AMNPS in a new MES 2.5 40

[mori55]

I'm doing some ribs now. Put 1-1/2 rows in , have it sitting on the bottom dip pan left side. Not elevated , been smoking nice for 2 hrs now.

 

[Bearcarver]

I'm doing some ribs now. Put 1-1/2 rows in , have it sitting on the bottom dip pan left side. Not elevated , been smoking nice for 2 hrs now.

 You must be at a low altitude, like we are here. My AMNPS isn't picky either.

Bear

 

[mori55]

Yes I'm about 5 min from the Atlantic Ocean. I did 1-1/2 rows and it smoked about 4hrs. Really impressed with the nice light smoke. Really don't see how you would over smoke with this.

 

[floridasteve]

Doing a brisket tonight starting at midnight. Want it nice and smokey. Thinking about lighting both ends and getting up about 3 or so to reload and so with one end only for the rest of the time. Using hickory pellets. Sound okay? So far I've had no problems keeping it lit, just doesn't seem to give as much smokey flavor as my old smoker.

 

[Bearcarver]

Doing a brisket tonight starting at midnight. Want it nice and smokey. Thinking about lighting both ends and getting up about 3 or so to reload and so with one end only for the rest of the time. Using hickory pellets. Sound okay? So far I've had no problems keeping it lit, just doesn't seem to give as much smokey flavor as my old smoker.

I use Hickory all the time.

I only ever lit both ends once, and I'm glad I was paying attention, because I had to put the one end out----It was TOO MUCH SMOKE for my MES 40 !!!

A Brisket takes a long time---Lighting one end should be plenty of smoke flavor, especially when using Hickory. IMHO

Bear

 

[nickweissmusic]

Hi All, I'm new here and just got a MES 40 Bluetooth, and am awaiting my pellet smoker. I have a large order (4pork shoulders) to cook this weekend (and won't be able to tend the chip loader, hence the AMNPS). A lot of the set ups above seem logical, but I'm wondering what you do about drippings with large orders? Won't drippings get on the smoker if you place it on the left side of the bottom? I will be doing four pork shoulders and I'm not sure I'll be able to just keep them all to the right out of the way of the AMNPS. If I put the smoker right in the middle under the water pan and over the drain hole, will grease still be able to drain? Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[Bearcarver]

Hi All, I'm new here and just got a MES 40 Bluetooth, and am awaiting my pellet smoker. I have a large order (4pork shoulders) to cook this weekend (and won't be able to tend the chip loader, hence the AMNPS). A lot of the set ups above seem logical, but I'm wondering what you do about drippings with large orders? Won't drippings get on the smoker if you place it on the left side of the bottom? I will be doing four pork shoulders and I'm not sure I'll be able to just keep them all to the right out of the way of the AMNPS. If I put the smoker right in the middle under the water pan and over the drain hole, will grease still be able to drain? Thank you in advance for your help!

I think this question would be best answered by a MES 40 Bluetooth owner. Mine is a Gen #1.

However as a last resort, you could put your AMNPS on the top rack, on the right, away from your top vent. I know I've seen Todd recommend to a guy with air flow issues to put his AMNPS on the top rack, so why not for a crowded Smoker too.

Just a Thought.

Bear

 

[mummel]

Hi All, I'm new here and just got a MES 40 Bluetooth, and am awaiting my pellet smoker. I have a large order (4pork shoulders) to cook this weekend (and won't be able to tend the chip loader, hence the AMNPS). A lot of the set ups above seem logical, but I'm wondering what you do about drippings with large orders? Won't drippings get on the smoker if you place it on the left side of the bottom? I will be doing four pork shoulders and I'm not sure I'll be able to just keep them all to the right out of the way of the AMNPS. If I put the smoker right in the middle under the water pan and over the drain hole, will grease still be able to drain? Thank you in advance for your help!

The water pan completely covers the AMPS.  Its hard to see from this angle, but you dont get any drippings on it. 

image.jpg

• mummel
• Jul 1, 2015

 

[floridasteve]

I've never done that many at a time, but I would think the water pan should hold all the drippings, some, of course, will be missed by the curved ends of the water pan, but not that much. I center my AMNPS over the derail hole and the water pan protects it from dripping. You should elevate the AMNPS some, to allow for better air flow and to keep the drain hole open. I use two short pieces of 3/4 inch pipe, but 4 foil balls would probably also work.

 

[mummel]

If you have the Cabelas model, the sausage hanger works perfectly for elevation (like it was designed for the AMPS haha!)

If I remember this weekend, I will take a photo from the top angle.  But I recall checking it when I first got my smoker and I think there were no edges exposed. 

 

[dr k]

 
If you have the Cabelas model, the sausage hanger works perfectly for elevation (like it was designed for the AMPS haha!)

If I remember this weekend, I will take a photo from the top angle.  But I recall checking it when I first got my smoker and I think there were no edges exposed. 

If you want to smoke sausage, then what? Lol.  JK.  With the MES', putting the links on flat racks probably is the way to go.  So a few aren't scolding down by the heating element and others at the top ( if you smoke sausage.)

-Kurt

 

[mummel]

Im making sausage this weekend.  Im going to lay them on the racks.  Pretty excited.  First sausages ever. 

 

[surfer joe]

Hi All, I'm new here and just got a MES 40 Bluetooth, and am awaiting my pellet smoker. I have a large order (4pork shoulders) to cook this weekend (and won't be able to tend the chip loader, hence the AMNPS). A lot of the set ups above seem logical, but I'm wondering what you do about drippings with large orders? Won't drippings get on the smoker if you place it on the left side of the bottom? I will be doing four pork shoulders and I'm not sure I'll be able to just keep them all to the right out of the way of the AMNPS. If I put the smoker right in the middle under the water pan and over the drain hole, will grease still be able to drain? Thank you in advance for your help!

The set-up picture Mummel posted is  how I did mine. I sat the AMNPS on top of a old smoker box (about the size of a brick) that I used to place in my Weber gas grill. I placed the AMNPS on the left side but slightly towards the center, which kept anything from dripping on it.

I smoked four full racks of ribs last weekend with great results. I had consistent smoke the entire time. The water pan captured all the drippings with no problem. When you foil the tray at the bottom, be sure to punch a hole in the foil to allow air to flow through hole in the bottom of the smoker.

 

[mummel]

Mmmm that's a good point about the airflow. My hole is sealed. I need to do that. Thanks.

 

[nickweissmusic]

All good stuff, thanks guys, I just need to find the best thing (hopefully laying around here, I had an old smoker box somewhere...) to get the smoker off the foil. It will be done. Looking forward to the weekend, all your input is much appreciated.   

 

[nickweissmusic]

Nice looking MES by the way, @mummel  , I've used mine 3 times and it looks like a gremlin in a microwave in there, I clean the grates and pans and glass but how do you get the sides and back so clean? and the metal part of the door? 

 

[surfer joe]

Nice looking MES by the way, @mummel
 , I've used mine 3 times and it looks like a gremlin in a microwave in there, I clean the grates and pans and glass but how do you get the sides and back so clean? and the metal part of the door? 

 

[surfer joe]

A brick wrapped foil will work to
elevate the AMNPS. A magic eraser and a bucket of warm water is great for cleaning.

 

[mummel]

 
Nice looking MES by the way, @mummel  , I've used mine 3 times and it looks like a gremlin in a microwave in there, I clean the grates and pans and glass but how do you get the sides and back so clean? and the metal part of the door? 

Nick I've actually never cleaned it :)  I just clean the probes.  I think the trick is to keep your vent wide open so you dont get creosote.  I foil the drip pan, water pan, and more importantly, the chip burner cover, and its keeps everything looking brand new.   

I dont have a window so I dont have to worry about cleaning it. 

 

[dr k]

Mmmm that's a good point about the airflow. My hole is sealed. I need to do that. Thanks.

That may be your problem because your drip pan hole is in the center.  I can't keep a lighter lit outside the smoker when it's next to the hole while it's smoking.  It sucks a lot of air.  Weren't you the one that asked where does the air come in if the chip loader is plugged? 

-Kurt