Not very A-Maze-N

[t84a]

Pretty disappointing actually. MES 30. I tried removing the wood chip filler tube, opening vent, etc. If there are issues using these in a MES, they should tell you not to buy it for them. I'm more upset withthe money wasted on the pellets vs the tray.

3132.jpeg

• t84a
• Dec 26, 2016

 

[fullsmoke]

What brand of pellets do you use

 

[t84a]

Lumberjack 

 

[dirtsailor2003]

There's quite a few here who have success using the Mazes in the MES. There is a bit of a learning curve and you do have to do a few things to get them to work properly. Like everything a bit of a learning curve.

Hopefully they will chime in here to help you out.

Have you reached out to Todd? His customer service is second to none and he is more than helpful when it comes to the products he sellls.

 

[mosparky]

I'm still a bit of a novice with mine, but it looks like you didn't get it lit well enough. Once you get it smoldering, you need to blow on the lit portion to develope a good cherry of coals. For whatever reason, just a few lit ends on the pellets usually will not sustain itself. Blow lightly until the end breaks into flame the instant you stop for another breath. Let it flame for a few seconds, then a quick puff to extinguish the flame. Let it smolder on it's own for about 10 mins before you place in smoker. Exhaust vent full open, chip loader pulled out or removed, should be good to go.

 Also don't try to light in the middle.

 

[sdkid]

Just used my new 6" tube in my MES40. Worked great. Touch of gel at the end and lit it with a torch.  My cheese and shrimp turned out great.

 

[daveomak]

If you were using the "fruitwood blend" they are 80% cherry and cherry wood doesn't work too well as it is hard to burn....   

Try lighting the AMNPS at one end only... and try drying the pellets at 275 for a couple hours to drive the moisture out of the wood...   

I've had to do that... 

Do you have the AMNPS sitting up on the support wires ????  

Many of us have found the AMNPS could use better air flow and have elevated it using bolts, nuts and washers....    I did that and all my problems went away....   Seems like a PITA to do that, BUT, 10-11 hours of uninterrupted perfect thin blue smoke is worth it....

My AMNPS now.....  a good long burn to start it is important...  

XMAS2 2016 001.JPG

• daveomak
• Dec 26, 2016

LEGS 3.jpg

• daveomak
• Dec 20, 2016

 

[daveomak]

Another thing.....  If your smoker is cold, it needs to be warmed up to start the convection air flow for the AMNPS to breathe and get fresh air into the smoker.....

Which MES do you have.....

 

[jmk3921]

 Hi "M", I have an 30" MES and successfully use my A-maz-n pellet smoker in it. I had problems at first also, but what I do now is fill the pellets to the amount I want to use and then empty the pellets onto a dinner plate on top of two paper towels and microwave for 2 minutes, then stir the pellets and microwave for 1 minute more. I then return the pellets to the a-maz n and light them and let them burn with a flame for 6-7 minutes, blow out the flame and put in MES on the rods to the left of the chip tray. I pull the chip tray open to about 1 1/2" and the pull the chip loader out about 1". Top vent must be wide open. I now have thin blue every time. I hope this helps you. It's a little bit of extra fussing, but it works every time. 

 

[rickc1970]

What is weird for me is the first couple times it worked great. The next couple of times I had problems. I should have taken notes when I did it the first time. I'm going to do the mailbox mod and go from there. the last couple of times grease dripped on the Amazin so I think the maiilbox mod will cure that. The next time I use it I will use the pitmasters choice pellets I bought.

 

[Bearcarver]

All that needs to be done is "Get it lit properly to begin with":

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

No problem for 7 years, with 3 different MES units.

Bear

 

[retiredbadge]

Mine works terrific. You should give them a call because it has been my experience they can and will find a solution. Great people in my book.

 

[dward51]

I know it's an old post, but since there are recent answers....

1) dry you pellets....  They will absorb moisture from the air.  This is even worse in some parts of the country (ie, the humid south).  2 minutes in a Pyrex measuring cup in a microwave is generally enough to do the job.  Try it and see if you get moisture on the glass.  If you do, that came from inside your pellets, and they should burn better now.  Another options depends on what you are smoking.  If it's something like snack sticks or sausage where you are drying the casings for an hour at 120-130*, then just put the unlit tray in the smoker to dry the pellets as well.

2) Next most common problem is inadequate airflow to the pellets to keep them lit.  But 90% of the time the root of the problem is damp pellets. Couple that with some woods which are harder to keep lit than others and you compound the problem.

Bottom line, heat, fuel, and air = fire & smoke.   It's a 3 legged stool.  Kick one leg (say air) out and it don't work anymore.  Damp pellets take more heat to light and keep ignited and inadequate air is self explanatory. My money would be on damp pellets especially for those who say sometimes it works fine, others not so much.

 

[johnmeyer]

The other common problem is to not let it "burn down" for long enough before putting it into the MES. Try letting it burn for at least ten minutes before putting it into the smoker. Try to get a flame going and make sure it flames for at least 2-3 minutes before blowing out the flame and then letting it start to smoke. So, 2-3 minutes flaming; then 4-6 minutes smouldering; THEN put it into the MES.

 

[dwdunlap]

Try this. So many uses but terrific for lighting pellets. Fast and sure.

Torch.jpg

• dwdunlap
• Jun 26, 2017

       $30 @ http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-TS3000KC-Self-Igniting-Torch-Kit-336626/203368720  

I do dry my pellets in microwave for a minute or two first to be sure any moisture is dirven out.

Hold the tip about a half inch back from the pellets for 1 minute until flames start and then remove torch and let flames burn seven to ten more minutes. Blow out flame and you are good to go.

Add the tray or tube to the bottom of the MES.

Pull the feed tube out a couple of inches and open the top vent fully. You will have more smoke than you want but after closing the door you get thin blue smoke that's just right.

I have both the tray and the tube but for my application I prefer the tube.

Todd at Amazen will solve any problems. Just call him if you still need help. He is great!!

 

[dlarrick]

Question for Bear.  in the link you posted you described it like this....

.

I light it with my torch, and then blow on it every few minutes, in the direction of the bottom of the unburned pellets, until I get a real deep, good sized cigar-like cherry going.

When you say cigar like cherry, do you then push or pile that cigar shape to make a tighter cherry bundle or leave it spread out?  I will get mine going and about half a row is already burning in the 10-15 minutes I have let it go.  not sure if I should just leave it spread out or push them together?

Thanks

 

[shyzabrau]

 
Question for Bear.  in the link you posted you described it like this....

.

I light it with my torch, and then blow on it every few minutes, in the direction of the bottom of the unburned pellets, until I get a real deep, good sized cigar-like cherry going.

When you say cigar like cherry, do you then push or pile that cigar shape to make a tighter cherry bundle or leave it spread out?  I will get mine going and about half a row is already burning in the 10-15 minutes I have let it go.  not sure if I should just leave it spread out or push them together?

Thanks

Sounds like you are getting the blowtorch flame too deep into the pellets. I did that my first few tries and really burned through the pellets quickly. Turn down the blowtorch as low as it will go.

Today, I got busy at my computer and forgot to blow out the flame for ??? minutes and burned through 1/4 of the row. Oops...

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Question for Bear.  in the link you posted you described it like this....

.

I light it with my torch, and then blow on it every few minutes, in the direction of the bottom of the unburned pellets, until I get a real deep, good sized cigar-like cherry going.

When you say cigar like cherry, do you then push or pile that cigar shape to make a tighter cherry bundle or leave it spread out?  I will get mine going and about half a row is already burning in the 10-15 minutes I have let it go.  not sure if I should just leave it spread out or push them together?

Thanks

I never had it spread out.

I just light the end of the row, and try to get the whole width of the row, and from the bottom to the top of the row.

I never saw the cherry occupy more than 1 1/2" of the length of the row.

As the burning cherry moves forward, it should drop off ashes from the back end as it gets about the same amount of pellets burning in the front, keeping the size of the Cherry about the same size all along the maze.

Bear

 

[Bearcarver]

 
Try this. So many uses but terrific for lighting pellets. Fast and sure.

Torch.jpg

• dwdunlap
• Jun 26, 2017

       $30 @ http://www.homedepot.com/p/Bernzomatic-TS3000KC-Self-Igniting-Torch-Kit-336626/203368720  

That's what I use, except I use what they call the "Fat Boy" tank.

It's shorter & much fatter, and is therefore more stable when I stand it up on my railing.

Bernzomatics have been around for ages.

Bear

 

[GaryHibbert]

:welcome1:  Hi "M", I have an 30" MES and successfully use my A-maz-n pellet smoker in it. I had problems at first also, but what I do now is fill the pellets to the amount I want to use and then empty the pellets onto a dinner plate on top of two paper towels and microwave for 2 minutes, then stir the pellets and microwave for 1 minute more. I then return the pellets to the a-maz n and light them and let them burn with a flame for 6-7 minutes, blow out the flame and put in MES on the rods to the left of the chip tray. I pull the chip tray open to about 1 1/2" and the pull the chip loader out about 1". Top vent must be wide open. I now have thin blue every time. I hope this helps you. It's a little bit of extra fussing, but it works every time. 

This is the exact procedure I use except I then put the AMNPS in a mailbox mod.

I also have the legs DaveOmak described.

Works every time.

Gary