MES 30 with AMNPS burn time

[deepholedriller]

First off let me start out by saying I'm sorry if this has already been discussed elsewhere, I am still new to the forums.

Anyway with that said I have been the proud owner of an MES 30 for the past couple years and have been using it quite frequently with various degrees of success. Well a few months ago well researching an alternative to the cumbersome chip loader I came across the AMNPS and decided I had to have one. Every since then my smoker has been a absolute dream to use, but after reading other members reviews of the AMNPS it became apparent I may have a problem.

With my smokers temperature set anywhere between 180-250 (I have tried different temperatures) the maximum burn time I can seem to achieve is only about 3 hours with all three rows full of pellets and the smoker only lit at one end. Cold smoking, not a problem its only when the heating element is on.

I have been placing the AMNPS on the bars next to the chip try and I have been following all Todd's directions for use. Any ideas??

 

[atio]

I used mine for the first time over the weekend with my MES 30 and had the same problem.  I had the chip tray inside the unit pulled out about 2 inches and the chip loader on the side pulled out about 5 or 6 inches.  I burned through the first row of pellets in about 90 mins and it went out because I loaded it incorrectly.  I filled it again and lightly pressed the pellets down to make sure they were more compact (they weren't the first time which is why they went out when trying to round the corner) and lit it again.  When I put it back in, I pushed the chip loader in so it was only out about an inch or two and I got about 7 hours off that run at 225.

I think it will take some playing around, but I'm sure the issue was on my side.  I think I had too much oxygen flowing into the cabinet which is why the pellets burned so quickly the first time.  Have you tried different lengths to pull out the chip tray and loader?
 

 

[deepholedriller]

Yes I have, I have been keeping the chip tray pulled out anywhere between 1-1.5" and the chip loader pulled out no more then 2-3"

That's why I am so perplexed because by all accounts everything seems as it should yet I keep getting shorted burn times. I do have a 3" piece of hvac ducting on top of my MES as a chimney of sorts I am beginning to wonder if I have it drafting to good.

 

[tjohnson]

Wind will also affect the draft in your smoker

You'll need to judge how far to pull the chip loader, based on the amount of smoke coming from the exhaust

I tell guys to pull the chip pan 1 1/2" and the chip loader 2", in-order to get a feel for how the AMNPS should work in their MES

Pushing the chip loader in will slow down the draft, and slow down the burning process

Also, place the burning row towards the inside wall, and not next to the element

This will slow the burning process

You should get closer to 8 hours out of a full tray

Todd

 

[chef jimmyj]

Wind will also affect the draft in your smoker

You'll need to judge how far to pull the chip loader, based on the amount of smoke coming from the exhaust

I tell guys to pull the chip pan 1 1/2" and the chip loader 2", in-order to get a feel for how the AMNPS should work in their MES

Pushing the chip loader in will slow down the draft, and slow down the burning process

Also, place the burning row towards the inside wall, and not next to the element

This will slow the burning process

You should get closer to 8 hours out of a full tray

Todd

 I had the EXACT same problem and Todd gave me this same answer almost word for word so must be a common situation. I now have the Pan out 1" and pull the Loader out 1.5" and get things going. After about 30-40 minutes I push the Loader all the way in and have no problem getting up to 10 hours of TBS. I love the ease of use with the AMNPS...JJ

 

[deltadude]

deepholedriller, you might want to give my solution a try.  Although you have the MES30 and I have the MES40 we both have 800 watt elements.  Last week I smoked two pork butts and got 8-9 hours smoke.  I'm not sure which because I went to bed at 7 hours smoke and there was still about 1/2 row to smoke.  Further my solution allows you to use the water pan which the MES was designed to use, although your smaller cabinet could have moisture issues, but still worth a try.

LL

• deltadude
• Sep 11, 2012

awnpscover1.jpg

• deltadude
• Sep 4, 2012

Back side of the cover has two 3/4- 1 inch holes. 

Note you really need a torch to light it, and need to make sure you have a good red hot cherry (like a cigar when you draw on it), by lightly blowing on the lit pellets.  I do this then let it sit for about 3-5 minutes then lightly blow on it a couple of more times to make sure the end is burning nicely, before putting in the smoker.  I place the smoke tray to far left side on horz rails below the water pan, the lit end facing back wall for some reason this is important, then the cover, then the water pan is added and I boiling water in water pan.  Have some needle nose pliers handy if you have to pull the smoke tray out for some reason.  I pull the chip tube out about 1" for a little better air flow during the first hour or two.  It doesn't hurt to crack the door for a couple of seconds, the sudden burst of O2 is just like blowing on the hot cherry and will usually get it burning nicely.  The cover  reflects the burning pellet heat down onto the pellets, so you don't need to microwave them, you will see after a couple of hours that the pellets start turning a darker color from that reflective heat.