First MES30 smoke with AMNPS ... Too much?

[IntenseImage]

Third time using the smoker (pork butt and brisket before) ... Doing some baby back ribs today. However, today is the first time using the AMNPS. Already I can tell I love it since there is literally no tending to the smoke!

But ... I wonder if I am getting too much airflow/smoke. You tell me ...

 

[zwiller]

IMO yes a little too much. More white and less blue. I am starting to use the chip loader to throttle it back and getting bluer smoke that kinda wafts out.

 

[johnmeyer]

How do you get that much airflow? It's not just the amount of smoke, but the "vigor" of the flow that seems a little high to me.

I used to use the AMNPS inside my MES 30 (I now always use it in my "mailbox mod"). Here is what the smoke looked like back then:



Back then I used a tin can and an elbow in place of the chip loader (you'll see that in the short video above) and I drilled five 1/4" holes in the can to increase the airflow compared to what I would get with just those three small holes in the MES chip loader. Even with that, I didn't get the air movement I see in your video.

 

[IntenseImage]

This was chip tray pulled out a little bit w the chip dumped pulled out about 1.5-2 inches and rotated slightly ... Top vent fully open

 

[normanaj]

How do you get that much airflow? It's not just the amount of smoke, but the "vigor" of the flow that seems a little high to me.

I don't get nearly that much smoke and I use the tubes!I like heavy smoke but that does seem excessive.

I also use the chip loader as an airflow regulator.Wind and humidity level are the determining factors in how little or how much I have the loader out.The only time I've ever had my MES chugging like that was on a windy day with the loader all the way out.

To the OP,what kind/brand of pellets are you using?

 

[IntenseImage]

It's 85 and huuuuumid here today ... Light wind.

It's the apple pellets that came w the amnps

 

[tallbm]

Hi there and welcome!

Have you checked to make sure you don't have a fire/flame situation on the AMNPS?
Are you sure there are not multiple rows burning at the same time?
Are you cooking something that is producing a ton of moisture (chicken)?
Do you have a lot of drippings going to the heating element area?

In general I think you are probably ok with that smoke but only burning 1 row of the AMNPS normally doesn't produce that much smoke. I've seen at times later in a smoke where the steam and smoke mix together to give you heavier looks like that. If that is the case then you are fine.

Hell I think in any case if that is the worst thickness of smoke you are fine :)

 

[IntenseImage]

It's burning perfectly. I had adjusted the chip dumper not too long after that volume was rolling and it's been a light whisper since. Didn't really know which way was preferred

 

[IntenseImage]

 

[zwiller]

Looking good now!

 

[IntenseImage]

 

[TomKnollRFV]

Funny thing; I just had this sort of happen a few times in a row now. I have determined it is because previously I was basically lighting the pellets, putting them in within a minute of lighting them, half open top vent, no chip loader door..

Now I'm doing the whole 'wait 5 mins, then put them in' and the smoke level is much higher!

 

[normanaj]

Looks fine now.

 

[Nutshell]

I think you have it now. I use the chip loader to regulate as well. I’ll need to make a few adjustments during the smoke but it regulates well.

 

[SonnyE]

I have an example of what I shoot for around here someplace...
Oh, there is is: