mes 30 tile mod questions

[dougandmel]

I tried using a 4 ply layer of aluminum foil to even out the right rear hot spot and it worked pretty good.  I want to try using a piece of tile next.  From what I've read here, people are using anything from 6"x6" to 12"x12" tile.  Also, the tile is anywhere from held directly up against the walls to 1 1/2" away from the walls.  What are your experiences for the best size and location? Obviously in the right corner, but I mean should it be right against the walls, leave a small 1/4" gap, or leave a 1 1/2" gap? Or something different all together? Thanks, Doug

 

[daveomak]

Doug and Mel, I've modded my MES 8 ways from breakfast and I think this tunnel on the exhaust works the best..... moves the heat to the center of the smoker.....   Dave

exh tunnel 1.jpg

• daveomak
• Feb 9, 2013

 

[dougandmel]

Yeah, I'm thinking about doing that also. How far out from the corner is the opening of the tunnel?
 

 

[daveomak]

The tunnel is about 7 x 4 1/2 x 1 1/4 ...  It seems to work well evening out the heat inside the MES 30.....   I tried the tile, plates with holes .... this is simple....    Dave   

 

[tennsmoker]

Hey Dave,

how did you attach the tunnel to the inside top of the MES?
al

 

[daveomak]

If you click on the pic below, there is a dimple .... a piece of rebar wire in and out of 2 side by side holes....   the holes are positioned toward the center of the smoker from the exhaust adjuster...  When pulling on the wire to hold the tunnel to the ceiling, it pulls the tunnel toward the corner....   Click to enlarge the picture.... that way you can see the elaborate system I developed to hold the tunnel in place.... feel free to improve on that system....   Dave

  

exh tunnel 1.jpg

• daveomak
• Feb 9, 2013

  

tunnel holding wire.jpg

• daveomak
• Feb 9, 2013

 

[tennsmoker]

I see how you attached it thanx

al

"elaborate system"  i like that very definitive terminology....

 

[daveomak]

I see how you attached it thanx

al

"elaborate system"  i like that very definitive terminology....

Hey Al,........ I am a highly skilled engineer.... I have engineered many things...... rebar wire, duct tape, bubblegum, an endless supply of super materials that hold the world together....   and it's all permanently temporary......  easy to remodel that way......  

 

[dougandmel]

Well, I tried the exhaust tunnel, but my temps were still way off.  So far it's looking like a 8x8 piece of aluminum flashing (scrap piece I had around the house) over the right corner is working best at keening temps even side to side for me.  The only problem is that my temp swings about 10 degrees over my set point after the element shuts off and about 10 degrees under my set point after the element kicks back on and temps start to rise again.  I think this might be OK because it's about the same amount on either side of my set temperature, but I'm not sure.  I still want to try a tile.  I may get a couple different sizes this week and play around with them.