A-MAZE-N-PELLET-SMOKER Does Not Smoke, Why?

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I think your monitor is out of color sync.  That color is fuschia and I did happen to mention, it's the wifes.  If it were mine, it would have been some macho color like Camo, Nato Green or other manly color.  You might just as well use the weed burner you use to remove airport striping with.  That would get it smoking......real good.
SORRY
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  Actually THANKS for giving it a try and posting the Q-vue.  While it may be a bit slower starting, it works and was what I had on hand at the time.  Now I just keep forgeting to pickup a propane bottle, so end up using the heat gun again  and again.  I need to make another run of Smoked Cheese though, so will try to time how long it takes to get things going.  Now onward and upward.........more Salmon to get smoked, etc.
 
Great Job on the pics Dave!

Great Idea Joe!

I've got a 1500 watt heat gun, and think I'm gonna give this a try for myself.  Then I can say I've done it.

Thanks Again!

Todd
 
Just checked mine, it's a 1200 watt with dual heat settings.  High setting claims 1,000 degrees.  Works pretty good so I'm thinking your 1500 watt should work like a dream.
 
I will show my LOOFT Lighter in action tomorrow on some pellets in my AMNS cold smoking some cheese.
 
Now we need pictures of using a magnifying glass...........NWDave you up for it............is the enough sun over there to try it ????????

from the dry side of the state.....to the wet side of the state.......
 
OK, You Guys Got My Curiosity Going..............

I took out my heat gun and gave it a whirl

Placed My 1680 Watt Heat Gun and Aimed It Into The Starter Hole

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On The Pellets for About 45 seconds, and Once I Pulled The Heat Gun Away....Poof!  Fire!!

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Blew Out The Flame After  a Few Minutes and The Smoke Appeared

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I Thought My Heat Gun Was  Milwaukee Tools, but Guess Not.  Label Says 1680 watts!

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I guess I learn something new every day!!

This is a great option for someone who does not want to mess around with a propane torch.

THANKS JOE!

Todd
 
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Well, since you posted yesterday afternoon, the coastal clouds have rolled in with promises of that wetness we're so fond of.  Back to you Dave since you're in the sun.  When I get to Colorado next week, I'll try it there though. 

~Dave
 
Now we need pictures of using a magnifying glass...........NWDave you up for it............is the enough sun over there to try it ????????

from the dry side of the state.....to the wet side of the state.......
 
Well, I guess bigger isn't always better.  The wattage on my wife's is 300W.  It's intended for art deco stuff and doesn't need to thaw out pipes and the other neat things we find for heat guns to do.  Before this, I used it for shrink tube when building gauge wiring harness'es for members of a Diesel Truck Support group I belong to.  A different kind of SMOKIN'.  In this group, clouds of black smoke are acceptable, but not in traffic.
 
You guys might get a charge out of this.

The only heat gun I have any more would not be any good for lighting pellets.

When I closed my cabinet shop, I sold most of the stuff I no longer needed.

My Edge Bander (Below) was one of those things, but nobody wanted to give me anything for it.

The big shops used bigger edge banders. The small shops either bought their shelving "pre-edged" or used an iron to melt the glue backing on the veneer tape.

So I removed the heat gun (blue thing on the right), and threw the rest away.

The heat gun is Made in Germany, 1100 watts, and has a big flat scoop type end on it to spread the heat out.

I could probably find a smaller tip for it, but I'll just use my propane torch.

Bear

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Try it?

What the heck!

May take a couple seconds longer, but who cares??  You got nothin' but time!

I held the heat gun too close, and when I pulled it away....POOF!   FIRE!

Now i gotta find one of those cute little heat guns like you guys have.

TJ
 
Maybe a stupid question... But I have been lighting the AMNPS with a butane torch. Would this have any effect on how well it starts. Used the AMNPS twice and the first time is smoked for almost 12 hours! Second time it died in about 3.5... Didn't make the turn.
 
Maybe a stupid question... But I have been lighting the AMNPS with a butane torch. Would this have any effect on how well it starts. Used the AMNPS twice and the first time is smoked for almost 12 hours! Second time it died in about 3.5... Didn't make the turn.



I pile the pellets higher on the corners..... Also, I noticed the other day when smoking a brined turkey, the hotter the smoker got, the less the AMNPS smoked.... I figured it was the water converting to steam and because of that expansion, the air flow slowed through the smoker... the AMNPS almost went out during that "steaming" episode.... even though the AMNPS is in my mailbox mod... slowing air flow reduces oxygen....
 
Couple things......

Usually if the AMNPS dies out at 4 hours or so, it's because the unit is starved for oxygen.

What's different this time that you only got 3.5 hours of smoke time out of the pellets?

Smoker Temp?

Ambient Temp?

Water in the water pan?

Placement inside your Smoker

What smoker is it in?

Did some juice drip on the pellets?

Todd
 
Couple things......
Usually if the AMNPS dies out at 4 hours or so, it's because the unit is starved for oxygen.
What's different this time that you only got 3.5 hours of smoke time out of the pellets?

Smoker Temp?
Ambient Temp?
Water in the water pan?
Placement inside your Smoker
What smoker is it in?
Did some juice drip on the pellets?


Todd

I was using the MES 30 (Gen 1). The set up and temp were all the same but the time it went out it was a really humid night. Maybe that was it. I'm going to smoke some beef ribs on Father's Day with the MES. I'll be able to keep an eye on it all day. Even if it does go out after 4 hours, that's more than enough smoke for ribs. And the first time I uses it with the brisket overnight it worked like a charm. I have not given up hope I was just wondering if what you light it with matters? And what should the part that you torch look like to get a good start?
 
Not to necro.. but i had a question, still bad idea to remove chip loader completed during hot smokes?   It seems that's only way i can keep AMNPS going lately..  Florida humidity?  I use amazn pellets   Spend 3 hours so far today fighting the old gen 2... today.It's been a pain! Luckily i have 2 AMNPS and i get 2nd one going when 1st goes out or smoke goes away.
 
Contractor type heat guns like the one Todd used often have different tips available some of which can focus the heat on a very small spot (think plastic welding) and thus may be even more effective for lighting the pellets or sawdust.
 
Todd, I need your help.

I've got the masterbuilt XL 44" propane smoker and I went for a test smoke today with my AMNPS.

I placed this thing all over the place and it would only smoke for about a half a row and then stop...all the while I had a strong bed of embers still going

I positioned my AMNPS right next to the side vents on either sides while running the alternate side burner. I lost a lot of smoke out of the side vents where it didn't seem like any was getting into my meat chamber..

Which leads me to believe it's an airflow problem. Is there anything I can do about this? I'll include some pictures to show you what I'm talking about.

Thanks in advance!

 
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