On any of the Little Chief type aluminum electric smokers you absolutely have to leave the cardboard box on them when smoking or the temperature will be too cold. I prop mine up a bit so it is not down on the element and covering the inlet holes under the element though - otherwise it might catch fire. I use a Totem front loader with 5 racks and can fit 45 pounds round weight of fish in there, which is around 20-25 pounds of filets. With that much fish it takes 2 days to smoke, more even with big king pieces. Smoke 'em until they are no longer mushy to the touch, they will brown nicely and feel cooked all the way through even if the temp is not real high, just takes longer. As long as your element gets visibly red hot it will be fine. If you do want to get a new smoker I highly recommend the Totem front loader, easy to access and holds up real well - I've had mine for over 10 years and smoke over 100 salmon and steelhead a year in it!