Just Bought a MES Analog Smoker, First Time Smoking and Questions

[kingmackman]

Hey everyone!  I just ordered this smoker from Bass Pro Shops for $130.  I have done a lot of reading and this is what I realized thus far.

1. I want an AMNPS for this smoker.  It acquires the TBS very easily and I want that in my smoker.  From my search results I couldn't find the best place to put the AMNPS though, so if anyone could answer that I would appreciate it.

2. With the MES analog I could run into ventilation problems.  Should I just go ahead and drill some holes in the bottom/side and top/side of my smoker when I get it?

3. I will mostly be smoking fish and I am worried this smoker will get to hot for my trout, mackerel, tuna, salmon, etc. that I will be mostly smoking.  What should I do to keep the temps down?  From my reading this smoker runs a little on the hot side.  

4.  When I smoke fish can I cold smoke for 1 hour, then turn up the heat in my MES? 

Thanks for any and all answers, this is my first post and I really appreciate all the info here.  

 

[daveomak]

Hey everyone!  I just ordered this smoker from Bass Pro Shops for $130.  I have done a lot of reading and this is what I realized thus far.

1. I want an AMNPS for this smoker.  It acquires the TBS very easily and I want that in my smoker.  From my search results I couldn't find the best place to put the AMNPS though, so if anyone could answer that I would appreciate it.

Mount it externally and have a stack deliver the smoke above the flame... through a tube of sorts... flame will consume smoke...

2. With the MES analog I could run into ventilation problems.  Should I just go ahead and drill some holes in the bottom/side and top/side of my smoker when I get it?  Yes... I would use a step drill for the sheet metal sides, makes a nice hole... I would start with 2 each 3/4" holes in the bottom and 4 each 3/4" holes near the top in the side panels....

3. I will mostly be smoking fish and I am worried this smoker will get to hot for my trout, mackerel, tuna, salmon, etc. that I will be mostly smoking.  What should I do to keep the temps down?  From my reading this smoker runs a little on the hot side.

I would install a dimmer switch in the power cord of the heating element... That will give you the ability to control the heat just as you would an electric burner.. I have one on my MES 30 and it is the best thing that happened to my smoker next to the AMNPS from Todd... That was #1 on my list... OH, install the dimmer on the "hot side" of the power cord.... Also, check the wattage of the element.... I would use a 1500 watt incandescent dimmer switch to be safe and overkill...

4.  When I smoke fish can I cold smoke for 1 hour, then turn up the heat in my MES? You won't need that with the dimmer...

Thanks for any and all answers, this is my first post and I really appreciate all the info here.  Please stop into "  Roll Call     " and introduce yourself for a proper welcome from our members.....   Dave

 

[kingmackman]

Thanks for your reply.  I'm confused about mounting the AMNPS externally.  Would I not be able put it above the element?  

 

[daveomak]

King, Above the element heats up the pellets and they burn real fast creating too much smoke..... Also, using propane for heat, the flame consumes most of the oxygen and what is left, won't support the fire for smoke....  

Check out a few mods....   there are many more and different mods on the forum....

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/newsearch/?search=mail+box+mods&type=all