AMNPS burning to fast, what did I do wrong?

[petehalsted]

Got my AMNPS today. Based on all the post where folks have trouble lighting, keeping lit, etc. I wanted to do a dry run and did the following.

Uses the Pitmasters Choice blend Todd sent with the AMNPS. Nuked pellets 90 seconds, stirred, nuked another 90 seconds. Did this on a paper plate. Didn't really see any steam, but did notice more of a "wood" smell afterwards, before I would describe it as more of a "clay" smell. Did it on a paper plate (yes I watched it close), no risk of flame up, just a couple of light scorched marks on the plate.

Loaded 1 1/2 rows, the purpose of my dry run was to make sure it stayed lit and turned the corner, which seems to be where folks have the most trouble. I make a foil "hat" for the AMPS using a couple of binder clips and some foil. In place it set about 1/2 above the AMNPS. I did this as I figured in normal cook I will want it in place to keep grease off the AMNPS.

Set smoker for 225, and while it was warming up. I used my propane torch to light the AMNPS. About 30 seconds of torch and then let it burn for about 7 minutes. I noticed after a few minutes that the top pellets were burning about half way down the row. I blew it out, then blew on end to get cherry and let it relight and burn some more, top of half the row started to burn again. At this point I figured it was lit good enough, put it in the smoker on the bottom tray, I had a heck of a time getting the flame blown out at this point.

Closed smoker door and waited. The smoker hadn't made it completely to 225 yet, was around 190 when I put AMNPS in. It continued on until it shut off and then over the next few minutes I watched the normal 1st time overrun I had see to 245-250. But then it just kept climbing. 25 minutes after I put the AMNPS in it was at 275 and still climbing. Smoker had never cycled back on all the heat was coming from the AMNPS. At this point I gave up and opened the door fearing the AMNPS must have lit.

It hadn't lit but over half of the first row had burned, in 25 minutes.

Note: I did not open the chip tray at all for this test.

I suspect part of the answer is the issue with the top of the row lighting during the initial light? But why? Do other's have this issue? Was nuking the Pellets not only not necessary, but dried them out to much? Or is there something else that you think I did wrong.

I included a image of the AMPS, with its "foil hat" off (binder clip still in place) as you can see it is close to 3/4 of the way through the first row after 25 minutes. I had it filled to the top of the tray.

 

[chef jimmyj]

I have had similar issues with a foil tent reflecting heat and causing a fast burn...JJ

 

[tropics]

I nuke mine for 30 sec. let cool do it again,the foil was more then likely the reason it burned like that.
I use binder clips on the bottom of my tray,placed on the floor of the smoker.
Here is a pic in my mail box haven't used that in a year.
Richie

 

[tallbm]

Hi there and welcome!

I would takes Chef's info to heart.

My question is, did you run the propane torch full blast or just more of a flame than a blasting torch?

Also did you put the tip of the propane torch in the hole?

I find I get best results if I put the tip of the torch IN the hole with the flame less on torch blast and more on flame (right before blasting), and I make sure to angle the torch tip so the bottom of the pellets light real good.

A number of guys light theirs from the bottom of the tray. I just put my torch tip in and angle downwards and then down-right, then down-left, etc. etc.

Having the top lit doesn't do much good, it works better when it burns from bottom up with the pellets.

OH, I also see from the image that you have the tray OVER the heating element side of the smoker. That may cause the pellets to REALLY catch and burn fast with the extra heat from the heating element. Most people put their trays to the left of the heating element.

Best of luck! :)

 

[petehalsted]

Well test 2 is under way and looking much better. I didn't nuke the pellets. The are new and seem dry. That might not be the case after a few weeks in South FL no matter how tight a container I put them in, but I think they are good for now, like I said I didn't see any steam when I nuked them.

I also switch the nozzle on my torch, the kit comes with 3 nozzles and I think the one I used was to strong and blew through to much of the pellets. I also watched my angles closely so that I didn't light any of the top of the row except right at the hole.

I found that I can wedge it in beside the element (I have a Gen 2 30" with the vent on the top left - slat tray removed and replaced with slate - see other thread ). I was worried about trying it there after all the reports of issues, but as good as it burned first time, I figured I would give it a shot. If it does well there I will make a bracket to hold it there, but it wedges in pretty nicely.

Since it is now nice to the element and under my slate "heat shield" it is protected from grease drips, so I left the foil hat on my head where it belongs.

Been going about 45 minutes and temps are not spiking, and nice wisp of TBS coming out. Going to let it continue until 5pm and see how it did. But then I got to get some food in it and do a real test.

Got a 2 pound bone in ribeye to reverse sear and a bakers dozen wings dry brining now.

I figure it will be a good test, ribeye will be fine even if I have smoke issues and I already trust the smoker temp wise. Worst case scenario I can pull it and stick in my portable smoke hollow, I have done a few in it, just a lot of work keeping temp in right range.

Wings are just for the heck of it since I am running the smoker, and if something does go wrong I ain't going to cry over a dozen wings. If I mess up the steak on the other hand, you might hear me crying from 1000 miles way!

 

[dward51]

also the pellet tray is not made to run in that 275* range. It's more for 235* and under (better at under). The pellet tube works better at the higher temps than the tray.

 

[GaryHibbert]

I can't see nuking as being the problem. I nuke mine twice for 2 minutes each. Get a good aroma from the pellets. When I light them with the torch, I get about a good inch of the pellets flaming and have no problems with that. The only time mine seem to burn too fast is when the wind is blowing directly INTO my mailbox.
Gary

 

[petehalsted]

Dave,

Smoker was set for 225, the high temps where actually coming from the pellets burning so fast.

After my second test, I definitely think that the issue the first time was with my lighting method. I just got to many pellets lit.

First Smoke is done. I will post results in a new thread

 

[dward51]

I will say this, I did one snack stick smoke and I "think" the pellets actually re-ignited after they were smoldering like normal. I had a small area of very over cooked meat over a section of the pellet tray. I did not use a baffle or drip pan between the pellet tray and the meat as it was only on a few racks and they were higher up in the smoker, I figured it would not be needed. First and only time (so far) I've seen that happen.

I think one thing that contributed to this was it was pellets from the bottom of a bag and there was also some pellet "dust" that went in one section of the row of pellets. I figured since the tray was meant to burn both sawdust or pellets, it would not matter. That was the one thing different I can pinpoint, but I'm pretty sure the pellets re-ignited for a portion of that smoke.