MES 30 side to side temperature difference

[dougandmel]

I did some temperature testing with my new smoker today. Using a 6" x 6" 4 layer square of aluminum foil as a baffle over the smoker box in the right corner (about 1/4" away from the back wall), I was able to get my left side to right side (middle 2 racks) temps to within an average of 8° (I tested in 50° increments from 100° to 250° and at 275°).  The right side was still the hotter side.  This is a dramatic difference from the almost 50° difference without the foil baffle.  Here's the question.  Is the right side being 8° hotter close enough, or should I try to do better?  I was thinking about trying a diffuser tunnel like DaveOmak did in this thread http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/133021/s-to-the-mes-gods to see if I could get closer to even. Here's a pic of his tunnel:

exh tunnel 1.jpg

• daveomak
• Dec 27, 2012

What do you guys think?

Thanks, Doug

 

[daveomak]

Doug, morning.... That pic looks familiar...   Did you test the temps with something in the smoker ??  Meat and other stuff should even out the temps, or make them worse....   I would add the above little tunnel to move the exhaust toward the middle.... that should do the trick....    Dave