How to Build a Mailbox Mod for an MES Smoker (pic heavy)

[Kevinbthgrouse]

I'm in Wisconsin I'll keep trying I like a challenge yep 3 inches seems good for awhile I kept lighting it for about 45 minutes this morning great cherry going but keeps going out the other night it worked pretty good for the jerky

 

[Bearcarver]

I'm in Wisconsin I'll keep trying I like a challenge yep 3 inches seems good for awhile I kept lighting it for about 45 minutes this morning great cherry going but keeps going out the other night it worked pretty good for the jerky

Hmmm---Pellets good & dry??

Do you know your altitude?
It says:
The lowest point in Wisconsin, 581 feet above sea level, is at Lake Michigan.
The highest point in the state is Timms Hill in Price County. Timms Hill rises 1,951 feet above sea level.

The closer you get to that 1951, the more trouble you should have with the Tray "AMNPS".
My Altitude is under 400', and the tray works Great here.

BTW: You are keeping your Top Vent open 100% all the time, right? And you aren't putting any water in your water pan??

Bear

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

1,640. Feet... I've micro waved them set them on a heat register, vent open on the smoker...dust burns great in the tube also if that matters..I have your ham recipe going now can't wait to see the end result I'm addicted to this new hobby

 

[Bearcarver]

1,640. Feet... I've micro waved them set them on a heat register, vent open on the smoker...dust burns great in the tube also if that matters..I have your ham recipe going now can't wait to see the end result I'm addicted to this new hobby

OK---That 1640' is probably your main problem.
I don't use the Tube because I'm only at less than 400', and I get way to much smoke from the tube. Some guys are able to cut the smoke in the tube by filling it halfway & shaking it down horizontally, and lighting it, but I tried that and it was still too much smoke at my Low Altitude.
You could give that a try.

You'll love that Double Smoked Ham---Tasty & Cheap, if you got the kind I said to get.
If you post it, don't let me miss it.

Bear

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

No water pan...do you leave the chip tray in and pulled out?I pulled the tray out and dump loader tube about 3 inches in the dumped position and the tray seems to be working now

 

[Bearcarver]

No water pan...do you leave the chip tray in and pulled out?I pulled the tray out and dump loader tube about 3 inches in the dumped position and the tray seems to be working now

I leave the whole built in chip burner alone & in place, but I pull the Dumper out about 3" & rotate it 180°.
I leave the water pan in place, but empty (covered with foil). And top vent full open.

Bear

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

Thanks Bear it might be the tubes for now or make the mailbox mod for the tray greatly appreciate your information!!

 

[mneeley490]

FWIW, here are the images of a MES30 Gen 1, and the bars for the AMNPS to go.

I had trouble at about 200' above sea level allowing enough airflow to keep it going. So I did a mailbox mod, and haven't had any trouble since.

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

Not enough room there on my hybrid that's where I put my tubes ... I'm wondering if the tray fit there if it would work?? probably build a mailbox or equalivent this week I work in a sheet metal shop

 

[Bearcarver]

Not enough room there on my hybrid that's where I put my tubes ... I'm wondering if the tray fit there if it would work?? probably build a mailbox or equalivent this week I work in a sheet metal shop

The AMNPS (Tray) was made to fit on the support rods in the Gen #1 MES30, like mneeley490 is showing above. In fact Todd called me to get a measurement from my MES 30, and a few others, so he could make sure it would fit in all MES 30 (at that time).
It won't fit there in your Hybrid or in the Gen #2.5, but those 2 weren't made at that time.

Bear

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

Do you think that space gets better draft than the rack above the element??I work at a fan and damper air movement company... I find that ironic

 

[Bearcarver]

Do you think that space gets better draft than the rack above the element??I work at a fan and damper air movement company... I find that ironic

On the support rods in the Gen #1 is a good place, but the Gen #1 is different down there than the Gen #2.5 or your Hybrid. As for a fan, some guys have had success with putting a small computer fan somewhere down there, but that's way over my pay grade.

Bear

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

Built the mailbox mod and seems to be working great with the tray I'll sure up the fittings and hose kit but a big thanks to Bear and everyone else for all the information

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

Tried both the 6" tube and tray with pellets and the mailbox mod both seem to work about the same and they burned to Ash but am still wondering if to much smoke?? No heat in smoker nice TBS coming out but pretty heavy in the smoker

 

[chopsaw]

Some of what you're seeing could be condensation / moisture as it hits the cooler outside air .
Hold your hand over the stack , see if you get moisture collection on your hand .

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

I will try that and maybe a little temperature tomorrow..out of the vent it actually looks really good but I thought a little heavy in the smoker almost as if the tubes were in the smoker?

 

[chopsaw]

The condensation can look heavy . I see you don't have air intake holes in the door of the mail box .
That might help . Not sure the size I used , I think 3/4 or 7/8 . 2 on the bottom one up higher might help you clean up the smoke .

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

It seems pretty clean just heavy I might also try some dust... I'm thinking about putting a vent possibly in the door of the mailbox that can be controlled.. thanks for your help!!

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

I will also try a different brand of pellets also....the smoke out the exhaust looks really good .. inside the smoker it just looks a little heavy

 

[Bearcarver]

I will also try a different brand of pellets also....the smoke out the exhaust looks really good .. inside the smoker it just looks a little heavy

The tray doesn't usually put out too much smoke, like the Tube does.
I don't go by what comes out the top vent. I look through the glass door, and I want to be able to see the things in the back of the smoker & the back wall through the smoke.
If I can't see through the smoke, it's too heavy.
With my set-up, if it gets too heavy, all I do is push the Dumper back in. With your set-up, I guess you'd have to cut back on some of your air intake through the mailbox.

Bear