mes mailbox mod

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I use the dust smoker for cheese. I just might to this mod.



That is a good looking mower
I have a new holland discbine.
 
Done the mailbox mod to my MES 40 this evening.
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I've used the "mailbox mod" in my MES 40 new style for about a year now pretty much exclusively (for hot and cold). The pluses for me are: can relight the amazin tray easily without opening the chamber door; noticed that with 3 1/2" holes in door, I rarely have to re-lite the tray at all (very good air flow from mailbox to vent). Can also reload the tray on those long smokes like 20lbs of shoulder without opening the chamber door.

The minuses (and they are really really small minuses) from me are; the TBS seems to move at a good rate of speed through the chamber (great airflow). Thinking I could control this better by playing with the amount and size of vent holes on the mailbox. Chamber temp seems like it never makes it as high as I would expect (this is probably due to the crappy new style MES 40, than the mailbox mod).

Now that's it quite warm here in Florida, it's strange to see the wood grease coming out of the mailbox when its idle, so have put a sheet of sheet metal under the mailbox to keep from staining concrete below it..

Summary .. it rocks!
 
I've used the "mailbox mod" in my MES 40 new style for about a year now pretty much exclusively (for hot and cold). The pluses for me are: can relight the amazin tray easily without opening the chamber door; noticed that with 3 1/2" holes in door, I rarely have to re-lite the tray at all (very good air flow from mailbox to vent). Can also reload the tray on those long smokes like 20lbs of shoulder without opening the chamber door.

The minuses (and they are really really small minuses) from me are; the TBS seems to move at a good rate of speed through the chamber (great airflow). Thinking I could control this better by playing with the amount and size of vent holes on the mailbox. Chamber temp seems like it never makes it as high as I would expect (this is probably due to the crappy new style MES 40, than the mailbox mod).

Now that's it quite warm here in Florida, it's strange to see the wood grease coming out of the mailbox when its idle, so have put a sheet of sheet metal under the mailbox to keep from staining concrete below it..

Summary .. it rocks!
I see it all the time and do not know what it means! So dummy me will need to ask what does TBS stand for?
 
I see it all the time and do not know what it means! So dummy me will need to ask what does TBS stand for?
Thin Blue Smoke. It's what we strive to achieve rather than "no smoke", or the dreaded loads of white smoke...

I compare it to the amount of smoke that comes off a lit cigarette when trying to explain to friends ..
 
Is this the rule with all smoking or just pellets?
It's the goal (or guideline) regardless of chunks, chips, pellets -IMO-. Some like more, some like less. Some dishes "take to" more smoke, some less. Best to strive to that goal, and adjust your tastes with time and tasting...lots of tasting and <wait for it>..more tasting ..
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Dockman......   Depends on which camp you come from.....  Some folks like and swear by heavy smoke...  Others, like the light smoke flavor...   Heavier smoke at times tastes like creosote and is bitter....  Light smoke usually never has the creosote flavor, bitterness....  

Light smoke,(TBS) can be applied for hours or days in the case of cold smoked bacon... (which I have done)....with no bitter taste...

Caution when smoking meats like for dinner.... after you smoke all day and taste the food, you will have become desensitized and the smoke will have hardly any flavor...  others will think it is too strong....

Generally, a light smoke is not overpowering to the food, and enjoyed by all.....   
 
Testing new mailbox mod now with mix of hickory/cherry pellets. Smoke is white and I have no clue what to change to get TBS. Any hints for future smokes would be appreciated.
 
Is the exhaust vent wide open ??  Is there water in the water pan....   what is the temp of the smoker... did you dry the pellets...  did you clean your glasses...  
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 .... just kidding about the glasses..
 
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