High Elevation Use

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bearcatco

Newbie
Original poster
Sep 23, 2016
5
10
Colorado
I recently received a MES 30" and am still learning all the quirks. I am used to smoking on an offset stick burner so the MES is a little bit of a change. I have found out that I will probably need an AMNPS to get any sort of smoking flavor from the MES. I was wondering which model of AMNPS I should get? I live at higher elevation (almost 8000ft) and will be using it for both hot and cold smokes. Thanks in advance.
 
Bearcat,

At 8,000' you should definitely get one of the Tubes.

Probably the 12" Tube, but the Expandable would really be Great !!!

If it was me, I'd get an Oxygen Tank too, but I'm sure you're used to it.

Bear
 
Bearcat...I live in western CO at about 5300 ft.  I bought the expandable tube a few weeks ago and it worked well.  I've only used it twice so far.  First time I filled it (not expanded) and it stayed lit and burned well.  It produced more smoke than I thought it would.  Seemed pretty thick, it wasn't the light thin smoke guys are getting from the trays with sawdust in them.  It also burned faster than I expected.  It burned a full tube in about 3 hrs.  I was cold smoking some bacon.  I only smoked it for about 6 hrs total because it was already getting good color, and I didn't want to over smoke the bacon.  As I said, the smoke seemed pretty heavy.

Good luck with yours and keep us updated on how you use it and like it.

Nate.
 
 
Bearcat...I live in western CO at about 5300 ft.  I bought the expandable tube a few weeks ago and it worked well.  I've only used it twice so far.  First time I filled it (not expanded) and it stayed lit and burned well.  It produced more smoke than I thought it would.  Seemed pretty thick, it wasn't the light thin smoke guys are getting from the trays with sawdust in them.  It also burned faster than I expected.  It burned a full tube in about 3 hrs.  I was cold smoking some bacon.  I only smoked it for about 6 hrs total because it was already getting good color, and I didn't want to over smoke the bacon.  As I said, the smoke seemed pretty heavy.

Good luck with yours and keep us updated on how you use it and like it.

Nate.
They say if you fill a Tube Half-Full, and shake it horizontally, so it's half full through the whole tube. Then light it, it will put out less smoke. Since you're at a High Altitude that might work for you.

I tried that a number of times & it didn't work for me, but I'm at low Altitude, so the AMNPS (Tray) works perfectly for me. 

Bear
 
Thanks Gnatboy and Bear, I will try it out half full and see how it goes. Try to post pictures if I get a chance.
 
Fill it half way or one third. You'll find the sweet spot that works well for you. The directions are primariy on lighting. Other perforated stainless steel pellet smoke generators hold way over 100% of a filled amnts which I don't find as a desireable heavy smoke but to each they're own.
-Kurt
 
 
They say if you fill a Tube Half-Full, and shake it horizontally, so it's half full through the whole tube. Then light it, it will put out less smoke. Since you're at a High Altitude that might work for you.

I tried that a number of times & it didn't work for me, but I'm at low Altitude, so the AMNPS (Tray) works perfectly for me. 

Bear
Thanks, Bear, for the tips.  Next time I use it I'll try that.  I may also figure out some sort of 'mailbox' type mod for mine that others have done with their MES smokers.  
 
 
Thanks, Bear, for the tips.  Next time I use it I'll try that.  I may also figure out some sort of 'mailbox' type mod for mine that others have done with their MES smokers.  
Yeah---I never needed a MB Mod for any of my MES units, but with your high altitude problem that could make life easier for you.

However I would do that as a last resort. It's really nice to not have the extra hassle---Need extra Room for the MB, Would not fit under my standard cover, etc, etc.

Bear
 
Last edited:
Yeah---I never needed a MB Mod for any of my MES units, but with your high altitude problem that could make life easier for you.

However I would do that as a last resort. It's really nice to not have the extra hassle---Need extra Room for the MB, Would not fit under my standard cover, etc, etc.

Bear

I don't have an MES, Just a homemade cabinet style. I was thinkin a mod of some kind like that might help. I'll try the half full flat way first...then maybe play with a mod of some sort. I'll probably do a thread on that if I do.
 
I don't have an MES, Just a homemade cabinet style. I was thinkin a mod of some kind like that might help. I'll try the half full flat way first...then maybe play with a mod of some sort. I'll probably do a thread on that if I do.
Yup---Any Electric should be similar to the MES, as long as it's well insulated without a lot of leaks.

I would try that Tube Half full flat thing first, but if you have to build a mod, you could make it with adjustable air flow to adjust how dense your smoke is coming into your smoker.

Bear
 
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