I have been using a little chief smoker for a number of years (like 20). My element burned out. For less than the cost of a replacement element, I picked up a single burner hot plate. Set it up in there. My salmon takes right at 8 hours to smoke to perfection. Venison jerky about 6 hours. I have built a wooden box smoker, but have not caught enough fish this year to load it up, so have not finished it. I can put two of the little cheif racks inside, or lots of my own trays. Will use two hot plates in it. A buddy made it's twin at the same time cause his little chief was dyin' and he knew he wanted to get the hotplate anyway. He has been using his with great success.

Lots of ways to git er done.
Hope yours works.

Steve