One more "Mail Box Mod" for the AMNPS and the MES30 ...NEW PICTURES FOR ATTACHING ELBOW TO MAILBOX

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Thank you so much, so glad others have taken off with this mod and made it compatible to their systems!   Mainly, it has enhanced and made Todd Johnson's A-Maze-N Pellet Smoker unit with a much wider application range to use with many other smoking units and give greater flexibility and usefulness to it!  You can adjust airflow much better, customizing it to almost any application.  And, don't forget, a standard mailbox should be long enough to accomodate either the 6" or 12" A-Maze-N Pellet Tube smoking unit also (available at www.amazenproducts.com).  I need to get them and test them out in it!  I'm still using mine as I had it:

 
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I went ahead and gave the mailbox mod a shot this weekend. I have attached some pictures of my attempt. 

I think I still have some tweaking to do. 

I was using Traeger Cherry pellets in my amazn box. I have not altered the mailbox in any way other than cutting a hole in the top for the duct. I found that I could keep the TBS going if I just opened the door to the mailbox slightly. I was pretty happy with what I was seeing but I am disappointed in the results. I smoked an entire chicken and it had very little smoke taste. 

I need to increase the amount of smoke I am getting. I see two different options to do this. 

1. Drill some additional ventilation holes in the mailbox to get more air to the pellets. 

2. Hook up a fish tank air pump and run an air hose in to the mailbox. This air pump would be adjustable and if I seal the mailbox up I should be able to control the amount of smoke with the dial on the pump (This works in my brain anyways...)





I'll update this post tomorrow or Monday when I get a chance to modify my setup. 
 
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W, evening.... from post I have read, the exhaust in the center of the MB can be a problem.... recirculating air and smoke, from the AMNPS reduces the oxygen available to the pellets... the exhaust on the end with air entering on the door, eliminates that possibility..... Once through air is the way to go.....
Your lack of smoke could be due to "reduced combustion" of the pellets.... Just saying.....

Dave
 
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Hey All!

I've been looking at all the amazing mailbox mods out there and am ready to do one on my MES so I can use my new AMNPS to produce that beautifu TBS!

The question I have is ... I see some are attaching the 3" aluminum elbow to the top and some on the back ... (like Dave Omak) ... and some are attaching it directly to the smoker (or smoke house, like Pops6927) ... so is there any advantage, disadvantage to any of the hookups?

Oh, and also ... I'm thinking of setting up "multiple hookups" ... so I can connect the mailbox mod to any one of my 3 smokers ... depending on what I'm smoking ... and volume needs.

Appreciate the input!

The Wisconsin White Rhino ... GO-PACK-GO!!   View media item 280905
 
I finally got to the store and got myself an adjustable air pump. I sealed the mailbox with silicone and drilled a hole in the back of the smoker to accept the clear air hose from the pump.

I hooked everything up and with the air pump set at the middle setting the pellets smoked for about 8 hours. I was very happy that everything stayed lit.

I still haven't had a chance to smoke any food with this setup. The temperature here is -38 with the wind-chill and I'm not even going to try...

I did just see the post for scarbelly wings and that looks like a great candidate for my first attempt. I'll update with some pictures if this works out.

DaveOmak.

Thank you for the suggestions with the possible exhaust problems. I added a piece of 3 inch duct on coming out of my exhaust vent. I'm not sure if this will have any effect or not.
 
Fellas,

I am having a tough time finding an all aluminum mailbox at retail stores. None of them that I have went to carries an aluminum mailbox on the shelf. They are plastic, steel, and galvanized steel.

I see where I can order one online, such as from Home Depot, model # alm11000, Mill in color. They state that it is all aluminum; but then they brag about having a rust resistant finish along with being powder coated.


Does this one appear to be safe to use? I have respiratory issues, and I want to be sure.

Are the insides of all of them unpainted, free of rust resistant finish, and without powder coating?

I really want to get my mailbox mod finished for the weekend. I'm getting the shakes, I need a smoke.
 
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Victor, afternoon... Get a painted mailbox..... galvanized would be OK also.... I can't imagine any way the AMNPS would get to 700 ish degrees to volatilize the zinc... If you wanted, a small tile could be set under the AMNPS as insurance... The paint hasn't burned in mine yet.... Dave

 
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Dave,

Thank you Sir. I am just trying to make sure I'm safe. I have chronic respiratory issues that I can't afford to aggrevate. Nor do I want to ingest something toxic to my health. I've got all my hardware minus the intake vent. I will pick up my butterfly vent tomorrow.
 
If you want to save some work and $'s.... The AMNPS needs a supply of air that doesn't need to be adjusted... See my pics below... I have covered over the lower holes partially.... I would recommend 3 each, 3/4" holes as shown... that should be good.... If you also need to adjust the air flow through your smoker, a separate air inlet for the smoker would work and that "butterfly" valve would be great for that.. BTW, I call that a "pie" vent 'cause it looks like slices of pie... :biggrin: The upper hole is to keep the smoke from swirling and cutting off oxygen to the pellets... or so it says in fine print....


 
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Fellas,

I am having a tough time finding an all aluminum mailbox at retail stores. None of them that I have went to carries an aluminum mailbox on the shelf. They are plastic, steel, and galvanized steel.

I see where I can order one online, such as from Home Depot, model # alm11000, Mill in color. They state that it is all aluminum; but then they brag about having a rust resistant finish along with being powder coated.


Does this one appear to be safe to use? I have respiratory issues, and I want to be sure.

Are the insides of all of them unpainted, free of rust resistant finish, and without powder coating?

I really want to get my mailbox mod finished for the weekend. I'm getting the shakes, I need a smoke.
I got mine at Menards
 
I like the idea of controlling the volume of smoke into the chamber. I'll have to look into that. But, I really haven't had any issue of too much smoke with the AMNPS box yet. That will probably be something I modify later. I've gotta get this mailbox going quick, so I can get rid of the shakes. I need my smoke fix quick!
 
Wolfman,

We don't have any Menard's outlets in Houston that I know of. I have been to Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Lowe's, True Value, and a couple of Mom & Pop hardware stores in my area. They carry plastic, steel, and galvanized steel boxes in the store. But, no aluminum for a tightwad like me.

No problem, by what Dave says, I should be ok.
 
You can have to much air!! I started my mailbox with a 2" hole in the door and got flairups of the pellets ! all it took ws a piece of silver ducting tape to cover 2/3 of the hole now it works perfect!!
sausage.gif
 
I want the flexibility to provide more air for the initial startup of the pellets, but then backing off after a short bit when I'm positive the pellets are smoldering correctly. Hey, this electric smoker has really made me lazy. I want to get as much smoke from my burn as I can. I want to sleep all night long.
 
Here's photos of mine. I use both the 18" and 12" AMNTS. The only thing I'd change is to drill a smaller hole in the door for the AMNTS to sit in. Darn beer anyways! I have to put some foil to seal the gap. The tube is about 1/2"-3/4" above the floor if the box and it is fine. The exit in the back is 3", with 3" aluminum dryer vent. The mailbox is 100% steel.

The tube sticks out when in use. Works great.



 
Looks good. Apparently your'e getting sufficient smoke time. I hope you can reuse that metal tape. Man, some of that stuff is high as a cats back! I dropped the first roll I picked up the other day really quick. It was $18.00 a roll. Whew! I know I'm a miser. but, come on.
 
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