Hello, Swamp smoken

[redrum]

I am a long time lurker first time poster.  I have been reading and researching this forums for a bit and finally took the plunge and replaced my home made oil barrel smoker with a MES 40 from Sams club...THANK YOU FREE MEMBERSHIP WEEKEND!

I love to smoke and usually smoke whole chicken, and ribs.  I wanted to expand what so i got a easier to use smoker(MES).  I am going to be smoking  4 chickens, 8 racks of ribs and 2 boston butts for our fantasy draft in a few weeks and i wanted to get some feed back about why i should get the A-MAZE-N products over being cheep and using wood chips(defacto set up).  I constantly use the BRITU rub but would be open to other rbs approaches.  I am a northerner (born in the USA but grew up in Canada and all my family is Canadian) but lived in Texas, and KC a bit but my southern wife and in laws turned me on to what i think is the greatest BBQ....southern BBQ(vinnegar sauce).  So please keep that in mind when offering up advice.

Outside of the A-MAZE-N products and verifying if my smoker runs hot or cold compared to the read out what else do i need or should consider.  I have read about different thermometers on here are they needed?  Should i use the old fashion thermometer(non fancy digital read out)...i prefer to be frugal but i will bend for great smoked food!

Thanks,

Liam

 

[redrum]

2012-08-04_19-01-44_882.jpg

• redrum
• Aug 4, 2012

Here is me seasoning my new electric smoker in the rain...i am a smart person...

 

[s2k9k]

Hi Liam! 

to SMF!!! We're happy you found us! You've come to the right place, we have over 40,000 members and over 800,000 posts so you should be able to find almost anything you want to know. Remember the search bar at the top can be your best friend for finding answers fast!

You might want to check out Jeff's Free 5 day E-course it will teach you all the basics and a whole lot more!

Why the AMNPS? Hmmm...well 10 hours of perfect TBS without having to do anything compared to loading chips every 45 minutes, it makes those long smokes so easy and if you want to pull all nighters you can sleep like a baby knowing the smoke is flowing. If you want to get into cold smoking like cheese it works perfect. Not to mention the Pitmaster's Choice pellets are the sweetest best tasting smoke flavor I have ever had!

As far as therms, I think knowing that the temps (smoker and food) are correct is very important and it requires a very accurate therm. Other than my smoker I think my Maverick is the best investment I have made to my smoking equipment with the AMNPS coming in third.

 

[redrum]

Concerning calibrating my MES... is it as simple as heating the unit sticking my digital thermo in a potato and comparing and move it around looking for hot spots?

I currently have a digital "weekend warrior" thermometer, can i get by with that and get the A-MAZE-N pellet system first or should i go the other route?  I personally am not a peeker, as i am a drinker i often forget to check my smoker rather then always messing with it.

If i get the pellet system, what if any changes or mods should i make to my MES?

 

[s2k9k]

Yes it is really that simple, just make sure the therm you are using to compare is accurate and you can check it in boiling water.

If your current therm is accurate I would just use it for the time being but if you can swing it Todd is offering Free shipping on all orders if you purchase a Maverick ET-732: http://www.amazenproducts.com/

As far as mods to the MES to use an AMNPS I don't think any are necessary but here are some treads to read through that will explain it better than I can: http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/search.php?search=amnps+mes30

I don't have an electric but have read a lot about them and read a lot about the AMNPS so I hope some MES owners will chime in to make sure I am on the right track.

You could also give Todd a call on Monday, he can answer any questions about the AMNPS, he is great with helping people out, his customer service is unmatched by anyone!

 

[tom walker]

Hello Brother Floridian,

I'm living down in the swamps by Lake Jessup, near Orlando.

I think you'll like it here at the Forum. I've searched the world over and haven't found nothin' mo' better to help me in learning to do the Q.

If y'all' are interested, we have a State Group for Florida Smokers: Click here: http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/groups/show/6/sunshine-state-smokers

See ya,

Tom

 

[jrod62]

Welcome to SMF

 

[scarbelly]

Hello Liam and 

to SMF - glad to have you here 

Hi Liam! 

to SMF!!! We're happy you found us! You've come to the right place, we have over 40,000 members and over 800,000 posts so you should be able to find almost anything you want to know. Remember the search bar at the top can be your best friend for finding answers fast!

You might want to check out Jeff's Free 5 day E-course it will teach you all the basics and a whole lot more!

Why the AMNPS? Hmmm...well 10 hours of perfect TBS without having to do anything compared to loading chips every 45 minutes, it makes those long smokes so easy and if you want to pull all nighters you can sleep like a baby knowing the smoke is flowing. If you want to get into cold smoking like cheese it works perfect. Not to mention the Pitmaster's Choice pellets are the sweetest best tasting smoke flavor I have ever had!

As far as therms, I think knowing that the temps (smoker and food) are correct is very important and it requires a very accurate therm. Other than my smoker I think my Maverick is the best investment I have made to my smoking equipment with the AMNPS coming in third.

X2

 

[cecil]

Welcome Redrum, I like your mes also like the Tiger in the background.
 

 

[smokinhusker]

Hello Liam and welcome to SMF! Congrats on the new smoker. I have an MES40 and I really love it for the simplicity and ease of use. Paired with the AMNPS, you have a perfect combo.

I've got an oven thermometer in my smoker to monitor chamber temps, mine runs anywhere from 25*-50* cooler than the set temp (which is a bummer cause I can't really get any higher than 250* or thereabouts). 

Check out the Electric Smokers forum for more tips and info: http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/110/electric-smokers