AMNPS placement in MES30

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wallypedal

Fire Starter
Original poster
Feb 17, 2014
35
13
Torrington Wyoming
I've used the search tool a bunch, and it's pretty fun. I am a noobie, however!  I have an MES30 ~~20070910 model. Need to know the best placement advice for the AMNPS for this model. Not sure what makes a gen I vs. a gen II. This is an 800 watt model. The chip box is long, almost twice the length of the opening in the chip feeder, if that helps. I think what I've gleaned is to just put it on the rods that extend across to the left from the chip box??   Put some sort of drip tent over it? How far above?  Pull the chip drawer and the feeder out an inch or a little more? Let the pellets heat while the box is getting up to temp?  I haven't found a good placement picture for this model, but it's not from lack of looking....

Thanks!

Wallypedal
 
Ok well, that makes sense.  Also wondered if there was some deflection thing going on with that tray.  On my model, the tray angles upwards on the back edge which must be intended to push heat from the element and smoke up.

On almost every post like this one, part of the mod is to bring the tray forward a couple inches.  I'll give it a try, thank you.
 
Someone said to put the amznps on the bottom rack. Can't remember if it was Todd or Jeff.
 
The thread is almost a year old. I have learned a couple things - sometimes rack placement matters, but other things matter more!
  • The actual moisture content of the pellets - it varies between brands, even when stored alongside each other. Maybe some are compressed more than others.
  • The outdoor weather especially the wind, temp, and humidity
  • The temp setting of the smoker, the higher the temp the more it will cycle, making it hot down there by the rack.
  • If it is a low temp smoker setting I will set the AMNPS with the lit side snug to the side of the firebox, where it gets the most heat when the burner is on. Otherwise it doesn't seem to matter much. I usually run with the chip tube pulled out a couple inches.
Wallypedal
 
Thanks a lot! I've read from Jeff or Todd to put it on the lowest rack. I'll try both. I'm new to this site too and it is awesome. I've been grilling my whole life, but i just got the smoker a couple of months ago. Have a good one and thanks again for your help.
 
Thanks a lot! I've read from Jeff or Todd to put it on the lowest rack. I'll try both. I'm new to this site too and it is awesome. I've been grilling my whole life, but i just got the smoker a couple of months ago. Have a good one and thanks again for your help.
Kenny, Here is a shot for proper placement in a MES30

You will find 2 crome rods two the left of the chip tray holder. Set it on top of them. If it does not fit you will remove 1 screw that is in the tray holder It is the one keeping it from fitting. It is rare to have to do this but it does happen. It won't hurt anything when you remove it. 
 
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Kenny, Here is a shot for proper placement in a MES30
You will find 2 crome rods two the left of the chip tray holder. Set it on top of them. If it does not fit you will remove 1 screw that is in the tray holder It is the one keeping it from fitting. It is rare to have to do this but it does happen. It won't hurt anything when you remove it. 
Thanks for the pic and advice. What kind of gas grill is that?
 
Thanks a lot! I've read from Jeff or Todd to put it on the lowest rack. I'll try both. I'm new to this site too and it is awesome. I've been grilling my whole life, but i just got the smoker a couple of months ago. Have a good one and thanks again for your help.
The AMNPS was made the size it is to be able to fit just right on the rods, between the Chip burner Assembly & the left wall of an MES 30 Gen #1.

Bear
 
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Got a question that sort of goes with this. When placing the AMNPS  when lit do you position the burning end to the front of the MES or the back? Does it matter?
 
 
Got a question that sort of goes with this. When placing the AMNPS  when lit do you position the burning end to the front of the MES or the back? Does it matter?
I always place it next to the door incase the pellets need any TLC.
 
 
I always place it next to the door incase the pellets need any TLC.
yeahthat.gif
   What he said----Plus there seems to be better air flow in the front than in the back.

And generally the first few inches are the hardest to keep burning. Usually once an AMNPS gets going real good it's even hard to get it to stop.

Bear 
 
 
yeahthat.gif
   What he said----Plus there seems to be better air flow in the front than in the back.

And generally the first few inches are the hardest to keep burning. Usually once an AMNPS gets going real good it's even hard to get it to stop.

Bear 
"And generally the first few inches are the hardest to keep burning. Usually once an AMNPS gets going real good it's even hard to get it to stop."

I'm glad someone finally said this...I struggle on most AMNPS uses to get that thing going well.  It smolders a bit at first, I pull it and re-torch it, and put it back in.  I may have to do this 2-4 times before it gets going on its own.  

Greg
 
 
"And generally the first few inches are the hardest to keep burning. Usually once an AMNPS gets going real good it's even hard to get it to stop."

I'm glad someone finally said this...I struggle on most AMNPS uses to get that thing going well.  It smolders a bit at first, I pull it and re-torch it, and put it back in.  I may have to do this 2-4 times before it gets going on its own.  

Greg
Greg,

The biggest thing is getting it lit real good before putting it in. Sometimes takes 20 minutes of off & on attention.

Below is a good link for you to check out.

The Video is real good, and my comment is #2 on that thread.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/140859/how-i-light-my-amnps-w-video-link

Bear
 
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