AMNPS with MES

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Elevating the AMNPS... Helped my pellet burn a LOT... Lets air get under the tray for another source of oxygen supply...

I still haven't been able to try it but on slowest speed there is very little air moving. I'll post back here with results of first rest run. I have never had enough air flow for the pellets to remain burning. I did see you have your pellet tray elevated with carriage bolt legs. I am also going to see if that will also help me.
 
Elevating the AMNPS... Helped my pellet burn a LOT... Lets air get under the tray for another source of oxygen supply...
Thanks Dave. Run a test bird Monday. Turned out nicely Juciey due to brine but once again I had a hard time keeping pellets burning. So I'm still not getting enough air flow. I did elevate the amps tray. Going to try and remove the chip tray and drip shield from around the heating element to see it that helps. Does that all come out by removing three screws from chip feeder on the outside of the smoker?
Thank you.
 
Thanks Dave. Run a test bird Monday. Turned out nicely Juciey due to brine but once again I had a hard time keeping pellets burning. So I'm still not getting enough air flow. I did elevate the amps tray. Going to try and remove the chip tray and drip shield from around the heating element to see it that helps. Does that all come out by removing three screws from chip feeder on the outside of the smoker?
Thank you.

Yes, it all comes off with those screws.

Have you tried microwaving the pellets for 1 min, mix pellets around and wait 2 min, then microwave 1 more minute?
This does wonders for me keeping pellets lit :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: daveomak
Yes, it all comes off with those screws.

Have you tried microwaving the pellets for 1 min, mix pellets around and wait 2 min, then microwave 1 more minute?
This does wonders for me keeping pellets lit :)
Thanks for the reply Tallbm. Appreciate the disassembly confirmation. I have tried nuking the pellets before though not for the time/sequence you describe. Saw a YouTube video last night where a guy microwaved them for 2 1/2 min, stirred and go finished with another 2 1/2 mins.

Going to try one more test run this afternoon after I remove the interior parts.

SoFloGator (Don)
 
Thanks for the reply Tallbm. Appreciate the disassembly confirmation. I have tried nuking the pellets before though not for the time/sequence you describe. Saw a YouTube video last night where a guy microwaved them for 2 1/2 min, stirred and go finished with another 2 1/2 mins.

Going to try one more test run this afternoon after I remove the interior parts.

SoFloGator (Don)

I would very much fear 2 1/2 minutes you might start a fire like another member did not to long ago lol. If you want 5 minutes worth I would do 1 minute 5 times with a 1-2 minute break in between :)
 
Like Tall said---Be careful.
Any time you Nuke Pellets, stay there & pay attention. Don't want a bad fire.

Bear
 
I would very much fear 2 1/2 minutes you might start a fire like another member did not to long ago lol. If you want 5 minutes worth I would do 1 minute 5 times with a 1-2 minute break in between :)
Thanks Tallbm...well I gutted the smoker and nuked the pellets for 2 1/2 stirred for a few minutes and finished with a other 2 1/2 minutes. I did use a clear glass casserole dish to heat the pellets in. Your point is well taken however.
The good news is that between the gutting of the smoker, the elevation of the amps tray with four small machine bolts 3" long, heating the pellets for 2 minutes with blow touch, allowing pellets to burn for 10 minutes before blowing out flame and placing in mail box and finally blowing air with the fan on lowest setting...the test burn went perfectly!! Pellets burned completely through all three rows of tray and ashes left were nice, white and fluffy.
I am one happy smoker tonight and Can't wait to load the birds tomorrow morning. Happy Thanksgiving to All!!!
SoFloGator
 
Thanks Tallbm...well I gutted the smoker and nuked the pellets for 2 1/2 stirred for a few minutes and finished with a other 2 1/2 minutes. I did use a clear glass casserole dish to heat the pellets in. Your point is well taken however.
The good news is that between the gutting of the smoker, the elevation of the amps tray with four small machine bolts 3" long, heating the pellets for 2 minutes with blow touch, allowing pellets to burn for 10 minutes before blowing out flame and placing in mail box and finally blowing air with the fan on lowest setting...the test burn went perfectly!! Pellets burned completely through all three rows of tray and ashes left were nice, white and fluffy.
I am one happy smoker tonight and Can't wait to load the birds tomorrow morning. Happy Thanksgiving to All!!!
SoFloGator

Awesome to hear!
I have a sneaky suspicion that the nuking of the pellets and elevating the tray were the factors that really put you over the top. You can always run some more tests taking one thing away at a time to figure out what is truly working and the most simplistic approach :)
 
Awesome to hear!
I have a sneaky suspicion that the nuking of the pellets and elevating the tray were the factors that really put you over the top. You can always run some more tests taking one thing away at a time to figure out what is truly working and the most simplistic approach :)
Thanks Tall...yeah, I'll keep playing with it to try and reduce it down to as basic a procedure as possible. Enjoy your day tomorrow.
 
Just a follow-up to yesterday's smoke. Smoked the breasts for about 8 hours until they reached 165 internal. Wrapped in foil, placed in insulated cooler for another hour or so (not by plan but other dishes were not ready).

Breasts had a nice golden brown color and were nice and juicy. Got rave reviews from guests for flavor and I'll admit probably one of best smokes I've done. Hope everyone had as good a day as mine!
 
I used the AMNPS in my new MES 30 under the bottom shelf on the left side last night and had no issues.
 

Attachments

  • 2018-01-22 18.57.38.jpg
    2018-01-22 18.57.38.jpg
    135.3 KB · Views: 245
I used the AMNPS in my new MES 30 under the bottom shelf on the left side last night and had no issues.


Cool !!
I put mine closer to the right, so it gets air flow from the Chip dumper.
However I never tried mine sideways like you have yours. Gotta try that.

Bear
 
Last edited:
Many here will disagree but if it were me... I'd call Todd at A-Maze-N products ((651) 352-2831). He might even swap the tray for a tube smoker and solve all your problems. The tube will lay right on the bottom and just smoke a long, long time. Todd may recommend removing the water tray entirely and using a sheet of foil to tent the tube from drips. Be sure to open the chip filler a couple of inches to allow for air intake. WORKS FOR ME!!
 
I don't do the microwave. I tried it, then wondered if the wood smell would ever go away.
So I do the daveomak method of drying out my smoker when done, and pre-sterilize it before use.
But when it is pre-heating, my AMNPS tray is in there getting dried out before the sm00kin run.
Keeps the whole process in the MES, and the smellz outside of the house.
And there will be peace in the valley today....

I also have a large aluminum pan I put pellets in to dry out a large amount at one time.
 
I don't do the microwave. I tried it, then wondered if the wood smell would ever go away.
So I do the daveomak method of drying out my smoker when done, and pre-sterilize it before use.
But when it is pre-heating, my AMNPS tray is in there getting dried out before the sm00kin run.
Keeps the whole process in the MES, and the smellz outside of the house.
And there will be peace in the valley today....

I also have a large aluminum pan I put pellets in to dry out a large amount at one time.

Was someone asking about washing out the smoker and AMNPS? Or drying pellets?
 
If I had that smoker I would fill the water pan with dried beans like you do for filling a pie crust and pre baking it. I would fill it with dried beans and cover it with 2 layers of heavy aluminum foil. I would put my tray right on top of that water pan or the rack above it. I would cover the tray with a piece of aluminum foil drip pan bent to keep a 1 inch gap above the top of the tray and pellets. Essentially making a vented cover for the tray allowing smoke to roll out of the ends and or sides. You give up the bottom rack cooking area when you choose to use the tray .
Or..... You buy the tube thingy.. :D
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky