Crazy?

[jaellman]

My wife informed me today she thinks I'm losing my mind.  Since joining your community, I've shown up each day with something new to put in the smoker...  

Today, I arrived with cheese under one arm and a mailbox under the other.  That's when she asked me if everything was ok...

 

[mneeley490]

Yes, you are insane. But you have plenty of company here. 

 

[jaellman]

Photo Feb 25, 3 55 03 PM.jpg

• jaellman
• Feb 25, 2015

 

[sota d]

No, we're all OK here. But the rest of the world........?

 

[tropics]

Looks good remember to post some pics of the smoked cheese.

 

[jaellman]

ok, so 2.5 hours in, my alarm (100') went off and when I ran out See what was going on I found my AMPS caught fire inside the mailbox.

Photo Feb 25, 5 23 04 PM.jpg

• jaellman
• Feb 25, 2015

 I pulled the cheese before completely melted, dumped it over on a cold rack and washed the ash off with cold water.

Is this something normal that happens?  As you may know, this is my first Mailbox / AMPS attempt.

 

[shaggy91954]

 

Photo Feb 25, 3 55 03 PM.jpg

• jaellman
• Feb 25, 2015

What is your exhaust vent hooked up to and does your mailbox have any air vents?

 

[dirtsailor2003]

Yeah where's your air intakes on your mailbox?

 

[jaellman]

Yeah where's your air intakes on your mailbox?

there were six bolt holes in the bottom of the mailbox, I took those holes and my step-up bit and drilled them out to 1/2" each (x6 holes).  I placed the rear of the mailbox on the wood pictured to allow air into those holes.

Exhaust vent is 4" reduced to 3" and ported into the smoker via side hold for wood (removed).  

the pellet smoker was placed into the rear of the mailbox burnt side front*

*after review, I found this was wrong.  however, read nothing about it starting such a fire.

I'll post photos of bottom 1/2" holes tomorrow for review.

 

[dirtsailor2003]

I think you probabl have too much intake air. Try blocking 4 of the holes and see what happens. Get some sheet magnets or corks to put in the holes.

Since you have the smoker piped outdoors, what was the conditions out there? Could have caused a pressure differential which would draw, suck air out of the smoker, and through the mailbox inlets. I think this is your main issue.

 

[jaellman]

The vent pipe up is not connected to the fan, there is about 6" space between the fan and the outlet to prevent suction.

I will silicone closed some holes and see what happens next time.