Masterbuilt MES 40 or MES 30?

[Tatoosh]

I'm still probably 3 months away from getting a smoker, but I'm limited to an electric smoker for various reasons. I plan to smoke bacon, some of it warmed smoked and some of it cold smoked. I've mentioned this in other threads before. I've settled on the Masterbuilt units either a MES 40 or MES 30. But now I'm wondering about which smoker is best for me, considering what I smoke in it?

I plan to do pork belly, naturally, and I'd love to be able to hang them from a rod. What sizes belly do you get to fit in your Masterbuilt MES 40 or 30?

Also, I want to do pork shoulders and chops, those are not so much of a challenge as they will fit either.

But what about brisket? I've no experience with it but want to learn. I plan to do both traditional BBQ brisket and to make my own pastrami. So can you get a whole brisket as found in a butcher shop or at Costco in a 30? Or do I need to step up to the MES 40 inch or will a MES 30 inch do the job?


Starting to form my budget and make sure I have storage space for everything. Apartment living kinda sucks when it comes to Q.

[SMOKE FREAK]

NEVER buy down...ALWAYS buy the most you can afford because it wont be long and you will be replacing the smaller unit with the larger...It happens that way...

[nickelmore]

Nothing to think about. Biggest you can afford. They don't have a real good resale value so buying a 30 in hopes of selling it down the road probably would not be beneficial.

[Richtee]

Nothing to think about. Biggest you can afford. They don't have a real good resale value so buying a 30 in hopes of selling it down the road probably would not be beneficial.

X2. And save for a charcoal/wood cooker ;{) Or just get one.

[Tatoosh]

Thanks guys, I'll start planning on room for the MES 40. I need to get over to eyeball one so I know if it will take the rods so I can hang bacon for smoking.

Yes, Richard (aka RichTee) - I wish I could do a charcoal unit, I'd be working on Weber Smokey Mountain now. But the apartment rules so zero charcoal or wood. Electric will work for now and gives me a bit more of a challenge until we are set to buy our own place. Then I can guarantee you that charcoal will be at the top of my list.

[Richtee]

Yes, Richard (aka RichTee) - I wish I could do a charcoal unit, I'd be working on Weber Smokey Mountain now. But the apartment rules so zero charcoal or wood.

One has to live within the rules.

(Manical laugh)

It’ll do for the interim Carry on soldier!

[Bearcarver]

Tatoosh,

Make sure you get the right Generation MES.
The Link here will take you to everything I know about Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse, and which one is Best & which one to avoid:
http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39300

Here is how to tell which is which:
http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41046


And here are the things I've done with them, in a FREE PDF BOOK:
http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34823


Bear

[wessonjb]

Have you considered a 22 Weber kettle ? I started with a MES 30 and made great food with it , but wasn't satisfied. I smoke ribs , shoulders , chicken , done one 12lb brisket , and fish ! Set it up for indirect and smoke away. I work out of town and have a work apartment and the 22 kettle is perfect. Also if you felt like burgers and steaks you can do that also


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[Tatoosh]

Have you considered a 22 Weber kettle ? I started with a MES 30 and made great food with it , but wasn't satisfied. I smoke ribs , shoulders , chicken , done one 12lb brisket , and fish ! Set it up for indirect and smoke away. I work out of town and have a work apartment and the 22 kettle is perfect. Also if you felt like burgers and steaks you can do that also


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WessonJB - I've done lots of bacon on a 22.5 Weber grill. I used the Smokenator insert and I've smoked hundreds of pounds of bacon, turkeys, all sorts of stuff. I love the Webers and want to step up to the Weber Smokey Mountain when I can Though I still eyeball a Performer with a Smoke EZ or Cajun Bandit Smoker add-on. Maybe one of each, eh?

Sadly no charcoal allowed, no wood fires allowed. I'm hoping the smoker aspect of the electric will get by since it is not really a "fire" per se. But when we can get our own place, Weber's are definitely part of our plan. Even my wife misses the one I left behind in the Philippines.


BearCarver - Thank you for those links! I was just browsing the local Craigslist and saw a MES 40 for sale. I knew there were different models and I really can use those references so I get the right one.

[wessonjb]

WessonJB - I've done lots of bacon on a 22.5 Weber grill. I used the Smokenator insert and I've smoked hundreds of pounds of bacon, turkeys, all sorts of stuff. I love the Webers and want to step up to the Weber Smokey Mountain when I can Though I still eyeball a Performer with a Smoke EZ or Cajun Bandit Smoker add-on. Maybe one of each, eh?



Sadly no charcoal allowed, no wood fires allowed. I'm hoping the smoker aspect of the electric will get by since it is not really a "fire" per se. But when we can get our own place, Weber's are definitely part of our plan. Even my wife misses the one I left behind in the Philippines.





BearCarver - Thank you for those links! I was just browsing the local Craigslist and saw a MES 40 for sale. I knew there were different models and I really can use those references so I get the right one.

Getting a 22 smoky mountain next week and I'm pretty freaking excited. I want a performer pretty bad , but don't think I can get one! The misses would flip out. Within 6 months I've already bought 2 22 1/2 kettles. One for home and one for out of town apartment. The WSM will have to do for a while lol. Good luck man


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[Doug S.]

Go with the 40" I have one and smoke alot of bacon in it with the Amazn tube smoker

[Bearcarver]

BearCarver - Thank you for those links! I was just browsing the local Craigslist and saw a MES 40 for sale. I knew there were different models and I really can use those references so I get the right one.

Just Yell (PM me) if I can answer any other MES questions---I know them pretty well.


Bear