New MES Bluetooth Digital smoker

[remsr]

Thanks Bear!

Randy,

 

[Bearcarver]

I'm towards the end of 'seasoning' my new gen 2.5 40 in MES, about an hour left (haven't added chips yet.) According to the Maverick, temp is reaching very close to 300 when smoker is reading 275 on display. Does this mean something is wrong with it? A 25 degree difference seems pretty high. Bear, any thoughts?

Edit: I'm also have problems connecting my phone to the smoker via Bluetooth. I got the app and followed the directions but nothing. I'm using an LG3 running Marshmallow. Any ideas?

Getting 300° when set at 275° is Awesome---You got a bonus.

Just adjust the MES so that your Maverick reads what you want, and always go by your Maverick.

I wouldn't worry about the heat running high, unless it gets over about 325°.

If it did that, I'd tell them about it & get a new controller from MB.

Now if I set mine at 275°, and it only reads 250° on my Maverick, I'd call them too, because I paid for a smoker that can get to at least 275°.

I can't help you with the Bluetooth, because I don't have anything to use with it, so I just use the control buttons on the top front of my MES.

Bear

 

[dr k]

I'm towards the end of 'seasoning' my new gen 2.5 40 in MES, about an hour left (haven't added chips yet.) According to the Maverick, temp is reaching very close to 300 when smoker is reading 275 on display. Does this mean something is wrong with it? A 25 degree difference seems pretty high. Bear, any thoughts?

Edit: I'm also have problems connecting my phone to the smoker via Bluetooth. I got the app and followed the directions but nothing. I'm using an LG3 running Marshmallow. Any ideas?

It's all about the heating element, sensor and your food levels.  They are all different most of the time.  That's why we buy independent therms that are next to the food for actual temps.  You're good to go. Different generations have different locations so some read opposite like my Gen 1 40".  I have to deflect heat away from the sensor so it doesn't read high on the Mes and be lower on the actual independent calibrated therm.  Just keep the actual temp under 300*F so the button looking limit sensor doesn't shut down the smoker.

-Kurt

 

[mab007]

Two things:  Bluetooth, buggy and limited range at best.  While it is nice to be able to turn the light on, adjust the temp, and see the temps from your phone, do like most here, get a wireless:  Maverick or new Thermoworks.  Wireless range, much better than bluetooth.  At the very least, you can unistal the app from your phone, do a reboot on your phone, re-install and try again.  (follow instructions on MES) You need to be less than 100 feet with line of sight for it to work.  I get about 75 feet of range....

Window:  I have found that pre-treating with PAM works well.  After a smoke, Magic Erasure with a little bit of water is the best.

Have fun!   

 

[hoops10]

I have my first smoke going now, pair of baby back ribs. I am using the AMNPS inside. Is the cabinet supposed to be full of smoke, almost to the point where you can't see the meat? I ask because mine is not, I see the that the AMNPS is still lot, giving off smoke but the cabinet is not full of smoke.

I have the AMNPS on the bottoms rack on the right and it fully lit before putting it in.

 

[Bearcarver]

I have my first smoke going now, pair of baby back ribs. I am using the AMNPS inside. Is the cabinet supposed to be full of smoke, almost to the point where you can't see the meat? I ask because mine is not, I see the that the AMNPS is still lot, giving off smoke but the cabinet is not full of smoke.

I have the AMNPS on the bottoms rack on the right and it fully lit before putting it in.

I like to be able to see the racks pretty good through the smoke.

If you can't see the racks and meat, the smoke is too heavy.

I would push the chip dumper back in to slow it uo.

If it already is in & smoke is still too heavy, put the AMNPS on the floor on the left. That should slow it down due to low air flow down there.

If it gets to be real low & almost going out, move it back to the right of the bottom rack.

Bear

 

[hoops10]

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.

 

[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