Pellet tube problem

[jdr37]

I have a 12" pellet tube and Traeger hickory pellets that I'm using in my 4 burner gas grill, using one burner with temp at 225 to 240. I keep the tube away from the burner being used so as not to "overheat" it but I can only get about 2 hours of smoke time from the 12" tube. And not a lot of smoke!!! New 20# bag of pellets stored in a sealed container inside AC house.
I thought I would get 3 to 4 hours from a full tube. Any ideas.
Thanks

 

[muskyjunky]

I’m fairly new myself to it and have only used it a couple times so far on a brisket and a pork shoulder , I filled the tube about half way up - standing to fill , witch gave me a half tube laying for smoking .. I got 2 hours of smoke both times doing this , but it made a huge difference in smoke flavor I thought. I bought the tube and initial 2# of pellets as a combo from A-maze-N. Not sure if the pellets make a difference in them but ones I got work really good with it.

 

[Bearcarver]

I have a 12" pellet tube and Traeger hickory pellets that I'm using in my 4 burner gas grill, using one burner with temp at 225 to 240. I keep the tube away from the burner being used so as not to "overheat" it but I can only get about 2 hours of smoke time from the 12" tube. And not a lot of smoke!!! New 20# bag of pellets stored in a sealed container inside AC house.
I thought I would get 3 to 4 hours from a full tube. Any ideas.
Thanks

I don't have a lot on the Tube, because when I tried it, I got too much smoke & no matter what I did, I couldn't tone it down.
I figure it's because I'm at a low altitude like you are in Florida, and the tube was actually designed for those in high altitudes that can't keep an AMNPS going. My AMNPS works perfectly for me & can get 11 straight hours per load.
That might be your problem---Are you getting a real heavy Smoke during those 2 hours???

Bear

 

[chopsaw]

Are you saying it won't stay lit , or it burns that fast but no smoke ?
I have not tried mine in a gas grill , but maybe that's why it burns to fast ( if that's what it's doing )
By not alot of smoke do you mean taste ? Does it flame up when you open the lid ?

 

[wbf610]

Are you lighting it, then letting it burn for a few minutes, then blowing the flames out? I have the 12” tube, and have no problem getting more than 3-5 hours out of a half tube of pellets. I do cheese with it, 1/2 tube of pellets, and have left over pellets after three hours.

 

[jdr37]

Thanks to all of you. I feel like an idiot. Today was the third time I used it and had problems the first two times. When I posted the thread I had glanced at the grill, thought it was out but after posting found it was still smoking quite well. I think the wind had disbursed the smoke and I was expecting the worst. Turns out it smoked quite well for 4-1/4 hours and I am a happy smoker.
Thanks again, sorry for the DUHH!

 

[biaviian]

My tubes are collecting dust because I simply can't get it to do a slow smoke, as Bear said. It is quick and overly smoky. I'm sure it works under the right conditions. I simply don't have those conditions.

 

[chopsaw]

My tubes are collecting dust because I simply can't get it to do a slow smoke, as Bear said. It is quick and overly smoky. I'm sure it works under the right conditions. I simply don't have those conditions.

I use mine in a mailbox with a Mes 30
, as you know it's to much inside the box . I was still getting what looked like a freight train Goin up a hill . I started mixing wood chips with the pellets . Made a difference for the better . Great flavor , better burn time . Just by chance I shortened up the run of the duct and it went from good to great . There is a formula there that depends on where you live and conditions of the day . I found it by accident , but some smarts were also involved . I get 10 to 12 hours out of mine . It was a wtf when I started ,,,

 

[biaviian]

I use mine in a mailbox with a Mes 30
, as you know it's to much inside the box . I was still getting what looked like a freight train Goin up a hill . I started mixing wood chips with the pellets . Made a difference for the better . Great flavor , better burn time . Just by chance I shortened up the run of the duct and it went from good to great . There is a formula there that depends on where you live and conditions of the day . I found it by accident , but some smarts were also involved . I get 10 to 12 hours out of mine . It was a wtf when I started ,,,

At first, you mentioned that you only used it for continuing long smokes. The above sounds like a departure from your previous statement. Is it safe to assume that since finding the "sweet spot" you use it more as the starting rather than closing smoker?

 

[chopsaw]

Not sure I understand the comment . I use it start to finish . Depends on what I'm doing .

 

[biaviian]

Not sure I understand the comment . I use it start to finish . Depends on what I'm doing .

I quoted the wrong person. I meant to reply to Bear.

 

[biaviian]

I don't have a lot on the Tube, because when I tried it, I got too much smoke & no matter what I did, I couldn't tone it down.
I figure it's because I'm at a low altitude like you are in Florida, and the tube was actually designed for those in high altitudes that can't keep an AMNPS going. My AMNPS works perfectly for me & can get 11 straight hours per load.
That might be your problem---Are you getting a real heavy Smoke during those 2 hours???

Bear

At first, you mentioned that you only used it for continuing long smokes. The above sounds like a departure from your previous statement. Is it safe to assume that since finding the "sweet spot" you use it more as the starting rather than closing smoker?

 

[jdr37]

After yesterday's experience I think I have the tube figured out. It seems to be all about the lighting scenario. If you get it too hot it will produce too much smoke and only last a short time (1 hour are less in 12" tube). If you don't get it burning long enough before blowing out the flame it will go out and require re-igniting. I also suspect that it needs to be on a grate so that air can get to it from underneath. Mine is hexagon shaped and I had it on a flat solid surface and had trouble keeping it smoking until I laid it on a grate and it then burnt perfectly.

 

[dr k]

After yesterday's experience I think I have the tube figured out. It seems to be all about the lighting scenario. If you get it too hot it will produce too much smoke and only last a short time (1 hour are less in 12" tube). If you don't get it burning long enough before blowing out the flame it will go out and require re-igniting. I also suspect that it needs to be on a grate so that air can get to it from underneath. Mine is hexagon shaped and I had it on a flat solid surface and had trouble keeping it smoking until I laid it on a grate and it then burnt perfectly.

Some use two muffler clamps to make four points to lift/support the tube up in the air.

 

[Bearcarver]

At first, you mentioned that you only used it for continuing long smokes. The above sounds like a departure from your previous statement. Is it safe to assume that since finding the "sweet spot" you use it more as the starting rather than closing smoker?

I don't use the Tube at all. I have No Sweet Spot with the Tube.
I tried it a few times, and no matter what I did---Fill it halfway & shake it horizontally types of things, It still always put out too heavy a smoke. It is for smoking at high altitudes, and for people who have trouble keeping an AMNPS going.
So I went back to my AMNPS, and have been getting perfect Smoke for 8 years with my AMNS & my AMNPS.

Bear

 

[biaviian]

I don't use the Tube at all. I have No Sweet Spot with the Tube.
I tried it a few times, and no matter what I did---Fill it halfway & shake it horizontally types of things, It still always put out too heavy a smoke. It is for smoking at high altitudes, and for people who have trouble keeping an AMNPS going.
So I went back to my AMNPS, and have been getting perfect Smoke for 8 years with my AMNS & my AMNPS.

Bear

I must not have been reading correctly the other day. Ignore me.

 

[Bearcarver]

I must not have been reading correctly the other day. Ignore me.

No problem !!
I wouldn't ignore you!!

Bear

 

[indaswamp]

I don't have a lot on the Tube, because when I tried it, I got too much smoke & no matter what I did, I couldn't tone it down.
I figure it's because I'm at a low altitude like you are in Florida, and the tube was actually designed for those in high altitudes that can't keep an AMNPS going. My AMNPS works perfectly for me & can get 11 straight hours per load.
That might be your problem---Are you getting a real heavy Smoke during those 2 hours???

Pack the tube tight as you can get it with Dave's coarse pellet dust and the AMNTS Oval will produce beautiful TBS for about 8 hours.....
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t...be-will-burn-daves-coarse-pellet-dust.284931/

 

[indaswamp]

My tubes are collecting dust because I simply can't get it to do a slow smoke, as Bear said. It is quick and overly smoky. I'm sure it works under the right conditions. I simply don't have those conditions.

See my post above...

 

[Bearcarver]

Pack the tube tight as you can get it with Dave's coarse pellet dust and the AMNTS Oval will produce beautiful TBS for about 8 hours.....
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t...be-will-burn-daves-coarse-pellet-dust.284931/

Why would I bother playing games when I can fill my AMNPS & get up to 11 hours of perfect smoke?

Thanks,
Bear