AMNPS WOOOS (problem solved...i hope)

ldrus · Dec 29, 2011

Just got my amnps for christmas yesterday i had to battle to keep it lit after putting it in my MES 30 today i had the same problems

i even put down a layer of the oak pellets then on top i put apple pellets made from trager(even microwaved them ). pellets are pellets should not matter the maker! my wife paid a lot of money for something that does not work. im really aggravated with this

details of my set up are...

SS MES 30

4in elbow placed over top vent

pellet burning tray pulled out 1 1/2 inch

pellet loading tube pulled out about 1/2-3/4 inch out

apple pellets from trager

oak pellets from A-MAZ-N- Smoker

smoker was running @275

tatonka3a2 · Dec 29, 2011

Did you follow the instructions that Todd sent? I think it reads in there to let it burn for 10 mins or so before blowing the flames out. We have used ours a ton of times in our Masterbuilt without problems. On the smoker I leave the top vent open all the way and the wood burning tray pulled out a bit - no problems!

racincowboy · Dec 29, 2011

I am sure Todd will be along shortly with some suggestions to help your problem. He is a stand up guy and a great business man. I just got my AMPS for christmas as well havent used it yet. I am truly looking forward to using it this weekend. I know several other members have them and love them. Hopefully you will get it figured out. If you are having trouble keeping it lit there is one of two things from what I have learned on here.

1. Not enough air flow to stay lit

2. Did not let the pellets burn long enough before blowing out the flame

I am sure you will get it figured out stick with it.

hkeiner · Dec 29, 2011

pellets are pellets

This may not be a reliable assumption.... I have read in this forum that the source of pellets can make a difference in how well they work in a AMNPS.

BGKYSmoker · Dec 29, 2011

I have been using pellets for 9 years now and have never had to nuke them in any of my pellet grills Traeger, MAK or GMG. Not even in my AMZNPS used in my Bradley. They key to a great burn with either of the AMZN Smokers is to achieve a good lite with a torch lighter or propane torch. Having a good supply of air flow to the AMZN is also good. My Bradley has vents on the side of the smoke generator and i have used the AMZNPS in my Meadow Creek PR36 with great results.

The pellets i have gotten from Todd i have not nuked at all.

Todd can answer on this also.

IMHO the AMZN Smokers are top of the line and not hard to use in any smoker type.

tom c · Dec 29, 2011

nepas said:
IMHO the AMZN Smokers are top of the line and not hard to use in any smoker type.

I agreed

rbranstner · Dec 29, 2011

There are a ton of guys on here who run the AMNS in their MES smoker so we know they work great in those smokers. I'm sure Todd will be along or do a little reading and you will find some configuration changes that can be made in the smoker or some other tricks that might help. To me it sounds like you aren't getting enough airflow to your AMNS which will choke it out. Any time that I had issues with mine it was because my unit wasn't getting enough air intake.

tjohnson · Dec 29, 2011

Ikrus

Pellets are not all the same. Some pellets are 70%-80% Oak or Alder, and 20%-30% Flavor Wood. These are called "Blended Pellets". Traeger Pellets are either Oak or Alder base, depending on where they are manufactured. West Coast States most likely have Alder Base Pellets. The rest of the country are probably Oak Base Pellets. I've actually had good luck with Traeger Pellets in the AMNPS.

The biggest mistake guys make is not following the starting procedure and/or rushing it. You really need to allow the little flame to burn for 10 minutes, before you blow it out. This will give you a good bed of coals to keep the AMNPS burning.

Try this for starting the AMNPS:

Take 1-2 Tablespoons of Rubbing Alcohol and dump it on the first 1 1/2" of the pellets. Light the alcohol with a match or lighter. A torch will burn off the alcohol fumes. Place the started AMNPS inside your MES, but do not latch the door tight.

Leave it alone for 10-15 minutes.

If the flame is still burning, blow it out and watch is smoke!

I've been testing different starting methods, and while this one is very effective, it can be a little dangerous, cuz you cannot see the clear/blue flame!

Try it again with the Oak pellets you got with the AMNPS, so you know how it's supposed to burn. Then add the Traeger pellets.

I think this will work!

Todd

gotarace · Dec 29, 2011

Air flow and starting the Amnps well are key to success with your smoke. I let my Amnps burn for 7-10 minutes before blowing it out then i blow on the burning pellets until i have a glowing ball like you would see on a well lit cigar. If it is a real calm day i sometimes take the entire chip loader out of the smoker for better airflow. Don't give up this is a awesome smoke generator.

tatonka3a2 · Dec 29, 2011

We wouldn't be without ours now... have both the dust and the pellet units. We use them in our MES's and our homemade smoker. We have so many different pellets now (THANKS TODD!!!) that I need to put them into to 2 storage tubs!!

flareside92 · Dec 29, 2011

I had the same issue with my A-MAZE-N smoker, was realy frustrated.

It wouldn't stay lit.

Then I read up on things here and got some advice from others.

I drilled a hole in the side of my smoker, below where the smoker sat, and problem solved.

Adapt and overcome.

daveomak · Dec 29, 2011

lkrus said:
Just got my amnps for christmas yesterday i had to battle to keep it lit after putting it in my MES 30 today i had the same problems

i even put down a layer of the oak pellets then on top i put apple pellets made from trager(even microwaved them ). pellets are pellets should not matter the maker! my wife paid a lot of money for something that does not work. im really aggravated with this

details of my set up are...

SS MES 30

4in elbow placed over top vent

pellet burning tray pulled out 1 1/2 inch

pellet loading tube pulled out about 1/2-3/4 inch out

apple pellets from trager

oak pellets from A-MAZ-N- Smoker

smoker was running @275

Where in the smoker was the AMNPS situated ?? Was it on the wires next to the heating element on the left side of the smoker ?? Was it on the floor ?? Was it above the water pan ??

Did you have it covered to keep drippings out of it ?? Was the top vent open...I realize you have an elbow on it ??? Was the elbow pointed downwind ??

ldrus · Dec 29, 2011

DaveOmak said:
Where in the smoker was the AMNPS situated ?? Was it on the wires next to the heating element on the left side of the smoker ?? Was it on the floor ?? Was it above the water pan ??

Did you have it covered to keep drippings out of it ?? Was the top vent open...I realize you have an elbow on it ??? Was the elbow pointed downwind ??

yes the amnps is sitting on the to rods(wires) that seem to come from the heating element and it is on the left side of the heating element, it was not covered and meat was placed so as not to drip on it and top vent is fully open. i have it set up in my garage so wind is not a issue

sausageboy · Dec 29, 2011

scarbelly · Dec 29, 2011

lkrus said:
yes the amnps is sitting on the to rods(wires) that seem to come from the heating element and it is on the left side of the heating element, it was not covered and meat was placed so as not to drip on it and top vent is fully open. i have it set up in my garage so wind is not a issue

If you have it in the garage you are not promoting the proper air circulation that would happen outside - you need proper airflow to make this work

SmokinAl · Dec 30, 2011

There is a bit of a learning curve with the AMNPS, each smoker is a little different. Hang in there, it's a great little device.

ldrus · Dec 30, 2011

per Todd's suggestions my AMNPS has been smokin since 9:30 this morning!!!! thank u sir and fellow members

bmudd14474 · Dec 30, 2011

lkrus said:
per Todd's suggestions my AMNPS has been smokin since 9:30 this morning!!!! thank u sir and fellow members

Great to hear. Enjoy

firemandan · Dec 30, 2011

Just pull the chip loader tray about 1/2 way out and the pellets burn just fine. That what im doing right now with the oak pellets.

redsoxfaninnyc · Jan 13, 2012

I just used my amnps for the first time and it was was literally amazing. I put it in at about 8pm and at 6am, it still had a good 3 or 4 inches to go and my MES 30 was full of cold smoke. The meat was cold and had obviously never gone above the outside temp. I think I'll try some salmon this weekend.

AMNPS WOOOS (problem solved...i hope)

Smoking Fanatic

Meat Mopper

Fire Starter

Meat Mopper

Nepas OTBS #242

Smoking Fanatic

Smoking Guru

Smoking Guru

Limited Mod

Meat Mopper

R.I.P. Gone But Never Forgotten.

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

Smoking Fanatic

Meat Mopper

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

Smoking Fanatic

Legendary Pitmaster

Newbie

Newbie

Similar threads

Hot Threads

Featured A couple thick strips please!