mes30 and getting the right smoke?

[bikesandcars]

I will likely end up with an AMPS, I'm just too darn hardwood headed for now!

 

[smokinmate]

I am really new at using the MES 30 smoker. I have used wood and/or charcoal in the past. I to have had a difficult time getting the unit to smoke to my liking. I tried several different methods without a lot of success. I finally bit the bullet and added a cold smoker from Masterbuilt and it works great. You can generate enough smoke for up to 5 to 6 hours of smoke if you like using wood chips. I would highly recommend you investigate this option if you want to use chips and not have to feed the unit every 30 to 45 minutes. In addition the ability to cold smoke products like cheese is really great.

 

[daricksta]

So far you have had some opinions on the MES. There are 2 generations of this model. I can only speak about the gen 1. I have never liked the quality of the smoke that it produced. I bought it thinking I could set it and forget it. WRONG. I found that out on my first 16 hour cook. All I did was tend the MES for the first 6 hours. here is a shot of good smoke ( TBS ). Do your self a favor AND CALL TODD JOHNSON AND HE WILL ADVISE YOU. He will tell you which generation and what smoke generator you need. A lot of us MES owners are hard headed about the use of chips so go through the process then surccumb to the fact that a smoke generator is the right way to go . Get a AMPS .

http://s110.photobucket.com/user/jted1952/media/DSCN2487_zps1a26d0ab.jpg.html

Darn right. I use the AMNPS and Todd's wood pellets exclusively with my MES 30 Gen 1. With Todd's advice and with the advice from some of the experts in these forums, I'm getting BBQ results that rival or even surpass the two chain BBQ places in town (Famous Dave's and Dickey's BBQ Pit). I've learned how to light the AMNPS properly to keep it going for 6 hours and the TBS it produces is perfect. I'm not getting that harsh, oversmoked flavor anymore.

Also, speaking of cold smoking cheese, I just used my AMNPS for the third time to smoke cheese and once again it turned out great. Just add a one or two plastic bottles of frozen water to keep the interior temp down and that's all that's required. No need to buy a special cold smoking attachment from Masterbuilt or some other manufacturer. The AMNPS doubles as a hot and a cold smoker so that saves you money right there.

 

[Bearcarver]

Bikesandcars,

I quit trying to smoke with the goofy MES chip burner 4 years ago.

Get yourself an AMNPS & some pellets & Sawdust, and you can smoke anything in my Step by Step Index (Below).

Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

All the smokes in there were done in an MES, and they were All done in Eastern PA.

Bear

 

[daricksta]

 
Bikesandcars,

I quit trying to smoke with the goofy MES chip burner 4 years ago.

Get yourself an AMNPS & some pellets & Sawdust, and you can smoke anything in my Step by Step Index (Below).

Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".

All the smokes in there were done in an MES, and they were All done in Eastern PA.

Bear

Just want to publicly say that I credit you, Bear, with the great results I've been getting with both my MES 30 and the AMNPS. You know your stuff.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Just want to publicly say that I credit you, Bear, with the great results I've been getting with both my MES 30 and the AMNPS. You know your stuff.

Thank You for that !!

I'm just glad you're getting Great results.

Bear

 

[rgautheir20420]

Bear,

Can you explain where and how you place your AMNPS in your gen 1 MES 30? I know a read it somewhere but I can't remember. I seasoned my MES and AMNPS yesterday together, and I'm smoking a HUGE Pizza fatty tonight for my parents who are in town. Thanks!

Hope I didn't hijack the thread. Sorry!

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Bear,

Can you explain where and how you place your AMNPS in your gen 1 MES 30? I know a read it somewhere but I can't remember. I seasoned my MES and AMNPS yesterday together, and I'm smoking a HUGE Pizza fatty tonight for my parents who are in town. Thanks!

Hope I didn't hijack the thread. Sorry!

Below is a picture of my MES 40 Gen #1, with my AMNS in it.

The AMNPS fits at that same place in the MES 30 Gen #1.

100_2142.JPG

• tropics
• Jun 6, 2015

Bear

 

[rgautheir20420]

Thanks Bear!

 

[jted]

It is just like Bear described but the space is very tight on the MES30.  Todd had me remove a small screw on the chip holder so I would have enough room.  It was at the front right of the

AMNPS.  Some times you don't have to remove it. I have a buddie that didn't have to last week.     JTED

DSCN2484.JPG

• jted
• Jul 18, 2014

 

[rgautheir20420]

jted,

I think I know the screw your taking about. I seasoned it last night with the AMNPS in that exact place as shown in your picture. It was a tight fit, but I was able to get it in and out of the spot with no issues. I'll be giving it a go tonight on my fatty.

 

[daricksta]

 
It is just like Bear described but the space is very tight on the MES30.  Todd had me remove a small screw on the chip holder so I would have enough room.  It was at the front right of the

AMNPS.  Some times you don't have to remove it. I have a buddie that didn't have to last week.     JTED

DSCN2484.JPG

• jted
• Jul 18, 2014

I've got the MES 30 Gen 1 and the AMNPS fits perfectly. Never had to remove the screw but it was never suggested that I remove it.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
I've got the MES 30 Gen 1 and the AMNPS fits perfectly. Never had to remove the screw but it was never suggested that I remove it.

Yeah, some do, some don't.

When Todd designed the AMNPS he asked me to measure the space in my old MES 30. Then he made the AMNPS width about 3/8" less than that.

Due to no MES 30 being the same, they all fit but the extra space can go from moving that screw close up to a half inch of space.

Very few have to remove the screw.

Bear

 

[smokinmate]

Equipment Report.

Well I am still learning about the MES 30 Gen II. After experiencing less than satisfactory performance in the area of smoke generation I purchased the newly designed cold smoke unit from MB. Well if you want smoke and smoke for a long period of time this, IMHO is the way to go. I took it out of the box, put the handle on it, and just slid it up to the MES 30. I put two cups of chips in it and turned it on. It started generating smoke in about 5 minutes and went for over two hours. I don't know how long it would generate smoke if you filled it but it would be quite a while.

 

 

[jted]

The good thing about BBQ is there are few hard rules. Lots of roads to the same end. So long as you like the Q and enjoyed getting there you have won. Glad you are happy with the MB smoke generator.  Jted