Tips for wood chips catching fire in new MES 30

[atrainsacomin]

I got a new MES 30 for xmas and last night, during the MES cleaning/pre-seasoning, my wood chips caught on fire. 

After reading for hours through the forums I got a couple tips that I tried:

• The chip tray was not making contact with the heat source.
• I was not over filling the chip inserter.
• I tried to leave the chip inserter a little open for air flow.

So today I am attempting my first brisket and will finish with some chicken halves. On my first load of chips I used 1/2 soaked chips and 1/2 dry... still caught on fire.

Finally, on the 2nd and 3rd batch of chips I used 100% soaked chips in a solution of 75/25 water to cider vinegar and we seem to be smoking perfectly. 

I read many posts and watched a couple videos on soaking wood vs. not soaking wood and I feel that with chips, because of their size, get moderate saturation and cutting the water with cider vinegar seems to help dry out the smoke.  

With this partial success I thought that I would make a post with all these tips in one thread to help any other MES wood chip newbies.

Happy Smoking!

 

[beernuts]

I had the same issue when I followed the directions included with my MES 40. What I ended up doing was starting with maybe five to eight chips and let them smoke. I then added a few more repeating the process. After an ash base was formed I added a larger amount and went from there. The final step was to get an AMNPS and get a constant TBS with long smoke times. Hope this helps.

 

[atrainsacomin]

Thanks Beernuts!

Questions for you in response:

1. Do / Did you soak your chips at all when you use them instead of the AMNPS?
2. How do you feel the AMNPS colors your meet compared to the standard wood chips used with the MES?

 

[mcockrell]

i had the same problem. my problem turned out to be two things: 1) too MUCH air. it would spark up whenever i opened the vent or opened the door. the first time i used it i left the chip loader on "unload" and it actually shot out of the chute several inches. 2) adding too much chips in the beginning. i listened to the vets on here and now when i smoke i add a few chips as the smoker is warming up. add a few more every few minutes. by the time im ready to put the meat on there is a good ash pile. havent had any issues since.

although i just ordered the amnps yesterday so after this weekend i hope to not use the chip loader anymore.

MC

 

[mvincent42]

I heard there was a recall on a bass pro model mes 30. Here is a link to the post on the forum:
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/128963/2012-mes-electric-smoker-recall/0_100

I have the bass pro mes model 20072010. I dump a few chips when I start smoking, but I usually just keep my chips in the feeder tube in the upright position otherwise I waste too many chips and get way more smoke than I need. Works great and no flare ups!

 

[beernuts]

I've tried the soaking wood chips thing but all it did was delay the smoke I was working to get. So I use the chips dry right out of the package. As for the AMNPS it doesn't overpower the food with smoke. It provides a very consistent amount that flavors the food. He color of the meat, to me, is more a factor of your smoking temps, time and the rub you put on before you start. A high sugar rub will carmelize and darken the meat as will smoking it for ten or twelve hours. The AMNPS gives you a long term TBS that allows you to do other things besides load the wood chips constantly.

 

[swampmouse]

I have a MES 30 and haven't really ever experienced this issue. I may do some things different than you though:. I don't open the vent at all on top, I always use water or some liquid in the pan, and once I put in the food, I don't open the door until its done. I typically put in some dry in the beginning to get the smoke going, and add some soaked after that. I don't really see the dry ones burning as a problem..or at least it hasn't been a problem in my opinion.

With all that being said, I just got an AMZNPS for Christmas and used it once and am very pleased. I will use it again tomorrow or New Years Day (doesn't matter of it rains or not..one of the nice things about electric). THe pellet smoker is nice to not to have to keep loading chips every hour...which makes for a long day on a big butt.

Good luck,

SM