AMNPS in MES 2.5 30"

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kbrower11

Newbie
Original poster
Jul 21, 2015
10
10
Zeeland, Michigan
I have a MES 30" smoker and I'm curious what is the best location for the AMNPS?

I've tried it all the way at the bottom (where it just fits) and seems to go out on me every time.  I've also placed on the rack just above the water pan.  I can keep it going on the rack just above the water bowl, but that just seems to be a little high in the smoker.  For both locations I've had the damper all the way open and the wood chip loader all the way out.

It may be that I haven't let it burn long enough before putting it in the smoker, but seemed to always have a nice cherry going before I put it into the smoker.

I've attached a couple of pictures to show the locations I've had it in.

Since I'm pretty new to smoking any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Kevin


bottom position picture


on rack picture.
 
The first pic where it just fits is where the unit is built to fit ! Try putting your chip loader in & pull out bout inch or inch & a half (that's what works for me). Could be it's not getting a draft or your not letting the AMNPS get lit long enough ? You using pellets or dust ? If pellets, what's your elevation ? I'm round 5,000 ft & can't use pellets cause of elevation, I have to use dust ! Just my 2 cents, maybe some MES gurus will chime in here soon !
 
I use pellets. We are around 650 feet here in Michigan.

I'll try putting the chip loader in and pulling it out a liitle.

Thanks
 
Try getting it lit better---Real big Cigar-like Cherry in the bottom of the row-----Could take up to 20 minutes of lighting & blowing on it.

The AMNPS was actually designed to fit in an MES 30, but that was for a Gen #1 MES 30 (on the bars).

If you want to put it in the bottom left, you need something under it to get it up higher----Something that won't block the bottom perforations, like a wire basket.

Bear
 
Looking at the pics it looks like you might not be using enough pellets. I fill mine just shy of the top. I also let it smolder out of the smoker at least 20 minutes if not 30. 
 
Okay, I will look for something to raise it a little. Also will let it burn longer when I light it.

Thanks for the input. :biggrin:
 
That looks perfect. You can assume 3-4 hours of smoke per row, depending on wood selection and humidity (of the pellets and smoker interior).

I've never used anything other than my AMPS, originally for my analog mes 30 and now my BT 40.
 
The way the AMNPS is filled in the picture (the top two) is not how I filled it.  That was after I put it out after a smoke one time.  Sorry about the confusion.  I fill it like chef JimmyJ shows in his picture.

Thanks to all who have supplied input.  I'm going to try to smoke some ribs and steak today!
 
 
The way the AMNPS is filled in the picture (the top two) is not how I filled it.  That was after I put it out after a smoke one time.  Sorry about the confusion.  I fill it like chef JimmyJ shows in his picture.

Thanks to all who have supplied input.  I'm going to try to smoke some ribs and steak today!
That's what I figured---You just used those pics to show the 2 places you had it.

Of those 2 ways, I like the second one best. That's not too high to make the smoke.

Just continue to fill it like Jimmy showed, but get it lit real good. You need a big Cigar-like Cherry down deep in the row before you put it in.

Bear
 
Did a smoke of a rack of ribs and a steak today.  Placed and upside down foil pan in the bottom of the smoker (couldn't find a wire basket to fit in the 5" space) with the bottom cut out of it and slots cut in the side to allow air to flow.  Still had issues keeping it smoking the whole time (unless I put the smoking side close to the heating coil).  The ribs turned out good and the steak was pretty good as well.

Bear, just to be clear, you like the AMNPS on the rack just above the water pan?  If that is the case, I will try it on the rack again next time.

Here is a picture of the meat I smoked today!

Thanks again to all your responses!

Kevin

 
Quote: "   (unless I put the smoking side close to the heating coil). "

Did you try Nuking the Pellets for 90 seconds? Be careful they get hot! In some areas, time of year and even batch to batch, pellets can have more moisture and act like you describe...JJ
 
Last edited:
I've found putting the pellets in the toaster oven for 20 min works better for me rather than nuking them for some reason.  Then again, I'm at 9100 feet in elevation and have switched to the tube as the maze just wasn't working up here.  Depending on what I've got in the smoker determines where I put the tube.  If I can I put the tube on the bottom shelf on the right hand side rather than the left.  No problem with it smoking the entire time.  If I can't use the bottom shelf I put it on the bottom like your first pic.  I have to keep an eye on it there as it will go out...maybe.  I also have the chip loader and tray out and the vent open. 

Took a bit of playing around when we moved up here last year from sea level, or maybe 36 feet above. 
 
 
I've found putting the pellets in the toaster oven for 20 min works better for me rather than nuking them for some reason.  Then again, I'm at 9100 feet in elevation and have switched to the tube as the maze just wasn't working up here.  Depending on what I've got in the smoker determines where I put the tube.  If I can I put the tube on the bottom shelf on the right hand side rather than the left.  No problem with it smoking the entire time.  If I can't use the bottom shelf I put it on the bottom like your first pic.  I have to keep an eye on it there as it will go out...maybe.  I also have the chip loader and tray out and the vent open. 

Took a bit of playing around when we moved up here last year from sea level, or maybe 36 feet above. 
At 9100 feet, it's a wonder it's no wonder the AMNPS doesn't work for you. Glad you're getting a handle on it with the Tube!!

Bear
 
Did a smoke of a rack of ribs and a steak today.  Placed and upside down foil pan in the bottom of the smoker (couldn't find a wire basket to fit in the 5" space) with the bottom cut out of it and slots cut in the side to allow air to flow.  Still had issues keeping it smoking the whole time (unless I put the smoking side close to the heating coil).  The ribs turned out good and the steak was pretty good as well.

Bear, just to be clear, you like the AMNPS on the rack just above the water pan?  If that is the case, I will try it on the rack again next time.

Here is a picture of the meat I smoked today!

Thanks again to all your responses!

Kevin
I'm experimenting with a new Gen 2.5 myself right now, and so far that's the best place I've found. Got more experimenting to go though.

Bear
 
Hmmm, have you mentioned what type of pellets you are burnin?
 
>Did a smoke of a rack of ribs and a steak today. 

Did you sear the steak after you smoked it? It's hard to tell from the picture, but it doesn't appear so.
 
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