Mes draft

[Winterrider]

This is what I used

https://www.menards.com/main/heating-cooling/ductwork/ductwork-pipe/round-metal-duct-pipe-30-gauge/10103240bb/p-1444432221526-c-14259.htm

 

[MJB05615]

Thanks, I found that at Home Depot. Same gauge etc. Snap together.

 

[PAS]

LOL. The PVC doesn't melt? How do you attach it? Just pressure fit?

It just sits over the vent hole. Only down side is that moisture builds up and runs down the inside. 4" heavy wall PVC. The only time I use it is when the wind blows the smoke onto my digital remote temp gauge.
Did the original poster ever say if his works with the OEM setup? Chip loader and tray?

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

It just sits over the vent hole. Only down side is that moisture builds up and runs down the inside. 4" heavy wall PVC. The only time I use it is when the wind blows the smoke onto my digital remote temp gauge.
Did the original poster ever say if his works with the OEM setup? Chip loader and tray?

Yes it does and works with the tubes in my mod just looking to try and get something to work inside the smoker

 

[Bearcarver]

I've not thought of trying the AMNPS on the right above the chip dumper hole. On my Gen 1 it would be directly below the top vent, but worth a try as there would be more air to keep it lit longer.
Bear, thanks again. As usual, you're the man!

Gen #1 is different, because of the interior:
The AMNPS was designed to fit on the support rods in the bottom left of even the MES 30. It should clear there, in an MES 30, by about 1/8" or so.
I had two Gen #1 MES, and I put the AMNPS on those rods, to the left of the chip burner assembly, and it worked great there, because that side is empty in a Gen #1, and air flows through there.
The AMNPS works better on the right in a Gen #2.5, because it won't fit on the bottom left, and when on the right you can give it more air by puling the Dumper out a few inches.
I actually think it causes better air flow by pulling it out a few inches than it does by removing it completely.

Bear

 

[MJB05615]

Gen #1 is different, because of the interior:
The AMNPS was designed to fit on the support rods in the bottom left of even the MES 30. It should clear there, in an MES 30, by about 1/8" or so.
I had two Gen #1 MES, and I put the AMNPS on those rods, to the left of the chip burner assembly, and it worked great there, because that side is empty in a Gen #1, and air flows through there.
The AMNPS works better on the right in a Gen #2.5, because it won't fit on the bottom left, and when on the right you can give it more air by puling the Dumper out a few inches.
I actually think it causes better air flow by pulling it out a few inches than it does by removing it completely.

Bear

I've been using it on the bottom left for years and it will not stay lit more than 1-1.5 hours. The only thing I have not tried is drying the pellets in microwave before lighting in the tray. How long would I dry in microwave prior to lighting with a torch? Thanks again for your invaluable advice.
Also, if I do place the tray on the right side above the chip loader, below the vent in my Gen 1, is there any harm> Other than the smoke runing right our of the top vent?

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

Gen #1 is different, because of the interior:
The AMNPS was designed to fit on the support rods in the bottom left of even the MES 30. It should clear there, in an MES 30, by about 1/8" or so.
I had two Gen #1 MES, and I put the AMNPS on those rods, to the left of the chip burner assembly, and it worked great there, because that side is empty in a Gen #1, and air flows through there.
The AMNPS works better on the right in a Gen #2.5, because it won't fit on the bottom left, and when on the right you can give it more air by puling the Dumper out a few inches.
I actually think it causes better air flow by pulling it out a few inches than it does by removing it completely.

Bear

Bear do you have the big heat shield like on my hybrid it seems to funnel what air I can get to the left bottom of the smoker

 

[Bearcarver]

Bear do you have the big heat shield like on my hybrid it seems to funnel what air I can get to the left bottom of the smoker

No I don't.
Can I see a Picture of your interior?
That "Heat Shield" sounds more like the big useless slanted drip plate they put in the Gen #2.
A pic of the interior would be nice.

Bear

 

[Bearcarver]

I've been using it on the bottom left for years and it will not stay lit more than 1-1.5 hours. The only thing I have not tried is drying the pellets in microwave before lighting in the tray. How long would I dry in microwave prior to lighting with a torch? Thanks again for your invaluable advice.
Also, if I do place the tray on the right side above the chip loader, below the vent in my Gen 1, is there any harm> Other than the smoke runing right our of the top vent?

Some use the Nuke, but I never did.
If I was going to dry pellets, I'd use the oven, or put some in a tray inside your smoker when it's hot. I never had a problem with wet or damp pellets or dust, because I put them in jugs with screw-top caps as soon as I get them.

No other problem I know of.

Bear

 

[MJB05615]

Good idea as well. Thanks.

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

No I don't.
Can I see a Picture of your interior?
That "Heat Shield" sounds more like the big useless slanted drip plate they put in the Gen #2.
A pic of the interior would be nice.

Bear

I'll see if I can find the picture I have posted the picture before..yes slanted piece of metal

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

Here is my smoker

 

[PAS]

I use my pellet tray in two different positions with no problem. I added a piece of angle for it to sit on the left side. I also change my tin foil after each smoke. Then I know the smoke if from the pellets and not old grease. Do you use a tent to keep drippings off of the pellets?

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

I use my pellet tray in two different positions with no problem. I added a piece of angle for it to sit on the left side. I also change my tin foil after each smoke. Then I know the smoke if from the pellets and not old grease. Do you use a tent to keep drippings off of the pellets?View attachment 440471View attachment 440472

I haven't used it for cooking it won't stay going long enough..

 

[Bearcarver]

Here is my smoker

That's not the Slanted Drip plate that's in a Gen #2.
Yours is a Gen #2.5 interior, and that is just a shield over your chip burner.
Either way PAS is showing in his 2 pics should work.
The way he has it on the left should allow air to the AMNPS, just like a Gen #1 does.
And the way he has it on the right pic should work like I told you mine works, except I cut a foil pan in half for a Tent, because it allows more air in from the side, than a whole pan does.

Bear

 

[johnmeyer]

Kevinbthgrouse, I don't think anyone asked you what temperature you are using when you don't get much air flow. If you are using really low temps (160° F or below), you won't get much draft. This is often discussed when people use their MES for cold-smoking.

If you are smoking at "normal" temperatures (e.g., 225° F), then if you are not getting sufficient airflow, the stack should help. There are several designs that have been posted in these forums over the years which improve on the basic idea of just adding a few feet of tube.

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

Kevinbthgrouse, I don't think anyone asked you what temperature you are using when you don't get much air flow. If you are using really low temps (160° F or below), you won't get much draft. This is often discussed when people use their MES for cold-smoking.

If you are smoking at "normal" temperatures (e.g., 225° F), then if you are not getting sufficient airflow, the stack should help. There are several designs that have been posted in these forums over the years which improve on the basic idea of just adding a few feet of tube.

All temps I always heat it up even for cheese it's kinda weird pull the tray out and it will burn all day...the tubes work sometimes in the smoker but all the time in my mod ..I think that's what I'll do from now on I was hoping for a little more smoke at higher temperatures or try the tube inside for more smoke..I definitely appreciate everyone's help

 

[PAS]

it's kinda weird pull the tray out and it will burn all day

I'm confused again, what are you calling the tray? The tray holds the chips after they are dumped from the chip loader. Thats my story any ways. If I'm using the amazen pellet tray I remove the chip drawer tray completely. Then I pull the chip loader out a couple inches in the dump position as Bearcarver suggested. I also dont use the water pan at all covered or uncovered. Your doing something wrong.

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

I'm confused again, what are you calling the tray? The tray holds the chips after they are dumped from the chip loader. Thats my story any ways. If I'm using the amazen pellet tray I remove the chip drawer tray completely. Then I pull the chip loader out a couple inches in the dump position as Bearcarver suggested. I also dont use the water pan at all covered or uncovered. Your doing something wrong.

Amazen tray with pellets

 

[Kevinbthgrouse]

I'm still with Bear on this with the altitude problem..the tubes work outside of the smoker in my mod, sometimes in the smoker depending on wind....tray goes out after about an hour or so.... This smoker and most of the stuff was given to me as the person also couldn't get the tray working.. I'm absolutely positive I'm doing everything correctly as I can light the tubes in my mod and forget it and it'll burn to ashes even without nuking the pellets just finished some cheese the tubes worked Friday for salmon six hours and Saturday for pulled pork eleven hours