What to do if AMNPS is oxygen starved in MES.

[dtsdowntosmoke]

Yes, I know give it more oxygen. I will let the AMNPS burn with flame for 10 min before putting it in my MES. As soon as I put it in it's out in 15 min. I know it's not getting enough oxygen, but what can I do?

My smoker is on a small deck enclosed on 3 sides so there is virtually no air flow.

Should I take chip tray and loader all the way out?

I've been trying to get it going for an hour.

After 10 min of burn it has almost burned through the entire first row. See pic.

image.jpg

• dtsdowntosmoke
• Feb 25, 2013

 

[linguica]

On my MES 30 i remove the chip loader tray and the chip burning pan Make sure top vent is fully open. From looking at yours, i also fill the tray fuller that what i see in yours, just not over the top.

 

[dtsdowntosmoke]

Thanks! I didnt know if it was save to leave the elements exposed when the tray is out. I'm really paranoid that the thing is going to catch on fire.

 

[linguica]

Thanks! I didnt know if it was save to leave the elements exposed when the tray is out. I'm really paranoid that the thing is going to catch on fire.

Occasionally the pellet smoker will catch fire, but if it is on the left side of the heating element with the water pan above it, no harm done.

 

[id2nv2nj2ca]

I have had the same problem with my MES 40.  I have contacted Todd Johnson directly, and he has given me some advice I am going to take this evening when I smoke a couple more pork butts overnight, and pray it works. :)  I suggest you send him a private message, or a message linking to this thread.  Good luck.

 

[linguica]

I have had the same problem with my MES 40.  I have contacted Todd Johnson directly, and he has given me some advice I am going to take this evening when I smoke a couple more pork butts overnight, and pray it works. :)  I suggest you send him a private message, or a message linking to this thread.  Good And

And that advice was too..................?

 

[ldrus]

Pull the chip tray out about 1 inch so that it touches the inside of door when u close the door, then pull out the loader tray just a little more then half way out. What pellets are u using? Some are to dense and won't burn on there own ( fruit woods mostly) so mix them 50/50 with a oak pellet . Let burn with a flame for 15 min before putting in the smoker.

 

[chef jimmyj]

You need to contact Todd. The only time I have had a Row burn fast is when it is getting Too Much Oxygen. Like when I have taken out the Chip tray and loader. It burned a full load in under 3 hours. I have the old gen 40 and pull the tray out 1" and the Loader out 1 1/2" but only for the first 30 mins then the loader goes back in and everything is golden.

Here is a pic of how I load the AMNPS...JJ

 

[dtsdowntosmoke]

Hey everyone. I think my question was not understood by all. The problem I'm having is that I can get the AMNPS working when it's outside of the MES. As soon as I put it in the MES and close the door it's out. I was showing how much of the row that I have burned just trying to get it started and keep it going. Once I posted this I tookthe loader and tray completely out and the AMNPS worked like magic. Kept running all evening. This thing really is awesome once you get it going.

I was burning a mix of hickory/cherry at 70/30.

I am excited to try it again this weekend.

 

[dtsdowntosmoke]

Im thinking that the issue is that there is virtually no air flow inside the MES due to the enclosed deck my smoker is on. I really didn't think taking the loader and tray completely out would help, but it must have. My next question is, is it safe to operate the MES without the chip tray in it? I see the elements and am worried that grease may drop on it and catch fire. Is this possible? Is it more dangerous to run the MES with no chip tray?

 

[id2nv2nj2ca]

And that advice was too..................?

Lets see if I can remember off the top of my head.

1:  Remove the water pan.

2:  Place disposable 8x8 aluminum pan on floor below where the water pan would be.

3:  Put AMNPS on top of drip tray where the water pan would have been.

3:  Put another 8x8 pan on rack above AMNPS.

4:  Make sure vent is open completely.

5:  Pull out chip loader 2".

My smoker is pre-heating as I type this, and I will let you know if the above tips worked or not. :)

 

[linguica]

All posts considered, the way to go i just what Chef jj has said.

 

[id2nv2nj2ca]

I'm happy to report that the tips that Todd gave me worked like a charm. This is the first time I have not had to relight my AMNPS, and they smoked from 6:30pm last night until almost 11:30 this morning. Unfortunately, we are giving both roasts away to a family that lost their mother this week, and I can't try them. :)