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List Price: $281.34
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First off, I bought my Meco 5029 from another vendor, but because I'm an Amazon Prime customer, I wanted to relay my experience here.
This is my 4th water smoker. The previous three were the painted variety and rusted apart. That was my justification for spending three times as much on this stainless model.
I received the unit yesterday. It arrived in perfect shape no dents or scratches.
If you like an installation challenge; like drilling-out misplaced rivets, adding screws where rivets should have been, and trying to locate part #23 when they really meant part #18, then you'll love this chore.
Also, the instructions say to install the handles with the Meco logo up, but no logo was found. (Not really a big deal, just humorous.)
Here's an interesting manufacturing technique used.....the sliding front door is held in place by loose rivets an interesting technique that does not provide a tight seal. I estimate there are 3/16" gaps in four places where the sliding door should be tight. I haven't used the smoker yet, but I'm going to lose a lot of heat and smoke through those gaps. And unfortunately I can't press the metal door into place, it just springs back.
Also, the cooking grates have nice handles on them, but getting the bottom grate in place requires some maneuvering, because the screws provided to attach the grate support brackets extend about 1/2" over the grate. Installing or removing the grate requires some twisting and adjusting. I cannot imagine trying to remove the grate with a pork shoulder on top. (Next time I have the unit apart I'll cut-off those long screw ends.)
Based on the design and manufacturing missteps, I rate this unit 3 stars. (And like I said, I haven't even used it yet.)
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The replacement coil and controller for this unit is MECO part number 1521.9.001. When searching for a replacement on-line it's apparent that these units fail frequently and always in the same spot; where the controller attaches to the coil. The failure mode is a fried contact and it results in melted plastic of the controller. In two years of infrequent smoking, mine failed in the same location as everyone else has reported and although I'm not pleased, I to am happy that at least it didn't catch on fire. Much to my surprise, Meco's price on the spare at $36 is less than from other on-line companies that specialize in grill replacement parts. However, their price to ship it is $17.00 for UPS ground which is ridiculous.
I agree with other reviewers that the lid doesn't fit very well allowing a lot of smoke to escape, the lower rack is difficult to remove because it catches on the hooks that the upper rack rest on and the thermometer in the lid is close to worthless. Other than that, i've been relatively happy with it until now because the last smokers i have owned have been painted and charcoal fired. Others have complained that it doesn't get very hot; i'm not sure what they are talking about. I prefer to smoke over low heat for a longer amount of time; something i was never able to do with my old charcoal smokers.
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This pulls some serious electricity -it runs off a 1000-plus-watt element -and in my house, it causes breakers to switch off. I eventually converted this to a charcoal smoker (Meco sells a kit to do this). This really shouldn't be a problem in newer houses.
At this price, though, I'd have to look hard at a Weber Smoky Mountain cooker. It's not stainless but it is enameled steel and it comes with a cover -it should last for years and years, if not decades and decades. It also has superior heat control (this Meco unit, like many water smokers, has no controllable vents). I've made some very good BBQ with this Meco but it does require a lot more attention than my Smoky Mountain. I use this at big BBQs when I often will fire up this, plus a Weber, plus a big barrel grill.
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The smoker was delivered as promised. It took around an hour to assemble it while I was having my morning coffee. If you are in a hurry, just buy your meats from the market already smoked.
So far I have smoked beef tri-tip with apple wood, and king salmon with cherry wood. Both turned out fantastic.
Beef takes a few hours and the fish takes around one hour; of course it depends on size and temperature, etc. It is nice that I only need to add wood chips and turn the electric thermostat on without the need for charcoal.
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I've owned and used both the black steel model (5030) and this stainless one (5029). There are 2 things missing on the stainless model that my black 5030 had: 1) There are no dampers in the lid to help regulate smoke/heat and 2) The body does not rotate a few degrees and come up-off the base. You have to reach down in this model to clean the pan around the element and empty ashes. I miss both of these features.
Tips:
--Soak wood chunks overnight, at a minimum. As soon as you open the lid to take food out or open the door to check your wood, it's pretty easy to start a fire in the bottom. Wood that is soaked to the center really helps.
--The first time you use it, turn the dial to low and let it heat up. You may be temped to crank it up, but the element will stay on without occasionally turning off -good way to start a fire.
--Unplug before spraying hose in bottom to put out fire. You'll end up wandering around the house trying to find which GFI circuit your patio outlet was piggy-backing on.
Cons;
--The thermometer is a "Low/Ideal/High" type completely worthless. I drilled a hole in my 5030 for a large dial thermometer, but no such luck with stainless. You'll definitely want to keep a thermometer inside, either wireless or wire pinched under the lid, if you care about temps like I do.
--The bottom rack is very awkward to get in and out, especially with anything on it. The top rack supports get in the way.
--The body does not detach from the base making it difficult to clean out the ashes. I recommend letting it cool and using the shop-vac.
--The 2 racks won't fit nearly as much meat as you may think. A cabinet style smoker is for you if you want to cook for more than a small get-together.
Overall I'm actually pretty happy with this smoker. Sure, it's not a giant competition rig, but for 200 bucks it's hard to beat. This is my go-to backyard smoker.
