Smoke issues with MES40

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smokinfam

Smoke Blower
Original poster
Sep 27, 2007
89
14
Indiana
I have a MES 40 and the Amazn tray. I have been using hickory pellets. It seems no matter what I try, the pellets don't stay burning. I have held the blow torch on the pellets for 5 minutes to ensure the pellets were burning. I opened the top vent completely and opened the feeder tray. When I close the door, I get about 10 minutes of smoke and then it goes out. Is there something I am missing?
I want to smoke a brisket tomorrow.

Thanks


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Do you have the new gen 2 with the right side exhaust vent? If so the air flow is so restricted its hard to keep the amazn trays lit. I dremelled mine out to get more flow and it also helped the temp stay closer to set temp without overshooting so much.
 
I have the gen1 with the exhaust on the top.
I don't understand the post about removing the water tray? I thought that the water tray was required.


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Remove the chip burner. Place Amnps in bottom left. Pull chip loader out a inch or 2.....Make sure you have dry pellets. Microwave them a Min. to make sure. Make sure tha AMNPS is gooing real good. Blow on it a few times. Take 10 min or longer to get it going real good. It should have a cherry like a cigar when it is ready.

Happy smoken.

David
 
I have the gen1 with the exhaust on the top.
I don't understand the post about removing the water tray? I thought that the water tray was required.


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Water tray is not required. It helps to hold the heat. In mine I filled it with sand and wrapped it in foil. It is used as a heat sink that way. Some will tell you you have to have water. If they want water then water it is. Ask 10 smokers a question and you will get 11 answers.

Happy smoken.

David
 
I have the gen1 with the exhaust on the top.
I don't understand the post about removing the water tray? I thought that the water tray was required.


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Johnnytex is talking about the gen2 style water pan. On yours there is a set of rails under the water pan. Under the pan on the rails is a good spot as the water pan protects the amazn from drippings and allows plenty of air. The gen1 has good flow so, like mule says, just take the time to get it going good and hot, open the vent all the way, be sure pellets are dry, and smoke it up!Dr
 
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Which pellets are you using? Seems not long ago I heard people having problens lighting straight cherry pellets. Just a thought.

Make sure and put something over the tray, juices dripping really mess with the pellets also.

I preheat my MES before I add the meat, I leave my aux. smoke gen on the rack while heating, I live in south Louisiana we have humidity. The tray is hot when I light the pellets but I find it drys out the pellets some and helps the continued burn.

And don't worry nearly everyone has a problem initially, its just a learning curse.

I wish you luck, and hope you have a good smoke!
 
Smokinfam , hello. I feel your pain , as I wrestled with mine a couple of days then the light came on and it sunk in...
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. Just slow down and . . .
 
I put the AMNPS filled with pellets and unlit on top of the chip tray assembly while the the MES is heating up to temp. This seems to dry out the pellets so that they burn quite well  when lit a little later just before I put the meat in the MES. I place the lit MES on the lower left rails during the smoke. Just another of many tips you will find on getting the AMNPS to work well. 
 
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