Mailbox Mod

kandl · May 14, 2014

I'm really wanting to get something set up so I can use my AMNPS with the UDS all the time. I have a large rural mailbox at my disposal but to me that seems to be way to large and funny looking. I don't really have the ability to make anything from scratch so I'm searching for ideas. So far I have come up with a couple that I wanted to get some opinions on.

My first thought was an old metal lunch box. Seems like it would be the perfect size but I can't seem to figure out how to get around the lid being on top. Wouldn't the "exhaust" or the smoke pipe need to come out the top for the best flow or could it vent out the back?

0000445_vintage-dukes-of-hazzard-lunch-box-w-therm

kandl
May 14, 2014

Option 2 is a vertical mailbox such as this..

71gAslkjJUL._SL1500_.jpg

kandl
May 14, 2014

This I would lay on it back and vent the smoke out the top with an elbo into the UDS. Of course if anyone else has any other clever Ideas I'm all ears. I have a 40lb bag of pellets I'm itching to use so I am wanting to get this done as soon as I can.

Thanks!

pc farmer · May 14, 2014

How bout a ammo can. I have seen them used.

dirtsailor2003 · May 14, 2014

bought my all steel mailbox and all the fittings from home depot. Mailbox was $25, the fittings about $5.00. Dryer vent hose I already had. I screw the fitting into the valve on the UDS and away we go. The UDS uses a larger fitting than the mini so I have two different reducers to make it work. The valves on the UDS don't get as hot as the mini so I haven't been worried about the plastic melting. I only use this set up on the mini to cold smoke. Suppose I could rig it with brass or black pipe if I wanted to.

kandl · May 14, 2014

Farmer, the ammo can would work great also but they are more expensive then the mail boxes or the lunch boxes. Dirtsailor I see that your vent comes out the back of the mail box. so obviously my thought that it MUST come out the top is not correct. The mail box I have laying around is exactly like that I was just hoping to get something smaller and permanently attach it to the UDS.

mneeley490 · May 14, 2014

I'd check on ebay what that lunchbox might be worth, before I'd start cutting into it. Some of them can go for a lot of $$.

pc farmer · May 14, 2014

I thought everyone had ammo cans laying around. LOL Sorry.

dirtsailor2003 · May 14, 2014

image.jpg

dirtsailor2003
Jan 13, 2014

Yep right out the back. Look at the smoker in this thread by Pop's and see his mounted permanently. Picture is part way down.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/161782/the-picnic

I drillled a 3" hole in mine since I have large holesaws. You could cu a square or whatever with a jigsaw and a metal blade.

kandl · May 14, 2014

c farmer said:
I thought everyone had ammo cans laying around. LOL Sorry.

LOL well alot of people might but not me..

kandl · May 14, 2014

mneeley490 said:
I'd check on ebay what that lunchbox might be worth, before I'd start cutting into it. Some of them can go for a lot of $$.

I don't have a dukes of hazard lunch box.. if I did i wouldn't use it LOL. I only used that picture for a laugh.. There is a plain old silver lunch box on amazon for 9.99.

kandl · May 14, 2014

Okay I see that I can easily make the big mailbox work with no issues and I might just go ahead and rig that up so I can start using it right away and maybe keep an eye out for something smaller.

dirtsailor2003 · May 14, 2014

Keep in mind that something smaller may not provide enough air in the chamber to keep the smoke going.

kandl · May 14, 2014

That is one of my worries with the smaller box.. I will just have to see what happens. All else fails i have the big ol mailbox that will work. Thanks for your help everyone!

daveomak · May 14, 2014

http://www.walmart.com/ip/PostMaster-Galvanized-Steel-Mailbox/16781382

$10 at w-mart....

lbc970 · May 30, 2014

DaveOmak said:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/PostMaster-Galvanized-Steel-Mailbox/16781382

$10 at w-mart....

I'm a new guy to the forums, but not to heat and metal. That mailbox is galvanized. Having been sick with MFF in the past, I would recommend staying as far from galvanized anything with my smoker. Plain or stainless steel is ok.

Cody

daveomak · May 30, 2014

LBC970 said:
I'm a new guy to the forums, but not to heat and metal. That mailbox is galvanized. Having been sick with MFF in the past, I would recommend staying as far from galvanized anything with my smoker. Plain or stainless steel is ok.

Cody

The AMNPS does not get NEAR hot enough to cause a problem with the galvanizing..... and there is a continuous air flow through the MB to help keep it cool....

goliath · May 30, 2014

i used a cheep blue enamel turkey roaster ...

works great

GOOD LUCK !!

kandl · May 31, 2014

Goliath do you have a picture of your setup?

goliath · May 31, 2014

here are some pics, in the pic i have a "home built" AMNPS but i found a Canadian supplier and now have the real deal. well worth the few dollars it cost. it was the shipping that was stopping me before. i couldnt justify paying as much or more for shipping than the product !!! i actually run 2 sometimes cause my smoker is pretty big. i drilled a hole and welded a piece of light pipe to the top of the roaster, drilled holes all around the roaster for good air supply. if you dont have access to a welder just some heating duct pop rivetted and some high temp silicon would do the trick. you can always tape off holes if you think you are getting too much air. i control the draft on the top of my smoker. one thing i noticed is that if i am cold smoking in the middle of winter i set the smoker temp to 60 - 70 degrees to create a draft of air, (flow) this is because when it was windy outside it was blowing smoke into my shop. 1st time i came in and seen this i thought i my shop caught fire ... LOL

P1010004.jpg

goliath
May 31, 2014

P1010006.jpg

goliath
May 31, 2014

P1010008.jpg

goliath
May 31, 2014

P1010044.JPG

goliath
May 31, 2014

i switched to this longer piece of flex hose because its easier to get the lid off and on. when not in use i just store the whole works in the smoker ....

i even used my masterbuilt cold smoke unit for a bit but have settled on this turkey roaster mod and never looked back

P1010009.jpg

goliath
May 31, 2014

and this is how i hook it up to my MES, actually cool enough for a true cold smoke

P1010003.jpg

goliath
May 31, 2014

GOOD LUCK

Goliath

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