First smoke ever. Maple BBQ Chicken

[Puggin4Life]

Well, as the title says this is my first smoke ever. Made two chickens, baked beans and potatoes. Used Jeff's original rub on the chickens. Should be done soon!

My only issue I had was the pellets in the A-mazin tray didn't stay lit tonight. Last night they stayed lit for several hours with no issue but as soon as I added food it didn't stay lit. Any suggestions?

Pics of progress so far.

Ribs will he going in tomorrow!

 

[SonnyE]

At my house it's rainin.
So if it's rainin at your house, that might be a reason.

I usually will run a pre-smoking sterilizing run. At that time, I put a tray of Un-lit pellets in my smoker to dry them out.
Might wanna try that.

Looks good. I'll be right over. :rolleyes:

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Some folks suggest nuking the pellets in the microwave for a minute or two before loading the tray.

 

[SonnyE]

Some folks suggest nuking the pellets in the microwave for a minute or two before loading the tray.

Tried it.
Stunk up the house.

 

[SecondHandSmoker]

Tried it.
Stunk up the house.

Some folks swear by it. Seems it would be better to store those pellets in air tight containers. From what I've been told, pellets are somewhat hygroscopic.

 

[indaswamp]

Welcome to the club!

 

[WaterRat]

Tell us about your smoker - too little info for analysis. Was it windy yesterday vs today?

 

[WaterRat]

Addendum, I run the A-AZN-Tube (pellets) occasionally, takes some time to light but has never gone out after.

 

[mike243]

Put the pellet tray under the water pan so no juices drip into it and pull out the pellet tray so it can get some more fresh air into it

 

[fivetricks]

If you can't microwave them in the house chuck them into your cleaned out and dried waterpan and run a torch back and forth over them long enough to dry them a bit, but not enough to ignite them.

Also, others who use the amps directly in their smoker put it in a different spot. More towards the lower left corner to promote airflow from the chip tray opening.

Give it a shot. If that doesn't work, there's always the mailbox mod. I use it and it eliminates most drafting/airflow concerns re: the pellets.

 

[bluewhisper]

Welcome to the hobby!

My first smoke was chicken/maple, too, but that was in a Weber with a fire of maple. I could use the top vent to choke it.

Yes, I choked my chicken, and it turned out great.

 

[SmokinAl]

Looks to me like the juices from the meat are dripping on the pellets.
I can't tell where the heating element is in your smoker, but I would try to put the tray under the water pan. And away from the heating element. If you need to, make a foil tent to go over the pellets.
Al

 

[Dafish13]

Slightly off topic but I would not want the chicken dripping into the beans. Depending on timing, temperature, etc. you could be running the risk of illness. If the chicken is cooked or the beans or boiling that would be less of a concern.

 

[Puggin4Life]

Tell us about your smoker - too little info for analysis. Was it windy yesterday vs today?

I have the 40" MES 340G. I had the smoker in the garage (open of course) but it didn't appear to be windy.

 

[Puggin4Life]

Slightly off topic but I would not want the chicken dripping into the beans. Depending on timing, temperature, etc. you could be running the risk of illness. If the chicken is cooked or the beans or boiling that would be less of a concern.

You know, I never thought of that. Probably a valid concern. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Puggin4Life]

Looks to me like the juices from the meat are dripping on the pellets.
I can't tell where the heating element is in your smoker, but I would try to put the tray under the water pan. And away from the heating element. If you need to, make a foil tent to go over the pellets.
Al

That's what I think is happening as well. I will try that today and see how it works! Thanks.

 

[dr k]

Some folks swear by it. Seems it would be better to store those pellets in air tight containers. From what I've been told, pellets are somewhat hygroscopic.

I put weather stripping around the top edge of a huge tote to seal the lid and have several 20 lb bags of pellets and smaller bags open with a couple of these from Aldi or Sam's: https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t...ubic-ft-rechargable-moisture-absorber.276279/

 

[PAS]

You have to think like a "Bearcarver" when using the Amazen!

 

[AP514]

I put my AMNPS in the lower corner. Has never gone out and I have not needed to open the chip loader on my new model.

 

[Winterrider]

I think Al nailed it. Food dripping on tray is what it looks like.