That would depend on various things.How low can u set the digital control and still get smoke from dry wood chips?
If they were nice at masterbuilt, they'd install a small burner under the chip pan. Anyone prelight chips before dropping into pan? As in, torch the chips while in the insertion tube? When it warms up outside I'll try it. I'm wondering if the chips are self smoldering once they get to a certain flame, then blow the flame out like pellets and then insert tube.
That would depend on various things.
First -----all MES are different in that respect due to the distance between the heating element and the bottom of the chip drawer.
Second it depends on the ambient temp---The colder it is outside the lower the inside smoker temp would be when it starts smoking.
I had an MES that didn't start smoking chips until the Smoker temp was at about 220°--230°. Got a new Chip burner assembly, and it started smoking at about 60°, but then the chips would burst into flames shortly after.
Which is why most of us get an AMNPS, and stop fighting a losing battle.
Bear
Wouldn't be the fix all, like the AMNPS is.
If they were nice at masterbuilt, they'd install a small burner under the chip pan. Anyone prelight chips before dropping into pan? As in, torch the chips while in the insertion tube? When it warms up outside I'll try it. I'm wondering if the chips are self smoldering once they get to a certain flame, then blow the flame out like pellets and then insert tube.
Wouldn't be the fix all, like the AMNPS is.
You could get the chips smoking, but when the Smoker gets to temp setting, it will shut the element off. After awhile without the element heat, the chips will stop smoking, especially in the Summer.
The AMNPS fixes all of that. Why Fight it. Make things Easy.
If "Masterbuilt" was smart, they would make a special place for the AMNPS in the MES units, and make a deal with Todd to supply them.
Bear
You could get a 3"x2' aluminum vent pipe like in the pick below and a bent up wire coat hanger to elevate it in the vent pipe.I was wondering myself if an amazn tube could be used to replace the MB chip tube, i was looking at doing that. Remove the mes tube and fasten amazn tube to handle.
Seems to be a hassle when all you have to do is lay either the AMNS, AMNPS, or AMNTS on the bottom Rack on the right, and then use the Chip dumper to adjust air flow to the Amazing & into the smoker. Easy-Peasy.I was wondering myself if an amazn tube could be used to replace the MB chip tube, i was looking at doing that. Remove the mes tube and fasten amazn tube to handle.
Getting an MES and an Amazing Smoker (Tube or Maze) usually starts with "Once Upon a Time" and ends with "And They Smoked Happily Ever After".Your right, i get all these mod ideas and go crazy, I'm going to try to make it to buy a mail box and tube after work today.