where to place amns in mes 30

[redoctobyr]

Bear, thanks for the link to that thread. Your method sounds effective. And the heat gun approach seems pretty interesting. I have a heat gun, I could give that a try. Even with the heat turned off, my guess is just the airflow across the pellets would really help get them burning hot.

dgsmokes, I forgot to mention it before. When placing it in my MES, I had been putting the AMNPS to the left of the heater, as you did. But it might be able to get more airflow if it was located above the heater area? I haven't tried it, but it occurred to me the other day. I've heard people mention that, at least in the Gen1, the hot air tends to rise straight up, towards the vent. If that air was going around the tray, that might help.

With mine located to the left, using dried pellets, it would sometimes burn for maybe 4-6 hours, then go out. Once it went longer, over 9. That time I'd also raised the temperature, maybe that created additional, helpful airflow.

 

[Bearcarver]

I always forget to mention:

I very seldom Cold Smoke, because I only Cold Smoke Cheese. (Tip---Use Dust when Cold Smoking)

I Smoke my Belly Bacon with 110° to 130° Smoker Temps.

I smoke my Prime Rib with 220° usually.

Fish from 100° to 190°.

And I Smoke everything else between 220° and 260°, finishing Chicken with 275°.

So I seldom have to deal with my AMNPS during a Cold Smoke, but when I do, I use Dust instead of Pellets, because Dust burns Great in a Cold Smoker, in an AMNPS.

Also: The only time I ever had trouble Smoking with my AMNPS was when I used to try to use 100% Cherry Pellets.

Even I can't keep them going. I think it's because of the natural oils in Cherry wood. I had to deal with it when I had my Cabinet Shop.

If you must use Cherry, I recommend using Cherry Dust, instead of Pellets, or mix some Hickory or other easy to burn Pellets with the Cherry Pellets.

Bear