Which Smoker does it from 100* to 225*

[okiecat]

Hello, Ive been making sausage for about 5 yrs with a Smoke Hollow gas rig. I finally put a hot plate in it for the 100* to 125* part of cold smoking and starting the smoke. Then comes the 140* or 165* to finish. Thats where the problem starts, with one burner on med to high it can't get to 165 and with both burners on low it goes to 180 or more. What kind of rig are you guys running where you don't have to sit there for 12 hrs watching the temp. Im tired of this. I also have a Yoder 640 but I don't think it will get low enough.

 

[SmokyMose]

I’m in the same boat with the hotplate setup. I have a MB gasser that I use basically for a cold smoker and “warm” smoker with a mailbox. Haven’t had the gas hooked up for a while...
I can get up to about 120IT in the box, then I finish in the oven inside. It takes forever!
I would be interested in any replies you get.

 

[Mauritius]

I have a low-end electric smoker and a separate PID temperature controller made by Auber Instruments to regulate it. Unless you buy one of the higher-end electrics (like a Smokin' It D series) that comes with a PID controller, you end up with temp swings that can be pretty drastic (60 degrees in my case). I've tested it between 60 and 300 degrees and it'll hold at +/- 3 degrees all day long.

 

[fullsmoke]

image.jpeg

• fullsmoke
• Aug 13, 2016

I built this smoker has a 1500watt element and pid controller smoked a lot of stuff with it and a pile of sausage 120-250 holds temp within 2-3 degrees.but I switched it over to pellet burner for competition use and have to 50# of sausage with it turned out fine even skipping the first two steps

 

[azbohunter]

I have a low-end electric smoker and a separate PID temperature controller made by Auber Instruments to regulate it. Unless you buy one of the higher-end electrics (like a Smokin' It D series) that comes with a PID controller, you end up with temp swings that can be pretty drastic (60 degrees in my case). I've tested it between 60 and 300 degrees and it'll hold at +/- 3 degrees all day long.

https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14_28

 

[SmokinAl]

I have a MES 40, and yes it does have temp swings, but I've made hundreds of pounds of sausage in it & haven't had a problem. You do need an alternate source for your smoke & the Amazen tray works great. http://www.amazenproducts.com/
You get good smoke for 10+ hours without refilling it. It takes a little practice to get it lit & burning correctly, but there are a ton of guys on here with that same setup to help you out. The mailbox mod seems to be the way to go. Anyhow this is the inexpensive way to go.
Al

 

[tallbm]

I run a rewired MES40 using a PID controller. I went a little more exotic and hi-tech with the HeaterMeter controller.

With temps between 1-275F I hold within 2-3 degrees. At temps of 325F I hold within 3-4 degrees. I don't go over 325F and I only do 325F for poultry so the skin is edible.

The MES isn't really resigned to go over 275F so I don't attempt long cooks at 325F just those quicker poultry cooks :)

I do cold smokes with no temp to sausage and bacon smokes with temps between 100-180F. No issues at all :)

 

[petehalsted]

The MES isn't really resigned to go over 275F so I don't attempt long cooks at 325F just those quicker poultry cooks

I am guessing that when you rewired your MES, you bypassed the limit switch? Or are you able to hit 325 for a short time without the limit switch kicking out?

 

[BGKYSmoker]

Hands down TSM 30lb digital with a PID. Best electric smoker i have had.

 

[crazymoon]

OC, I have a PS100 electric smoker it does 65-250, perfect for sausage.

 

[Bearcarver]

Hello, Ive been making sausage for about 5 yrs with a Smoke Hollow gas rig. I finally put a hot plate in it for the 100* to 125* part of cold smoking and starting the smoke. Then comes the 140* or 165* to finish. Thats where the problem starts, with one burner on med to high it can't get to 165 and with both burners on low it goes to 180 or more. What kind of rig are you guys running where you don't have to sit there for 12 hrs watching the temp. Im tired of this. I also have a Yoder 640 but I don't think it will get low enough.

I could do exactly what you want with my MES 40 all day long, with the Stock controls that are built in. As long as it's not the Gen #2. (Don't know why they even sell it any more)

Gen #2.5 is Best.
Gen #1 is right behind it.

Bear

 

[tallbm]

I am guessing that when you rewired your MES, you bypassed the limit switch? Or are you able to hit 325 for a short time without the limit switch kicking out?

Good guess but not so.
I simply bought a 350F manual reset safety Rollout Limit Switch and replaced the stock 301F switch :)

This way I still had a safety switch in case something caught fire or the controller or SSR somehow gets stuck in an an ON only state :)

 

[daveomak]

If you hook this voltage controller to the heating element, you manually adjust the heat output like you would a gas burner... Your controller will control the heat ONLY if you set the temp to 100, as an example then the heat will shut off.. Takes some tweaking to get it where you want it...

 

[Bearcarver]

I run a rewired MES40 using a PID controller. I went a little more exotic and hi-tech with the HeaterMeter controller.

With temps between 1-275F I hold within 2-3 degrees. At temps of 325F I hold within 3-4 degrees. I don't go over 325F and I only do 325F for poultry so the skin is edible.

The MES isn't really resigned to go over 275F so I don't attempt long cooks at 325F just those quicker poultry cooks :)

I do cold smokes with no temp to sausage and bacon smokes with temps between 100-180F. No issues at all :)

Hi Tall,
That would be good to continue "No higher than 325°".
I had a bad controller on one, and it got up to 345°, and I could hear the insulation crinkling (and I'm 80% Deaf).
I killed the heat, and it didn't stop the crinkling noise for almost an hour.
That last little bit I could only hear with my Best Ear against the side of the MES.

Bear

 

[tallbm]

Hi Tall,
That would be good to continue "No higher than 325°".
I had a bad controller on one, and it got up to 345°, and I could hear the insulation crinkling (and I'm 80% Deaf).
I killed the heat, and it didn't stop the crinkling noise for almost an hour.
That last little bit I could only hear with my Best Ear against the side of the MES.

Bear

I'm in total agreement. I am pushing it enough as it is.
I only do the 325F for the smokes with poultry skin. Those chickens and turkeys and drums, etc. cook up so fast that the duration isn't too long.

I figure that when it wears out I will move on to another electric smoker. My hope is just that it doesn't burn down or gas out but so far so good doing the 325F in controlled moderation :)

 

[okiecat]

Ok Thanks for all the replies. How many sticks of SS will a MES-40 hold? Like I said I have a pellet smoker "Yoder 640" that I love for meat, like briskets, ribs and etc. I usually do a 25# batch at one time and like the smaller tubes. Just to keep from wasting it. And nice size to give to friends. Also what is ps 100?

 

[daveomak]

Ok Thanks for all the replies. How many sticks of SS will a MES-40 hold? Like I said I have a pellet smoker "Yoder 640" that I love for meat, like briskets, ribs and etc. I usually do a 25# batch at one time and like the smaller tubes. Just to keep from wasting it. And nice size to give to friends. Also what is ps 100?

https://www.psseasoning.com/products/pro-smoker-model-pk-100?variant=1071305883

 

[Bearcarver]

Ok Thanks for all the replies. How many sticks of SS will a MES-40 hold? Like I said I have a pellet smoker "Yoder 640" that I love for meat, like briskets, ribs and etc. I usually do a 25# batch at one time and like the smaller tubes. Just to keep from wasting it. And nice size to give to friends. Also what is ps 100?

As for how many sticks will an MES 40 hold:
Depends on how big your sticks are, but the Masterbuilt racks for the MES 40 are each 19.7"wide x 12.2"deep.

Bear