a-maze-n-smoke problem

[bones1948]

I have the 30 inch Masterbuilt Model 20070910 and cannot keep the pellets lit.  I have read other threads and thought I was doing everything right but the pellets keep going out.  I am now smoking a pork butt. I have lit the pellets with a torch and have seen the pellets burning and a good smoke before I put it in the smoker.  I have the top vent all the way open.  I have removed the chip holder and the chip loader to make sure there is enough oxygen.  I have placed the amns on the two rails next to the heating element.  What am I doing wrong.

Thanks Steve

 

[daveomak]

Steve, morning.... Did you dry the pellets ??  What pellets are you using ?? Some don't stay lit too well and need to be mixed with another type of wood...   Is the meat dripping on the pellets and putting out the fire ??..  Does the AMNPS need a foil cover/tent to keep it dry ??  

Dave

 

[mike johnson]

You can use the AMNPS there but i tend to keep it here. The pellets burn a bit faster but hey it works. I also use foil to tent over the AMNPS. Ipull the chip tray and pull the loader out about 1 inch.

peperoni.png

• mike johnson
• Sep 13, 2012

 

[bones1948]

I am using cherry wood pellets.  I have the pork butt situated where it will not drip on the pellets.  It seems like it is not getting enough air.  Maybe I will put the pellets in the oven to see if they have moisture in them.

Steve

 

[bigfish98]

Cherry is a problem.  I had the same issue when I started using the AMNPS.  I love cherry and wanted to get that pure cherry flavor, but cherry doesn't smolder well.  Like Dave said, you need to put another type of pellet in with it to get it to keep burning.  I believe Todd recommends that you sprinkle some oak pellets along the top of the cherry to keep it lit.  I actually just bought 20# of cherry pellets and 5# of oak and I am going to be experimenting with amounts to see what the smallest amount of oak is needed to keep the cherry burning. 

So my advice would be try sprinkling some oak or hickory pellets on top and see how it works from there.

Bigfish

 

[tjohnson]

I am using cherry wood pellets.  I have the pork butt situated where it will not drip on the pellets.  It seems like it is not getting enough air.  Maybe I will put the pellets in the oven to see if they have moisture in them.

Steve

Cherry, Bourbon and Wine pellets DO NOT burn well on their own

You need to put a layer of Oak or Maple down forst and then the Cherry

From the Instructions

Cherry, Bourbon Barrel & Wine Barrel Pellets can be difficult to burn on their own.  Fill the bottom ½ of each row with Maple or Oak Pellets, and the top ½ with Cherry, Bourbon Barrel or Wine Barrel Pellets.

Try this method with cherry

Todd

 

[bigfish98]

Cherry, Bourbon and Wine pellets DO NOT burn well on their own

You need to put a layer of Oak or Maple down forst and then the Cherry

From the Instructions

Cherry, Bourbon Barrel & Wine Barrel Pellets can be difficult to burn on their own.  Fill the bottom ½ of each row with Maple or Oak Pellets, and the top ½ with Cherry, Bourbon Barrel or Wine Barrel Pellets.

Try this method with cherry

Todd

  Shown up by the master!  I should have just defferred to Todd in the first place. 

 

[scarbelly]

I have had the same issues with those 3 and thought it was my SmokinTex unit until I read Todd's note. Microwaving them for 30 seconds does help in addition to the instructions 

 

[bones1948]

We have smoke.  Thank you for the response.  When I put the oak underneath the cherry pellets that did the trick.  I also was not letting the fire burn long enough at the start to ignite the pellets.

Thank You

Bones

 

[tjohnson]

Winner!