Need A-Maze-N Advice in Northern NY

[Eaglechaser]

I'm fairly new here but I've been smoking for about three years. I decided to try my hand at cold smoking cheese with the AMNS (6X6) but I'm having a hard time keeping the dust lit. I used an Akorn Kamado grill and placed the maze on the fire bowl grate (no charcoal), both top and bottom vents wide open. When that didn't work I removed the ash tray from the grill, leaving the bottom completely open, thinking it was an air flow problem. That didn't work either. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. Maybe the dust is too tight or too loose in the maze, still need more ventilation, etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[daveomak]

Your Kamado could be too cold and causing a "cold air" dam, not allowing the air to rise... If the ambient air is warmer than the air in the Kamado, it will sink... cold air is heavier than warm air...
Can you heat it up... or try a big cardboard box, for a smoker, and add cooling racks to put the cheese on... be sure to add upper and lower air vents..
Dust creates very little heat...

 

[normanaj]

The 5x8 tray or the tube are secondary options.

 

[daveomak]

What does that mean ???? Is there a primary option ???

The 5x8 tray or the tube are secondary options.

 

[Eaglechaser]

Your Kamado could be too cold and causing a "cold air" dam, not allowing the air to rise... If the ambient air is warmer than the air in the Kamado, it will sink... cold air is heavier than warm air...
Can you heat it up... or try a big cardboard box, for a smoker, and add cooling racks to put the cheese on... be sure to add upper and lower air vents..
Dust creates very little heat...

I'll try heating up the kamado a little to see if that helps. When it cools off I'll be back where I started but at least I'll know what the problem is. Thanks.

 

[Eaglechaser]

The 5x8 tray or the tube are secondary options.

If I find myself smoking cheese or nuts often, I'll probably get either the 5 x 8 tray or a tube, especially now that it's getting colder. Thanks.

 

[normanaj]

What does that mean ???? Is there a primary option ???

ok.

 

[normanaj]

If I find myself smoking cheese or nuts often, I'll probably get either the 5 x 8 tray or a tube, especially now that it's getting colder. Thanks.

Colder...trying not think about it yet.

 

[gmc2003]

My only thought would be to prop the lid up just a tad(thinking maybe 1/16 to 1/8 inch). Something like a screwdriver might work.

Chris.