I use the Amazen Tube Smoker, but in larger smokers. I would say for sure in the #1 you would need to use either a 9X13 pan of ice or 2/3 2 liter bottles frozen to be safe. The tube smoker doesn't put off that much heat but with the warmer temps coming, virtually no cost of freezing water, it is best to be safe. Now I only cold smoke cheese, so I have no experience cold smoking anything other than that. You can use whatever your choice of pellets you want as well. Hope that helps