MES40 Lack of Smoke

[katiesocal]

I'm a newbie here with a new MES40 - I'm not new to smoking but brand new to an electric unit. 

Last weekend I was my first smoke with a few racks of bb ribs on - no problem with prepping them (silver skin removal, rub, etc)....got my MES up to temp - put in the chips, got the smoke going...geesh, was I disappointed to realize that if I want a few hrs of smoke, I'm going to have to feed the MES every hr or more - I might as well have stayed with my old beat-up ugly smoker that produced 100's pounds of wonderful smoked meats.

Now after a lot of research on the lack of smoke,  I have come to the conclusion that I need an AMNPS to correct the lack of smoke issue.  

I just ordered the AMNPS 5x8 - and a couple of #'s of assorted dust.  Can anyone tell me if I ordered the correct item?

Thanks in advance..

Katie..

Oh yah, forgot to say...I did accomplish my first fatty - it was amazing -  chicken, onions, bell pepper, jack cheese and cream cheese which I softened and added a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing/dip mix.

 

[daveomak]

Katie, morning..... You did perfect on ordering the AMNPS..... You will find the AMNPS and the MES are a match made in heaven.... Perfect smoke and temperature control.... You can sit back and relax while the food cooks.... Love the fatty.... great job....

Dave

 

[scarbelly]

Hello Katie - that is one great looking weave. Congrats on your first fatty

You are going to love the AMNPS with your MES.  

 

[eman]

You ordered the correct item . And IMHO you will be very happy w/ it.

 

[tjohnson]

Hi Katie

I just found your order....THANKS!

Looks like you ordered the Pellet Smoker and some dust to go with it

You should have ordered pellets for higher temp smoking in your MES 40

I'll drop some pellets in the mail for you

Don't get rid of the sawdust.  You can use it for Cold Smoking or up to 180° or so in your MES.

TJ

 

[deltadude]

Hi Katie


You should have ordered pellets for higher temp smoking in your MES 40

I'll drop some pellets in the mail for you

Don't get rid of the sawdust.  You can use it for Cold Smoking or up to 180° or so in your MES.

TJ

Some input, I use sawdust no problem in my MES 40 for high heat smoking.  I sift it and use the bigger size flakes, sounds tedious but I just happen to have a dip net that has the right size netting to make this easy.  I did run out of Todd's dust and make my own from Oak that I use for fire wood. 

 

[whittling chip]

Some input, I use sawdust no problem in my MES 40 for high heat smoking.  I sift it and use the bigger size flakes, sounds tedious but I just happen to have a dip net that has the right size netting to make this easy.  I did run out of Todd's dust and make my own from Oak that I use for fire wood. 

I kind of second that. I love smoking Todd's sawdust in my MES 40 even at higher temps (~275°) but I don't sift the dust. I don't microwave it either. I just "lit it and forget it!"

WC

 

[smokinhusker]

Fattie looks good and I love the ingredients!

 

[katiesocal]

Thanks everyone for all the help and advice here.  I see my pellet smoker shipped yesterday...YAY!  and thank you TJ for letting me know about the pellets and the saw dust.  I do cold smoking too, so the dust will be used  - I will order pellets tonight.

I've been using the MES40 about every other day...I'm getting used to it and learning all of the little quirks it has..I despise the chip loader..always sticks, flimsy and I can wait to NOT use it again.

I've done a few different fatties, ABTs and Pork shots (both a huge hit), ribs and a brisket - I did 10# of jerky yesterday and it's the best I have ever made - and I've been making it for 20 yrs..1.5 hrs of smoke was just enough.

Thanks again to all for the help.

Katie

 

[tjohnson]

I sent you another package yesterday

Sawdust will do great for temps up to 180°, and produces lighter smoke

Pellets will do great all the way up to 275°, and produces heavier smoke

If you want a little less smoke from pellets, fill the rows up 2/3 - 3/4

You need enough pellets to keep it burning, so no less than 2/3rds full

TJ

 

[anderwm]

I have been fighting the urge to order one of these since I happened upon this site...today TJ wins my money too

 

[ybfm]

Yep....today's the day I give Todd some of my money, too....

Rich

 

[mrsmoky]

I got the A-Maze-N Pellet smoker and I'm lovin it with my MES 40! Cheers KatieSoCal. Fatty looks awesome!