About a month ago I started a thread asking for info on the external temperature of my recently purchased MES 30? I was considering building a wood cabinet for the smoker and wanted to be sure that I wasn't creating a fire hazard! Everyone suggested that the smoker was cool enough to lay your hand or drink on. Dr K suggested that I get ahold of an infrared thermometer gun to take temp readings of all outside areas of the smoker. His suggestion sounded like the way to go. My son owned a digital infrared gun that he let me borrow. What a great little tool and exactly what I needed. To my surprise, the highest temp I could find after having the smoker on 275 degrees for 2 hours was 111* around the vent on the top right rear. The rest of the smoker was between 80 and 90 no matter where I took the reading. With those cool temps in mind I started and completed the below project. I've used it 5 times, including a 7 hour run on ribs and no part of the cabinet got warm! I was able to convince my wife to sew up a custom cover as the original wouldn't fit all the modifications. I have 4, 2 1/2" wheels with brakes under the cabinet which allow for easy manueverability around my shop, and for rolling it outdoors for smoking. It has 2 collapsable shelves( salvaged from an old stove and refrig ) that hold my meat trays when I'm moving the meat in or out of the smoker. There is storage below for foil, trays, wood chips and what-ever!! I am retired, and have lots of time on my hands once deer season closes here in Michigan. I am always looking for projects for my gentlemans workshop (sanders, saws, routers, welders, metal lathe, etc.) Heated in the winter, cooled in the summer with a refrig full of refreshments! LIFE IS GOOD !!! Woodworking and metal working have been my hobbies for 60 years.
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