cold smoking with my landsman electric smoker

[Bearcarver]

 
wont the plastic melt?

 
Remember, the only thing generating any heat in that pic is the dust in the AMNS which generates very little heat.   The smoker's heating element is not on.   It sounds like you are going to attempt to burn your chips dry using the smoker's heating element but with a pan of ice?   That will not work for cold smoking, especially of cheese.

What cmayna said.  The plastic won't melt with just the AMNS burning, or with the element at 100° with the ice in between, but I would recommend just the AMNS or the AMNPS.

And the jug of Ice if the ambient temp is high.

Bear

 

[mr t 59874]

As I see, there is a top vent on your smoker, if so, there is no need to purchase an AMNPS.  By using your smoker as a heat-sink you can cold smoke simply by adding a cardboard box with a rack or racks placed on dow rods inside it and placed over your top vent.  Cut a flap in the top so the flow of smoke can be adjusted.

Although I use a retired Little Cheif, the following will give you an idea of what I sometimes use,  pictures 1 & 2 in the following thread.  My Cold Smoking Options w/Q - View

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[Bearcarver]

fratthewcraig,

Since I noticed cold smoking isn't the only thing you want to do, you can get the AMNPS for all of your smoking.

That way you can use the racks that came with your smoker, so you don't have to buy separate racks to put inside a cardboard box.

You'll get plenty of use for the AMNPS.

Bear

 

[mr t 59874]

 
fratthewcraig,

Since I noticed cold smoking isn't the only thing you want to do, you can get the AMNPS for all of your smoking.

That way you can use the racks that came with your smoker, so you don't have to buy separate racks to put inside a cardboard box.

You'll get plenty of use for the AMNPS.

Bear

Maybe I have missed something here.  Does his smoker have a smoking capability or not?  If so can it be used?  Could he possibly use the racks in his smoker in the box?

 Although I do have an AMNPS it is only used for extended cold smokes, it is not needed for shorter durations such as when smoking cheese or hot smokes.  

T

T

 

[Bearcarver]

Most of us Watt-burners use our AMNS & AMNPS on all kinds of smokes.

It gives better results than any electric smoker can do without it---Cold or Hot.

Although maybe not as good as on racks in a cardboard box above our vents, but good enough for us.

Bear

 

[ndkoze]

I think Mr. T's cardboard box is definitely a workable solution. That is what they recommend for my Big Chief.

Big Cheif Cold Smoke Option.png

• ndkoze
• Mar 6, 2015

But, it seems that springing for an AMNS is really the way to go if you can swing the $34 or whatever it is now days.

I would be worried about the wind blowing the cardboard box off and dumping my cheese all over the place. You would really have to have the box locked down somehow.

 

[mr t 59874]

 
Most of us Watt-burners use our AMNS & AMNPS on all kinds of smokes.

Stats, please.

It gives better results than any electric smoker can do without it---Cold or Hot.

OMG

Although maybe not as good as on racks in a cardboard box above our vents, but good enough for us.

Bear

I am so happy for you Bear.   I'm not one who tries to sell someone a bus when all they need is a car. 

T

 

[mr t 59874]

 
I think Mr. T's cardboard box is definitely a workable solution. That is what they recommend for my Big Chief.

Big Cheif Cold Smoke Option.png

• ndkoze
• Mar 6, 2015

But, it seems that springing for an AMNS is really the way to go if you can swing the $34 or whatever it is now days.

I would be worried about the wind blowing the cardboard box off and dumping my cheese all over the place. You would really have to have the box locked down somehow.

NDKose,  I used the Little Chief smokers that way for probably more than twenty years or so.  That is where I got the idea of inverting the LC over the Cookshack.

Thanks for your post, I am sure it will help many.  Those boxes are priceless.

T 

 

[ndkoze]

I still have my Big Chief and it is stored in its original box. I'm guessing it is 15-20 years old and I still like to smoke my fish in it.

Mine is a front loader, so, I never tried the box thing. But, it is a simple idea that obviously works.

 

[mr t 59874]

 
I still have my Big Chief and it is stored in its original box. I'm guessing it is 15-20 years old and I still like to smoke my fish in it.

Mine is a front loader, so, I never tried the box thing. But, it is a simple idea that obviously works.

Oh, if we could share a penny for each pound of fish smoked in a Little or Big Chief smoker.  

  My box was so fragile towards it retirement it was treated like the Holy Grail.  

  I think the boxes were more valuable than the smoker itself for us cold smokers.

T

 

[mr t 59874]

 
I think Mr. T's cardboard box is definitely a workable solution. That is what they recommend for my Big Chief.

I would be worried about the wind blowing the cardboard box off and dumping my cheese all over the place. You would really have to have the box locked down somehow.

Forgot to mention in the previous post, that when placed on top, the legs of the Chiefs rack are recessed into the smoker itself.  This helps stabilize the entire unit. 

For added support, a cooler with a six pack inside works very well.  When the cooler becomes so light that it is no longer efficient, the cheese is done.  

Tom

 

[fratthewcraig]

Ah I think I understand. I need to basically put a chamber were the smoke would collect ontop of the vent on my machine. So a cardboard box type contraption I will probably just suck it up and get the anmps. Is the main dif in the two models one smokes pellets and one smokes saw dust?

 

[mr t 59874]

Ah I think I understand. I need to basically put a chamber were the smoke would collect ontop of the vent on my machine. So a cardboard box type contraption I will probably just suck it up and get the anmps. Is the main dif in the two models one smokes pellets and one smokes saw dust?

Even with the AMNPS you can still use the contraption as the AMNPS may still produce too much heat to smoke cheese.  An AMNPS with one end lit and placed inside my 22 cf. smoker will raise the temperature ± 30°.  It's whatever works for you.  Just offering ideas.

T

 

[ndkoze]

The ANMPS can use pellets AND dust, where the AMNS can only use dust.

I'd get the AMNPS for the versatility.

 

[fratthewcraig]

And do you get pellets directly from amnps or is there third party vendors? Also anyone got any DIY options for turning chips/chunks to sawdust?

 

[ndkoze]

You can get them from AMAZEN Products for sure. But there are many places you can get dust and pellets.

 

[mr t 59874]

And do you get pellets directly from amnps or is there third party vendors? Also anyone got any DIY options for turning chips/chunks to sawdust?

Todd sells a very high-grade pellet that burns very well in his units.  I have tried the discount pellets with poor results. 

If sawdust or powder is required, I use a designated blender to grind up pellets, depending on the product being smoked. 

T

 

[Bearcarver]

The ANMPS can use pellets AND dust, where the AMNS can only use dust.

I'd get the AMNPS for the versatility.

And Craig,

Sawdust won't burn as hot as pellets. Either one will be fine in Winter, but keep a jug of frozen water ready for warmer days.

Since you'll be getting the AMNPS from Todd, get some Dust & some Pellets from him with the free shipping.

Then check around if you want for other places.

Bear

 

[fratthewcraig]

Amnps was shipped today! Got 3 pounds of muenster to smoke to celebrate it!

 

[cmayna]

 
Todd sells a very high-grade pellet that burns very well in his units.  I have tried the discount pellets with poor results. 

If sawdust or powder is required, I use a designated blender to grind up pellets, depending on the product being smoked. 

T

I like the idea of blending up pellets when you need some dust, but wow!, doesn't that do a number to your blender's blades?  Maybe one needs to have a stash of blades set aside?    Agree 100% about using Todds pellets.   Top quality.