Another AMNPS-MES Question

[Bearcarver]

The brisket smoking was a raging success, in my opinion. The AMNPS performed flawlessly using hickory and oak pellets I purchased from Todd.  When it comes to smoking know-how and help, Todd and Bear are the MAN, or MEN, as it were. Here's the link: Here's the link:http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...et-ala-todd-johnson-and-bearcarver-with-qview

That's Great !!!

Thank You for the kind words!!

One thing I forgot to mention-----When you put the play sand in your water pan, cover it or you'll have a mess real quick.

Bear

 

[henned up]

I had the same problem at the beginning and what worked for me is better air flow. I need the damper wide open and the burning pellets within a few inches of the damper. The only other thing I see different than the way that seems to work best for me is in your second picture down, the tray doesn't appear filled to the top. So maybe that little void is causing you problem? 

 

[nsolo]

I have read all three pages of suggestions and what I cannot understand why more of you MES owners don't use their cold smoke attachment. I have had mine ever since they came out with it with no problems at all. Fill it with chips and press a button, sit back, smoke and have a beer.

Can you provide a link? Thanks in advance.

 

[overground]

Can you provide a link? Thanks in advance.

http://www.masterbuilt.com/index.php/accessories/electric-cold-smoker.html

 

[tjohnson]

Guys,

I previously posted how to use the AMNPS 5x8 in the New 2nd Gen MES. Since there is limited air flow thru the New 2nd Gen MES when compared to the previous model, the AMNPS 5x8 will not perform well on the floor of the New model.

The AMNPS 5x8 has to sit on top the hole where the water pan normally sits and cannot sit on the floor

Pull the chip loader out 2" for added air flow

Exhaust is 100% open

No Water in The Water Pan

Placement in the New 2nd Gen MES

Notice (2) 8x8 Disposable Aluminum Pans

DSCF5536.JPG

• tjohnson
• Jan 6, 2013

Producing nice TBS

DSCF5779.JPG

• tjohnson
• Jan 10, 2013

I added a 4" Elbow to the exhaust

Why?

Because a chimney helps the unit draft

DSCF5758.JPG

• tjohnson
• Jan 10, 2013

 

[allen]

I have the 800 watt MES 40 and the 5x8 AMNPS and I take the chip loader out and put the AMNPS on the bottom rack and had no problems yet.

 

[tjohnson]

Most issues are in the new 2nd Gen Masterbuilt Smokers

There is an air flow issue in the new model, and not much I can do about it

The New model just does not draft as well as the previous models.  I attribute this to the side exhaust vent that is positioned about 4" lower than the top of the smoker.  Heat and smoke must build up along the top, before it can spill out the side exhaust.  If the hot air and smoke cannot exhaust, then fresh air cannot be brought into the smoker.  I'm totally baffled as to why the engineers at Masterbuilt thought the lowered side exhaust was a good idea.  If the unit had a convection fan, then the lowered exhaust may make more sense, but it does not.  If the exhaust on your New 2nd Gen MES is pointed towards the wind, it will actually "Back Draft" thru the chip loader.

TJ

 

[pstefl]

How did you attach the elbow?  Did you remove the existing vent to add the elbow?  If so, how did you get it out?  Mine appears to be attached with rivets

 

[mdgreco191]

Read thru the entire thread and determined my ma-in-law has the Gen1 model.  So, I just placed an order for 2 AMNPS packages!  One for me and the other for the ma-in-law.  Can't wait to not put chips in every freakin' second!

 

[geerock]

How did you attach the elbow?  Did you remove the existing vent to add the elbow?  If so, how did you get it out?  Mine appears to be attached with rivets

The stock exhaust vent comes right out and the adjustable elbow fits exactly into the hole. The elbow will go into the smoker wall a few inches. I just used some tin snips and cut he elbow directly back to the smoker wall from the inside to make a few tabs. Bend the tabs back onto the smoker wall and zip screwed it to the smoker. I also put an adjustable butterfly damper in the elbow for a bit of exhaust control. Works great.

 

[daricksta]

That's Great !!!

Thank You for the kind words!!

One thing I forgot to mention-----When you put the play sand in your water pan, cover it or you'll have a mess real quick.

Bear

Thank you for that, Bear, because you know what? I probably wouldn't have thought of covering it. I kept picturing it just sand in an uncovered pan. Also you jogged my memory--gotta ask the wife about where to buy the sand locally in small quantities. I don't want to buy a 10 lb just for the water pan in a smoker I use about 5 times a year (this IS Washington state, after all).

 

[gitnby]

Have the MES 30 1st Gen and I have used the AMNPS with great success by pulling the chip tray out just enough that I can see the bottom of tray, wide open with top vent and pull the chip loader out about 2 " or so.

Did a small turkey that I smoked for 6 hours, turned off the MES, but forgot to take the AMNPS out. 2 hours later, after dinner, I noticed the smoke was still coming out of the top vent. The smell was so good coming out of the vent that I left it in there while we sat on the deck for 2 more hours!

My new aromatherapy!

BTW, when I did a brisket, I used the water pan filled with sand and gravel, covered it with foil, and put it in the slot made for it under bottom rack.

For some reason, the AMNPS didn't perform as well? After a half hour, I took the water pan out and the AMNPS worked like a charm?

Anyone have the same issue? I assume it was an airflow problem caused by the placement of the water pan?

Luckily, the temp held just fine without a heat sink since I only opened the door twice during the whole 10 hour smoke. Once to foil it and once because, well, you know, I just had to!

Another observation:

When I set MES to 200-210, the Maverick 732 reading only varies about 10 degrees from what MES shows for chamber temp.

However, when I crank it up to 220 or above, the Maverick reading varies as much as 50 degrees?

Had it at 275 (max) for some wings and the Maverick was reading 331!

And this was one a cool day <75 degrees.

 

[smokeamotive]

Have the MES 30 1st Gen and I have used the AMNPS with great success by pulling the chip tray out just enough that I can see the bottom of tray, wide open with top vent and pull the chip loader out about 2 " or so.

Did a small turkey that I smoked for 6 hours, turned off the MES, but forgot to take the AMNPS out. 2 hours later, after dinner, I noticed the smoke was still coming out of the top vent. The smell was so good coming out of the vent that I left it in there while we sat on the deck for 2 more hours!

My new aromatherapy! :rotflmao: I love it!!!

BTW, when I did a brisket, I used the water pan filled with sand and gravel, covered it with foil, and put it in the slot made for it under bottom rack.

For some reason, the AMNPS didn't perform as well? After a half hour, I took the water pan out and the AMNPS worked like a charm?

Anyone have the same issue? I assume it was an airflow problem caused by the placement of the water pan?

This could also be the placement of your AMNPS. I usually remove the chip loader and chip tray....no question of airflow!

Luckily, the temp held just fine without a heat sink since I only opened the door twice during the whole 10 hour smoke. Once to foil it and once because, well, you know, I just had to!

Another observation:

When I set MES to 200-210, the Maverick 732 reading only varies about 10 degrees from what MES shows for chamber temp.
However, when I crank it up to 220 or above, the Maverick reading varies as much as 50 degrees?

Had it at 275 (max) for some wings and the Maverick was reading 331!

Believe the Maverick, Not the MES ! Mine shows this kind of discrepency as well.

And this was one a cool day

 

[tamathumper]

I had the same temperature last weekend - MES set on 225 for ribs, and Maverick read 331 for quite a while.

 

[daricksta]

http://www.masterbuilt.com/index.php/accessories/electric-cold-smoker.html

This must be a new product and they slapped a page together for it. I logged onto the page but it is stuck on "loading". But the thing still costs $70. The AMNPS works great when things are set up correctly in the MES 30 Gen1 and I like the price better. 

 

[sigmo]

Yeah. That link just gives me a "Fatal Error" message here. But I'd like to see the gadget :)

Phoned in.

 

[daricksta]

Guys,

I previously posted how to use the AMNPS 5x8 in the New 2nd Gen MES. Since there is limited air flow thru the New 2nd Gen MES when compared to the previous model, the AMNPS 5x8 will not perform well on the floor of the New model.

The AMNPS 5x8 has to sit on top the hole where the water pan normally sits and cannot sit on the floor

Pull the chip loader out 2" for added air flow

Exhaust is 100% open

No Water in The Water Pan

Placement in the New 2nd Gen MES

Notice (2) 8x8 Disposable Aluminum Pans

DSCF5536.JPG

• tjohnson
• Jan 6, 2013

Producing nice TBS

DSCF5779.JPG

• tjohnson
• Jan 10, 2013

I added a 4" Elbow to the exhaust

Why?

Because a chimney helps the unit draft

DSCF5758.JPG

• tjohnson
• Jan 10, 2013

Is that thin metal shelf part of the MES Gen2 design? Looking at these pics, I'm glad I bought the Gen1 model.

 

[daricksta]

Yeah. That link just gives me a "Fatal Error" message here. But I'd like to see the gadget :)

Phoned in.

I'd like to see the gadget too just out of curiosity but the AMNPS is working fine for me.

 

[daricksta]

Most issues are in the new 2nd Gen Masterbuilt Smokers

There is an air flow issue in the new model, and not much I can do about it

The New model just does not draft as well as the previous models.  I attribute this to the side exhaust vent that is positioned about 4" lower than the top of the smoker.  Heat and smoke must build up along the top, before it can spill out the side exhaust.  If the hot air and smoke cannot exhaust, then fresh air cannot be brought into the smoker.  I'm totally baffled as to why the engineers at Masterbuilt thought the lowered side exhaust was a good idea.  If the unit had a convection fan, then the lowered exhaust may make more sense, but it does not.  If the exhaust on your New 2nd Gen MES is pointed towards the wind, it will actually "Back Draft" thru the chip loader.

TJ

Wonder how many of those Masterbuilt engineers previously worked at Microsoft? The Gates guys certainly knew how to take a good thing and make it badder...

 

[overground]

This must be a new product and they slapped a page together for it. I logged onto the page but it is stuck on "loading". But the thing still costs $70. The AMNPS works great when things are set up correctly in the MES 30 Gen1 and I like the price better. 

Yeah. That link just gives me a "Fatal Error" message here. But I'd like to see the gadget :)

Phoned in.

I'd like to see the gadget too just out of curiosity but the AMNPS is working fine for me.

Hmm...just tried & works fine for me. Chrome browser.