I'll start with a little tip I started doing a couple years ago that I never see anyone mention in other forums. First, I have a first gen MES, but it is one of the refurbished ones that has the screw on access panel (wiring issue), so it's lasted. I know they have changed these over the years so this point is important for my question.
Tip: Take a pair of slide pliers and crunch up some charcoal into big chunks. Place it in the pan with the wood. I never soak my wood, but this little pearl alone has vastly increased the smoke output at lower temps and it also improves the smoke ring as well as fully burns the wood chips so you can add more before opening the door to empty any ash. I only have to empty it if I'm doing something overnight and I coordinate the door opening with any spraying I do.
Question: As you all know, these things are unusable for a cold smoke and pretty weak below 230 (mine is). Which is fine, I just set it at 230 (I think it is really around 220 at this point, it seems off).
Has any taken these apart or drilled through the side opposite the wood chip access tube? I want to drill a hole and add one of these: http://www.smokedaddyinc.com/smokers.htm
I've used the amaz-n-smoker for cold smokes and am not satisfied with it. The above smoker is so much more versatile. But, my MES is running strong and I'd hate to destroy a $300 smoker.
Tip: Take a pair of slide pliers and crunch up some charcoal into big chunks. Place it in the pan with the wood. I never soak my wood, but this little pearl alone has vastly increased the smoke output at lower temps and it also improves the smoke ring as well as fully burns the wood chips so you can add more before opening the door to empty any ash. I only have to empty it if I'm doing something overnight and I coordinate the door opening with any spraying I do.
Question: As you all know, these things are unusable for a cold smoke and pretty weak below 230 (mine is). Which is fine, I just set it at 230 (I think it is really around 220 at this point, it seems off).
Has any taken these apart or drilled through the side opposite the wood chip access tube? I want to drill a hole and add one of these: http://www.smokedaddyinc.com/smokers.htm
I've used the amaz-n-smoker for cold smokes and am not satisfied with it. The above smoker is so much more versatile. But, my MES is running strong and I'd hate to destroy a $300 smoker.