Won't generate smoke.

[michaels]

Ok, I hope someone can give me some advise.  I have a MES40 electric smoker.  I am using the AMAZN pellet smoker with pitmaster pellets I purchased from them as well.

I am using a torch to lit the pellets.  Believe me, i could weld with this torch.  They are lit.  I put the amazn ps in the MES cold and the whole unit is filled with smoke.  Did this for an hour.  I turn the MES on at 225 deg and my smoke dwindles.  Every single time.

My wood trip tray is out completely.  I've also tried it 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4.  Nothing changes.

In Atlanta, 90 deg.  Not much breeze

I bought peacn, apple, hickory and pit masters.  happens with all of them.

Has this happened to anyone and does anyone have any suggestions.  So much for set it and leave it be. 

I can post pictures but at cold smoke temp the whole inside of the unit is fiulled with smoke.  You can't see anything.  With the unit on it barely smokes.  I can remove the amazn ps and sit it outside and the pellets will smoke like crazy.

I'm baffled.

 

[themule69]

You are not getting enough air. Pull the chip loader out a couple of Inches. Remove the chip tray. Place the Amnps on the bottome beside the heating element. You need something to block the drips. You might need to microwave your pellets for a min. To remove moisture.

Happy smoken.

David

 

[daveomak]

Dry the pellets at 250 for a couple hours.... lite as the directions state.... cover with a "tent" to stop drips from quenching the pellets....  humidity in the air, or in the smoker will extinguish the pellets.....   If you are using a water pan to add humidity, don't...   air flow is critical to a good burn......  

OK, there is a learning curve to using the AMNPS....   It ain't rocket science but takes some common sense....     

Dave

 

[michaels]

Thanks for the reply fellas.  I've tried all of this before.  My guess had been pellets.  A lot of folks use these MES smokers.  As mentioned cold smoking is perfect.  I found that out because I just lit some pellets so I coul dtry and figure it out.  Smoked beautifully.  Then after thijnking I had it figured out tried to smoke some meat right.   Same thing happens again.  The pellets will burn but just not generate very much smoke.

I tried drying my pellets too.  They are stored in zip gas inside the house.  Less than 50% humidty.

I'll try again and let ya'll know.

 

[woodcutter]

If your AMNPS smokes outside of the smoker, that would mean the pellets are dry enough to burn. You may need to drill a hole in the floor or wall of your MES for more oxygen. Someone on the forum will be along that will know just where to put it.

 

[michaels]

I thought about using a small fan to move air consistantly across the chip loader.  Basically taking the chip loader out completely, remove the chip tray from the inside and keeping air moving.  The air can be pretty dead and humid in in Atlanta.

 

[johnnytex]

Where did you put your AMNPS?

I removed my water tray and placed it over the whole and it works just fine!

 

[michaels]

Same here.   I tried that before and it was a bit tight with the bottom rach in.  I have since been sitting it right on the bottom rack above the whole.  No water pan at all.

I've even tried lighting both sides of the AMNPS.  The vent is wide open.  It could be lack of oxygen.  What doesn't make sense is that when I don't have any heat on in the MES, essentially cold smoking the whole unit is filled with smoke.  At 225 degrees I can see right through the window.  I tested that yesterday.  Cold Smoke was perfect, turned it on and the smoke goes way down.

 

[the zil]

I had the same trouble til I figured out to let it sit outside the MES for at least a good 10 min with it flaming. Let it get a real good red cherry on the end you lit. Then I put it right beside the chip tray without taking anything out. I just smoked a brisket with it using sugar maple, hickory an cherry - equal parts, 2 rows it smoked well for 8 hrs. Patience is key, light it up and let it burn for at least 10 min. A watched pot never boils. Good luck. BTW - I have a MES 30" electric and used nothing but the pellets last night

 

[woodcutter]

Same here.   I tried that before and it was a bit tight with the bottom rach in.  I have since been sitting it right on the bottom rack above the whole.  No water pan at all.

I've even tried lighting both sides of the AMNPS.  The vent is wide open.  It could be lack of oxygen.  What doesn't make sense is that when I don't have any heat on in the MES, essentially cold smoking the whole unit is filled with smoke.  At 225 degrees I can see right through the window.  I tested that yesterday.  Cold Smoke was perfect, turned it on and the smoke goes way down.

Your heating element is eating oxygen. I think you are close to having enough. The fan will make it flame. Just needs a little more air from somewhere.