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MES Smoke Stack?

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chef jimmyj

chef jimmyj

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Ok guys, some use them, some don't.  Let's see what you are using and please comment on any benefit you are seeing. Thanks...JJ
 
3" Aluminum Elbow fits perfectly over the exhaust on the 2012 MES

Any wind will blow into your MES side vent and cause it to back draft

The elbow keeps the unit from backdrafting

It also increases the draft, the same way a chimney helps a fireplace draft

DSCF5758.JPG

DSCF5758.JPG

 
That's cool, how about the old Top Vent MES. I saw one that was all flanged out and screwed down...JJ
 
TJohnson said:
3" Aluminum Elbow fits perfectly over the exhaust on the 2012 MES

Any wind will blow into your MES side vent and cause it to back draft

The elbow keeps the unit from backdrafting

It also increases the draft, the same way a chimney helps a fireplace draft

DSCF5758.JPG

DSCF5758.JPG

Click to expand...
Just like I have on my MES30 & 40 just watch it in cold weather it will condensate and drip back inside(don't ask how I know)
 
I guess I'm not that hi tek. I just use a soup can over the vent on my old gen black MES 30". Draws just fine.

Do you really need a pic of that? 
76.gif
 
Last edited:
mneeley490 said:
I guess I'm not that hi tek. I just use a soup can over the vent on my old gen black MES 30". Draws just fine.

Do you really need a pic of that? 
76.gif
Click to expand...
Thanks MN but that one I can visualize!...
biggrin.gif
...JJ
 
TJohnson said:
3" Aluminum Elbow fits perfectly over the exhaust on the 2012 MES

Any wind will blow into your MES side vent and cause it to back draft

The elbow keeps the unit from backdrafting

It also increases the draft, the same way a chimney helps a fireplace draft

DSCF5758.JPG

DSCF5758.JPG

Click to expand...
I use the same elbow on my top vent mes 30.  I have only had my smoker for a little while and have used it since day one.  I have had very few issues with my amnps staying lit so im assuming it helps.   I try to keep the open end in line with the wind to avoid back drafting.  I may remove it for my next smoke as the weather gets colder her in NJ as i dont want drippings back on my meat.

IMAG0141.jpg

IMAG0141.jpg

 
I have some 4" that was a freebie. I will have to try to work with that for now...JJ
 
I have a 40' mes and I use a 4" PVC elbow.  After bending the adjusting the vent adjuster up, it fits over the vent and can be aimed away from any drafts.  I have the top vent version, and it seems to work just fine.
 
Assuming that the MES vent is either wide open or removed entirely, does this arrangement present an appreciable heat loss? Does it cause the element to remain on longer that necessary?  Just curious.
 
Tried the stack a first now use a CPU fan set a little distance from the vent and it helps to keep the smoke flowing gently through the smoker. With the use of chips you do get some white smoke when they first burn. The fan helps to reduce any harsh flavors
 
scubadoo97 said:
Tried the stack a first now use a CPU fan set a little distance from the vent and it helps to keep the smoke flowing gently through the smoker. With the use of chips you do get some white smoke when they first burn. The fan helps to reduce any harsh flavors
Click to expand...
Interesting concept...JJ
 
scubadoo97 said:
Tried the stack a first now use a CPU fan set a little distance from the vent and it helps to keep the smoke flowing gently through the smoker. With the use of chips you do get some white smoke when they first burn. The fan helps to reduce any harsh flavors
Click to expand...
Can you post a pic?
 
My Old Gen 40" is in a cabinet to protect from the weather so I don't really have an issue with the wind back draft. I have a piece of flex (which I can remove) coming off the MES vent through the cabinet hole and marries up with the smoke stack on top of the cabinet. Mine works great. Can post a pic if you want.
 
jkc64 said:
Just like I have on my MES30 & 40 just watch it in cold weather it will condensate and drip back inside(don't ask how I know)
Click to expand...
Been there, done that. When I first started, I would build a foil deflector, under the vent,  to direct the drippings away from my meat. I have the older MES40 with the top vent and have found that in cooler (condensing temps) weather, I do not need the extra draft from the extension. The warmer air rises enough on it's own. On warmer days, cold smoking or a low cooking temp is when I start to need the extra draft and add the chimney. I guess that's why a hot air balloon does not do so well on hot days. After learning what the machine and AMNPS like, and using the chimney only when required, I rarely get the dripping problem.
 
Here's a pick of my MES vent with CPU fan.
My MES is few years old and boy does it need a cleaning.

I started using the fan when doing cold smoking but continued using it for hot smoking as well. Simply moving the fan closer or further from the vent will change the draw

resy6usa.jpg
 
I just did the soup-can version of this out in my garage (no pics yet, I want to add a rivet to hold it onto the now chopped "lever").

But I got to thinking. A lot of guys are talking about the condensation issue....I'm wondering if an idea from the RV world (my other hobby) wouldn't help....the "gen-Turi" is an exhaust extension that many rigs with on board generators use while parked....it helps evacuate exhaust gases over the roofline. But to keep the pipe cool it adds an air-gap at the outlet....it looks like this:

a6c873dfed6a465b4ebfd62bcd9f0a08.jpg

a6c873dfed6a465b4ebfd62bcd9f0a08.jpg


My understanding of this set up is that the hot gases still rise right up past this gap on their way to the top of the stack, but as they pass, they draw cooler outside air along with it, thus reducing the temp. But another effect is that it actually increases the draw through the pipe (Chevy diesel exhausts actually have a very similar design).

I'm wondering....would this sort of setup benefit our smokers, and perhaps reduce some of the condensation issues?
 
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