Well its not really an answer to your question but it might help... I broke out the Little Chief this year and (surprise...) the element needed replacement again. So I saw at Lowes that they had Brinkmann Charcoal smokers on sale. That is what we used up at the lodge to smoke fish and I always liked that charcoal system. Anyways the new fish smokes fish (silvers) to a perfect consistency in 2-3 hours. I love it and am glad I bought it this year. I have been smoking fish like crazy now.

My point is that instead of buying another element or messing with the Little/Big Chiefs maybe you might want to look into the Brinkmann Gourmet Charcoal smokers. I paid $44 here at the Lowes in Tacoma.

CF