MES Mailbox Mod! for use with AMNPS

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Hello Bear -

I use a variety of the wood pellets, so Ive had cherry in there etc. Recently, the hickory has been unsuccessful. The only one that's been successful is the maple - but not consistant.

The MES is the latest generation - Signature model with the controls in front. It has meat probe sensors etc.

No water in smoker - I use sand.

I ordered the blend from cookin pellets .com. What have you had success with?

The AMPNS is useless to me until I get the mailbox set up going on next payday.

Once I find a great burning pellet I will order a pallet of them!
As for my AMNPS:
I get all my Pellets from Todd, and the only ones I can't keep going in my Generation #1 and my Generation #2.5 is Cherry.

I always try to get people to keep trying to get theirs going before they resort to a Mailbox, but it sounds like yours is one of the ones that has to go there. Seems you've done all the things on the list of "Try This".

A lot of guys love the Mailbox for various reasons, but I just never wanted the extra hassle, and I don't have the room to leave it hooked up, unless I get rid of my Weber Q, or one of Mrs Bear's Rocking chairs. Neither one of those things are going to happen!!!

Bear
 
Bear -

I took out the tray assy inside the MES and left it wide open - burnt pellets in the Amaze-n for 6 hrs (1/2 the maze). Turned out perfect!! I have the rest of the mailbox to assemble - haven't got their yet for the reasons you say - the hassle and space.

When I took out the tray assy - I noticed that I can attach it to the outside of the unit, and attaché the pellet smoker to the inside of it. I will post pics next week if it works....
 
 
Bear -

I took out the tray assy inside the MES and left it wide open - burnt pellets in the Amaze-n for 6 hrs (1/2 the maze). Turned out perfect!! I have the rest of the mailbox to assemble - haven't got their yet for the reasons you say - the hassle and space.

When I took out the tray assy - I noticed that I can attach it to the outside of the unit, and attaché the pellet smoker to the inside of it. I will post pics next week if it works....
Not entirely sure what you mean about removing the tray assy & attaching it to the outside, but I'm sure Pics will help.

You got 6 hours---That's getting there---Did you stop it or did it quit with pellets left to burn?

Bear
 
I just had to replace my mail box (postal use) and might as well put the retired box to use. Question is do I need to remove the internal brackets and framework inside the smoker ?

 MES 30 Gen 2.5

 I doubt I will ever burn chips again. I do however have concerns about drippings falling on the element and catching fire. Suggestions ?

 
 
I just had to replace my mail box (postal use) and might as well put the retired box to use. Question is do I need to remove the internal brackets and framework inside the smoker ?

 MES 30 Gen 2.5

 I doubt I will ever burn chips again. I do however have concerns about drippings falling on the element and catching fire. Suggestions ?

 
 
 
I just had to replace my mail box (postal use) and might as well put the retired box to use. Question is do I need to remove the internal brackets and framework inside the smoker ?

 MES 30 Gen 2.5

 I doubt I will ever burn chips again. I do however have concerns about drippings falling on the element and catching fire. Suggestions ?

 
I have a 1st gen MES30. The only thing I took out was the removable chip tray. There is a drip cover still attached inside.
 
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HI everyone. I'm new here just got a master built pro electric smoker and i have a very hard time getting any smoke. My question is whats the difference between doing the amaze n smoker and the mailbox . Roughly $65 with all parts vs the master built cold smoker $58

thanks
 
 
HI everyone. I'm new here just got a master built pro electric smoker and i have a very hard time getting any smoke. My question is whats the difference between doing the amaze n smoker and the mailbox . Roughly $65 with all parts vs the master built cold smoker $58

thanks
If you aren't at a High Altitude, the AMNPS should work by itself, inside your MES. 

Mine works perfectly like that now for over 6 years---No mailbox, except at the end of my Driveway (Where the Mailman wants it).

I don't have room on my front porch for any more toys or extra attachment boxes that won't fit under my Smoker cover.

Try just the AMNPS---You probably won't need anything else.

Bear
 
I think you should try the tube smoker first - get the small one to start and make sure it works well for you inside the smoker.

you HAVE to pull out th chip loader - this increases the air flow, and also remove the chip box inside the smoker (It pulls out). That will leave the drip cover in side. You will have no problems getting smoke!

I went to the mailbox to get max smoke with the AMPNS - you need one of these! AND a tube smoker for smaller cooks / BBQ on your grill.
 
Im loving what im seeing with these mailbox mods. 1 question though. Is anyone noticing a minimum length from the mailbox to the MES that must be achieved to really make this mod optimal?
 
I have about 2' between the MB and the smoker body...  I notice a temp rise of about <5 deg. F....   Good enough for me...  It's been awhile and my memory sucks but....   remembering back to those olden days of no MB mod, the temp rise  was around 20+ deg. F...    Remember, the MB itself is cooling the smoke...  

 
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@tjdcorona  - I had similar issues with Trafalger Hickory and CookingPellets. Finally did everything you did with one exception. That is I nuked them for 2 minutes in a pyrex dish, open the microwave to let the moisture out for maybe 1-2 minutes. Then nuked again for 2 minutes and let them cool some. each time I opened the microwave I could feel the humidity. Dump them into the tray, shake gently to settle and light with a torch letting burn for maybe 5 minutes. I am at elevation 90 so no issues there, like you. After 5-6 times of worry and frustration it now works every time. In short, I suggest nuking them until there is noticeably less humidity in the microwave.
 
hey guys im looking at resorting to the mailbox mod also as i cannot keep my pellets lit for more than a half hour, i have the amnps and have tried multiple times and all it is doing now is causing frustration, i have a gen 1 mes 30. My question is does the mail box have to be galvanized steel? can it be standard steel? can it be checker plate aluminum?
 
 
hey guys im looking at resorting to the mailbox mod also as i cannot keep my pellets lit for more than a half hour, i have the amnps and have tried multiple times and all it is doing now is causing frustration, i have a gen 1 mes 30. My question is does the mail box have to be galvanized steel? can it be standard steel? can it be checker plate aluminum?
As you're not really putting much heat in the mailbox, I don't think it needs to be anything other than a metal box with vents.
 
Any mailbox will work ....

Elevate the AMNPS so there is good air flow under it

feeding the pellets....


The air holes in the door are very important...   lower to feed combustion air...

upper single hole to move the smoke into the smoker box and STOP the

smoke from recirculating...  recirculating smoke has no oxygen.....



Have the MB mod below the smoker box because heat and smoke

have tendency to rise...    it's physics... 

I tried closing off the upper air inlet hole and it didn't work...

Quality smoked meats need lots of air flow...


Connecting the elbow....  it's close enough to air tight for me.. 



I used an elbow to enter the smoker box...  it extends inside

where I added a can to move the smoke to the center of

the smoker box...


 
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The good thing about the MB mod is that you just buy the standard steel mailbox - cheaper the better. For vents - drill holes in bottom and along sides all the way around for air. Also - put your AMPNS on "stilts" - screws thru it to act like legs elevating it above the mailbox floor.

Buy two 90 degree elbows and a length of the straight tubing and some duct tape.

Cut the hole in the top of the mailbox as far to the end (Away from the door) and connect everything. The 90Degree elbows are rotatable, so it don't need to be perfect.

When you put the AMPNS in, (The greatest invention ever) put all the way in back - but first.....

Turn your MES to 275, fill your AMPNS with the pellets - I found each straight row lasts 2 hrs and place in MES for 30 mins. (This also gets the MES sterile, and ready.

Turn the MES to 225, or whatever temp you have to cook at.  Put the AMPNS at the front of the mailbox and light with a torch. Lets burn ofr 2-3 mins, and blow out. Blow on it a little bit to keep ambers going and place the AMPNS all the way back. Be careful, cause the front will be a little hot where flame was, so....

Of course, all this needs to be done after removing the innards of the smoke tray and chip loader. Make sure you cover your heating element correctly.
 
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