Time to get a smoker...

[Parf]

Anyone here with an electric MES ever have flare ups? I've had 2 so far and they scared the holy shot right out of me. They act like a propane flare up and come with a loud whooshing sound and flame throughout the inside of the MES. The first one even warped the door & pushed it out from around the window frame a bit.

I've got the drip deflector and everything else in place, but still, WHOOSH!

Ideas?

Man, that does not seem right. I've never had any kind of flare up. It's grease in the drip/water pan that is catching on fire? That has never happened to me, but we don't have the exact same unit. I have a smaller 30" without any windows. How does the grease get into the enclosed chip box to come in contact with the electric element? Or was it dripping onto the pellet smoker box?

Masterbuilt is very good about their customer service, and would probably be willing to ship you out a new door under warranty, if you tell them that it started to pop out while you were using it.

[enthusiast]

If anyone is looking to get the Masterbuilt propane two door smoker it is on sale at Bass Pro for $149. I was able to get Home Depot to price match it and get another 10% off as well.

[Dave]

I'm looking at a vertical propane smoker, maybe like this one http://www.basspro.com/Masterbuilt-E...SSSELL_PRODUCT. Can the pellets for a Traeger be used instead of the chips on vertical styles? I'd also have to look for a cabinet as I like rondog's setup, but have no woodworking skills at all. Right now I have the Char Broil offset charcoal smoker, and it's OK, but as it's aged the temp control has been getting worse, so I'm trading out.

[theGinsue]

Dave - Yes, the smoker you're looking at will easily take the Traeger pellets. This "MES" we keep talking about is the Masterbuilt Electronic Smoker. Their electric & gas models are very similar in many ways - particularly the basic operation. Until I got this 40" MES, I had always just used wood chips/chunks in a horizontal offset unit like the one you're retiring. I'm finding these pellets much easier to deal with.

I know you didn't mention one, but in case you continue looking at other options, I would discourage buying a bisquette type of smoker as those bisquettes get pretty expensive and really increase the cost of smoking. With about 5 hours of smoker use this 4th of July, for 3 full racks of ribs & a whole chicken, I spent less than $5 for the pellets I used.

[twitchyfinger]

Well I had my mind set on Weber smokey mountain smoker until I started watching this thread. I have a question for you Traeger fans, how well do these pellet smokers do in high wind and especially cold temps like using in the winter time?

[Dave]

Thanks Ginsue, I was glossing over the other posts and didn't make the connection between MES and Masterbuilt Electric Smoker for some reason. I can't really do electric on my back porch, but figured propane would be easier to maintain than charcoal, and I don't mind loading new wood or checking water levels since it gets me a peak at the meat real quick. The extra wide Masterbuilt one there at Bass Pro seems like it would handle the big sparerib racks and briskets easier.

[theGinsue]

Thanks Ginsue, I was glossing over the other posts and didn't make the connection between MES and Masterbuilt Electric Smoker for some reason. I can't really do electric on my back porch, but figured propane would be easier to maintain than charcoal, and I don't mind loading new wood or checking water levels since it gets me a peak at the meat real quick. The extra wide Masterbuilt one there at Bass Pro seems like it would handle the big sparerib racks and briskets easier.

Dave, I have a friend with that same propane smoker - he loves it. I think if you do decide to go with it you will be very pleased.

[colorider]

In cold temps or high winds I toss a welding blanket over my traeger. Works great. Or a wool blanket from a military surplus shop.

[twitchyfinger]

In cold temps or high winds I toss a welding blanket over my traeger. Works great. Or a wool blanket from a military surplus shop.

Thanks colorider that's a great idea! One of my biggest drawback to the WSM is it being a seasonal smoker. I have heard of people using hot water heater blankets on them in cold temps but that sounds dangerous me especially for an overnight cook. The More and more I learn about the Traeger the more I am liking it. Now I have to decide which model for a single guy, the Jr. or bigger?

[Jmetz]

Not to take away from the Traeger, but I feel there are better pellet grills/smokers for the money. You might look into a Green Mountain Grill or Louisiana Grill. Both are capable of low temp smoking and also hitting high temps for grilling/searing that the Traeger can't. Essentially a wood fired grill and smoker.