AMNPS - burn/smoke times?

[pugsbrew]

Just seeing how long of smokes you are getting out of a AMNPS full of your favorite pellets.  I'm getting around 6 hours.  I think I have TOO much air, I'm getting flaming.

Oh, and I dried the pellets in oven at 220 deg for 30 mins, then let cool in oven.  Trying 20 mins drying for next smoke.

Just new at this, but I can already feel an addiction coming on!!

Thanks

 

[daveomak]

Do you have the AMNPS inside the smoker !!!   the heat will make it burn faster...   

 

[johnmeyer]

With Todd's hickory or "pitmaster" pellets, I get almost exactly three hours per row. Most of the time I only smoke for three hours, so I've seldom used more than one row.

I get about two hours per row when using Todd's hickory sawdust.

 

[pugsbrew]

AMNPS in MB mod. No heat involved.

 

[tallbm]

I have never done a full AMNPS.  I get between 3-4 hours per row depending on the type of pellet.

Mesquite and Alder burn faster where 100% Hickory or 100% Cherry burns much slower.

I think you have too much airflow.  The air flow and the type of wood can cause some differences in burn time.  You should be able to get way more than 6 hours out of a full AMNPS.

Hope this info helps! :)

 

[SmokinAl]

2 to 3 hours per row is about what I get. Some pellets burn quicker than others.

Al

 

[pugsbrew]

Just an update.  I closed off the holes in the bottom of the mailbox, and a 2 hour burn used about 2/3 of a row of hickory pellets.  I obviously had too much air on my first run.

 

[johnmeyer]

It would be interesting to get Todd's reaction to controlling the burn time by reducing the oxygen. I would think that doing so might change the character of the smoke. I don't know if it would make it better, or if it would make it worse, but I would think it would be different.

 

[pugsbrew]

 
It would be interesting to get Todd's reaction to controlling the burn time by reducing the oxygen. I would think that doing so might change the character of the smoke. I don't know if it would make it better, or if it would make it worse, but I would think it would be different.

I think it all depends on on your set up.  I know I've heard a 9-11 hour burn, so when I got a 6 hour burn, something seemed off to me.

So, I fixed the amount of air coming in.  Seems to give me what others have experienced.  

I don't know what is correct, but satisfied with a longer burn.

 

[johnmeyer]

I just watched some YouTube videos on BBQ competition. At least one of the contestants said that it was important to have a "clean burn" rather than a smoulder because the hotter more oxygenated fire, while producing less visible smoke, produces cleaner-tasting smoke. I think I've read that elsewhere. Of course such a thing is not possible with my MES unless I want to turn it into a true offset smoker. At that point, I should just get an offset.

 

[mr t 59874]

 
Just seeing how long of smokes you are getting out of a AMNPS full of your favorite pellets.  I'm getting around 6 hours.  I think I have TOO much air, I'm getting flaming.

Thanks

Think of using a smoke generator, regardless of type, as you would a wood burning stove. Using the same type of fuel, the more air the hotter it burns with less smoke for a shorter time. Reduce the air intake and it will burn cooler and produce more smoke for a longer time.

T

 

[johnmeyer]

 
Think of using a smoke generator, regardless of type, as you would a wood burning stove. Using the same type of fuel, the more air the hotter it burns with less smoke for a shorter time. Reduce the air intake and it will burn cooler and produce more smoke for a longer time.

T

But which smoke would taste better?

 

[mr t 59874]

 
But which smoke would taste better?

The desired smoke color and density depends on your individual taste and the product being smoked. It cannot be emphasized enough that the more dense the smoke the less forgiving it is. It would be nice if one color and density of smoke was perfect for everything, but it just doesn't exist.

Perhaps the following will help.  http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/139474/understanding-smoke-management-updated-12-08-14

Tom

 

[daveomak]

 
It would be interesting to get Todd's reaction to controlling the burn time by reducing the oxygen. I would think that doing so might change the character of the smoke. I don't know if it would make it better, or if it would make it worse, but I would think it would be different.

John, evening....   Reducing the oxygen gets you closer to an incomplete burn...  Incomplete burning can make more creosote...   also can make charcoal....  

It's been my findings, a complete burn of the pellets, with extra oxygen, gives a clean smoke and a clean taste to the meat...   BUT, experiment and note the differences...   It's always worth a try....

 

[johnmeyer]

 
The desired smoke color and density depends on your individual taste and the product being smoked. It cannot be emphasized enough that the more dense the smoke the less forgiving it is. It would be nice if one color and density of smoke was perfect for everything, but it just doesn't exist.

Perhaps the following will help.  http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/139474/understanding-smoke-management-updated-12-08-14

Tom

Thanks. That's an oldie but a goodie, and I've read it several times.

 
John, evening....   Reducing the oxygen gets you closer to an incomplete burn...  Incomplete burning can make more creosote...   also can make charcoal....  
It's been my findings, a complete burn of the pellets, with extra oxygen, gives a clean smoke and a clean taste to the meat...   BUT, experiment and note the differences...   It's always worth a try...

That is what I suspected based on what I'd read, but not being enough of an authority myself, I didn't want to come out and say it.

 

[pugsbrew]

 
John, evening....   Reducing the oxygen gets you closer to an incomplete burn...  Incomplete burning can make more creosote...   also can make charcoal....  

It's been my findings, a complete burn of the pellets, with extra oxygen, gives a clean smoke and a clean taste to the meat...   BUT, experiment and note the differences...   It's always worth a try....

I agree.  I was having flaming problems, so cutting down O2 stopped that.  Guess that fine line needs to be found on a particular system.

 

[wade]

I have a variable speed fan on the exhaust vent of my cold smoker and I find that just by varying the air flow there is a point where the AMNPS will flame. Once this point is reached the resulting increased air flow through the smoker will fan the fire further until the whole bed of pellets are burning quite fiercely. I therefore carefully control the air flow to remain well below this point. 

If you have a smoker where the natural draw is too great then as soon as you get a little heat inside it can gradually lead to a runaway flame. You need a good air flow through the smoker but it can actually be too great in some cases.