AMNPS HELP

[backtroller]

Need Help---I have tried using the AMNPS in my new build smoke house, but have been unable to keep the pellets lit and smoking. I have tried putting them on the fire box floor and also on the top shelf of the fire box above and to the side of burner, but nothing has worked--I have followed the instructions, but can't keep them going--any suggestions

 

[goliath]

i drove myself crazy with a home version of the AMNPS and then i tried to make sure it would burn outside in the wide open, lots of oxygen and it even crapped out then. turned out to be the pellets !!!!!

give that a try, if it doesnt burn in the wide open its damp pellets. then if its the pellets there are drying options. microwave for a few minutes. oven at 220 degrees for 20 minutes. lots of info on the site about it.

GOOD LUCK !!!

 

[ncsmoker95]

I'd agree with that idea about making sure they're dry.

Someone else commented that the cherry pellets are much harder to keep lit, and they mix with other types.

I find that the smouldering AMNPS takes a bit more airflow than you'd think, especially if there's any competition

for the oxygen inside the smoker.

My propane gas causes me airflow issues, because I think it creates rather a lot of CO2 inside the grill.

You may also be in an oxygen starved environment inside that smokebox if you're burning other wood or charcoal too.

If you're on electric (you said burner, so you may be), you may simply have an airflow problem and what air is inside the smoker

is good air, just not enough of it.

Assuming you're electric, I'd differentiate between the two possible problems:

Burn the AMNPS sitting out in the open in a spot where it should get all the air it wants.

If it still won't burn, look at the pellets being slightly damp (not even visibly seems to matter)

If it burns fine or even just burns better in the open, look at airflow.

 

[backtroller]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that the heat source is a gas burner from northern tool. I will try and see if pellets burn while outside---I thought that it might be a air problem, but if I open the lower vent much more I think it can possibly blow the flame out, but maybe not.  Thanks for the suggestions and I will try them

 

[backtroller]

Anyone attached a mail box to their smoke house to house the AMNPS. If so, how is it mounted and where do you run pipe for smoke--Thanks in advance

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Anyone attached a mail box to their smoke house to house the AMNPS. If so, how is it mounted and where do you run pipe for smoke--Thanks in advance

There are a few threads on the "Mailbox Mod". Just use the search box above---It works Great !!

So what happened when you tried to burn the AMNPS pellets out in the open??

Bear

 

[backtroller]

OK, I mounted a mailbox solid to my smokehouse last night and used  3 1/2" aluminum pipe between the two for my smoke exhaust, got it sealed and mounted up tight. I drilled two 1/2" holes in the door of the box for fresh air vents, but when I set my AMNPS in it there was more smoke coming out the two 1/2" vent holes than in the smokehouse? do I not have big enough vent holes to push the smoke thru pipe into smokehouse?

 

[Bearcarver]

 
OK, I mounted a mailbox solid to my smokehouse last night and used  3 1/2" aluminum pipe between the two for my smoke exhaust, got it sealed and mounted up tight. I drilled two 1/2" holes in the door of the box for fresh air vents, but when I set my AMNPS in it there was more smoke coming out the two 1/2" vent holes than in the smokehouse? do I not have big enough vent holes to push the smoke thru pipe into smokehouse?

One of the Mailbox Mod guys should be around soon, to help you.

Bear

 

[aeroforce100]

Sounds like you might be having a draft issue.  No flow through your smoke house  Do you have a vent on top or near the top?  Is it wide open?

  Just a couple of thoughts.  A picture or two of your smokehouse would be a big help.

 

[daveomak]

OK, I mounted a mailbox solid to my smokehouse last night and used  3 1/2" aluminum pipe between the two for my smoke exhaust, got it sealed and mounted up tight. I drilled two 1/2" holes in the door of the box for fresh air vents, but when I set my AMNPS in it there was more smoke coming out the two 1/2" vent holes than in the smokehouse? do I not have big enough vent holes to push the smoke thru pipe into smokehouse?

You need to warm the smokehouse to get a draft going.... Doesn't need to be hot..... just a few degrees above ambient....
Pictures of the smokehouse would be nice..... Oh yeah.... If you have intakes on the bottom of the smokehouse, close them down a bit.....

Dave

 

[goliath]

I have experienced some of the same troubles, the smoke definitely flows better when the smoker is warm. creates a better draft.as for the lower air intake, sometimes cold smoking i actually had smoke coming out the air intake .... almost as much as the stack  so i closed it up as Dave said. i actually heat my smoker up to 60 to 70 degrees now for cold smoking and seem better. i still close off that air intake somewhat so all the draft comes thru the MOD.

GOOD LUCK

 

[shaggy91954]

Has anyone ever tried to mount a small fan, like a computer processor cooling fan, on the side of the smoker or mail box?

 

[daveomak]

Has anyone ever tried to mount a small fan, like a computer processor cooling fan, on the side of the smoker or mail box?

Aquarium air pumps have been used....