Amazen help

[bovine0001]

I have had an amazen for a little while and made some great cheese with it last summer. Thought I would a have a go with bacon. Problems ensued when I could not keep the fire lit overnight on a very chilly and foggy Oregon night. I placed the amazen in the bottom of my old Brinkmann 852-7080 and light it up with a torch until it burns on its own for about 5 minutes and then blow it out. It has a good bed of glowing pellets (yes, it is the amazen meant for pellets). I use bear mountain pellets and they are dry.

I wonder if the damp weather made it hard to keep it lit but wonder what I can do to encourage the fire in such weather. I think it got enough air but since the Brinkmann has no exhaust port, the smoke simply leaks around the lid, it may not get a good draft. I think I may simply drill some big holes for air and smoke ventilation but I would love to know what you experienced smokers do. Might have to build a better smokehouse if I really jump into this with both feet.

Thanks

 

[lu1847]

Sounds to me like you need better draft. Personally I'm not familiar with that smoker but if it were mine a would drill a few holes on top for an exhaust. Maybe like 3 1" holes on top of your smoker and on the opposite side of you heat source. If your heat source is in the center I don't think it would hurt to put the exhaust in the center but I'm not sure. Make sure you cut a piece of flashing or something to screw over exhaust so you can seal it if needed. Especially when preheating and storage.

 

[smoke happens]

I have a similar model, and when I cold smoke with it it generally do not have any problems keeping the AMNPS going. I don't use the base at all though when I cold smoke for a few reasons. First, I can set it on my front porch right outside the door and it's under cover and close at hand. Second, since I am not using any heat there is no need to lug the 3 piece base around or use it at all. I just lay foil down on the ground and my AMNPS goes right on that. If it is something that may leak or render a bit, then a larger piece of foil could be used.

I assume the gap around the access door on the side and loose fitting lid are enough draft to keep the AMNPS going for me, but if you are having problems you could try setting the smoker on something to give it extra air. I just happened to be doing a cheese cold smoke today so got a few shots of ideas.

You could hang it off the edge of a patio or driveway, leaving a gap for some air to get in.

P1310142.JPG

• smoke happens
• Jan 31, 2013

Looking down into it, AMNPS would sit near the edge to catch the draft

P1310143.JPG

• smoke happens
• Jan 31, 2013

Another option is propping it up with something to create a draft

P1310144.JPG

• smoke happens
• Jan 31, 2013

P1310145.JPG

• smoke happens
• Jan 31, 2013

Just some ideas to think about. As I mentioned earlier I cold smoked cheese today and just set the smoker right on the ground, never had an issue keeping the pellets going. It was 46* and raining when I smoked the cheese today.

 

[bovine0001]

Smoke Happens,

Great ideas. Thanks for the pix. You are quite right about the base being just another piece to lug around. I will throw a piece of 2x4 or something to create a good gap for air and make a draft. If that wont work I can make an exhaust port.

Too bad my pork belly has sat out for 36 hours without a good smoke and now I need to chuck it. 20$ of pork ain't worth getting sick no matter how much cure I put on it.

Thanks for the help.

 

[smoke happens]

No problem, too bad on the pork, that sucks! You're making the right call though, it's just not worth risking the health of you and your family/friends.

I would start with the smallest gap I could, you want just enough to keep it going and no more. Too much and it could make it windy in the smoker. 2" x 4"s would be too high I think, try a screw driver or other small widget to create the gap. Increase the size as needed if you still have problems keeping the AMNPS going. Also, nuke your pellets for a minute in the microwave before starting, that helps A LOT if you are having issues. I would try all of these before I drilled into the lid, that smoker has a hard time holding heat as is. I end up having to wrap mine in blankets when I hot smoke in the winter to keep the temps up.

Do us a favor and head over to Roll Call and introduce yourself. Update your location in your profile as well, helps everyone give pointers based on your location and what not. Welcome to the forum!

 

[bovine0001]

Thanks for the help again. 

Yeah, that may be too much air.  I don't use it for hot smoking, the traeger does that.  I will have to experiment to see what works.  I will check out roll call.