A MAZE N smoker minor issue

shields

Newbie

Original poster

Aug 16, 2011

21

10

• Jul 15, 2013

• #1

So this is my second smoke on my MES 30".  Formerly ECB and Char broil silver smoker.  The MES is a godsend.



Anyway, my first smoke went well, but the fire jumped the maze.  So I thought I would on do 1 1/2 columns for #2 so it didnt jump again.  Then this happened, again.  Am I doing something wrong?  



As you can see, it didnt start on the unlit...  until the column next to it was right there.  I have the MES chip cylinder pulled out about an inch and took out the  chip tray from inside.  Food came out great, but its not going to last for a whole smoke and I am wasting the pellets at this point.   



Scott 

amze.jpg

• smokinhusker
• Jul 15, 2013

 

Last edited by a moderator: Jul 15, 2013

themule69

Epic Pitmaster

Oct 7, 2012

12,884

350

live north of fort smith arkansas between alma and

• Jul 15, 2013

• #2

Scott

try using less pellets. About a 1/4" below the top. I often lite both ends. So your not wasting your pellets that much.

Happy smoken.

David

 

shields

Newbie

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 16, 2011

21

10

• Jul 15, 2013

• #3

Ill give that a shot!  Thanks very much.

Scott

 

kathrynn

Legendary Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Jun 13, 2012

9,442

121

Madison, AL

• Jul 15, 2013

• #4

Your picture is not coming thru very well.  Here is a quick link to learn how to upload them here at SMF.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/125263/how-to-upload-a-photo-q-view-to-your-post

Kat

 

Bearcarver

Gone but not forgotten RIP

OTBS Member

Group Lead

Sep 12, 2009

45,279

18,182

Macungie, PA

• Jul 15, 2013

• #5

themule69 said:

Scott

try using less pellets. About a 1/4" below the top. I often lite both ends. So your not wasting your pellets that much.

Happy smoken.

David

Click to expand...

Yup!!

The only times I've seen an AMNPS jump rows is if it's too full, making the space between the rows very small, and I believe somebody had one too close to the element.

Bear

 

njfoses

Meat Mopper

Oct 6, 2012

212

13

South Jersey

• Jul 19, 2013

• #6

I had frequent issues with my amnps jumping rows in my mes 30.  I use a 10x10 tile wrapped in foil over the heating element cover to even out the temps in the right back hand corner.  I believe a side affect of this is heat was radiating to the amnps causing all rows to ignite.  I went with the mailbox mod a few months ago and have not had an issue since.

 

Bearcarver

Gone but not forgotten RIP

OTBS Member

Group Lead

Sep 12, 2009

45,279

18,182

Macungie, PA

• Jul 19, 2013

• #7

njfoses said:

I had frequent issues with my amnps jumping rows in my mes 30.  I use a 10x10 tile wrapped in foil over the heating element cover to even out the temps in the right back hand corner.  I believe a side affect of this is heat was radiating to the amnps causing all rows to ignite.  I went with the mailbox mod a few months ago and have not had an issue since.

Click to expand...

I tried laying a piece of tile in that corner, and it got super hot under the tile, and very slow to heat the rest of the smoker. I would guess that would have made the AMNPS burn up.

Then I put a sheet of aluminum down there, and raised the left side of the aluminum. That causes the heat to slide over and go up the middle, instead of trapping it underneath.

Bear