New MES Bluetooth Digital smoker

[Bearcarver]

Thanks Bear. My problem is not too much smoke, but actually too little. I have the AMNPS on the bottom right rack(with the foil covered water pan right below it) but it seems to be giving off very little smoke, I've actually pulled it out and relit it a few times. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

Edit: I also have the top vent open all the way and the chip loader about half way out to increase air flow as much as possible.

I thought you said you couldn't see the meat through the smoke. That could cause bitter taste & creosote.

Sounds like you're doing the right things to get it going. 

Did you get it going real good before you put it in----Big red cigar-like cherry deep in the row??

Pellets Dry?

What's your elevation there?

Bear

 

[hoops10]

Sorry for the confusion. I asked if the smoke should be that thick, but mine never was. It was lit pretty good before putting in. The way I normally do my pellets (at least in my old MES 30) was to put them in the AMNPS inside the smoker as it preheated. Then take them out, light them and let them burn for a few mins before putting back in. I didn't have a window in my old MES 30 so I judged it staying lit by the amount of smoke coming out of the top vent. I'm in NE Ohio so elevation wouldn't be a problem I don't think.

Edit: Not sure what you mean by 'big cigar like cherry red deep in the row'

 

[Bearcarver]

Sorry for the confusion. I asked if the smoke should be that thick, but mine never was. It was lit pretty good before putting in. The way I normally do my pellets (at least in my old MES 30) was to put them in the AMNPS inside the smoker as it preheated. Then take them out, light them and let them burn for a few mins before putting back in. I didn't have a window in my old MES 30 so I judged it staying lit by the amount of smoke coming out of the top vent. I'm in NE Ohio so elevation wouldn't be a problem I don't think.

Edit: Not sure what you mean by 'big cigar like cherry red deep in the row'

I light mine real good.

Then let it burn until the flame goes out.

Then blow into the burning pellets, back into the unburned row of pellets until it flames up again by itself.

Then let it flame out again.

Then blow on it again until it flames up again.

I do this a number of times until while blowing on it, I see a good glowing red area, taking up the whole width of the row, and back into the bottom of the row.

Bear

 

[hoops10]

I light mine real good.
Then let it burn until the flame goes out.
Then blow into the burning pellets, back into the unburned row of pellets until it flames up again by itself.
Then let it flame out again.
Then blow on it again until it flames up again.
I do this a number of times until while blowing on it, I see a good glowing red area, taking up the whole width of the row, and back into the bottom of the row.

Bear

Thanks for the detailed description Bear. I will try this method. About how long does it take using the method you described above to get them good and lit?

 

[Bearcarver]

Thanks for the detailed description Bear. I will try this method. About how long does it take using the method you described above to get them good and lit?

Usually about 20 minutes, but I'm doing other things too, in between steps.

Here's my favorite Link:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/140859/how-i-light-my-amnps-w-video-link

Scooter has a Great Video there, and my post is #2 on that thread.  Been doing it that way for years.

Bear

 

[wbf610]

Quick question on the MES, does anyone keep theirs outside 100% of the time?  Or do you bring them indoors when not being used?  If outside, do you just cover them, or keep them on the covered porch, or both? 

 

[brickguy221]

 
Quick question on the MES, does anyone keep theirs outside 100% of the time?  Or do you bring them indoors when not being used?  If outside, do you just cover them, or keep them on the covered porch, or both? 

I keep mine outside all of the time with a cover on it and under a covered patio.

 

[wbf610]

I keep mine outside all of the time with a cover on it and under a covered patio.

Thanks. I might have to wheel into the garage, no covered porch.

 

[remsr]

I was having trouble keeping my ANMPS going because I placed it on the floor of the left side. I even elevated it by placing a metal recptical box under it and it still went out. I pulled the chip tray out and it still went out. Then I read your suggestion about putting it on the bottom rack on the right side and never had another problem. Thanks Bare,
Randy,

 

[candurin]

This makes me sad and happy at the same time... I have a little elevated broiler rack just for my AMPS to be kept off the floor on the left side. I guess I'll have to move my pellet tray to the right side and start using my little rack for, well, broiling!

 

[remsr]

Wbf610,
I live in Minnesota and keep my smokers out side year round covered with plastic then the cover that came with th smoker. Why plastic? Because the covers that come with the smokers and grills have seems that alow water leaks.
Randy,

 

[remsr]

Be sure to crack the chip tray a bit.
Randy,

 

[Bearcarver]

I was having trouble keeping my ANMPS going because I placed it on the floor of the left side. I even elevated it by placing a metal recptical box under it and it still went out. I pulled the chip tray out and it still went out. Then I read your suggestion about putting it on the bottom rack on the right side and never had another problem. Thanks Bare,
Randy,

That's Great !!! 

I'm always glad to hear when my suggestions work for others.

And wbf610,

I keep mine 7-24-365 on my covered front porch with the stock MES cover on it.

The important thing is to keep it Dry.  Cold doesn't seem to hurt them at all.

Bear

 

[wbf610]

That's Great !!! 
I'm always glad to hear when my suggestions work for others.



And wbf610,
I keep mine 7-24-365 on my covered front porch with the stock MES cover on it.
The important thing is to keep it Dry.  Cold doesn't seem to hurt them at all.


Bear

Thanks Bear. My porch isn't covered, so I'll have to make some space in the garage.

 

[remsr]

My patio is covered by a deck with 1/4" spaces between the floor boards which protects my smokers and grills from nothing. So I dubbed up with plastic benith the cover.

 

[Bearcarver]

Thanks Bear. My porch isn't covered, so I'll have to make some space in the garage.

Unless you can find a good deal on a storage container, like my Son found at Home Depot for his MES:

 

[wbf610]

 
Unless you can find a good deal on a storage container, like my Son found at Home Depot for his MES:

That is a great idea, but i think i'd rather just wheel it into the garage.  Our patio doesn't have that much room left on it.

 

[tjohnson]

Hey Guys!
The AMNPS 5x8 can be a bugger to keep smoking in the New MES Bluetooth, but with a few tricks, it will work great
The chip loader must be pulled out 2" and rotated to the "Dump" position for any airflow thru the smoker...Airflow is the key!
Exhaust W-I-D-E Open
No water in the water pan.....Way Too Much Moisture
You need to raise the AMNPS 5x8 off the floor about 1 1/2" for the pellets to get into the air stream entering thru the Chip Loader and housing

Another option is to use a 12" Tube Smoker.  It works great, but can produce a lot of smoke in the small MES cabinet

I'll swap out a 12" Tube Smoker for a AMNPS 5x8 for anyone having issues in their MES

If you have any issues, feel free to call me at work or my cell ANYTIME!!!!

Todd Johnson

A-MAZE-N Products

W 651 352-2831

C 952 412-0484

 

[Bearcarver]

 
That is a great idea, but i think i'd rather just wheel it into the garage.  Our patio doesn't have that much room left on it.

That Storage container doesn't have to be on a patio or Porch. It can be in the driveway, yard, garden, or any place a heavy duty extension cord can reach.

Just an Idea for another option.

Bear

 

[ndwildbill]

I leave my MES30 out year around...have for a couple of years. It's on a patio, with a leaky balcony above.  I cover the MES with the MES cover, wrap some bungee cords around that, then push it over next to my Weber gas grill.  I have an extra large, heavy duty grill cover that covers both of them.  Throw that over the top, bungee cord it down, and have never had a problem...even survived a couple of North Dakota blizzards! I have the MES strapped on a furniture dolly that I got at Harbor Freight, so it's easy to move.