I have full plans for modding my smoker... AMNPS, mailbox/cold smoker, aftermarket thermometer, and even PID controller.

My question is if I plan to mod, which 40" MES should I get? Should I get Gen 2.5 Bluetooth or a more basic model? Is there another brand I should look at?

 

[normanaj]

If your going to do all those mods basic is the way to go.

 

[mosparky]

Well if you are already planning to mod your way around most all the possible short comings of the MES then most any donor will do. I'd stay away from the analog units as I don't think they are insulated. From there you need to decide what features you want or think will be useful in the meantime until you mod them out. Window/ no window, huge debate there. I like it others don't. Window isn't worth having if you're not going to clean it. Easy to do. Bluetooth ? Not a fan of apps and my phone is so old, none of the apps will work on it.
Not a fan of the heat distribution on units with the slanted drip pan (gen 2). If you plan to remove it then that point is mute.
Some units sold thru Basspro and maybe others offer more racks than most. Very beneficial if you hope to do lots of small peices at a time ie wings, jerky, snack sticks ect. For larger cuts like Butts, I see little advantage except you have a few more options for how high you place the product in the chamber and you have more spare racks.
Good Luck Modding

 

[Bearcarver]

I can only give you what I would do if I was so inclined to put a PID in a new MES:
I would still get the Best one, the MES 40 Generation #2.5, because it has the best left to right balance of heat. This is mostly due to the Top vent being on the Left back corner instead of the right, and it doesn't have the useless slanted drip plate that the Gen #2 has.

I would also get the Door with the Window in it, because I had an MES without a Window & I never will do that again.

In 9 years, I never needed a Mailbox, except for my Mail, but that wouldn't much matter which MES you got for that Mod.

The MES 40 Gen #2.5 is also hinged left/Open right, which I find more comfortable to a right-handed Person.

Here's more on all of them:
Masterbuilt Smokers (Bear's Thoughts & Findings)
MES Generation Number Recognition Pictures & Pics (Digital Units)

Hope that helps some,
Bear

 

[uncle eddie]

FWIW - Amazon has an MES40 on sale for about $253.XX. I just bought this one to replace my old MES40 that died..and now has been revived. I have only done one smoke with 2 racks of ribs on it so far, but it worked well...very similar to my old MES40.

Search for this one:
Masterbuilt 20075315 Front Controller Smoker with Viewing Window and RF Remote Control, 40-Inch

Bear is correct - it does have a slanted drip plate that I can't figure out why MB did it...but it heated evenly and worked well for at least one smoke.

 

[krautfed]

Thanks for everyones suggestions. My neighbor is store manager at a Home Depot and let me know of a Labor Day clearance sale on MES. I went last night and had choice between MES40 Gen 2 and MES30 BT Gen 2.5 at $250. I went for the MES30 due to suggestions on here of Gen 2.5. Hopefully I wont run out of space too soon.

I fired it up late last night and everything worked flawlessl. The meat probe temp was right ij line with my thermometer I use for my Weber. Even the bluetooth worked great to my amazement after seeing the 1 star review in app store. Im not sure Ill use the feature much but good to know it works (for now).

 

[Bearcarver]

Thanks for everyones suggestions. My neighbor is store manager at a Home Depot and let me know of a Labor Day clearance sale on MES. I went last night and had choice between MES40 Gen 2 and MES30 BT Gen 2.5 at $250. I went for the MES30 due to suggestions on here of Gen 2.5. Hopefully I wont run out of space too soon.

I fired it up late last night and everything worked flawlessl. The meat probe temp was right ij line with my thermometer I use for my Weber. Even the bluetooth worked great to my amazement after seeing the 1 star review in app store. Im not sure Ill use the feature much but good to know it works (for now).

My Best to you!!
Here's a lot of things you can do with your new Smoker:
Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".
All Kinds To Choose From.

Bear