Fed up with amns

[geerock]

I used to have the same model mes as you and I loved the amazn dust tray in it. I would lay it on the rails below the water pan and she would be good for hours. Don't pack the dust, make sure it's dry, light with a propane torch real well and let it go outside the smoker for 10 minutes or so and she should be smokin'.

 

[pc farmer]

You should have plenty good airflow in that MES. It's real important to make sure you get it burning very well before you put it in the smoker. Light it up and let it burn (with flame) for a good 10 min. Then blow out the flame and let it just smoke and cherry up outside the smoker for another 5 min or so. Main thing is make sure it's burning really good and you shouldn't have any problems. Oh, are you using Todd's pellets?

I am using Todds dust.  Dont have the pellet smoker.

 

[venture]

If you decide to discard it, please PM me.  I will give you my address.

Not sure why, cause mine will last me a lifetime.

But I will take it off your hands if you pay the shipping. My neighbor might like a free one?

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[pc farmer]

If you decide to discard it, please PM me.  I will give you my address.

Not sure why, cause mine will last me a lifetime.

But I will take it off your hands if you pay the shipping. My neighbor might like a free one?

Good luck and good smoking.

I dont want to get rid of it.  I want to be able to get it to work.

Lots of good info here.  I will give it another try.

 

[roller]

Just remember you have to have air flow for it to burn. NO exception...

 

[flyweed]

You also NEED to be sure you keep your "dust" sealed up nice and tight...AND if it sets for any length of time it WILL get some moisture in it...the best thing to do is to spread out a few cups of the dust on a cake pan, jelly roll pan, etc and put it in your oven at 200F for about 10-15 minutes....it'll take the moisture right out.  I did this when I had the "dust" burning model, and my dust burned 100% every time when using it.  Now I have the AMZN pellet tube smoker and I do the same thing for the pellets if they've sat for any length of time.  It never fails.

Give it a try

Dan

 

[pc farmer]

Just remember you have to have air flow for it to burn. NO exception...

I had the chip tray out of it and the chip loader out about 2 inches. Also had the top vent open all the way.

 

[pc farmer]

You also NEED to be sure you keep your "dust" sealed up nice and tight...AND if it sets for any length of time it WILL get some moisture in it...the best thing to do is to spread out a few cups of the dust on a cake pan, jelly roll pan, etc and put it in your oven at 200F for about 10-15 minutes....it'll take the moisture right out.  I did this when I had the "dust" burning model, and my dust burned 100% every time when using it.  Now I have the AMZN pellet tube smoker and I do the same thing for the pellets if they've sat for any length of time.  It never fails.

Give it a try

Dan

I will try the oven method tonight. I used the mircowave last night.

 

[pc farmer]

Ok I just found a thread on here about the cherry pellets being hard to burn and you had to add other kind with it.  I was trying to use cherry dust.  Could this have been some of my problem?

 

[bear55]

Only used my once since receiving and work like a charm.  I will be smoking two racks of baby backs today using a mixture of cherry and hickory pellets.  I have not tried the dust but I believe it will work with no problems.

 

[jammo]

I bought pellets at a local grocery that would go out no matter what I did. Then ordered pitmaster blend from Todd, they have worked great without anything extra.

 

[pc farmer]

My dust came with the unit when I bought it 2 years ago.

 

[bmudd14474]

try putting a thin layer of hickory or oak on the bottom then the cherry on top.

 

[humdinger]

Farmer,

My cherry pellets do the same thing. If you have it, lay down a thin layer of oak or hickory along the bottom of the AMNS, and then put the cherry on top of that. The oak burns slightly hotter and should help keep the cherry lit.

After reading your thread above, you probably had compounding issues causing the problem (moist dust + low airflow + cherry going out = major frustration). Anyone of those things could have been hampering your efforts. Keep at it. I've done cheese three times now and it is so worth it.

 

[pc farmer]

I have some hickory and maple that came with it too. I think I will try the maple tonight.

 

[roller]

Let it burn for about 15 min. before you blow out the flame...very important...

 

[pc farmer]

Let it burn for about 15 min. before you blow out the flame...very important...

Thats part of the problem, I couldnt keep it burning.  I put some on a plate and microwaved of 1 min. before hand.

 

[tjohnson]

C Farmer

Sorry you're having issues!

Couple things come to mind.......

Does your AMNS have a "X" pattern for the base or legs?

You can always call me at

Work (952)736-7678

Cell(952)412-0484

Todd

 

[pc farmer]

Yes it does.  I might just have to give you a call if I cant get on to it.

 

[tjohnson]

Call me anyway!

Sometimes it's just easier to work it out over the phone

Try this

Pour 2 cups of sawdust into a microwavable bowl

Microwave for 60 seconds

Stir sawdust with spoon

Microwave for another 60 seconds

Stir with spoon, and watch for any moisture that's released

Fill the AMNS with sawdust

Lightly pack down the sawdust with your thumb

Fill to the top, and lightly pack again

Light sawdust thru hole for about 45 seconds

Light both ends for more smoke

Blow on the embers, to make sure you have a good fire going

Place in your MES, on lowest rack

No water in the water pan

Chip pan out 1 1/2"

Chip loader out 2" for hot smoking, and remove for cold smoking

Exhaust wide open

If you're cold smoking, your smoker must be warmed up, in-order for the unit to draft properly. 

I turn my MES to 100°, let it warm up, and then turn it off.

The unit will drop to about 60° - 70° in 2 hours, depending on the ambient temp

Keep me posted!!

Todd