jumping rows

tamccain · Feb 9, 2016

So, I have had my AMNPS for a couple weeks and I've used it a few times. I can't seem to stop it from jumping rows. I have double checked to make sure pellets aren't bridging the rows. Today I tried to fill it a little less than before and it still jumped from the first row to the second row. That of course reduces the number of hours that I get smoke, AND it ends up producing too much smoke when multiple rows are burning at the same time. It seems like it is always jumping in about the same place - halfway down the first row. Can anyone give me some guidance or tips on keeping it from jumping rows?

pc farmer · Feb 9, 2016

How hot is the smoker

tamccain · Feb 9, 2016

225-235 is where i've been using it. I think when I noticed it this time I had the temp set at 250.

pc farmer · Feb 9, 2016

Can you post pics of it in the smoker?

tamccain · Feb 9, 2016

I can try later to post some, but I can give you a verbal description to start with. I have an MES40 Gen 2. I place the AMNPS all the way to the left hand side on the bottom of the smoker - below the water pan. I then open the chip tray about an inch and pull out the chip loader a couple inches.

pc farmer · Feb 9, 2016

Sounds like it should work. I have a 1st gen mes. I do the same as you

chef jimmyj · Feb 9, 2016

Been filling like these 5 years and never had a jump, even at 275°F. Sounds like you are doing everything right...

...JJ

DSCN0069.JPG

chef jimmyj
Jun 1, 2012

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chef jimmyj
May 4, 2012

SmokinAl · Feb 10, 2016

I've had them jump rows when I tried to fill it too full. But JJ's is filled almost to the top & it's not jumping. Maybe you should call or PM Todd. He may have an answer.

Al

daveomak · Feb 10, 2016

Maybe your thermometer is not correct.... Calibrate it and try it out..... You could lower the smoker temp.....

Do you have an obstruction above the heating element that is restricting the air flow to where the meat is.... some folks have put a drip pan in the smoker that "holds" the heat in the lower portion of the smoker... If that's the case, the thermocouple that shows the smoker temp, will not see the trapped heat at the element level.....

tamccain · Feb 10, 2016

I am using a Maverick ET-73 set. I have checked them and they are accurate. The MES meat probe is spot on, and the smoker temp runs about 10* off, but I compensate for that. I do have a cookie sheet that I put in right under the meat, but this is above the smoker thermometer, so it shouldn't be effecting that.

daveomak · Feb 10, 2016

Put the cookie sheet back in, on the same shelf and check the temps.... Any obstruction could overheat the pellets... after all, we are looking for a solution... That could be it...... Check the temp above and below the sheet... probably at the AMNPS would be good....

Dave

drdon · Feb 10, 2016

Just a thought, if you are starting it with a propane torch—maybe your torch flame passes through the grating and pellets. You may not notice the flame from above or the side. But if you’re running the torch under the AMNPS you may inadvertently light the adjacent row?

Go ahead….. ask me how I know!

Look at the bottom picture from Chef JJ and you can see how the flame can pass without notice.

Don

I have the GEN 1 so I can’t offer any other insight. Hopefully you get if figured out

Bearcarver · Feb 10, 2016

tamccain,

If you're only running 235° smoker temp:

The two main reasons for jumping rows are:

Too close to the heating element.----Doesn't sound like that's your problem.

Filled too high---I like to fill at least 1/4" from the top.

Also if you have a foil roof (for drip protection) over the AMNPS, and it's too close to the AMNPS, it can trap the heat causing too much heat within the pellets---causing a jump of rows.

Bear

chef jimmyj · Feb 10, 2016

DrDon said:
Just a thought, if you are starting it with a propane torch—maybe your torch flame passes through the grating and pellets. You may not notice the flame from above or the side. But if you’re running the torch under the AMNPS you may inadvertently light the adjacent row?

Go ahead….. ask me how I know!

Look at the bottom picture from Chef JJ and you can see how the flame can pass without notice.

Don

I have the GEN 1 so I can’t offer any other insight. Hopefully you get if figured out

Agreed. I too light from the Bottom of the first row. While I never had a jump, I have accidently lit the second row. Care must be taken...JJ

cmayna · Feb 10, 2016

Lighting from the bottom of the first row? Never thought of that. Something to try out.

chef jimmyj · Feb 10, 2016

Somebody once told me (CRS!)...The pellets on the bottom burn and keep the row of pellets going. The pellets on top make the smoke...I have been lighting from the bottom, and hole, for years and very rarely have the AMNPS go out...JJ

tamccain · Feb 11, 2016

DrDon said:
Just a thought, if you are starting it with a propane torch—maybe your torch flame passes through the grating and pellets. You may not notice the flame from above or the side. But if you’re running the torch under the AMNPS you may inadvertently light the adjacent row?

Go ahead….. ask me how I know!

Look at the bottom picture from Chef JJ and you can see how the flame can pass without notice.

Don

I have the GEN 1 so I can’t offer any other insight. Hopefully you get if figured out

If it were jumping at the very beginning, i would think this could be the case, but the jump always seems to be halfway in on the second row.

I am going to be smoking a whole chicken this afternoon. I will remove the cookie sheet and use the AMNPS to see if that makes a difference. Hopefully I can get this figured out. I am going to be smoking a full load of butts in a couple weeks and I really need this AMNPS to work well for that.

tbern · Feb 11, 2016

If the jump is always in same spot, could you try some tinfoil on the divider in that area for a few inches, maybe just raise it up 1/2 or 1 inch, just to see if it would stop the jump.

daveomak · Feb 11, 2016

Does your AMNPS have triangle shaped dividers between the rows ??/ maybe you have an AMNS...

tamccain · Feb 11, 2016

I do have the AMNPS it does have the triangle shaped dividers. I made a few changes and it seems to have helped some, but hasn't completely removed the issue. I removed the pan that I was using to catch drippings. I also moved the AMNPS closer to the door instead of pushing it toward the back of the smoker. It still seemed to have jumped the row, but it seemed minor and at the end where it was close to turning the corner.

jumping rows

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