New Mods

[tpb]

Spent a few hrs playing around with some mods on the smoker over the last couple of days.  I'm looking to make it a little more reliable during the winter, and I have found that it would never get up to temp.  Going to add another 500w element, and I've added a fan to help circulate the heat a little bit.  I picked up a Trager controller locally to run the second element but I've been having some issues getting it set up as it is not meant for an electric smoker.  I have emailed them for more info so hopefully I can make it work.  Right now it is just operating as an addition temperature display, and I have an Auber PID on order, so I can control both heaters.  The fan is on a dimmer switch to control fan speed.  Here are a few pics of the work in progress.

Fan


Fan Controller


Traeger Controller


I had planned to do a brisket today but ran out of time, so I'll be getting up early tomorrow and getting it in.  Going to smoke a few garlic rings today to keep busy.

[beefmann]

looks good, my only concerns are that the motor will be affected for the following reasons and possibility  contaminating the meat

1) the smoke affecting the motor making it seize
2) moisture rusting the motor
3) higher temps that the motor is not  designed to work in
4) the plastic fan blade melting, smoking or heat affecting it  giving off contaminates and contaminating the meat,

i would do a  long at higher temperature then you  would normally  would example :    275 F for 7 hours ( or the highest you  can get to ) to see if there  would be any problems

I do know fans help so it is a good idea,,, just the  plastic and the  motor inside the cabinet is what my  concerns are   

[devo]

You don't have to test that fan, I can tell you its not going to work. That plastic blade is good as gone when you hit the higher temps and what beefmann said about the motor being exposed to the smoke ....that sucker will get so messed up it won't turn after a few smokes. Been there done it

[Alanfromwis]

   I have installed a squirrel cage blower inside the cabinet on upper left corner of top shelf. Have done 3 smokes with it so far with no problems except noticed the pucks burn more complete with blower off. so only turn fan on after smoke complete. The blower has a steel frame & fan here is a link to a metal frame fan.

http://www.newark.com/multicomp/mcab1123-hst-gn/ac-blower-120x120x31mm-115v/dp/12N2286
  Will see how this works over time & will update with any developments.

[Alanfromwis]

  Forgot to add, this is not the same blower that I used. Had a fan salvaged from a old radio transmitter that I installed, but is simular to the link one.

[tpb]

Going to remove the fan at the recommendation of beefman and devo.  Got my PID and cant wait to try it out, thinking a pork sholder this weekend.



Cant wait!