Master Built 40" smoker heat problem

I just got a smaller MES 30, Gen1. But from what I understand, the unit's heater is also heating the chips, to make them smoke.

The lower the setpoint, the less the heater has to run, so the less heat applied to the chips, to make them smoke.

I got an AMNPS tray for mine, which burns pellets, and is independent of the unit's heater or setpoint. It smokes for about 10 hours, hands-off. The AMNPS seems like a popular solution.

Is the chip tray seated properly above the heater? With the model #, people may be able to offer more-specific advice.

Keeping the chips dry might help. Pulling the chip loader tube out a little bit provides more air to let pellets smolder. Perhaps that could help with chips as well.