My First Fatties On The MES 40! =)

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jpenny2525

Fire Starter
Original poster
Jul 7, 2008
69
10
I have done SEVERAL Fatties on my offset smoker, but this was my first on the MES 40. I used AMNPS for my source of smoke flavor, but had a hard time keeping it burning. I had it on the bottom under the water pan, but it was also the first time I had liquid in the water pan... Not sure if this was the caused, but will continue to play around with it and figure the best use of the two. Due to that the Fatties and ABT's didn't have AS much smoked flavor as I would have liked, but still was pretty tasty! Plus the more I work on perfecting my skills on the MES the more I get to eat! This is the story I am telling the Wife (perfecting my skills)and I am sticking with it! OK, now time for the pics!
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Bell peppers, onions, and garlic sauteed in some bacon drippings.

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50/50 on ground beef and sweet sausage, cream cheese, sauteed veggies,

crumble bacon, and fresh mushroom.

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Same as the above pic minus the mushroom since the wife doesn't

like mushroom. Truth be told I don't think she has EVER tried it, but

in her "mind" she DOESN't like them.
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All wraped, seasoned, and ready for the smoker!

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I also have a few ABT's that will go into the smoker

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Cooked at 225 for just about 4 hours. Dang, this is making me all

hungry again!

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All plated up with some wicked baked beans, sweet corn, and ABT's!
 
I decided to go to the AMNS web page and re-look at why my AMNPS would not stay lit, and after a few mins of reading notice it was due to an operator error... ME! 
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 I lit the AMNPS and placed it at the bottom of the smoker. I even remembered to pull the chip loader out to allow for an air intake, BUT I failed to remember to pull out the chip try so the air could actually flow into the MES.
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I guess I am getting old and might need to start using a check list to REMIND me what to do preventing any future brain fart moments!
 
Fatties Look Great!

Yes, pulling the chip pan out 1 1/2" will help, but it's most likely the added moisture from the water pan that's effecting the burn.

Think about how large the water pan is, and how much water vapor is created???

I personally do not use water in the pan, but it's a personal preference.  If you think you need moisture in the smoker during smoking, us a small loaf pan with some water in it. 

Try smoking without water in the water pan.

I'm testing some new pellets today at 250° in my MES 40"

No water in the pan

Chip loader out 1/4 way

I modified the end of the chip pan housing with a 2" hole, but works same as pulling out chip pan 1 1/2"

Also added a 9" stack to the exhaust

Todd
 
Last edited:
Fatties Look Great!

Yes, pulling the chip pan out 1 1/2" will help, but it's most likely the added moisture from the water pan that's effecting the burn.

Think about how large the water pan is, and how much water vapor is created???

I personally do not use water in the pan, but it's a personal preference.  If you think you need moisture in the smoker during smoking, us a small loaf pan with some water in it. 

Try smoking without water in the water pan.

I'm testing some new pellets today at 250° in my MES 40"

No water in the pan

Chip loader out 1/4 way

I modified the end of the chip pan housing with a 2" hole, but works same as pulling out chip pan 1 1/2"

Also added a 9" stack to the exhaust

Todd


You must have a smoker going all the time!

Are you smoking anything while your testing, or just running it empty?
 
Fatties Look Great!

Yes, pulling the chip pan out 1 1/2" will help, but it's most likely the added moisture from the water pan that's effecting the burn.

Think about how large the water pan is, and how much water vapor is created???

I personally do not use water in the pan, but it's a personal preference.  If you think you need moisture in the smoker during smoking, us a small loaf pan with some water in it. 

Try smoking without water in the water pan.

I'm testing some new pellets today at 250° in my MES 40"

No water in the pan

Chip loader out 1/4 way

I modified the end of the chip pan housing with a 2" hole, but works same as pulling out chip pan 1 1/2"

Also added a 9" stack to the exhaust

Todd
Yeah, the water pan was putting out a ton of moisture, and with the tray not being pulled out the odds were against having any smoke. As for your mods let us know how they turned out.... maybe even some pics! =)
 
You must have a smoker going all the time!
Are you smoking anything while your testing, or just running it empty?


It's a sin, but mostly empty.....

I keep my old MES around just for testing pellets and sawdust.

TJ
 
Yeah, the water pan was putting out a ton of moisture, and with the tray not being pulled out the odds were against having any smoke. As for your mods let us know how they turned out.... maybe even some pics! =)
Here's a couple simple mods I did to my MES that make it smoke better.  Since the MES is starved for air, these mods help move air thru the smoker.

Todd

2" Hole I drilled in the end of the Chip Pan Housing with a hole saw

Pulling the chip out about 1 1/2" does the same thing

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9" Stack made of (2) Progresso Soup Cans Bean cans also work. 

OD = 3" and will fit without removing damper

Chimney creates a slight draft and negative pressure inside the smoker

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2 1/2" 45° PVC Elbow also works good.

I have not used the PVC Elbow during Hot Smoking

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