New MES Bluetooth Digital smoker

[brickguy221]

 
All you need is a bigger strainer with the right shape.

Then press the middle in, and flip it over.

This small one was only about $2.

Bear

If you can push the middle in, then that strainer is not the same quality of steel that the Smoke Ring is. The strainer being that light will burn up in no time. 

 

[brickguy221]

Oh, Inget it now. I haven't had a bug issue here yet in So. Calif. At least getting into my smoker. I keep mine covered and in a shed when not smoking. I haven't been on the forum much lately so I missed that topic of discussion.
Dennis

I have never had a problem of a bug getting into my smoker, or even close to it. I store mine on the patio with a cover on it and the vent closed.

With Bear living around all of those trees, he may have a bug problem, I don't know. I have some trees where I live, but not heavy forested as the area where Bear lives.

I am going to write a report later this evening or tomorrow of my first test of testing the AMPS vs the Smoke Ring using the same pellets from both companies in each at the same time.

 

[brickguy221]

  
I ran a test today on the AMPS vs the Smoke Daddy Smoke Ring

I also ran a test of the pellets from A-MAZE-N Products vs the pellets from Smoke Daddy.

I used Oak Pellets from both companies. I ran the tests outside of the MES all at the same time so that all tests would be under the same exact conditions.

AMPS .... I put A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets in one outside row of the AMPS and Smoke Daddy Pellets in the other outside row of the AMPS.

     1. The  A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets took approx 15 min to bring them to that "red rose" color in order to smoke.

     2. The Smoke Daddy Oak Pellets lit in half that time and produced a bit more smoke than the A-MAZE-N Products

        Oak Pellets

     3. The A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets started losing the amount of smoke they were producing within 25 to 30

         minutes and died producing no more smoke at 45 minutes.

     4. The Smoke Daddy Oak Pellets produced a bit more smoke than the A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets and lasted

         one hr and 15 minutes before dying out when it got to the end of the pellets where few were left..

Smoke Ring .....  I put A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets in one side of the Smoke Ring and Smoke Daddy Pellets on the other side across from the A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets.

     1. The  A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets lit in approx 12 min or a wee bit faster than they did in the AMPS

     2. Again, the Smoke Daddy Oak Pellets lit in approx half that time and produced a bit more smoke than the

        The  A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets.

     3. The  A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets stayed lit, but as time passed their smoke became weaker and weaker

     4. The Smoke Daddy Pellets stayed lit and produced consistent smoke the whole 2 hrs I tested both products.

For those of you that have the AMPS and with problems keeping it lit but want to keep using the AMPS, I would suggest you put it on the bottom shelf. right side over the chip tray as Bear does and of which appears to work for him.

After doing that, if you are not happy with the results, I would suggest you try the Smoke Daddy Pellets as my tests did show they burn better in the AMPS and better yet in the Smoke Daddy Smoke Ring

 

[Bearcarver]

Bear, I don't get it. Is the strainer you use over the top vent for some reason - to control the smoke?
Dennis

We had a really bad couple years of Stink Bugs around PA. They aren't as bad lately, but any kind of bug can walk in the top vent while Cold Smoking. I don't like bugs in my smokers.

Here's a Thread that tells about it, and the first pic in this thread shows how the Stink bugs even went under my cover & climbed up. They seem to like the control box the most. I don't know why--It wasn't plugged in at that time, so it wasn't the heat that drew them:

Check it out:

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/99108/bugs-the-mes

Bear

 

[arkansas smoker]

 
     3. The A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets started losing the amount of smoke they were producing within 25 to 30
         minutes and died producing no more smoke at 45 minutes.

I had the same problem when I first started using the AMNPS and found that my MES 40 is sealed well enough with the chip loader closed that there was not enough oxygen to keep the AMNPS burning.  I just have to pull the chip loader out 1/2" to make the AMNPS burn to the end.

Also, with a propane torch, I can light the AMNPS and get it burning well in less than 2 minutes.  It only takes about 60 seconds with the torch to get the starter end cherry red and the pellets on fire and flaming up.  Then I blow it out and make sure it's burning good (cigar looking cherry on the underside as Bear puts it) and then put it in the smoker.  With the chip loader pulled out a little, my AMNPS burns to the end using hickory or apple pellets from A-Maze-N.

 

[dennispfaff]

  
I ran a test today on the AMPS vs the Smoke Daddy Smoke Ring
 
I also ran a test of the pellets from A-MAZE-N Products vs the pellets from Smoke Daddy.
 
I used Oak Pellets from both companies. I ran the tests outside of the MES all at the same time so that all tests would be under the same exact conditions.
 
AMPS .... I put A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets in one outside row of the AMPS and Smoke Daddy Pellets in the other outside row of the AMPS.
 
     1. The  A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets took approx 15 min to bring them to that "red rose" color in order to smoke.
     2. The Smoke Daddy Oak Pellets lit in half that time and produced a bit more smoke than the A-MAZE-N Products
        Oak Pellets
     3. The A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets started losing the amount of smoke they were producing within 25 to 30
         minutes and died producing no more smoke at 45 minutes.
     4. The Smoke Daddy Oak Pellets produced a bit more smoke than the A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets and lasted
         one hr and 15 minutes before dying out.
 
Smoke Ring .....  I put A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets in one side of the Smoke Ring and Smoke Daddy Pellets on the other side across from the A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets.
    
     1. The  A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets lit in approx 12 min or a wee bit faster than they did in the AMPS
     2. Again, the Smoke Daddy Oak Pellets lit in approx half that time and produced a bit more smoke than the
        The  A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets.
     3. The  A-MAZE-N Products Oak Pellets stayed lit, but as time passed their smoke became weaker and weaker
     4. The Smoke Daddy Pellets stayed lit and produced consistent smoke the whole 2 hrs I tested both products.
 
For those of you that have the AMPS and with problems keeping it lit but want to keep using the AMPS, I would suggest you put it on the bottom shelf. right side over the chip tray as Bear does and of which appears to work for him.
 
After doing that, if you are not happy with the results, I would suggest you try the Smoke Daddy Pellets as my tests did show they burn better in the AMPS and better yet in the Smoke Daddy Smoke Ring

Sounds like you did a good comparison test, and you prefer the Smoke Daddy ring and their pellets over the 5x8 Maze and their wood pellets. I think I saw that the Smoke Daddy pellets have a percent of charcoal so I am wondering how you found the smoke flavor in your smoked food?
Dennis

 

[remsr]

I have both the 5x8 tray and the 12" tube Amazing smokers and use pellets from Fleet Farm that seem to lite easy with a c

 

[remsr]

Creme brûlée torch (sorry about the miss fire) but I have had trouble keeping it lit on the left side. Does anyone have any experience with the tube? I haven't even tried it yet. I will try Bear's way on the right side with the tray. If that don't work I'll buy the ring or go back to my messy cold smoker that works great. There is nothing more aggravating than to cook for hours with little or no smoke because your equipment fails.

 

[brickguy221]

Creme brûlée torch (sorry about the miss fire) but I have had trouble keeping it lit on the left side. Does anyone have any experience with the tube? I haven't even tried it yet. I will try Bear's way on the right side with the tray. If that don't work I'll buy the ring or go back to my messy cold smoker that works great. There is nothing more aggravating than to cook for hours with little or no smoke because your equipment fails.

I have the Tube in addition to the AMPS. The Tube works better than the AMPS, at least it does for me. It puts out a wee bit more smoke than the AMPS. A few people don't like the amount of smoke it puts out while others like myself like the amount of smoke it puts out. Depends how much smoke you like on your meats.

If you have both the Tube and AMPS  and don't like the AMPS because of keeping it lit problems plus the minimum of smoke it puts out even when lit, use the Tube. That is what I did and liked it. However once I heard about the "Smoke Ring" from Smoke Daddy and bought one, I now prefer the "Smoke Ring" because it is easier to light, stays lit better than the AMPS and even the Tube which has failed me occasionally, but not like the AMPS does , and puts out the perfect amount of smoke to my liking. 

 

[Bearcarver]

 
I have the Tube in addition to the AMPS. The Tube works better than the AMPS, at least it does for me. It puts out a wee bit more smoke than the AMPS. A few people don't like the amount of smoke it puts out while others like myself like the amount of smoke it puts out. Depends how much smoke you like on your meats.

If you have both the Tube and AMPS  and don't like the AMPS because of keeping it lit problems plus the minimum of smoke it puts out even when lit, use the Tube. That is what I did and liked it. However once I heard about the "Smoke Ring" from Smoke Daddy and bought one, I now prefer the "Smoke Ring" because it is easier to light, stays lit better than the AMPS and even the Tube which has failed me occasionally, but not like the AMPS does , and puts out the perfect amount of smoke to my liking. 

You have to understand----"It depends on the individual Smoker". Not necessarily the amount of smoke you like on your meats.

You have trouble with your AMNPS, but your Tube works fine, and doesn't put out too much smoke---IN YOUR SMOKER.

I never have trouble with my AMNPS, and my Tube puts out too much smoke----IN MY SMOKER.

Do you see the relationship?

When an AMNPS works great in a smoker, the Tube will probably put out too much smoke in that same smoker.

When the Tube doesn't put out too much smoke in a particular smoker, the AMNPS could be hard to keep lit in that same smoker.

Bear

 

[brickguy221]

 
You have to understand----"It depends on the individual Smoker". Not necessarily the amount of smoke you like on your meats.

You have trouble with your AMNPS, but your Tube works fine, and doesn't put out too much smoke---IN YOUR SMOKER.

I never have trouble with my AMNPS, and my Tube puts out too much smoke----IN MY SMOKER.

Do you see the relationship?

When an AMNPS works great in a smoker, the Tube will probably put out too much smoke in that same smoker.

When the Tube doesn't put out too much smoke in a particular smoker, the AMNPS could be hard to keep lit in that same smoker.

Bear

You have to understand----- I already posted that some people like more smoke than others and that I myself like more  smoke on my meats.

 As for seeing the relationship, sure I see it as I believe I already pointed that out although not in the same words as you used.

I am happy for you that you like your AMPS and I am happy for me that I like my TUBE, and even more happy with the SMOKE RING as it is much easier to light than the AMPS or TUBE either one, faster to light, stays lit better and puts out the proper amount of smoke for my liking. I can live with the TUBE or SMOKE RING either one, I just like the SMOKE RING better.

 

[Bearcarver]

 
You have to understand----- I already posted that some people like more smoke than others and that I myself like more  smoke on my meats.

 As for seeing the relationship, sure I see it as I believe I already pointed that out although not in the same words as you used.

I am happy for you that you like your AMPS and I am happy for me that I like my TUBE, and even more happy with the SMOKE RING as it is much easier to light than the AMPS or TUBE either one, faster to light, stays lit better and puts out the proper amount of smoke for my liking. I can live with the TUBE or SMOKE RING either one, I just like the SMOKE RING better.

You obviously missed my point:

My point was that it's not that some like more smoke than others, even though some (Like Me) do.

It's that different smoke generators work differently in different smokers.

The fact that you like the amount of smoke the tube puts out, and I don't, doesn't mean you like more smoke than I or anyone else does. It mainly means that your smoker doesn't get as much smoke from the Tube, or from the AMNPS.

Everybody should use what they like to use. I didn't say anything different.

I can't say anything good or bad about the SR, because I never tried it, and since my AMNPS works perfectly in my MES, I have no reason to try it.

My explanation in Post #1323 was only to help people understand that those who have trouble with getting an AMNPS to keep going, will probably like the Tube.

However those who have no trouble with the AMNPS will probably find the Tube will put out more smoke than they want for their smoker, even if they like a lot of smoke, like I do. (as long as it's not so thick that it causes creosote)

Hope that's more clear,

Bear

 

[brickguy221]

 
You obviously missed my point:

My point was that it's not that some like more smoke than others, even though some (Like Me) do.

It's that different smoke generators work differently in different smokers.

The fact that you like the amount of smoke the tube puts out, and I don't, doesn't mean you like more smoke than I or anyone else does. It mainly means that your smoker doesn't get as much smoke from the Tube, or from the AMNPS.

Everybody should use what they like to use. I didn't say anything different.

I can't say anything good or bad about the SR, because I never tried it, and since my AMNPS works perfectly in my MES, I have no reason to try it.

My explanation in Post #1323 was only to help people understand that those who have trouble with getting an AMNPS to keep going, will probably like the Tube.

However those who have no trouble with the AMNPS will probably find the Tube will put out more smoke than they want for their smoker, even if they like a lot of smoke, like I do. (as long as it's not so thick that it causes creosote)

Hope that's more clear,

Bear

I never missed your point at all but I think you missed mine  as I was only trying to point out to you that you were saying the same thing that  I already said. As for the SR, you wouldn't like it as it will put out too much smoke for you since you prefer just barely any smoke. Nothing wrong with that. You and others like less and I and others like more, so if you and others can keep the AMPS lit, you will be happy with it's small of smoke and I and others will be happy with the TUBE because it puts out more smoke and I even happier with the SMOKE RING because it much easier to light, faster to get the "Red Cigar" red and smoker smoking, stays lit and never goes out and puts out the right amount of smoke to my liking. As I said in post #1324, I can live with the TUBE or SMOKE RING either one but prefer the SMOKE RING for the reasons given here and in that post.

For those that the AMPS doesn't work for, they will find it works well in a Weber Charcoal Grill using wood chips in it and laying it down beside the charcoal coals.

 

[dennispfaff]

I personally haven't had any problem with smoke, but next time I'm going to give Bear's suggestion a try by removing the chip tray and placing the AMNPS on the bottom shelf on the RIGHT side. My issue is...and why I haven't been on this forum much lately...is that my wife is such a good cook from inside the house. [emoji]128539[/emoji]
Dennis

 

[Bearcarver]

I personally haven't had any problem with smoke, but next time I'm going to give Bear's suggestion a try by removing the chip tray and placing the AMNPS on the bottom shelf on the RIGHT side. My issue is...and why I haven't been on this forum much lately...is that my wife is such a good cook from inside the house. [emoji]128539[/emoji]
Dennis

Actually Dennis, I never removed the chip tray on any of my MES units. I pull the Dumper Tube out of my Gen #2.5 with the AMNPS on the right, just above the Dumper Tube on the bottom rack.

I don't know what removing the chip tray would do, either good or bad.

Bear

 

[smokingearl]

An AMPS that's in a smoker that stays lit and burns perfectly will provide an incredible amount of smoke flavor in meats. Even too much for some. So if your amps is hard to keep lit in your smoker, then even if you manage to keep it lit it's not gonna provide as much smoke flavor as it will in a smoker where it stays lit easily. The smoke ring pellets are 30% charcoal, so if I was to use it in my smoker, which burns the AMPS perfectly for 11 hours while giving a tremendous amount of smoke flavor, I can't see how the smoke ring could give more smoke flavor when the pellets are 30% charcoal. But I'll never know cuz I'm broke and my amps works perfectly lol

 

[brickguy221]

I personally haven't had any problem with smoke, but next time I'm going to give Bear's suggestion a try by removing the chip tray and placing the AMNPS on the bottom shelf on the RIGHT side. My issue is...and why I haven't been on this forum much lately...is that my wife is such a good cook from inside the house. [emoji]128539[/emoji]
Dennis

I once had that problem Dennis, but I lost my wife to cancer in Feb of this year, so I no longer have that problem, but haven't been on much because I haven't felt up to it plus my health problems. I am 79 and have had Stage IV Cancer for 4 1/2+ years now, so my time is is drawing near. I have just now recently began getting back on this site, but for how much longer, I don't know.

 

[dennispfaff]

So sorry to hear about your wife Jim, and your health also.

 

[remsr]

Thanks, I am getting sold on that smoke ring. I have little tolerance for things that don't perform well when I have close to a hundred dollars worth of meat loaded in the smoker.

 

[mummel]

 
I once had that problem Dennis, but I lost my wife to cancer in Feb of this year, so I no longer have that problem, but haven't been on much because I haven't felt up to it plus my health problems. I am 79 and have had Stage IV Cancer for 4 1/2+ years now, so my time is is drawing near. I have just now recently began getting back on this site, but for how much longer, I don't know.

Im so sorry.