AMNPS Staying Lit

[magnum3672]

I don't know exactly where I should have put this thread so here we go.

I bought an AMNPS a while back and did a couple smokes with it just fine by following the basic lighting instructions.  Then I went to smoke some bacon and I was having trouble cold smoking and then tried to hot smoke with it and still had issues.  I got some special lighting instructions and different ideas about elevating it from Bearcarver and TJohnson but still nothing.

I'm using a MasterForge electric kettle model which is similar to the Brinkmann model.  I have been putting the AMNPS in the empty water pan on a couple pavers to keep it level with the side door on the smoker.  To light it I have been burning one end with the propane torch until I get coals and letting that flame burn.  Then when the flame burns low I blow on the coals until it spreads along the bottom and let that flame go for a good while (10 or so minutes).  Then when that flame is burning low I blow out the flame and stick the AMNPS in my smoker.

I'm getting kind of frustrated because I dropped good money (well, good for me a poor college student) into this thing and I'm not getting results.  I'm just looking for some advice to try and fix this frustrating problem.

It's currently 75 and sunny where I am with low humidity and the thing isn't staying lit so advice will be welcome.

Thanks in advance

 

[daveomak]

Pellets can absorb moisture from the air, humidity. I put my pellets in an aluminum pie tin and dry them in the smoker when I'm preheating it to 250 before smoking. Then I store them in a tin.

Works for me....

 

[chef willie]

Hmmm, I had the same kind of prob early on with mine. Sounds like you are doing everything correctly. One of my issues was not letting it get really going before closing up in the smoker, but you're doing that. Another was I wasn't doing the microwave dry with the dust, but I see you have the pellet version. I started doing that and it seemed to help the burn. One thing I noticed is you mention putting it in the empty water bath. Depending on how deep your pan is you might not be be getting enough air flow to the unit?...just a thought. I found opening my bottom vents a bit more helped with the dust model.

 

[magnum3672]

I don't have vents in mine, and if I open the one door any amount I feel like most of the smoke would just escape.  Also I have bricks in my water pan to raise up the AMNPS to the lip of the pan.

Frustrating

 

[venture]

I had an early problem with the AMNS.  It was a balky butane micro torch which I pitched and switched to a pencil tip propane torch.  No problems since.

As willie noted, air flow is important.  On hot smokes I live the intake open more than normal and am sure to place the AMNS in a position where air flow is not restricted.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[scarbelly]

I don't have vents in mine, and if I open the one door any amount I feel like most of the smoke would just escape.  Also I have bricks in my water pan to raise up the AMNPS to the lip of the pan.

Frustrating

I was having the same issues and I raised up the unit so the drain hole had more airflow and it helped a lot - it does need air to get under the AMNPS so I would make sure the bottom of it is higher than the pan for airflow. I might even use a small aquarium pump to get better airflow

Good luck and keep us posted - we will figure this out
 

 

[tjohnson]

Sounds like you're not getting adequate air for proper combustion.

During cold smoking, try placing it above the side door, since this is the only source of intake air, and crack the door.

Is the top vent open all the way?

How about placing the AMNPS on the very bottom, and on top the electric element.

Scar is right, that a small aquarium pump provides adequate air for combustion.  Some guys use a small aquarium pump when their smoker does not have an air intake, other than the drain hole on the bottom.

Here's a link to an earlier thread: http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/108669/a-maze-n-pellet-smoker-does-not-smoke-why

Is this your smoker?

I don't see an exhaust.  Is there one?

If there's no wind outside, there's not much draft.  How about you raise the unit off the ground with a few bricks.  This may give you enough air flow under your smoker to help with the draft.

In the event it's just not gonna work, PM me and I'll make arrangements to refund your money

Todd

 

[alaskanbear]

The smoker AMZNPS, must not sit within a pan of any sort--a cookie sheet at most as it needs a steady current of air to gently burn the pellets and give you that TBL that it is noted for. Once you get your air flow issue solved, your pellet smoker will astound you!

Rich

 

[magnum3672]

I'll try the air pump idea since my smoker doesn't really have any intakes (its electric).  Thanks for the help

 

[tjohnson]

Isn't the entire underside open, or is it sealed?

On the Brinkman, the electric element sits on a flat drip pan.  There's a gap around the pan, between the pan and the sides of the smoker.

If it's sealed, try separating the bottom from the top, about 1/2" or so.  This should give you adequate air from underneath.

I'll head to LOWES and check out a Masterforge Smoker and report back.

Todd

 

[roller]

JMO but if I had a smoker like yours I would fix airflow vents like the UDS have...

 

[magnum3672]

Its not "sealed" but the bottom pan is held tightly to the pan holding the element which is held tightly to the body of the smoker via clasps

 

[tjohnson]

I ran to Lowes & Home Depot last night to check out the MasterForge Electric and Brinkman Electric Smokers.

Right away, I noticed there is not an exhaust on either unit.  The intake air is limited to the hole around the electrical cord and whatever can leak around the base.  In other words, this smoker does not breathe well at all.  You need more oxygen for the AMNPS or AMNS to burn correctly.

If you do not want to cut an exhaust in the lid, you may be able to tilt the lid slightly, so there is not a good seal.  I noticed the Masterforge had a fairly tight seal compared to the Brinkman.

Could you separate the base from body of the unit?

Todd

Masterforge at Lowes

  

Brinkman at Home Depot

Only Air Intake is thru hole for Electrical Cord

  

Base sealed, except for the hole around the Electric Element/Cord

Crack the Lid for Exhaust

No Exhaust on Lid

 

[magnum3672]

I'll try cracking the lid.  I had to return my first smoker because the plug shorted out and this 2nd one I have doesn't actually fit together as nicely (odd because the first one was perfect) and it seems to play nicer with the AMNPS.  I'll keep experimenting and let you know whats up, if not for my own comfort but so you can explain to people in the future who have the same/similar models.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[tjohnson]

Keep me posted....Please?

Todd

 

[meateater]

Yeah sounds like an air flow problem to me. I added a small air pump to my UDS when cold smoking and it works great. 

 

[jjwdiver]

I'd bet on the air flow as being the problem. I had it too but with a Weber Kettle...and them things have some holes! Once I put it right over the intake it smoked way more than I needed!!!

 

[SmokinAl]

I'm inclined to agree with the majority, it has to be air flow.