First off, I'm a newbie, so bear with me. I have an new MES 35B (analog)... cheaper model. I just bought the 5x8 AMNPS and my plan is to remove the water tray and put the AMNPS in its place which is slightly higher and adjacent to the heating element. I'll put a disposable drip pan above it on the bottom rack. I keep reading about people having trouble keeping the smoke flowing without proper air flow and I'm not against drilling some holes in the unit to remedy this, but I have some questions.
1) Where exactly should the holes be drilled in a unit like this (bottom, top, sides)?
2) How many holes and any specific pattern?
3) What diameter holes?
I want to create air flow without screwing up the internal heat too much. Keep in mind that I'm in a colder climate in the winter (I'll be smoking in 35 degree F temps this weekend). Any tips or tricks would be helpful.
I'd rather do this without a mailbox mod or anything too advanced at this point, but I'll take any and all advice. I haven't tried the AMNPS yet, so I don't even know if its an issue, but the MES 35B is pretty much a sealed box with a non-adjustable 1" (?) vent on the upper rear right wall vertical to the heating element. I can't imagine there's much air flow in these units.
1) Where exactly should the holes be drilled in a unit like this (bottom, top, sides)?
2) How many holes and any specific pattern?
3) What diameter holes?
I want to create air flow without screwing up the internal heat too much. Keep in mind that I'm in a colder climate in the winter (I'll be smoking in 35 degree F temps this weekend). Any tips or tricks would be helpful.
I'd rather do this without a mailbox mod or anything too advanced at this point, but I'll take any and all advice. I haven't tried the AMNPS yet, so I don't even know if its an issue, but the MES 35B is pretty much a sealed box with a non-adjustable 1" (?) vent on the upper rear right wall vertical to the heating element. I can't imagine there's much air flow in these units.