: Thanks all for the input and ideas.

: I came across two 5" fans for a good price (free) from a buddy I got
: hooked on this kayak building thing, he's building a 16' Mill creek. I
: think that I will go the lightbulb route for a heat source, maybe 3 or 4
: bulbs, switched so I can adjust the amount of heat.

: Any input as to weather I should use the fans to pull air out(fan on top,
: vents in the bottom) or push the air in (fan on bottom, vents on the top).
: Or one fan blowing in the other blowing out. Maybe I'm making this more
: complicated than I should

: Ken

Use them for exhausting the air if you use several bulbs and thus have a diffused heat source. If you have a concentrated heat source you want the air to be directed on that so you spread the heat around and don't get a hot spot.

If you use the fans to exhaust the air in the box you can make a large air intake, complete with a large air filter to keep dust off the food. A slidign panel in front of this air intake allows you to regulate the amount of air that enters the box. With less air entering, the temperature will rise a bit more. More air will cool the heating elements, reducing the temperature in the box.

Why not make an air intake on one side, say 15 inches long, by 4 inches high. Cover that with a filter. Inside the box, and directly in front of this intake place four 100-watt light bulbs and sockets. on the other side place a baffle so direect light does not heat the foods by radiant heat (overcooking those things that are nearest). The air coming in will flow past the bulbs and be heated before being drawn past the racks of food -- which are not on top of the heating elements, but along side them.

Just a thought

PGJ