Well, my AMNPS showed up the other day and I thought for it's first trial run I'd try cold smoking some cheese. Decided to go with some sharp white chedar and provolone smoked with a 50:50 mix of Apple and Maple.
I broke out the AMNPS did the necessary prep to it and we were off. I have to tell you - and I know it's been said here before many times - the AMNPS is one well built little piece of kit.
I was a bit concerned with ambient temps here so decided to locate the smoker in the shade. Forecast is for the mid 70's and I really didn't feel like messing around with ice and ice water... so I was going to go with it sans the ice.
Filled the AMNPS with the 50:50 mix and lit it off with a plumber's torch. Worked like a charm. Let it burn for 10 minutes (per Todd's instructions) and blew out the flame.
Here was the basic set up for the smoke:
AMNPS lit and putting out some sweet smelling smoke...cheese loaded and ready to close the box
Nice TBS rolling
Just pulled from the smoker. I inverted a few pieces to show tops and bottoms. I'm very satisfied with the color (this cheese was pure off-white before going into the box) since I like some color on my smoked cheese.
Definitely some oil bloom but that should take care of itself in the fridge for a few hours. You can also see the results of my risking cold smoking in warmer ambient temps. When I started the smoke the box was running around 72 degrees, by the time I finished it was bouncing near 90... much hotter than I'd like but that's what I get for not messing with some ice. I actually had to open the smoker door a few times to dump some heat...I know.. I know.. my own dang fault but you run what you brung....
After some time uncovered in the fridge to cool and re-set. Sorry I didn't get a picture before vac-packing but my wife had is packed up before I knew it.
I wanted to post this more so regarding my first run of the AMNPS rather than just cold smoking some cheese. All in all I have to give the AMNPS a very high score. I am very pleased so far and I can see many uses for this little gadget. My hat is off to you Todd. This one is a keeper!
The combination of the AMNPS and a gasser could easily make for a set and forget smoking machine! (But you MES guys already know that! LOL)
Thanks for looking.
-Salt
I broke out the AMNPS did the necessary prep to it and we were off. I have to tell you - and I know it's been said here before many times - the AMNPS is one well built little piece of kit.
I was a bit concerned with ambient temps here so decided to locate the smoker in the shade. Forecast is for the mid 70's and I really didn't feel like messing around with ice and ice water... so I was going to go with it sans the ice.
Filled the AMNPS with the 50:50 mix and lit it off with a plumber's torch. Worked like a charm. Let it burn for 10 minutes (per Todd's instructions) and blew out the flame.
Here was the basic set up for the smoke:
AMNPS lit and putting out some sweet smelling smoke...cheese loaded and ready to close the box
Nice TBS rolling
Just pulled from the smoker. I inverted a few pieces to show tops and bottoms. I'm very satisfied with the color (this cheese was pure off-white before going into the box) since I like some color on my smoked cheese.
Definitely some oil bloom but that should take care of itself in the fridge for a few hours. You can also see the results of my risking cold smoking in warmer ambient temps. When I started the smoke the box was running around 72 degrees, by the time I finished it was bouncing near 90... much hotter than I'd like but that's what I get for not messing with some ice. I actually had to open the smoker door a few times to dump some heat...I know.. I know.. my own dang fault but you run what you brung....
After some time uncovered in the fridge to cool and re-set. Sorry I didn't get a picture before vac-packing but my wife had is packed up before I knew it.
I wanted to post this more so regarding my first run of the AMNPS rather than just cold smoking some cheese. All in all I have to give the AMNPS a very high score. I am very pleased so far and I can see many uses for this little gadget. My hat is off to you Todd. This one is a keeper!
The combination of the AMNPS and a gasser could easily make for a set and forget smoking machine! (But you MES guys already know that! LOL)
Thanks for looking.
-Salt