Damn AMNPS

[TATONKA3A2]

Thanks guys. Lots of good tips I will be trying for sure. I suspect I will have better sucess with some of these ideas for sure. If not, I will e-mail Todd.
Thanks to everyone.

I hope these tips will work out. We have the MES30 and MES40 - I will actually just pull my trip drawer completely out and the top vent all the way open when smoking with the AMNPS.

One thing is how are you storing your pellets? If they are open to the elements they may be taking in some moisture and that is why they are not staying lit. This is where the microwave tip comes into play - it will dry them out and hopefully you will be able to keep it burning.

[Panthur]

Bear, I have I believe the latest model of the MES 40. It is #20070512. The vent is on the upper left side looking at smoker from the front.

I store my pellets in the garage. Being summertime, it does get pretty hot in there I suppose, but the BBQ Delight brand I use have the resealable bag - like a ziplock type seal.

I e-mailed Todd and he said set water tray on bottom, put AMNPS on top of hole above where water tray normally slides in and pull chip loader out 2 inches. Tried this last night, including nuking pellets, in the darn thing still went out in 15 mins.

[Bearcarver]

Bear, I have I believe the latest model of the MES 40. It is #20070512. The vent is on the upper left side looking at smoker from the front.

I store my pellets in the garage. Being summertime, it does get pretty hot in there I suppose, but the BBQ Delight brand I use have the resealable bag - like a ziplock type seal.

I e-mailed Todd and he said set water tray on bottom, put AMNPS on top of hole above where water tray normally slides in and pull chip loader out 2 inches. Tried this last night, including nuking pellets, in the darn thing still went out in 15 mins.

That's why I asked you which one you have.

I would lose the water pan & put an 8 X 8 Foil pan under the square hole. Then put the AMNPS over the hole. Pretty much like Todd said, except you won't have to clean the water pan.
Could be the pellets. I use Todd's Hickory pellets almost exclusively---Never goes out. I tried straight Cherry pellets, and it went out on me. I keep all of my pellets dry in empty juice jugs.
The other thing is when you think it's lit good enough---It isn't---Blow it in & under the unburned pellets some more!!! Drive that fire in deeper!!

Bear

[Panthur]

I will have to try to light it even better I guess. I think its possibly lack of air flow related issues myself tho.

[Doug S.]

I usually take the chip loader all the way out....maybe try a small fan pointed in that direction

[dsgarner06]

Storing your pellets in an air-tight container will make a huge difference. I ended up purchasing air-tight containers from Petco that are designed to store dry pet food. I got ones that fit into my shelving and hold 20lbs per container. I put labels on each container to mark the type/brand so I know what to grab based on what I want to cook.

That being said, using the microwave will help dry out any pellets that might have been exposed to some moisture.... but if they really get wet, you might as well throw them away as I have never been able to keep those lit.

[Bearcarver]

This keeps my Dust & Pellets dry:



Works Great !!

Bear

[Snarlingiron]

I have the AMNTS and I use in mostly in my gas grill. I have never had any problem keeping it lit, but the gas grill is VERY well ventilated. I do light the crap out of mine though. I use a Bernzomatic TS8000 trigger start torch with MAPP gas. Gets hotter'n bloody hell. The metal is red within a couple of seconds. I apply the flame to the bottom and direct it upward. I follow that with a blast of air from an air gun on my compressor at about 20 psi until I have a roaring flame. I then let it burn for about 10 minutes. I used to use one of the little butane micro torches like the ones A-maze-n products sells on their website . They will do it, but it is a slow tedious process. You really need to get a good flame going to start. If you are just getting them to smoke, they won't stay lit.

[Bearcarver]

I have the AMNTS and I use in mostly in my gas grill. I have never had any problem keeping it lit, but the gas grill is VERY well ventilated. I do light the crap out of mine though. I use a Bernzomatic TS8000 trigger start torch with MAPP gas. Gets hotter'n bloody hell. The metal is red within a couple of seconds. I apply the flame to the bottom and direct it upward. I follow that with a blast of air from an air gun on my compressor at about 20 psi until I have a roaring flame. I then let it burn for about 10 minutes. I used to use one of the little butane micro torches like the ones A-maze-n products sells on their website . They will do it, but it is a slow tedious process. You really need to get a good flame going to start. If you are just getting them to smoke, they won't stay lit.

Yup---Exactly!!!

The little Butane torch is just right for Amazing Dust.

My Fat Boy Propane torch is hard to adjust low enough to keep from blowing the Dust out of my AMNS, but it's perfect for the Pellets in the AMNPS.

The Tube smoker isn't as touchy to keep lit, in most kinds of smokers.

Bear

[Panthur]

Thanks guys. Lots of new things to try now..........Now I just need a day off to implement some of them....ha ha.