Here is a video showing my technique for lighting the A-Maze-N 5x8 pellet smoker (AMNPS) using only a heat gun. I find this technique takes less time (90 seconds total) to get the pellets lit than does using a torch, and that drying and heating all the pellets helps keep the pellets stay lit.
I also briefly show a simple mod that I made which increases airflow into my Masterbuilt Electric (MES). The three little holes in the chip loader plus the drain hole at the bottom are the only sources of air, and that may not be enough to provide oxygen to the AMNPS. With my mod, I can get 3-4 times the amount of air into the smoker. Some people pull the chip loader out part way, but you don't have as much control over the amount of air, and it is not repeatable, because you never pull it out the same amount each time.
Here is the video:
I also briefly show a simple mod that I made which increases airflow into my Masterbuilt Electric (MES). The three little holes in the chip loader plus the drain hole at the bottom are the only sources of air, and that may not be enough to provide oxygen to the AMNPS. With my mod, I can get 3-4 times the amount of air into the smoker. Some people pull the chip loader out part way, but you don't have as much control over the amount of air, and it is not repeatable, because you never pull it out the same amount each time.
Here is the video: