Analog electric with lots of racks and PID for fish?

[SSPey]

I fish a lot and have smoked salmon and steelhead in a Big Chief electric smoker for 20 years. It is a simple unit with no temperature control. This creates a challenge in maintaining adequate and semi-steady cold temps across the seasons, too much babysitting (ambient 40F in winter, 90F in summer).

I am looking to get a PID controller for this unit, and possibly to upgrade to a different electric smoker for more flexibility with other meats. But fish take priority.

First question is whether a universal Auber PID would work on the Big Chief, plug and play, to help maintain temps at 100F. In winter I use extra insulation to help the unit stay at 100F initially, up to 170F at the end.

Second question is what simple and sturdy analog electric smoker might be recommended to accommodate a minimum of 4 and possibly up to 6 racks for smoking fish? I need just 3 or 4 inches between racks for air flow. It seems that the rack on the analog electric Masterbuilt models is short, and doesn't fill the entire smoker to allow racks towards the top. I just want a simple analog unit with the intention of using the PID down the road. No auto-feed pucks, would prefer an A-maze-N smoker or other manual unit for the first few hours.

 

[kruizer]

The PID controller question would best be answered by the controller maker. Give them a call.

 

[daveomak]

I have 2 Totem Smokers (Big Chief) and I wouldn't trade them for anything when it comes to smoking fish...

... about 30 years of smoking fish in this one..


....Picked up a spare for $20 2 years ago...

 

[tallbm]

I fish a lot and have smoked salmon and steelhead in a Big Chief electric smoker for 20 years. It is a simple unit with no temperature control. This creates a challenge in maintaining adequate and semi-steady cold temps across the seasons, too much babysitting (ambient 40F in winter, 90F in summer).

I am looking to get a PID controller for this unit, and possibly to upgrade to a different electric smoker for more flexibility with other meats. But fish take priority.

First question is whether a universal Auber PID would work on the Big Chief, plug and play, to help maintain temps at 100F. In winter I use extra insulation to help the unit stay at 100F initially, up to 170F at the end.

Second question is what simple and sturdy analog electric smoker might be recommended to accommodate a minimum of 4 and possibly up to 6 racks for smoking fish? I need just 3 or 4 inches between racks for air flow. It seems that the rack on the analog electric Masterbuilt models is short, and doesn't fill the entire smoker to allow racks towards the top. I just want a simple analog unit with the intention of using the PID down the road. No auto-feed pucks, would prefer an A-maze-N smoker or other manual unit for the first few hours.

Hi there and welcome!

I believe the Auber Plug and Play would be right up your alley for your analog smoker. What is the wattage on the analogue smoker? That would determine the Auber PID model you need to buy.

As long as you can turn the Analogue smoker open to full blast the Auber PID would measure temp and cut electricity on/of to the analog smoker. You don't need the Analogue smoker set to half temp/blast as that would partially defeat the purpose of the PID regulating electricity on/off to your smoker.
You might need to cut a hole or rig up a mailbox mod to use an AMNPS with the analogue smoker but it is 100% duable. I personally would do so.

As for a smoker with more racks I can't help there. Best of luck

 

[tomd8]

I upgraded my Little Chief with a cheap hot plate heating element with its control years ago and would use a close fitting cardboard box over the smoker during cold weather. Inexpensive fix which worked well enough for me 10-20 years ago.

 

[daveomak]

Me too...

 

[tomd8]

Great minds think alike.

 

[daveomak]

Necessity is the mother of invention... I moved to a cold winter climate...