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Meco 5029 Stainless Steel Electric Combo Water Smoker
Binding: Lawn & Patio
Brand: Meco Grills
Color: Stainless
EAN: 0042952096205
Feature(s): Electric Water Smoker1650 Watt Heating ElementRemovable ThermostatHeat Resistant Wood side and Hood Handles351 Square Inches of Cooking Surface
Item Dimensions: Height 18.5"Width 18.5"Length 18.5"
Label: Meco
List Price: $269.65
Manufacturer: Meco
Model: 5029P2-911
MPN: 5029P2.911
Package Dimensions:
Height: 18.5"
Width: 18.5"
Length: 18.5"
Weight: 24 lbs.
Product Group: Lawn & Patio
Publisher: Meco
Studio: Meco
UPC: 042952096205
Variation Description: Stainless
Editorial Reviews
Product Description:
For Outdoor Use Only! -Stainless steel hood and body -UL-listed, 1650-watt heating element (Canada: 1500-watt,CUL-listed heating element) plugs into standard household outlet. Requires minimum of 15 amps. -Removable thermostat control with low-medium-high setting -351 square inches of usable cooking surface -Two nickel-plated cooking grids with handles for two-level cooking -Porcelainized, 5-1/2 quart water pan -Sliding access doors for checking and adding to the water levels. This item may take approx. 2-3 weeks to ship.
Customer Reviews Average rating - 4.0
Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-15
Content: I use a charcoal smoker, but bought this for my father who really wanted the electric version. After a lot of trying, I could not convince him that an electric smoker was just a big old crock pot. He's glad he held out. He called me after using it and was thrilled with the results.
Brownie points from dad are always a great thing!
Summary: Bought as a gift
Rating - 3 Date: 2007-12-13
Content: 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.
Summary: Fine for most people most of the time...
Rating - 4 Date: 2007-12-08
Content: This is a replacement for another (not stainless) smoker. It is as advertised, quite easy to assemble, however, the cover should fit more snuggly as to retain more of the heat. Other than that - a fine unit.
Summary: Wish to top fit better
Rating - 5 Date: 2007-06-26
Content: 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.
Summary: MELCO 5029 Stainless Steel Electric Water Smoker
Rating - 3 Date: 2007-06-12
Content: 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.
Summary: Good, but...
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