I bought a MES. It is the analog one with legs. Looks pretty good but while I was assembling it I noticed that there is no chip loading tube like I saw described here. Turns out this one requires you to put the chips in through the door. I thought they all had the side loading. This would not be a problem except that I also bought the cold smoker (not so cold maybe) so I could get longer smokes. I have not received the cold smoker but expect it in a day or so.
So, the cold smoker will not be able to be attached to the smoker as designed. I now have a $60 cold smoker I can't use. I can send it back for a refund no problem just have to fight with ebay. The seller did nothing wrong, They described the unit perfectly and I got what I ordered so I hate to send it back. Plus I don't want to send it back, I want to use it.
Now for the smoker, I could return it and buy the digital version because the cold smoker only fits the digital version of this smoker. It will cost me more but I can handle that.
However, the reason I bought the analog version is because of the issues I have heard with temp control on the digital ones. Therefore I assembled my own PID controller with relay that will keep the temps dead on eliminating the need for the electronics on the digital version. The analog version of the smoker has a 1500 watt heating element -vs- a 800 watt in the digital. I like the additional wattage.
So if anyone can assist me I have a plan.
Does anyone see any reason I can't just cut a hole in the side of this thing and attach the cold smoker permanently to the side of this smoker? I can cut the hole to any size I want as I have the hole saws.
I can use the PID to control the temp in the smoker and use the cold smoker to deliver the smoke and not use the smoker chip tray at all.
I assume I would need to increase the diameter of the hole used for the smoke to be vented. The hole is only half inch. I can resize this as large as I want and use a ball valve to be able to adjust the exhaust for heat retention.
Other than it being a bit of work, does anyone see any reason this will not work? I would rather use the money I would spend upgrading (if you can call it that) to the digital on the parts to modify this one and use this higher wattage heating element.
Also for those that have one of these, how well does it work in the winter? Would there be much benefit in taking it apart and adding insulation?
Thanks for any advise anyone can give.
So, the cold smoker will not be able to be attached to the smoker as designed. I now have a $60 cold smoker I can't use. I can send it back for a refund no problem just have to fight with ebay. The seller did nothing wrong, They described the unit perfectly and I got what I ordered so I hate to send it back. Plus I don't want to send it back, I want to use it.
Now for the smoker, I could return it and buy the digital version because the cold smoker only fits the digital version of this smoker. It will cost me more but I can handle that.
However, the reason I bought the analog version is because of the issues I have heard with temp control on the digital ones. Therefore I assembled my own PID controller with relay that will keep the temps dead on eliminating the need for the electronics on the digital version. The analog version of the smoker has a 1500 watt heating element -vs- a 800 watt in the digital. I like the additional wattage.
So if anyone can assist me I have a plan.
Does anyone see any reason I can't just cut a hole in the side of this thing and attach the cold smoker permanently to the side of this smoker? I can cut the hole to any size I want as I have the hole saws.
I can use the PID to control the temp in the smoker and use the cold smoker to deliver the smoke and not use the smoker chip tray at all.
I assume I would need to increase the diameter of the hole used for the smoke to be vented. The hole is only half inch. I can resize this as large as I want and use a ball valve to be able to adjust the exhaust for heat retention.
Other than it being a bit of work, does anyone see any reason this will not work? I would rather use the money I would spend upgrading (if you can call it that) to the digital on the parts to modify this one and use this higher wattage heating element.
Also for those that have one of these, how well does it work in the winter? Would there be much benefit in taking it apart and adding insulation?
Thanks for any advise anyone can give.