Which dust/pellet smoker?

strawman

Fire Starter

Original poster

Aug 29, 2011

45

10

Southeast Michigan

• Sep 25, 2011

• #1

I just bought a MES 40 from Sams and it will be delivered soon.  I want to buy an amazen smoker for it and I see a lot of the info here.  But, I see conflicting/confusing info regarding using sawdust at higher temps.  Frankly, I figure that I am just going to buy the pellet smoker so I have the option of both, and I figure the divider lanes will stop the dust from hopping lanes. 

So, my question is, in the pellet smoker, can sawdust be used at 225 for PP and ribs without issue?  When are pellets really needed?  I already know Todd is great at answering questions and I appreciate his input and the input of others.

I just have access to sawdust for pretty cheap and I could see wanting to use that more than pellets.

Thanks in advance.

 

scarbelly

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jul 26, 2009

14,315

73

• Sep 26, 2011

• #2

I would buy the AMNPS and get some pellets if you have the sawdust. I have used the AMNPS with both pellets and dust and both work well

 

SmokinAl

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Jun 22, 2009

51,390

12,227

Central Florida (Sebring)

• Sep 26, 2011

• #3

What scar said!

 

tjohnson

Smoking Guru

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SMF Premier Member

Insider

Dec 29, 2009

5,600

139

Savage, MN

• Sep 26, 2011

• #4

Scar hit the nail on the head

If you plan on smoking at temps above 180° or so, you'll need the New AMNPS and burn pellets.

The new design will burn sawdust as well as pellets

Sawdust performs well up to 180° but can jump rows above 180°

Todd

 

strawman

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Aug 29, 2011

45

10

Southeast Michigan

• Sep 26, 2011

• #5

Thanks for the responses. But sawdust can't jump rows in the pellet smoker though, correct? I see the design of the pellet smoker and the rows don't look like they touch so I figured with that design I could run sawdust above 180 without it jumping rows.

 

scarbelly

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

OTBS Member

Jul 26, 2009

14,315

73

• Sep 26, 2011

• #6

I have not had it jump rows on me but I think some who smoke in the 300* area have

 

bluebombersfan

Master of the Pit

OTBS Member

Mar 4, 2011

1,729

75

Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

• Sep 26, 2011

• #7

I have both!  I started with the dust and now just got my new pellet smoker in the mail!  I can't wait to try it out!!!!!  I would have to agree with some og the other guys, may as well get the pellet smoker so you can use both dust and pellets!!

Brian

 

djbrady33

Newbie

Oct 3, 2011

22

12

St. Charles , Missouri

• Oct 3, 2011

• #8

I just received and used the Pellet Smoker over the weekend and it works fantastic. I have the Masterbuilt Electric Smoker and used the Hickory and Cherry Pellets and it sure makes smoking easy. Just light it once and you never have to add more chips for 10-11 hours. Light the pellets on one end and let them burn for 5 minutes then blow out. I would recommend getting a butane torch for about $20 from Home Depot to make lighting easier for the pellets. I pulled out the chip drawer about 1.5 inches and pulled out the chip loader about 1/4 for air flow and set Temperature to 220 degrees. I put the Pellet Smoker in the water pan with no water in it and then left it alone. Built a tent with aluminum foil and put it over the Pellet Holder so drippings would not get in it and put the fire out. Awesome product for anyone wants the thin blue smoke easily. Product is built to last. Also, super service from Todd.