It comes with a huge package of pellets! Are you kidding me? I didn't read that in the product description. Todd Johnson has won a new customer for life!
Yeah, Todd is a really good guy. He really stands behind his product and will gladly help you troubleshoot if you have trouble with itIt comes with a huge package of pellets! Are you kidding me? I didn't read that in the product description. Todd Johnson has won a new customer for life!
Baja--did you use the heating element on your smoker or leave it turned off? I know you cold smoke cheeses but heat has to be used for meats. Did you just put the AMNPS in your smoker alone or did you put a barrier between it and the heating element? You wrote that you used nine inches. Doe this mean you don't fill up all three sections with pellets? As you can see, I haven't used my pellet smoker yet but I'm going to fire it up in my empty smoker this weekend, too.
If you follow Todd directions you will have no problems. Since you live in a high Humidity area of the country, take Mick's advice and Nuke the pellets to make sure they are Dry. The AMNPS lights easily with a torch and if you let the pellets burn 5-10 minutes there is little that will put it out short of meat drippings. I have found each row will give 3 hours of smoke and it takes 30 minutes to turn a corner so 10 hours total. The best way to Guarantee good Pellets is buy them from Todd! His are 100% Smoking wood made from whatever flavor wood the label says. Most of the pellets at the home stores are for Pellet Stoves and Pellet Grills and are made from mostly a hot burning filler wood like Oak and Alder with a small percentage of smoke wood like Apple. Burn hot but not much Flavor added to your food. The Glazed tile does help even out the temps and acts as a heat sink for faster recovery after opening the door.One guy told me he had a hard time lighting the AMNPS and keeping it lit. I'll find out for myself this week. I have no idea how much I plan to fill the pellet smoker but there are recipes that call for 12 hours of smoking. Another guy said he spent 39 hours straight on a smoking project. That's hardcore, man.
Todd sent me a 2 lb. Oak pellets package and I've got pellets I bought at Home Depot. I have no idea how to tell good quality pellets from lesser quality. I think I'm going to try hot smoking first but I've been advised to buy a non-glazed 12x12 floor tile to use as a heat dam.
Baja Traveler, I can see why you'd want to convert your smoker from charcoal to natural gas. Must be a hassle to have to replenish both the briquets and wood chips/pellets during one smoke.