- Jun 12, 2017
- 67
- 11
So after doing a batch of snack sticks in my 30" Masterbuilt dual fuel I got to thinking. I have a needle valve but the wind was ridiculous so keeping low temps with such a small flame was kind of a chore, even after making a wind block around most of the bottom I had to babysit the thing A LOT. Next step before doing another smoke now that winter is here, is a welding blanket jacket and maybe some other insulation.
So what I wanted to do was have a removable electric module that I could use when I smoke at low temps like that, would never get up over say 170 pit temp with electric. Not looking for any high temp stuff on the electric.
I want to build a PID to set and hold the temps as needed for sticks and sausage. Was looking at making the PID with a SSR that controls an outlet, then use an element plugged into the outlet to keep it removable. Pellet tube will be used for smoke.
I have seen the $50 universal element on Amazon, but I don't think it will fit in my cabinet, or barely fit, cabinet is about 13x13. But then it looks like I'd have to cut a hole in the side to mount it and plug in the controller that comes with it. Would I then just run that controller set to high, plugged into the PID and let the PID do the temp control?
I have the cast iron mod done to my unit, could I mount the element above that and leave it in all the time? Or would the flame/heat from using it as a gasser mess up the element? Or since the temps are so low could I just run a single burner 1000w hot plate in place of the cast iron, I know I would likely have to disable the thermal protection of the hotplate, and have that cranked to high, again hooked to the PID? I don't ever use the waterpan rack that came with it. I just use a waterpan on the lowest rack, which I thought about replacing with some firebricks I have in the garage. So there would be room to mount the element and have a heatsink between the element and the smoke chamber, but kind of wanted it to come out when not in use.
Sorry for all the questions. I searched threads but really only came up with stuff about people wanting a full power electric smoker, I'm just looking for low temp and the smoke will be coming from elsewhere.
So what I wanted to do was have a removable electric module that I could use when I smoke at low temps like that, would never get up over say 170 pit temp with electric. Not looking for any high temp stuff on the electric.
I want to build a PID to set and hold the temps as needed for sticks and sausage. Was looking at making the PID with a SSR that controls an outlet, then use an element plugged into the outlet to keep it removable. Pellet tube will be used for smoke.
I have seen the $50 universal element on Amazon, but I don't think it will fit in my cabinet, or barely fit, cabinet is about 13x13. But then it looks like I'd have to cut a hole in the side to mount it and plug in the controller that comes with it. Would I then just run that controller set to high, plugged into the PID and let the PID do the temp control?
I have the cast iron mod done to my unit, could I mount the element above that and leave it in all the time? Or would the flame/heat from using it as a gasser mess up the element? Or since the temps are so low could I just run a single burner 1000w hot plate in place of the cast iron, I know I would likely have to disable the thermal protection of the hotplate, and have that cranked to high, again hooked to the PID? I don't ever use the waterpan rack that came with it. I just use a waterpan on the lowest rack, which I thought about replacing with some firebricks I have in the garage. So there would be room to mount the element and have a heatsink between the element and the smoke chamber, but kind of wanted it to come out when not in use.
Sorry for all the questions. I searched threads but really only came up with stuff about people wanting a full power electric smoker, I'm just looking for low temp and the smoke will be coming from elsewhere.