nothing I do keeps the AMNPS going non stop!

bigforkg · Jun 4, 2015

I just about had it with this thing! I put the pellets in the oven for 4 hours last night at 185°, I know because I had a thermometer with the pellets, with the door cracked open to let any moisture escape. It will not go longer than one and a half hours before it completely out. It's not lack of air I put it in my Char-griller 50-50, and if you know this grill it has plenty of holes and gaps. My pellets are from Amazing and are sealed in a mason jar.

So do I toss it? Put a air pump? Or get a smoke daddy or other version of?

The only reason I purchased it was because it's supposed to work WITHOUT electricity. If I put pump then what's the point could have purchased a different brand. If I have to bake the pellets the that takes more time and LOTS more electricity than a 7 watt aquarium pump vs a 3000 watt oven times 2 or 3.

Mail box mod is out of the question I'm not cutting up a smoker purchasing a mailbox and tubing to make this thing work.

voodoochile · Jun 4, 2015

are your vents wide open ?

hoity toit · Jun 4, 2015

let the pellets burn 20 mins or so first,,don't give up the Amazn smoker works, and dont pack the pellets, leave em pretty loose. leave all vents wide open

bigforkg · Jun 4, 2015

I have let it burn in the open for 15 min before putting it in. I have even blown on it and the pellets get red hot and starts a flame again. I'm not packing it but I am filling it a little past the top. Far a air it gets more than enough.

crazymoon · Jun 4, 2015

BF, If you got the pellets going as you stated then it seems you have an air problem. The bottom vent and top vent need to be open to get draft to the pellets. Not sure what type of smoker you have but you need to draw air in from the bottom and vent at the top with a decent air flow ?

Bearcarver · Jun 4, 2015

bigforkg said:
I have let it burn in the open for 15 min before putting it in. I have even blown on it and the pellets get red hot and starts a flame again. I'm not packing it but I am filling it a little past the top. Far a air it gets more than enough.

I can't find in any of your posts where you live, and you didn't put it in your profile, so we can't help you with some things.

If you live at a high altitude, get an Amazing Tube Smoker.

If you live at a low altitude, check out this thread:

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

Remember you have to keep blowing on that burning pellet cherry until it's big & deep into the bottom of the row.

Also: I fill mine to about 1/4" to 3/8" from the top---Not too full.

I also let my flame go out & blow on it until it lights up again---About 8 times before I put it in. Don't quit so early.

Bear

bigforkg · Jun 4, 2015

I live in Bigfork MT 3000 elevation. It was 65° no rain, no wind, humidity 32%. I've had this same problem since day one so I decided to try it in my gill that I knew had more than enough air intake 4 inch with a 3 inch exhaust. I use a butane torch to start it, I use that for about 1 min to 2 min then let it flame as long as it wants, then sit for 15 min before it goes in.

gary s · Jun 4, 2015

Welcome to the Forum

Gary

dirtsailor2003 · Jun 4, 2015

I have the tube smokers AMNTS that Todd sells. I never have any problems with them staying lit. I am at about 3600' but I have also used them at sea level, and at higher altitudes. I originally bought the tube smoker because at the time I was primarily using my gas smoker and that was what was recommend due to the low oxygen levels that exist when burning propane. Don't think I've ever heard a complaint about the tube smokers.

voodoochile · Jun 5, 2015

also if you have a water pan in your smoker you will have problems keeping the pellets smoking ....... been there ..... take it out and replace with a pan of sand or rocks covered with foil

Bearcarver · Jun 5, 2015

bigforkg said:
I live in Bigfork MT 3000 elevation. It was 65° no rain, no wind, humidity 32%. I've had this same problem since day one so I decided to try it in my gill that I knew had more than enough air intake 4 inch with a 3 inch exhaust. I use a butane torch to start it, I use that for about 1 min to 2 min then let it flame as long as it wants, then sit for 15 min before it goes in.

OK----That's at least a big part of your problem.

You should talk to Todd about getting a Tube Smoker. They work much better at high altitudes. A 12" Tube would work Great for you.

I get too much smoke with the Tube, because I live at a low altitude, and I have trouble keeping it down, but the AMNPS works Great for me because of the low Altitude.

Bear

bmaddox · Jun 5, 2015

You could also try using alcohol gel to start it. @daRicksta has had good success with that.

daricksta · Jun 5, 2015

bmaddox said:
You could also try using alcohol gel to start it. @daRicksta has had good success with that.

Thanks, @bmaddox. It's made lighting the AMNPS extremely easy and trouble free. However, I bought mine at Lowes and they only had it in cans that were designed to be used as outdoor table top burners. I have to spoon the stuff out of the can and onto the pellet smoker which is a little bit of a hassle and a little messy. But I got six cans in the pack so I've got plenty. Some years from now when those are all used up I'll buy the RUTLAND Gelled Fire Starter that comes in a squeeze bottle from Todd. That's what I had been looking for and thought I was buying at Lowes.

daveomak · Jun 5, 2015

Pellets need to be dried at 275 if you want them dry.... 185 is NOT above the boiling point of water.... dry for 2 hours + to get rid of the internal moisture in the pellet.... One other member mentioned a water pan..... steam displaces the air in the smoker and pellets will not burn...... If you are using cherry wood pellets, they will not burn....

daricksta · Jun 5, 2015

bigforkg said:
I just about had it with this thing! I put the pellets in the oven for 4 hours last night at 185°, I know because I had a thermometer with the pellets, with the door cracked open to let any moisture escape. It will not go longer than one and a half hours before it completely out. It's not lack of air I put it in my Char-griller 50-50, and if you know this grill it has plenty of holes and gaps. My pellets are from Amazing and are sealed in a mason jar.

So do I toss it? Put a air pump? Or get a smoke daddy or other version of?

The only reason I purchased it was because it's supposed to work WITHOUT electricity. If I put pump then what's the point could have purchased a different brand. If I have to bake the pellets the that takes more time and LOTS more electricity than a 7 watt aquarium pump vs a 3000 watt oven times 2 or 3.

Mail box mod is out of the question I'm not cutting up a smoker purchasing a mailbox and tubing to make this thing work.

So, you're using the AMNPS in the firebox of your Char-Griller or are you placing it under the cooking grate on the charcoal side? At the end of 1 1/2 hours it's gone out? Do you have unburnt wood pellets left? If so, how many rows?

I did some reading up on your grill and I did see that there are gaps and holes which let air in and make it harder to control heat and to snuff out the fire after you're done cooking. But if your AMNPS goes out with pellets left unburnt, somehow the pellet tray is being smothered by the accumulation of smoke or something wherever you have it placed. I have a MES 30 Gen 1 and after I learned to light it properly and place it in my smoker where there was plenty of airflow I have zero problems with it going out before all the wood pellets have turned to ash.

The key here is that if the AMNPS burns freely and for hours on the ground outside the smoker then the problem lies within the smoker.

I agree with Bear that you should contact Todd about the Tube Smoker and see if something can be arranged. At the very least he'll offer you very good advice. All I know is that since I've been using the AMNPS the Q I produce is on a par with anything I've had at BBQ restaurants.

ak1 · Jun 5, 2015

I've found it easy to start using unscented hand sanitizer(it's 70% alcohol, and cheap). Iv'e got 20 lb bags of pellets that sit in my garage all year round and open. I loaded up the AMNPS half full, put a squirt of the hand sanitaizer on, light it up, blow out the flame after 10min or so, and it smoked for almost 6hrs.

daveomak · Jun 5, 2015

If you are using propane and/or briquettes, there probably isn't enough oxygen left for the AMNPS to burn.....

woodcutter · Jun 5, 2015

I've been using my AMNPs for a few years now with out problems. I was out of pellets so I picked up a bag of apple from Menards. I've microwaved and dried them in the oven. The pellets will light outside of the smoker but will not continue smoking no matter how many coals. A different brand solved the problem.

Bearcarver · Jun 5, 2015

AK1 said:
I've found it easy to start using unscented hand sanitizer(it's 70% alcohol, and cheap). Iv'e got 20 lb bags of pellets that sit in my garage all year round and open. I loaded up the AMNPS half full, put a squirt of the hand sanitaizer on, light it up, blow out the flame after 10min or so, and it smoked for almost 6hrs.

I heard about that Hand Sanitizer. There are guys I know who use it in their Charcoal chimey instead of newspaper to avoid the burnt newspaper ashes blowing all around their yards.

I haven't used any yet, but I have a big bottle of that squirt Gel I got for my Harman Pellet stove if I need it. I got that in case my Pellet Stove igniter would quit working in the middle of Winter, but it didn't quit.

Bear

ak1 · Jun 5, 2015

Bearcarver said:
I heard about that Hand Sanitizer. There are guys I know who use it in their Charcoal chimey instead of newspaper to avoid the burnt newspaper ashes blowing all around their yards.

I haven't used any yet, but I have a big bottle of that squirt Gel I got for my Harman Pellet stove if I need it. I got that in case my Pellet Stove igniter would quit working in the middle of Winter, but it didn't quit.

Bear

It works great, and cheaper than the gel fuel. Just make sure you get the unscented stuff and make sure it is alcohol based.

nothing I do keeps the AMNPS going non stop!

Newbie

Meat Mopper

Master of the Pit

Newbie

Legendary Pitmaster

Gone but not forgotten RIP

Newbie

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

Epic Pitmaster

Meat Mopper

Gone but not forgotten RIP

Master of the Pit

Master of the Pit

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

Master of the Pit

Master of the Pit

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

Master of the Pit

Gone but not forgotten RIP

Master of the Pit

Similar threads

Hot Threads