New MES Bluetooth Digital smoker

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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

Another good thought. I'll probably just wheel it to the garage this winter, then come up with some solution in the spring.
 
Bear, great call on using ashes to clean the window on the MES 40 gen 2.5  Worked like magic.  One question I did have, I put the AMNPS on the bottom rack on the right side but I am getting drippings from baby back ribs and other meat that is falling onto the pellets and causing problems.  How do you get around this problem?  Thanks.
 
Put a pan or foil on the rack over the ANMPS. yah I know uses up more space, but the MES wasn't designed for the ANMPS it was designed for the chip tray and the Masterbuilt cold smoker was designed for the MES. We just have to do what is necessary if we want to use the ANMPS. It's not a problem with the MES 40 I rarely use all 6 racks and when I do I use the Masterbuilt cold smoker.
When ever I can I use the ANMPS because the smoke is just right for most things.

Randy,
 
I only have 4 racks, but I could use foil on the rack with meat on it. Didn't know if that would somehow block the smoke from being absorbed into the meat or something.
 
I only have 4 racks, but I could use foil on the rack with meat on it. Didn't know if that would somehow block the smoke from being absorbed into the meat or something.
I wouldn't put the meat on foil, and if you do, make sure you don't cover a full rack with foil, pans, meat, or anything else---Needs room for air flow.
I seldom use more than one or two racks for my meat---Usually the top ones.

If I can I just don't put any meat on the right end, so there is no drips from that end to the AMNPS on the right end.

If I need the whole rack for meat, I put another rack in just above the AMNPS, and I cut a 9 X 11 Foil pan in half the long way, and put that upside down above the AMNPS to keep drips off of it.

The bottom rack is too close to the heating element for meat anyway. IMHO

I never put food on the bottom rack.

Bear
 
My AMNPS just doesn't seem to stay lit.  I have had my Bluetooth since last Christmas, and have reverted to chips.  I have it on the bottom left side (below the racks) - no water ever, I have even taken the chip loader out.  Drives me crazy.  I like to use my bottom rack for things I want hotter.  I have elevated the AMNPS a couple of inches, tried different orientations, etc.  What to do - I want it on the bottom if at all possible.  Why was a rack?
 
On a separate note - has anybody hacked the bluetooth on this - or modified it?  Why they didn't use WiFi I don't know, much better range.  Bluetooth is 30' with class 2 - and that sucks.  A wall cuts that to about 10'.  It is the one failure I see on this smoker.
 
 
My AMNPS just doesn't seem to stay lit.  I have had my Bluetooth since last Christmas, and have reverted to chips.  I have it on the bottom left side (below the racks) - no water ever, I have even taken the chip loader out.  Drives me crazy.  I like to use my bottom rack for things I want hotter.  I have elevated the AMNPS a couple of inches, tried different orientations, etc.  What to do - I want it on the bottom if at all possible.  Why was a rack?
Where did you put the AMNPS in the Generation #1 MES you bought back in 2012 ?  On the support rods (bottom Left)?

Bear
 
 
I never used it in my old one - I didn't buy it until I got the new one.
OK,

I can only give you options & suggestions:

I put my AMNPS on the right end of my bottom rack, above the chip dumper.

It works great there, but you want to use that rack for meat. I never use that rack for meat, because there's too much direct heat from a Heating element that is too close.

Actually even if you want to use that bottom rack for Meat, the AMNPS only takes up about 5" of space.

So the only things left for you are to elevate the AMNPS above the floor as high as you can on the bottom left. This should give it more air flow.

If it still goes out on you, try to get it lit better, with a good deep cigar-like Cherry in the pellets.

Link:

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

If it still won't stay lit, you can either get an AMNTS (Tube Smoker), or do a Mailbox Mod (Last resort--IMO).

BTW: You don't say where you live----What is your Altitude there?

Bear
 
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Oklahoma - not a place known for not having lack of oxygen in he air.  If I was in Colorado - I could see it.  This is driving me nuts.
 
My AMNPS just doesn't seem to stay lit.  I have had my Bluetooth since last Christmas, and have reverted to chips.  I have it on the bottom left side (below the racks) - no water ever, I have even taken the chip loader out.  Drives me crazy.  I like to use my bottom rack for things I want hotter.  I have elevated the AMNPS a couple of inches, tried different orientations, etc.  What to do - I want it on the bottom if at all possible.  Why was a rack?
You may have to get four pieces of stainless steel wire and hang it from the bottom rack. Lots of holes on the top edge of the Amnps to loop through. Or two long pieces of wire in a U shape with the ends tied/clipped to the bottom rack you can set the Amnps on so it hangs below the bottom rack for easy intalling/removal of the Amnps. I like the easy access and safety of the mailbox mod. With this mod you open the smoker once to foil, maybe once again to unfoil and the last time to remove to eat what your smoking. As basic as the pic below. $20. Plug mounting holes in the bottom of the mailbox, drill 3" hole in top back of mailbox, get 3"x2' aluminum pipe and done. You can make the pipe as long as you want or butt it up against the smoker. Plenty of air comes in the bottom of the door without drilling holes or leave the two holes on the bottom closes to the door open. Use magnets to seal holes before making them permanent. I would elevate the Amnps in the mailbox. It can't go out being directly in the draft. Now you can use the top vent damper the Mes came with to further regulate smoke/air flow. With my vent as far closed as it can go touching the leads of my probes is a super thin blue smoke. Adjust accordingly.

-Kurt
 
You probably have this already, but just in case:

 Just click on "Bear's Step by Steps".
 
 
 
Bear
 

I've seen most of your stuff!!! Unfortunately, after delivery, my wife decided to let me know that her dad was looking for a smoker. He drops off and picks our son up from school daily. So, we gave him the MES 40" for Christmas. Now i'm left searching for sales again.

I'm actually thinking of a WSM 22.5" now.
 
I've seen most of your stuff!!! Unfortunately, after delivery, my wife decided to let me know that her dad was looking for a smoker. He drops off and picks our son up from school daily. So, we gave him the MES 40" for Christmas. Now i'm left searching for sales again.

I'm actually thinking of a WSM 22.5" now.
Nothing wrong with them!!

I know a lot of guys LOVE them!!

Just too much work for me any more.

Bear
 
Bear,

Quick question: In your step by steps you are placing the pellet smoker on the bottom to the left. Didn't you say it works better on the bottom right?
 
Hi wbf610 I have a WSM 22.5" and love it especially now that I added the Pitmaster IQ 130 blue tooth temp controller. It holds steady temp until it runs out of fuel which is somewhere around 18 hours if you fill it and don't add any additional fuel. Hard wood and charcoal flavor is a good thing.
I also have the MES 2.5 40" and love it because of it is as Bear says they are less work than the MES. The MES gets more of a work out then my WSM because I don't have to load it with charcoal, lite the charcoal and empty the ashes when I'm done. I use the WSM for big cuts of meat and all beef because I like red oak smoke on all my beef and can't find it in pellets red oak is especially good on brisket and I just like the flavors of wood and charcoal on butts. I have a bunch of new red oak flooring never treated, that I am going to run through my planer for the dust that might burn like pellets? If it works I'll use the WSM even less.
 
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