Thermoelectric fan.

[jokensmoken]

Hey folks,
I've got a 40 inch Masterbuilt propane cabinet smoker which I LOVE...I've made a few mods to include bottom vents and a pellet tube for easier smoke control.
My only issue is hot spots. I'm continuously moving meat around in the cabinet to ensure even cooking.
I've been racking my brain to come up with some sort of "mixing fan" to just lightly stir the air inside the cabinet but haven't had any brilliant ideas yet...HOWEVER...
I've a good friend who has a small thermoelectric fan on his wood burner that is heat powered.
I thought "ah-ha...That's the ticket" but these units ain't too cheap.
Before I get one I thought I'd ask if anyone here has any experience doing this...OR...If anyone has some other simple solution for eliminating or minimizing "hot spots"
Thanks
Walt

 

[daveomak]

Have you tried drilling holes in the top of the side walls..  1-2 1" holes around the top of the walls to allow for the exhaust to mingle in all areas of the smoker body....  something similar to the plan below....

Also, a hunk of thermal mass above the burner may help...   like a cast iron skillet ....

MES Analog.jpg

• daveomak
• Apr 17, 2017

 

[jokensmoken]

Well, Yup and yup, lol...I have added vent holes top and bottom and added a 12 inch square 3/8 inch thick piece of plate steel directly above the burner, as well as plugging all visible leaks... these mods did help but didn't eliminate...I think adding insulation might help, I'm just resisting doing it. Someone also suggested adding a 12 inch tall chimney or stack to the top might help.
I've got upwards of 30+° temp differences from top to bottom and front to rear at times.It's not a huge issue except I frequently smoke 40-50 lbs of meat (or more) t a time and have over cooked portions of large cuts like brisket and multiple racks of ribs need to be even more closely monitored. Currently I'm simply moving racks around as they're universal so I can rotate them 180° and change the levels, but it's a huge inconvience and adds cook time waiting for pit temps to recover...
Thanks for the suggestions...
It may end up being an inherent problem with this inexpensive smoker and something I'll have to live with...

Walt.

 

[daveomak]

Walt....  I know you are going to figure out something...   I'm waiting for the results....   

......

 

[jokensmoken]

Thank for the vote of confidence. I'm leaning towards adding a chimney first as it's the most cost effective possible solution to try next.
Got a butt to do for Sunday dinner...Going to swing by a furnace supply Friday and pick up the stuff to add the mod Saturday.
I'll post pics of the mods and results of temp monitoring.
Walt.

 

[chef jimmyj]

I have looked into some kind of fan in the smoker as well. No little computer fan can take heat above 150. The Ecofans work on a Difference in temps between the base plate and the fins. Stick the whole deal in the smoker and nothing will happen. More work than I want to do, but a convection oven fan and motor can be rigged up if you have some fabrication skill...JJ

 

[jokensmoken]

Thanks for the info JJ. So the stove fans work on a temp differential...Wouldn't work at all sitting in the smoker...Would have been a complete waste of money...
I've looked into in line duct fans but they all seem to move WAY to much air...I just want to lightly stir the air. But I do have an older variable speed above stove exhaust fan that might work. Also a rheostat might work on a duct fan...I was really hoping to stumble onto something way more simple... Electricity isn't always readily available away from home.
If you find something that fits the bill, please please please post it to this thread.
Thanks again.
Walt