Using the AMNPS or AMNS in a Smoking Tex or Similar Smoker

[tjohnson]

Hey Guys!

Need a little help here...

I've got a customer who has a Smokin Tex, and wants to purchase an AMNPS

I usually recommend a customer with a Smoking Tex, Smokin-It or Cookshack to burn sawdust, rather than pellets, because of the lack of oxygen in these smokers.

Anyone have experience with these type smokers using pellets or sawdust?

Thanks!

Todd

 

[dls1]

Todd....

Can't help you out with an answer as I have the same question. I have 2 Cookshacks (008/009) and was about to pull the trigger on buying an AMNPS when I started considering airflow, or the lack thereof. I did a little Googling and what little I found indicated disappointing results. Most commonly mentioned was that the pellets would stay lit for 1-2 hours then would die out. Some mentioned that there results improved somewhat by removing any excess moisture from the pellets by letting them run in a low oven for an hour or so.

I'll be interested in seeing what type of responses you get.

 

[tjohnson]

Sawdust performs well, but I need some more info on Pellets in these type smokers

Scarbelly has a Smokin Tex, and has great luck using sawdust

If anyone is having issues with these type of smokers and the AMNPS, please pm or email me and I'll either send some sawdust to try.

Todd

 

[scarbelly]

I have been using the AMNS since the prototype and have had excellent results with the dust for both hot and cold smokes.  I have enlarged the drain hole and have had marginal success with the pellets. 

I have also used a fan blowing under the drain with some success. 

My next mod is going to be to add a second drain hole to see if that will get me enough air.  It is so close to working with the pellets but misses by just a bit.  I am currently out of town at the fair but will be doing the mod when I get back home on the 5th and will post the results.

For now - I recommend buying the AMNPS and using dust until I can do some more testing   

 

[tjohnson]

Thanks Scar!

I knew you would chime in....

 

[southernsausage]

I want to purchase one of these but do not know which route to take. I will be using it in a heavy steel charcoal grill with a vertical smoking chamber.

 

[tjohnson]

I want to purchase one of these but do not know which route to take. I will be using it in a heavy steel charcoal grill with a vertical smoking chamber.

What you using it for?

Cold Smoking, Supplementing smoke at higher temps or both?

How about a pic of your smoker?

Charcoal takes up most of the available oxygen, so it tough to get anything to burn during hot smoking

TJ

 

[southernsausage]

Thanks for your response! Mainly cold smoking when im not actually burning a fire in it. The cooker is being made and I'll post some pics soon. I wont be using the dust smoker in conjunction with charcoal or a wood fire while doing regular cooking.

 

[tjohnson]

The AMNPS burns pellets and will do a better job for filling up a larger smoker than the sawdust burners

Plus - You can get pellets locally and save a few bucks

 

[dls1]

Reading through the responses, and doing a little more research, it seems to me that my best choice for the Cookshack would be to go with the AMNS and sawdust. For those with greater knowledge than I, I would have to ask what would be missing by not opting for the AMNPS and pellets, assuming a simple workaround could be found?

BTW, my only interest with the unit is for cold smoking.

Thanks

 

[tjohnson]

Yes, go with the sawdust

Pellets can produce lots of smoke and may be too much for a small smoker like yours

You could get the AMNPS and use sawdust, then if you want to use it in a different smoker, you can use pellets

Up to you

Todd

 

[s2k9k]

I've been reading this and it sounds to me the problem with the AMNPS and this smoker is the lack of oxygen, just like in a propane smoker. Now I have been reading good results with the AMNTS and propane so I wonder if it would work in the Smokin Tex?

 

[dls1]

Yes, go with the sawdust

Pellets can produce lots of smoke and may be too much for a small smoker like yours

You could get the AMNPS and use sawdust, then if you want to use it in a different smoker, you can use pellets

Up to you

Todd

Todd - Thanks for the advice.

Going with the dust and AMNS since all I use these days are 2 Cookshacks. Had a big Klose offset that the AMNPS sounds like it be perfect for, but that was sold a few years ago.