Mes 40 mailbox mod

[hillbillyrkstr]

Ok I bought my vent tube, some 3" elbows, and a cheap mailbox. So now a few questions. How big, and how many holes should I still into the front of the mailbox? I bought a 1" bit today is that big enough? Should I still them right at the level the amazn pellet smoker sits? And from what I've seen the hole for the vent tube is high on the back. Is that the correct location? And finally his mailbox seems a bit small compared to the size of the amazn.

image.jpg

• hillbillyrkstr
• Apr 12, 2014

Think it's gonna be ok?

Thanks for anyone's help.

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

Also do I need to season this contraption? If so how? The amazn doesn't heat up enough. Should I bake it all?

Thanks again

 

[daveomak]

I would start with 1 hole in the bottom area of the door, to allow the fresh air to aim at the AMNPS... Upper part of the back of the MB is perfect for the exhaust..... That allows for "once thru" air and reduces the "recirculated" air which lacks in oxygen.... Those are my thoughts... No break in required... over time, the inside of the MB will get coated in smoke residue... as will the flex duct...

This is how I connected the elbow to the MB..... typical heating duct connection....

inside mailbox.jpg

• daveomak
• Apr 12, 2014

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

Thanks dave! Appreciate it. One quick question, the hardware store only had galvanized elbows. I assume they are ok to use?

 

[daveomak]

Yep..... They won't get hot enough to "boil off" zinc/cadmium fumes.... I have "galvanized" ducting on my pellet stove exhaust.... no discoloration anywhere.... same on gas hot water tank....

Dave

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

Even the one that connects to the mes? It's right by the heating element. I figure it could him near 400 degrees down there.

 

[daveomak]

Even the one that connects to the mes? It's right by the heating element. I figure it could him near 400 degrees down there.

The element may be 6-700 degrees but mixed with air, no problem.... some folks can't get wood to smoke in their MES, if the wood is more than 1/4" from the element....

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

Yeah I defiantly know about mes issues! Lol! What I don't get is what is everyone using as elbows on theses mailbox mods? All three hardware stores I went to only had galvanized in 3".... And what would be suggested aluminum? Stainless steel?

 

[daveomak]

Aluminum...... HDepot has aluminum.... and alum. flex.. big box stores have it all.....

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

Lowes and Depot both only had aluminum in 4".... Maybe I can special order it.

 

[aeroforce100]

Lowes and Depot both only had aluminum in 4".... Maybe I can special order it.

Did you look over where the range hoods, and  stove replacement parts are?  Our Lowes recently moved the 3" ducting over in this area

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

I did not. I bought the galvanized and after thinking about it over night I'm gonna take it back. Not worth the risk. I'll check by the stove parts today. Thanks!

 

[radioguy]

Here's what I ended up using.... It was located by dryer stove vent stuff....Menard's. No elbows needed.

RG

IMG_20140413_112653.jpg

• radioguy
• Apr 13, 2014

IMG_20140413_114543.jpg

• radioguy
• Apr 13, 2014

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

I have some aluminum 3" dryer hose. It's a little to big for the hole on the mes 40 I have. What did you do snip it in a few spots so it would squeeze in?

 

[daveomak]

Slide it over a soup can or some other round object about 3" in diameter and squeeze the aluminum smaller... It will collapse...

 

[phillip p smith]

Learned something new!  I was going to light may 5 x 8 smoker and my propane torch was empty.  Took it inside to the kitchen stove and held the end over the flame until it lit. Also ran the line of pellets over the flame a few time until I could see a little steam coming off. The pellets were dry, the end was lit perfectly from the top to the bottom.  Burned perfectly!!  Much easier than microwave and a torch!!

 

[imarb]

Does it make any difference if the mail box is painted on the inside?  And looking at the other posts I assume if painted is ok then the galvanized steel won't be a problem on the mb.

 

[wolfman1955]

 
Does it make any difference if the mail box is painted on the inside?  And looking at the other posts I assume if painted is ok then the galvanized steel won't be a problem on the mb.

IMHO I would not use a MB that is painted on the inside! You run the risk of offing paint fumes with the heat from the pellets. If you still want to use that MB you can always use a propane torch and burn the paint off of the inside prior to using it on your smoker.

 

[mowin]

I wouldn't bother painting the inside. As far as off gassing, the inside of my smoker is painted and thats gonna get alot hotter than that mailbox.

 

[hillbillyrkstr]

The amzn just smolders. Doesn't get hot enough to mess with the paint. I wouldn't worry about it.