A-Maze-N-Smoker Recommendation for Masterbuilt 30"

lizardman · Apr 6, 2015

I have a Masterbuilt 30" 'John McLemore Signature Series' stainless/glass door with front digital controls and a slanted drip deflector. This unit always needs to be set to the highest temp to even produce a minimum (sad) amount of smoke. I mainly smoke pig ribs, chicken (whole and parts), fish, and pork butts.I am going to get an A-Maze-N-Smoker add-on unit, I have a few questions:

* Which specific A-Maze-N-Smoker product works best with this model smoker? One concern is getting one that fits and doesn't take up any meat real estate.

* Where exactly in this unit do I place the A-Maze-N-Smoker gadget?

* For what I smoke, which would be better overall, pellets or dust?

Thanks in advance for everyone's feedback, as I mentioned in the "How Did You Get Your Screen Name" thread, here's what I do to entertain my Grandson...

lizardear2.jpg

lizardman
Apr 6, 2015

pc farmer · Apr 6, 2015

https://www.amazenproducts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AMNPS5X8

This should fit nicely.

jammo · Apr 6, 2015

I use the amnps5x8 in my MES40 and it works great after you figure out the air flow like pulling the chip loader part way out. I had a problem when I bought pellets from a local chain grocery that would not stay burning. I now only buy from Todd!

mfreel · Apr 6, 2015

Ditto. I have 2. They fit just fine in the MES 30 to the left of the heating element on the two bars. Make sure you're vents are wide open and get rid of the water, just not the pan.

IMHO, pellets work better. Here's a video I posted on Todd's FB page:

bmaddox · Apr 6, 2015

It sounds like you have a Gen2 so there are no bars to the side of the element. I believe @TJohnson recommends placing the 5x8 unit on the drip tray over the water pan and setting the water pan on the floor of the unit to allow the air to flow up an through the AMNPS.

If you are hot smoking you want pellets as dust will burn too fast.

I personally have a Gen2 and use a mailbox mod for my AMNPS and it works great.

tjohnson · Apr 6, 2015

AMNPS 5x8 was actually designed out of frustration with my own MES 40

Placement depends on which model MES you own

Old Model MES

Place the AMNPS 5x8 on the rails to the left of the chip pan housing

Exhaust WIDE open

No water in the water pan

Pull the chip pan out 1.5"

Pull the chip loader out 2"

New Gen 2

Remove the water pan and place it on the floor

Place the AMNPS on top the hole where the water pan used to sit

Exhaust WIDE open

Pull the chip loader out 2" and rotate to the "Dump" position

lizardman · Apr 6, 2015

TJohnson said:
AMNPS 5x8 was actually designed out of frustration with my own MES 40

Placement depends on which model MES you own

Old Model MES

Place the AMNPS 5x8 on the rails to the left of the chip pan housing

Exhaust WIDE open

No water in the water pan

Pull the chip pan out 1.5"

Pull the chip loader out 2"

New Gen 2

Remove the water pan and place it on the floor

Place the AMNPS on top the hole where the water pan used to sit

Exhaust WIDE open

Pull the chip loader out 2" and rotate to the "Dump" position

Thanks Todd great info!

Before I place my order I have one more question, I smoke a large slab-o-meat (Butt, loin, etc) about once a month, yard bird or fish about one a month, how much would a 2# bag of pellets last me, assuming I'm smoking for 8 hours at least twice a month. Approximately how many 5x8 'fills' can I expect to get out of a 2# bag of pellets? I know that is a subjective question, I just want to go ahead and a backup bag of pellets while I'm ordering the AMNPS...

daveomak · Apr 6, 2015

Lizardman, morning.... I see Todd has left so I will help....

The 5 x 8 holds about 1# of pellets.... they will last 10+ hours per burn.... adjust your needs accordingly...

I burn about 1/3# on most smokes(3-4 hours).... more on bacon.... He has a great assortment of flavor woods....

I use Pitmaster's Choice for most stuff.... Hickory for bacon.... I bought 25#'s or so a few years back... next order I will be adding Peach, Mesquite (for beef, maybe 5#'s... It's potent)... and other flavors to try, especially on cheeses.... get stuff while the free shipping and 20% off is happening....

Check out the Q-MATZ.... they are great to keep stuff from sticking to the racks... I use them in my dehydrator also...

lizardman · Apr 6, 2015

DaveOmak said:
Lizardman, morning.... I see Todd has left so I will help....

The 5 x 8 holds about 1# of pellets.... they will last 10+ hours per burn.... adjust your needs accordingly...

I burn about 1/3# on most smokes(3-4 hours).... more on bacon.... He has a great assortment of flavor woods....

I use Pitmaster's Choice for most stuff.... Hickory for bacon.... I bought 25#'s or so a few years back... next order I will be adding Peach, Mesquite (for beef, maybe 5#'s... It's potent)... and other flavors to try, especially on cheeses.... get stuff while the free shipping and 20% off is happening....

Check out the Q-MATZ.... they are great to keep stuff from sticking to the racks... I use them in my dehydrator also...

Thanks Dave, I'll pick up an extra 5# to cover me for the Summer months. I'm guessing if there's any pellets left after a smoke I can save what hasn't burned...Also, for my 30" MES, how much/what size Q-MATZ material should I order to cover all 4 racks?

daveomak · Apr 6, 2015

Ordering Info
Q-MATZ are available in 18" & 24" widths, and sold in 1' increments
Click on "add to cart" and choose either the 18" Wide Mat or 24" Wide Mat
Enter the Quantity = # of Feet You Want to Order

ex: If you want 4' enter 4 in the Qty: Box

My shelves are 12" deep and 14" wide....

The mats cut easily with a scissors... they don't seem to fray either..... soooooooo

If you ordered 24" wide MATZ by 24" long.... you would end up with 4 each mats 12" x 12".... If you ordered 24" x 36", you would have extra to try in the oven or dehydrator....

They are pricey but not as pricey as the competition and they are worth every $$$$$.... for smoking cheese, shrimp, even bacon... they wash up so easy... hot water and a brush.... the Teflon will change color from the smoke but nothing sticks to them...

wdk4351 · Oct 23, 2015

I'm building a smoke house and would like to use something like the Amazen pellet smoker. My smoker is 4 x 5 x 6-1/2 tall. I will be smoking sausage , turkey and bacon. Will this make enough smoke.

daveomak · Oct 24, 2015

Wdk4351 said:
I'm building a smoke house and would like to use something like the Amazen pellet smoker. My smoker is 4 x 5 x 6-1/2 tall. I will be smoking sausage , turkey and bacon. Will this make enough smoke.

Depending of the air flow through the smoker, I would go with the AMNTS and maybe 2 of them....

http://www.amazenproducts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AMNTS

The_Innkeeper · Mar 12, 2020

tjohnson said:
AMNPS 5x8 was actually designed out of frustration with my own MES 40

Placement depends on which model MES you own

Old Model MES

Place the AMNPS 5x8 on the rails to the left of the chip pan housing

Exhaust WIDE open

No water in the water pan

Pull the chip pan out 1.5"

Pull the chip loader out 2"

New Gen 2

Remove the water pan and place it on the floor

Place the AMNPS on top the hole where the water pan used to sit

Exhaust WIDE open

Pull the chip loader out 2" and rotate to the "Dump" position

Exactly what I was lookin for, thanks!

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A-Maze-N-Smoker Recommendation for Masterbuilt 30"

lizardman

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pc farmer

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