MES 40 Chip tray upgrade arrived

[olsmokey]

Just got my larger chip tray upgrade.  Just wondering.  I was able to work with the smaller chip tray for short smoke times.  Wondering with the larger chip tray how much to load it with chips to get it started and keep it going for several hours.

 

[chef jimmyj]

I'm interested in an answer here as well...I don't expect to get hours of TBS but would be nice to get more than 30-45 mins I get with the small tray...I use an AMNPS for longer smokes when I don't feel like monitoring...JJ

 

[SmokinAl]

Even with the full sized tray you need to load it up every 30-45 minutes to keep the smoke rolling.

 

[bobbygee]

But don't load it up too much or you'll have heavy billowing smoke which ='s not good eats.A small handfull every 30 or so minutes.

 

[azron]

Just did a smoke yesterday and added small handfuls every so often and got good smoke from it, the fist time i smoked with it i added to many chips and got thick smoke

   so for me lesson learned

 

[pops6927]

Even in my smokehouse I add 2-3 chunks every 45 min or so.  Using the AMNPS, however, is a Ron Popeil thing.. SET IT AND FORGET IT!!  I discovered on hot smokes I have to put it all the way to the end of the metal racks so its not in the line of direct heat coming off the propane stove or the pellets will ignite; but as long as it's somewhere in there it will smolder and smoke and wonderfully fills up that big ol' smokehouse with perfect TBS smoke, and the propane stove is just to provide cooking temps.  Todd Johnson just doesn't have a CLUE how valuable and important his AMNPS is; he's giving it away for almost nothing!!!  Most smokers spend more than the measly $50 bucks on good quality leather smoking gloves!  He's losing money hand over fist so grab yours quick before he smartens up.  That will solve your chip tray problem!  Oh, try the apple pellets too... magnificent!

 

[olsmokey]

I read about the AMNPS, What is the differece between the pellets and the dust? does one smoke longer than the other?

 

[luv2q]

Smokey,

In case you want to modify your chip loader, here you go:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...e-and-chip-loader-modification-performed-pics

Best of luck!!!

 

[deltadude]

I have the older MES 40 with the larger tray, what has worked for me, I start with 8-10 chips, 15 min later add a another 10-12, 15 min later another 10-12.  Now there is a good hot bed of ash, I can go 15 to 20 chips.  It doesn't matter if they are wet or day, I prefer to soak my chips.   However there is one huge difference between my older 40 and the newer ones, the new ones 1200 watt elements and the older 800.  So you might have to adjust a little.  The big thing is achieving TBS, white smoke is NOT TBS, but you usually will get white smoke in the first chip dump, if you are using only around 10 chips for the first dump it will quickly go away and will thin out.  Of course dark or black smoke is nothing but awful.  I also use chunks usually after the 2nd dump, they are about 1"x1",  I will put 2 in at a time, however I do not dump them, I place them in with tongs.  The reason for tongs sometimes if you use the tube to dump a chunk the edge of the chunk will cause the tube to hang up and either can't close or open the tube.

Enjoy your new larger tray..

 

[pops6927]

I read about the AMNPS, What is the differece between the pellets and the dust? does one smoke longer than the other?

Check out their website:

www.amazenproducts.com

 

[tjohnson]

The AMNPS(Pellet Smoker) was designed to burn Pellets or Sawdust

The AMNS was designed to burn sawdust

You need to decide if you're using the AMNS or AMNPS for Cold Smoking, Supplementing Smoke at Higher Temps or both

Pellets

Pros: Cold Smoke & Supplement Smoke at Higher Temps, Burn Longer, Perform Better Than Sawdust at Higher Temps, Produce More Smoke Than Sawdust and Are Usually Accessible Locally.

Cons: Produce More Heat Than Sawdust

Sawdust

Pros: Cold Smoke & Supplement Smoke Up To 180°, Produce Less Heat Than Pellets, Longer Burn Time Than Pellets

Cons: Rows Can Jump At Temps Over 180°, 2 Rows of Burning Sawdust is equivalent to 1 Row of Burning Pellets

TJ

 

[deltadude]

Sawdust

Pros: Cold Smoke & Supplement Smoke Up To 180°, Produce Less Heat Than Pellets, Longer Burn Time Than Pellets

Cons: Rows Can Jump At Temps Over 180°, 2 Rows of Burning Sawdust is equivalent to 1 Row of Burning Pellets

TJ

Todd you say the AMNS is supplemental smoke up to 180º,  I have used the AMNS as the sole source for smoke multiple times and the temp has been as high as 230º.  I'm curious has something changed since the early 6x6 AMNS?

 

[rocor98]

Todd you say the AMNS is supplemental smoke up to 180º,  I have used the AMNS as the sole source for smoke multiple times and the temp has been as high as 230º.  I'm curious has something changed since the early 6x6 AMNS?

Nothing has changed .. Todd just has one foot in this form and another in the world of legalese .. this is just a quote from his web site .. He most likely paid dearly for advice as to speaking/making claims about his product .. hundreds of factors could effect performance at any temperature ..

You know it works at high and low temp .. so do I .. but based of any of 100 factors it may need some tinkering .. so he has to allow for that in his comments .. just business ... IMHO

Factors ..
Smoker style
Water or no water in the Smoker
Insulation/weather
Size of smoke
Size of heat source
Drippings from Item being smoked
Preheating
It goes on and on

His unit makes it simple .. but there is still an element of basic smoking that has to be applied :-)

Ross