AMNS first timer

[barrycuda]

I am going to use my AMNS for the first time this weekend in my Masterbuilt XL to do 2 butts and have a couple of questions. Since I have plenty room should I put the AMNS on the bottom next to the burner or above the burner in a pan? Should I fill the AMNS or leave the center row empty (6x8)? If I fill completely do I light just one end or both ends?

If I use on the bottom next to the burner I might drill a hole beside the AMNS for some combustion air and put a piece of ceramic tile between the burner and AMNS.

I realize the AMNS works best at lower temperatures but it seems some of you guys are having success at higher temps. Thanks.

Barry

 

[scarbelly]

I will let one of the MES guys answer about the placement. The ceramic tile sounds like a great idea but again I dont have an MES. I use my AMNS for hot smokes 100% of the time and love it.

Good luck with the smoke and dont forget the qview

 

[tjohnson]

Hey Barry!!

My answers are in RED

I am going to use my AMNS for the first time this weekend in my Masterbuilt XL to do 2 butts and have a couple of questions. Since I have plenty room should I put the AMNS on the bottom next to the burner or above the burner in a pan?  Try it both ways to see which works better.  Either way, you'll need a heat deflector between the flame and the AMNS.

Should I fill the AMNS or leave the center row empty (6x8)? If I fill completely do I light just one end or both ends?  I would light both ends and leave the center row empty, to keep it from jumping rows.  You should get about 4 hours of good smoke this way and can refill if nesessary.

If I use on the bottom next to the burner I might drill a hole beside the AMNS for some combustion air and put a piece of ceramic tile between the burner and AMNS.  I think this may be a good location and the tile will work as a great heat shield.  Yes, you need some intake air for good combustion.

I realize the AMNS works best at lower temperatures but it seems some of you guys are having success at higher temps.  You're correct, but there are a couple tricks guys use to get it to burn at higher temps, without jumping rows.  You really need to keep it out of the direct heat from the flame.

Here's a pic from Richoso, where he placed his AMNS in a GOSM.  I know your Masterbuilt is different, but the placement may work the same.  It is directly in front of an intake vent.

Todd

 

[moose8327]

Was just wondering if we could get an update on your experience with the AMNS in the XL? I have the XL and am looking into buying the AMNS. Did you go with the beside the burner scenario?

 

[barrycuda]

Hey Moose,

I have had mixed results hot smoking with the AMSN. It is working pretty good for short smokes(ribs, chicken, etc.). I have only done one long smoke(4 butts) and did not get as much smoke flavor as I wanted but I am still experimenting. For the long smoke I placed the AMSN to the left of the burner close to the smoker wall. I took a 1" brick paver, wrapped in aluminum foil, and placed on it's side between the burner and the AMSN. The bottom of the AMSN is divided into 4 sections so I drilled 4  holes(3/8") in the bottom of the smoker to align with the AMSN sections. I use it this way when I am using a water pan. For smokes without a water pan I place 4 of these brick pavers in the water pan a put the AMSN above it and just below the drip pan. This works good for ribs, beer can chicken, ABTs, etc. I think air flow is the big factor with the AMSN. The propane burner consumes a lot of air so you need to provide the AMSN with it's own air source. Since the XL has no lower air intakes, other than around the burner, you need to provide some for the AMSN. I will try to get some pictures this weekend of my setup. As for the holes I drilled, when I am not using the AMSN I just lay a brick paver over the holes.

Barry