Amazen has arrived!

[Sland165]

Upon many many recommendations I ordered the Amazen pellet tray for my MES 40. I also picked up their hickory, apple and pitmasters pellets. Of course I wanted to get a feel for it before I do some ribs this weekend, so dropped in a row and a half of hickory, followed the many lighting recommendations and man this thing puts off some smoke, and the hickory smells fantastic!
Chip tray was removed, drilled larger holds in the chip tube and we are about 45 minutes in and kicking. Thanks to everyone for the recommendation, can't wait for the weekend!!

 

[bmudd14474]

Congrats. You are going to love it. Cant wait to see what you create with it.

 

[dcecil]

Congrats, cant we to see some of your cooks with the new toy

 

[TomKnollRFV]

Another way to do it with out putting holes in stuff is just to remove the chip tray when using the Pellet tray ;)

Course I've had said pellets 3 hours into use today start on fire. So..maybe to much air? Lol

 

[Sland165]

Another way to do it with out putting holes in stuff is just to remove the chip tray when using the Pellet tray ;)

Course I've had said pellets 3 hours into use today start on fire. So..maybe to much air? Lol

That was my exact thinking. Plus there is always a breeze out here in Kansas. It ran about 4 hours (only did 1 1/4 rows to test), super happy.

 

[TomKnollRFV]

Good on! I don't mind hand feeding chips my self in for a while, but I learned after my first pork butt when I had to stay up till 2-3 AM. Hey, I better go back to the story for this thing and fire that sucker up for any thing that might take more then an afternoon!

 

[SmokinAl]

There are some situations that you just could not do without one of Todd's little devices!
Al

 

[Sland165]

So all told on last night's trial run, I received 4 hours and ten minutes out of a row and a half of pellets. Minimal breeze ( >5mph) and not once did it falter. I'm in love!

 

[chopsaw]

So all told on last night's trial run, I received 4 hours and ten minutes out of a row and a half of pellets. Minimal breeze ( >5mph) and not once did it falter. I'm in love!

Yeah ,,, changes the whole MES experience for sure . Got some BBB goin right now . 12 " tube in the mail box .
Just doin it's thing .

 

[Rings Я Us]

You can light both ends for extra smoke :cool:

 

[Bearcarver]

Upon many many recommendations I ordered the Amazen pellet tray for my MES 40. I also picked up their hickory, apple and pitmasters pellets. Of course I wanted to get a feel for it before I do some ribs this weekend, so dropped in a row and a half of hickory, followed the many lighting recommendations and man this thing puts off some smoke, and the hickory smells fantastic!
Chip tray was removed, drilled larger holds in the chip tube and we are about 45 minutes in and kicking. Thanks to everyone for the recommendation, can't wait for the weekend!!

Congrats!!
You'll not be sorry for getting that AMNPS for your MES 40.
I'd think twice about lighting both ends. I did it one time, and an hour later I put the one end out. Way too much smoke for any meat I ever eat, and I consider myself a Hickory "Smoke-Hound"!
Lighting one end is enough for an MES 30 or MES 40.

Bear

 

[Sland165]

Congrats!!
You'll not be sorry for getting that AMNPS for your MES 40.
I'd think twice about lighting both ends. I did it one time, and an hour later I put the one end out. Way too much smoke for any meat I ever eat, and I consider myself a Hickory "Smoke-Hound"!
Lighting one end is enough for an MES 30 or MES 40.

Bear

Thanks for the tip!

 

[chopsaw]

Just be aware that when you get something in the smoker it might change the way it burns .

 

[TomKnollRFV]

Just remember to double check what pellets you end up with; you don't want fuel pellets by accident!

 

[Sland165]

Just remember to double check what pellets you end up with; you don't want fuel pellets by accident!

Got right from Amazen as well :)

 

[hurriken]

I bought one a few years ago and I was completely disappointed. Tried pellets and sawdust. When I was able to keep it lit it produced less smoke than a cigarette. WHEN it stayed lit. I got tired of fighting it and chucked it on the shelf.

 

[Sland165]

I bought one a few years ago and I was completely disappointed. Tried pellets and sawdust. When I was able to keep it lit it produced less smoke than a cigarette. WHEN it stayed lit. I got tired of fighting it and chucked it on the shelf.

I wonder if there has been any design changes since? I've had no problems during my few test runs getting it lit, keeping it smoking etc.
And for my personal experience the amount of smoke generated was actually quite surprising considering its size. YMMV of course.

 

[TomKnollRFV]

I think the biggest issue is trying to get the airflow down. I stopped having the top vent on my MES all the way open; you can have that at half if you pull the side chip loader out.

 

[chopsaw]

Top vent should be all the way open .

 

[TomKnollRFV]

Top vent should be all the way open .

I've got mine only open 1/2 way right now, but my wood chip loader isn't in the unit at all, works fine. With the top vent open+chip tray removed, the thing was going through the pellets in 6-8 hours, burning to fast for a proper overnight!