A-Maze-N vs ProQ Cold Smoke Generators

[chefboyartie]

just a thanks for the info will try this chefboyartie . it the simple thing in life.

 

[roger shoaf]

...  It's almost cheaper to go to USA and buy from you directly. Maybe on a vacation some time? The customs authorities might wonder when I get home if I have my bag full of dust and pellets.
Vargard

What you do is to package some large fragile (but not too expensive) items in large boxes using the saw dust as packaging materiel.   Or in the alternative, buy yourself a table saw with a dado blade and then just get some wood and make your own saw dust.  @ $14 per pound I think I would make my own.  

 

[smokeway]

Hi all

I have both. Purchased the ProQ about 2 years ago and the 8 inch amaze-n-smoker sawdust version

ProQ

-More complicated design and it looks like it's built well.

-The design causes issues though - with the metal bars at the top of the mesh, it's harder to scrape out residue after a smoke. The mesh is also too small IMO, as it majorly suffers if you have sawdust with bigger bits in. I have to sieve some of my sawdust to make sure it's purely small particles. Even then, it will go out unless the device has been completely scraped clean.

-The candle method of lighting is too long and pointless if you have a blowtorch.

-It goes out far more often than the Amaze-N

-You can only fit 100g in it

-It was cheaper for me as I am based in UK.

-Came with 100g free sample of Oak (I think it was Oak) and in a nice package

-Takes about 9 hours to burn through a full load

-much smaller than the Amaze-N-Smoker

Amaze-N-Smoker (8x8, sawdust)

-Simpler built than the ProQ

-BUT... the holes are bigger and the previously mentioned particle size is less of an issue. It also feels more resilient, it's 1mm perforated metal welded together - no mesh.

-You can light from two ends to get a heavier smoke

-Think you can fit about 300g of sawdust in it, 3x as much as ProQ - although I would say that if you only half fill it, it burns through a lot quicker

-Takes about 11-12 hours to burn through a full load (only lighting at one end).

-Only takes me a minute to clean compared to 10-15 mins for the ProQ, and I never feel like I'd puncture the mesh as there isn't one.

-Comes with a free pound of hickory sawdust. Seeing as I was shipping from US to UK I didnt think I would take this to keep the weight down...

-BUT the guy at amaze-n-smoker is REALLYreally helpful. We worked out the 2 cheapest shipping options and I decided to take the express version which gave me enough weight allowance to take the free pound of hickory dust.

-It hasnt gone out once yet.

The Amaze-N-Smoker is a better product. I dont care about "buying british", i just want the best product for the job.

On a side note though, if you want to avoid buying one of these, just buy a circular splatter screen (like a tennis racquet made of mesh), put about 100g around the circumference and pile it evenly and light one end. You should have an even cold smoke for about 4-5 hours depending on size of screen. Costs £2 and not £30

edit: by the way, with both devices I need to microwave the sawdust for 3 minutes (stirring three times) to ensure it's dry enough to stay lit (i'm in the uk and it's always raining [outside the smoker])

 

[dougmays]

i have 2 AMazeN's and i love them! i use them for Jerky smoking and i wont use anything else. you wont be let down

 

[bobfelts]

Have the 18" pellet smoker. It is in fact amazing. It works as expected, period. And I expected perfection. You just can't go wrong with A-maze-n products. I'm waiting for them to make a whole smoker. I'll be very likely to buy it if it's big enough.

 

[edsbbq]

Been using the a maze smoke maker for a long time and it works great. I even use it in my cookshack.it works far better than the cookshacks method of making smoke.

 

[cyderpig]

I just use a old chip fryer basket,2 pre lit lumps charcoal, chuck on the wood, stick it in the bottom of the UDS and away to go!

Simon

 

[vortreker]

The function of the Amaze-N-Smoker and the customer service are "Amaze-N"!!!-----I have used it on 6 different grills/smokers for hot and cold smoke. Works better than anything else I have ever used.

 

[goingcamping]

Just bought the 18" tube smoker from Todd at AMAZE-N-Smoker...Works as advertised. I ran thru two (2) tubefuls yesterday, one at 140*-170* for beef sticks and one at 275* for brisket. The first gave nice TBS for 5.5hours, the second gave me nice TBS for 4.5hours. Todd's customer service was outstanding...I will purchase a second one as a replacement for longer smokes!

I, like some on here, was a little disappointed that it had the "Made in China" sticker on it. I loved the idea behind American made products and try and buy local when I can?! As a fellow business owner, I understand the need to control costs?! The first rule of business is to make a profit (not at all costs, but at the costs of keeping your product available and being able to keep the doors open!). Quality and resale is the reason I own 2 Toyota trucks, you cannot beat them for maintenance and resale (they are made in America, BTW).

I have not tried the ProQ, nor do I intend too. The main (most likely the only?) reason I purchased the AMNTS was because of reviews and the feedback from all that have posted about it on here! I didn't even know I was looking for a smoke generator?!

Thanks to Fellow SMFer's (somehow that sounds dirty?).

~Brett

Mods 7.jpg

• goingcamping
• Feb 22, 2013

 

[suboc]

Are there any retailers where I can go and buy one ove these A-mazin-smokers? Or do I have to buy one online? I stopped by one of my local Smoker supply stores and he looked at me like i was crazy when i described it to him. Then I showed him a picture and he pretty much told me to leave in a round about way, by saying, "I told you I never heard of it" and turned around and walked off. I guess these texas boys arent too keen on cold smokes and smokers you cant pull behind your truck.

 

[linguica]

As far as i know it's available online only, but the service is excellent and shipping, fast

http://www.amazenproducts.com/

 

[mountainhawg]

I noticed a lot of excellent reviews on the AMAZE. I like cold smoking and have gobs of fresh cut smoking woods both fruit and nut, but it is a bit of a pain when it's warm to cold smoke even with just 2 or 3 coals lit. Just wondering if the pellets give off that good a flavor compared to chunk?   

 

[theoldscot]

  Hello All,

     Just a thought, isn't it about time to put this to rest??  I find Todd's products work very well for me. Only one time things went awry and that was operator error.  I haven't read much about Todds delivery time which is outstanding, ordered on Sunday and recieved it on wednsday. All the instructions were very clear and the material is top quality, the price was quite reasonable considering the probable life of the product.  If it works for you Great if not try something different.  Yes I have done a wee bit of smoking and Tod's Amaz-n products brought my level up from Oh!OH! to will you do this again .

  The Oldscot

 

[pokey]

Just wondering if the pellets give off that good a flavor compared to chunk?   

Probably depends on the pellets. I've been using some made of 100% flavor-wood. Most are a combination of oak with some percentage of flavor-wood. Some (Traeger) use wood oil to give the flavor to oak pellets. You can get the 100% pellets from a number of sources, Todd included.

 

[mountainhawg]

Probably depends on the pellets. I've been using some made of 100% flavor-wood. Most are a combination of oak with some percentage of flavor-wood. Some (Traeger) use wood oil to give the flavor to oak pellets. You can get the 100% pellets from a number of sources, Todd included.

Thanks Joel. With warm weather coming up I'll have to give Todd's A-Maze-N and pellets some serious consideration. 

 

[aland]

Mtn Hawg, may I offer a suggestion? Todds' products work very well. If you get the AMNPS, it will use both dust and pellets. I got the 5x8(3 row continuous. check out his site). I also got the 18" tube smoker and I LOVE it as do others. It is fantastic for cold smoking and he(Todd Johnson) says it work hot smoking up to 275*. I use mine alot  for cold smoking in my gas grill. I usually cold smoke my meat( an idea I got from Rob on SmokingPit.com) for an hour or two then put the fire to it. To me, that makes the product take on more smoke flavor. But seriously, Check out Todds' products. I and many others are pleased as punch and as far as customer service, you can't beat Todd. You can call him anytime which is rare with other companies. Good smokin' to ya. Alan  Hawkins

 

[mountainhawg]

Mtn Hawg, may I offer a suggestion? Todds' products work very well. If you get the AMNPS, it will use both dust and pellets. I got the 5x8(3 row continuous. check out his site). I also got the 18" tube smoker and I LOVE it as do others. It is fantastic for cold smoking and he(Todd Johnson) says it work hot smoking up to 275*. I use mine alot  for cold smoking in my gas grill. I usually cold smoke my meat( an idea I got from Rob on SmokingPit.com) for an hour or two then put the fire to it. To me, that makes the product take on more smoke flavor. But seriously, Check out Todds' products. I and many others are pleased as punch and as far as customer service, you can't beat Todd. You can call him anytime which is rare with other companies. Good smokin' to ya. Alan  Hawkins

I finally broke down and decided to get the 5x8. Just was too much trouble maintaining a cold smoke with a handful of coals even in very cold weather. I modified my grill too well and it holds the heat even with all vents plus door wide open and starting at 6 AM.  

 

[Bearcarver]

I finally broke down and decided to get the 5x8. Just was too much trouble maintaining a cold smoke with a handful of coals even in very cold weather. I modified my grill too well and it holds the heat even with all vents plus door wide open and starting at 6 AM.  

YOU WON'T BE SORRY!!!!!

Bear

 

[mountainhawg]

First use of the AMZPS using peach dust doing cheese, one row, one end lit. Now I see how you can do long, long smokes with no problems. This thing really puts out a fine TBS, can't even get a good Q-View of it.  Trying Pitmaster's Choice pellets tonight on two reverse seer porterhouse steaks. 

 

[julliette]

I am a newbie here, and have been thinking on cold smokers for making smoked cheese and fish,  can you use the AMNPS for cold smoke and hot smoke? I have a 30 MES and wondered if I could use it all the time instead of the chip loader,