Debating the purchase

[birdman080]

I have been in the market for an actual smoker for quite a while.  First it was a pellet grill.  Well, I don't want to spend $600 - $700 that I don't have yet (plus I have to spend more to fix and relocate and outdoor electrical outlet to underneath my carport).  Then I was going to purchase a propane smoker (I still might).  But, the more reading I do on here and the web in general about the A-Maze-N Smoker, the more I am thinking about getting that.  I look at a smoker as two things....both heat source and a smoke source in a box.  I have the heat and the box as I have a rectangular charcoal grill (Kingsford 32”) and a Charbroil 4 burner gas grill.

I thought I would turn here for advice as I am not sure what to get though (6” or 12” tube or the Maze) and thought I would turn here for some advice on what to get as well as some advice on how to use it on each grill.

 

[daveomak]

When using the Amazing products, they need oxygen to burn properly...   I don't know where you are located...  Please fill in your location in your profile...   Altitude can have an effect on the burning quality...   Briquettes consume oxygen and can have an effect...  Propane the same...  

Sooo, all depends on your system...   

Some use a box of sorts to burn the amazing pellets and duct the smoke to the smoker...  Solves most all of the problems...  

When smoking meats etc. a good air flow improves the smoke quality...   a cardboard box works with the AMNPS or AMNTS....  The maze puts out some heat...  the tube puts out more heat...   mainly because the pellet consumption per hour is greater...   

There are more variables that makes it difficult to quantitatively answer your question ....

All things considered, the amazing products are exactly what they are called...   Amazing, and do a great job in creating clean smoke that makes foods taste great...  

What I use......

DSCF2019.JPG

• daveomak
• Sep 18, 2016

..

AMNPS LEGS 3 001.JPG

• daveomak
• Aug 24, 2016

 

[birdman080]

Decatur, IL  (profile also updated)

 

[cjclemens]

I got both the 12" tube and the maze.  I really like both, but I really prefer the tube.  It puts out more smoke than the maze, and it will burn plenty long enough for most jobs.  When I run the maze, I usually end up lighting both ends, so it smokes more.  I also did the mailbox mod on my smoker - its a charbroil electric smoker, so it needed a lot of help to begin with.  Anyway, in order to make it work, you'll likely need a box (like a mailbox) to collect the smoke, and some way to duct the smoke into your grill.  I'm not sure what that would require, but anything's possible with a little redneck engineering.  Pics of my rig are in the following thread: http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/246657/modified-char-broil-smoker-looking-for-input

Good luck and happy smoking!

 

[birdman080]

Do either of you use it as a supplemental source of smoke or a primary source of smoke?  I am looking to use it (at least for now) as a primary source of smoke...especially in the gas grill.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Do either of you use it as a supplemental source of smoke or a primary source of smoke?  I am looking to use it (at least for now) as a primary source of smoke...especially in the gas grill.

I use my Amazing Maze "AMNPS" in my enclosed MES Smoker, because the Tubes put out too heavy a smoke for that smoker. IMHO

That is my ONLY source of Smoke.

However in a Gas Grill, you should probably use an Amazing Tube Smoker, because of all the air infiltrations of a Gas Grill. The Tubes are easier to keep smoking too.

Bear

 

[cjclemens]

I also use mine as the primary source of smoke.  The Char-Broil smoker I modified originally came with a very small chip tray in the bottom of the unit.  It didn't produce smoke consistently, and you had to open the main door to refill it - losing all your heat in the process.  With the AMTS in the mailbox, it smokes long enough for most of the cooking I do.  Even if I had to refill and relight it, I can do so without losing any heat out of the cook chamber.

As suggested, I would use the tube smoker for your application.  Grills aren't sealed up very well, so you'll lose smoke quickly.  The tube puts out quite a bit more smoke than the maze, so you'll get more smoke flavor in your food.

 

[birdman080]

Thank you for your help.  I really appreciate it.

 

[cjclemens]

Happy to help.  Let us know how how it goes!