Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse.
Sorry, I know what a mess is, but, what is a mes?
Bear
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Masterbuilt Electric Smokehouse.
Sorry, I know what a mess is, but, what is a mes?
Hi Hundet,I must be one of the few that don't really like my MES 40. It's about 3 months old, and I really struggle with my smoke. Tried chip loader and have too many issues with flame ups. Tried an AMNPS inside the unit and couldn't keep it lit. Setup a mailbox mod, but still can't keep the AMNPS burning. Tried several flavors of pellets - found a suggestion to try a layer of oak with some cherry, but that didn't work. Tried nuking the pellets for 90 seconds to make sure they were dried. Tried a small fan and put additional 1" holes in the mailbox to get the air flowing. Just can't get a consistent smoke going.
Went back to the chip loader, but instant flames. I'm convinced it's me or my processes, but I'm really frustrated. Wishing I had saved up a little more and went with an egg, but I like the temperature controls that electric gives me. Anyone have any other suggestions for me?
Anybody that ever has trouble with an AMNPS going out, please go to the link below. ScooterMagoo shows the best way to do it.
I must be one of the few that don't really like my MES 40. It's about 3 months old, and I really struggle with my smoke. Tried chip loader and have too many issues with flame ups. Tried an AMNPS inside the unit and couldn't keep it lit. Setup a mailbox mod, but still can't keep the AMNPS burning. Tried several flavors of pellets - found a suggestion to try a layer of oak with some cherry, but that didn't work. Tried nuking the pellets for 90 seconds to make sure they were dried. Tried a small fan and put additional 1" holes in the mailbox to get the air flowing. Just can't get a consistent smoke going.
Went back to the chip loader, but instant flames. I'm convinced it's me or my processes, but I'm really frustrated. Wishing I had saved up a little more and went with an egg, but I like the temperature controls that electric gives me. Anyone have any other suggestions for me?
Must be something you're leaving out. I tried that one time in the Winter, and the smoke condensed on the pipe, ran down & dripped on my meat. I didn't like that at all. How do you avoid that?
There is one more thing you can try.
If you have a MES with the vent on the top, place a piece of 3" aluminum duct over the hole to create more draw. You can find these in any hardware store. I have one that is about 8" long, and twists to give different configurations. (If I was home right now I would post a pic.)
I keep the both the chute and the chip tray pulled out about 1", and have no problems keeping my AMNPS going (after nuking the pellets). Any more than 1", and there is too much draft, and the pellets can catch fire. Heck, you could even use a soup can, in a pinch.
If you have a side-venting MES, I guess you could get creative with duct tape or screws?
Your running with the exhaust vent full open? That's the problem. You need to regulate the air flow to get good consistent smoke. 1/2C of chips should easily last an hour. Remember constant smoke is not a necessity, the sweet spot is what you are shooting for 100 to 140 IT, and even then you don't have to deluge it in smoke. Sometimes more is better, but not always. It makes it easier to use hickory and mesquite that way also.
If I use the chip loader, I get massive amounts of smoke for 5-10 minutes and then it starts to fizzle out.
Keep trying...
Bear, I have found that the corner under the vent is my hot spot, so I don't position anything directly under it anyway.
Must be something you're leaving out. I tried that one time in the Winter, and the smoke condensed on the pipe, ran down & dripped on my meat. I didn't like that at all. How do you avoid that?
Bear
Aha! I've heard the side-vent MES's have had airflow problems. Still think some sort of chimney would be your solution.
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I've used ScooterMagoo's process to start my AMNPS and can get it started no problem. The problem lies in the proper airflow to keep it going. I've tried inside the MES above the water pan - no water, and outside in the mailbox. My MES is a side vent, and I'm pretty sure I just need to keep trying. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the challenge, and have produced some amazing meat, I've just never achieved the set it and forget nirvana I'm looking for.
I am going to try a couple tips from Thunder Lite regarding the positioning of the chip loader. Tried it with the loader out about an inch, but never with the loader facing forward. I'll see what that does.
I won't give up, and I'll enjoy eating the results.
After seeing a few posts like this, it makes me wonder what the difference might be between your MES 40 and mine. I have 2 MES 40's and have had no real issues with either one (although one has a larger temp difference than the other) but as far as keeping chips burning, I haven't had any problems at all...
I must be one of the few that don't really like my MES 40. It's about 3 months old, and I really struggle with my smoke. Tried chip loader and have too many issues with flame ups. Tried an AMNPS inside the unit and couldn't keep it lit. Setup a mailbox mod, but still can't keep the AMNPS burning. Tried several flavors of pellets - found a suggestion to try a layer of oak with some cherry, but that didn't work. Tried nuking the pellets for 90 seconds to make sure they were dried. Tried a small fan and put additional 1" holes in the mailbox to get the air flowing. Just can't get a consistent smoke going.
Went back to the chip loader, but instant flames. I'm convinced it's me or my processes, but I'm really frustrated. Wishing I had saved up a little more and went with an egg, but I like the temperature controls that electric gives me. Anyone have any other suggestions for me?
BTW- I keep my top vent at ~40-50% and the chip loader inserted for the duration...
After seeing a few posts like this, it makes me wonder what the difference might be between your MES 40 and mine. I have 2 MES 40's and have had no real issues with either one (although one has a larger temp difference than the other) but as far as keeping chips burning, I haven't had any problems at all...
I use a 50/50 pecan and mesquite small chunk mix, which I soak for 30 minutes or longer before I put them in the chip loader. I got the 'chip loader upgrade' from Masterbuilt by merely calling and asking for it, and that upgrade removes the heat deflector from under the chip hopper (perhaps that's the big difference?) I usually will add 2 chip loaders of chunks at a time, but when I'm finished, there is nothing but fine ash left behind, so obviously, the chunks are burning completely...
I guess the question is, have you gotten the chip loader upgrade from Masterbuilt?
The MES 40 that hunded has is the Generation #2 MES, which has a lot more issues than your Generation #1 MES 40.
After seeing a few posts like this, it makes me wonder what the difference might be between your MES 40 and mine. I have 2 MES 40's and have had no real issues with either one (although one has a larger temp difference than the other) but as far as keeping chips burning, I haven't had any problems at all...
I use a 50/50 pecan and mesquite small chunk mix, which I soak for 30 minutes or longer before I put them in the chip loader. I got the 'chip loader upgrade' from Masterbuilt by merely calling and asking for it, and that upgrade removes the heat deflector from under the chip hopper (perhaps that's the big difference?) I usually will add 2 chip loaders of chunks at a time, but when I'm finished, there is nothing but fine ash left behind, so obviously, the chunks are burning completely...
I guess the question is, have you gotten the chip loader upgrade from Masterbuilt?