A-Maze-N vs ProQ Cold Smoke Generators

[geerock]

Hey all,

New guy with his first post here and the first thing I have to do is thank everyone here for the info on the A MAZE N smoker.  I've been smoking for close to 20 years now and recently decided to try a Masterbuilt 40 electric so that I wouldn't have to light up the big side loader for doing smaller items or quantities.  Just used my new smoke box this weekend in my Masterbuilt 40.  I can't beleive how many problems the A MAZE N solved in one fell swoop.  First of all, the Masterbuilt has always had trouble producing mellow, blue smoke.  Because of the heat of the smoker box right over the element it flash burned chips and pellets, producing acrid, white smoke that only lasted 15 minutes or so with a lot of the smoke pouring out of the loader vents. To be honest, I was going to just use the thing for a warming oven for get togethers becuase I was simply not getting good flavor from this thing.   Now I simply put the A MAZE N smoker box on the rails under the water pan so that drippings don't get to it and I have great thin, blue, flavorful smoke that lasts for hours.  It also frees up the Masterbuilt chip trap so that when it gets chilly up here in New England, I can use the chip tray for lighting up a couple of chunks of hardwood lump charcoal to help the electric element to get up to temperature; something I would have to wait a couple of hours for before in cooler weather.  Being an environmental engineer I'm always glad to see a simple design product that works come along and that is exactly what the A MAZE N Smoker is.  Thanks Todd and the best of luck.  Happy Smokin' to all!
 

 

[bmudd14474]

Welcome to SMF. Glad to hear that the AMNS is working out for you.

 

[jojo22]

I just read through a good section of this post. I am new to cold smoking all together. If both companies would like I will buy one of each product under the understanding that whichever product is better will stay with me, and the other can be returned for a FULL refund, no matter which product it is. This would give IMO not only an unbiased opinion (as I am new here and really have no loyalties to any of the members) but a good exam of ease of use since I am new??

So what do you guys think?? I would think both would be happy to do so, and I'm not asking for any free product, just a "risk free" period in which to use both.

 

[chefrob]

I just read through a good section of this post. I am new to cold smoking all together. If both companies would like I will buy one of each product under the understanding that whichever product is better will stay with me, and the other can be returned for a FULL refund, no matter which product it is. This would give IMO not only an unbiased opinion (as I am new here and really have no loyalties to any of the members) but a good exam of ease of use since I am new??

So what do you guys think?? I would think both would be happy to do so, and I'm not asking for any free product, just a "risk free" period in which to use both.

i'll try that the next time i'm at the dealership.......................LMAO!

 

[jojo22]

Dude we're talking about less than $100 worth of goods here, not 30-80+K!!

And I've been looking at both, and honestly I see advantages to both of them.

 

[scarbelly]

Dude we're talking about less than $100 worth of goods here, not 30-80+K!!

And I've been looking at both, and honestly I see advantages to both of them.

 Then buy one! Try contacting any of the other cold smokers and making the same offer - what is the guy that you declare the "looser" going to do with the smoker you return? That is just rediculous

 

[chefrob]

Dude we're talking about less than $100 worth of goods here, not 30-80+K!!

And I've been looking at both, and honestly I see advantages to both of them.

i'm not knocking you but it's not YOUR $100 now is it.................

 

[jojo22]

Uh, don't know, but I thought it a hell of a lot more fair than those on here asking for free units?? I mean come on, do they beg for other stuff too?? People that have neither unit jumping in and offering to "test" the ProQ, I think they should have just said hey I'm too cheap to buy one so please give it to me free!

Read my other posts, I am trying a cold smoke as I type, and if I like the results will be buying one of these two units, unlike others who just want something free!

And as for the comment about the dealership, go in and ask for a test drive, no deposit required!!

 

[jojo22]

Dude we're talking about less than $100 worth of goods here, not 30-80+K!!

And I've been looking at both, and honestly I see advantages to both of them.

i'm not knocking you but it's not YOUR $100 now is it.................

Actually it is, $100 is both of them combined if you buy the package deals and pay for the shipping! These products probably cost the business less than $20 (for the unit, not including dust or tourches) to make, and both appear to want the comparison, sorry guess I shoudl have just jumed on the "give me free stuff" bandwagon, but somehow, that just felt like an internet version of looting??

 

[jojo22]

Chefrob: I tried to quote you but it said since I'm now it needed moderation. YES it would be my $100, that is the retail cost of both units combined (as starter packages). Really the cost to the loosing smoker maker would probably be less than $20-25 bucks, I mean relaly do you think they are making these items and not pulling some type of profit??

Guess next time I'll jump on being a "tester" to get out of paying for something!!

 

[scarbelly]

Dude we're talking about less than $100 worth of goods here, not 30-80+K!!

And I've been looking at both, and honestly I see advantages to both of them.

i'm not knocking you but it's not YOUR $100 now is it.................

If you had some cold smoking chops it might be different but in your case it would just be a personal preferance and would not merit the review.  Please understand we are not trying to attack you but your thought process is flawed. A true tester is one with enough experience to make an honest evaluation.
 

 

[jojo22]

While I am new to cold smoking I am not new to smoking all together, how is my evaluation worth any less than any of the other people who have neither unit, what are they currently using to cold smoke??

 

[rdknb]

WOW all I can say is this is becoming more personal then it needs to be.  Attacks on others are so not needed. Lately I have been seeing SMF become us vs them.  That saddens me as the lack of that is what made this place different. What happened to we all just tell each other how we do it and maybe we all can learn?

 

[chefrob]

Uh, don't know, but I thought it a hell of a lot more fair than those on here asking for free units?? I mean come on, do they beg for other stuff too?? People that have neither unit jumping in and offering to "test" the ProQ, I think they should have just said hey I'm too cheap to buy one so please give it to me free!

Read my other posts, I am trying a cold smoke as I type, and if I like the results will be buying one of these two units, unlike others who just want something free!

And as for the comment about the dealership, go in and ask for a test drive, no deposit required!!

Chefrob: I tried to quote you but it said since I'm now it needed moderation. YES it would be my $100, that is the retail cost of both units combined (as starter packages). Really the cost to the loosing smoker maker would probably be less than $20-25 bucks, I mean relaly do you think they are making these items and not pulling some type of profit??

Guess next time I'll jump on being a "tester" to get out of paying for something!!

looks like the "quote" button is doing strange things tonight..........i had issues on another thread and right now i only wanted to quote the last one from you.........

anyway.........the offer to test was between 2 makers on their terms, i'm sure that offer has since expired. i do have an AMNS and i do like it. it works well for me, and i do like the ease, size, and it's versitility of it. i don't have or ever used the pro-q model so i can't say anything about it's perfomance. what i can say is the AMNS is made in the U.S.A. and is of US materials so I PERSONALY would rather spend my $$ helping out a US business and it's US suppliers in today's economic climate given that both are pretty close in price and performance. you see i have an F350 and i am glad to support an american company that didn't take any bailout $$. enough about that.........

what are some of the pros and cons that you see on either one......maybe i can help you with the AMNS since i have 2. and for the record i will tell you honestly what i have found with my trials. also what are you going to be smokeing and in what?

 

[rdknb]

I love my AMS  and I wonder the motavation of other to knock success down

 

[chefrob]

While I am new to cold smoking I am not new to smoking all together, how is my evaluation worth any less than any of the other people who have neither unit, what are they currently using to cold smoke??

if a person already had one the the test would have been skewed.................i think a fair playing field was the tought.

Chefrob: I tried to quote you but it said since I'm now it needed moderation. YES it would be my $100, that is the retail cost of both units combined (as starter packages). Really the cost to the loosing smoker maker would probably be less than $20-25 bucks, I mean relaly do you think they are making these items and not pulling some type of profit??

Guess next time I'll jump on being a "tester" to get out of paying for something!!

 

[jojo22]

Well to be honest the things I liked about each where the fact that the AMNS could be lit from both ends and was lit with a torch (not so fond of the candle idea, hot wax on my hands does not sound plesent, and with kids, it's near certain I would be bumped taking it back inside), on the other hand the spiral of the ProQ seems like it would stay a little cooler (I imagine that the tips of each "row" on the AMNS get hot as the cherry makes the turn to the next row). And temperature is obviously an issue when cold smoking.

 

[tjohnson]

jojo22,

What are your concerns about the A-MAZE-N-SMOKER?

What smoker are you using it in?

I personally own both units

TJ

 

[scarbelly]

Jojo22

What I was trying to say and obviously did not say it in the correct way, is why would a manufacturer want to put a unit in the hands of a person with no cold smoking experience as a test against another company.  One manufacturer might want to give one to someone with no experience to see how they did with it and see how they could improve it for someone learning the process. To assume that two manufactureres would spend that money in a heads on competition is not something worth their investment. I am not saying you are not a fair person or a good judge. Business does not work that way. I have worked for both large and small companies and have never seen any of them take this path. 

I think I understand that you were trying to offer to test and give an opinion but in most cases where it is a side by side they usually want someone with experience to test the process

Sorry if I did not put it in the right words. I have been laying tile and brick all weekend and am probably grumpy

 

[chefrob]

i agree i didn't like the candle idea. i don't think it makes a difference on the hot sides if you don't grab where the cherry is.....there are 3 sides, 2 if you light both ends to grab it, if you need to move it. when i light the AMNS i pick it up with my bare hand with out an issue of burning myself. once it is in my smoker i just leave it until it's done. as for the temp and heating up my smoker i have not had any issues and i live where my smokers can be up to 140 deg just sitting there with no fire.  what are you going to be smoking in?