Let's Talk BBQ
General => General Discussion & Topics => General Discussion => Topic started by: Jaxon on November 03, 2017, 08:30:37 PM
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STILL tryin' to use the Amaz-n-smoker box. It keeps going out.
Today I filled it with their pellet mix and got it goin' with the torch let it burn inside the Assassin, next to the intake vents with the top open. It burned awhile, then went out and smoked like crazy. I was a happy jack.
After getting the smoker up to temp and putting 4 racks of ribs inside, I closed the lid and let it go.
A little while later, I opened the lid and saw the pellets weren't smoking...dang! I took it out and used the torch again, got it going, let it smoke, put it back in, closed the lid, out go the pellets.
I guess I forgot to change the batteries in the Amazn thing.
I have tried to use it in the gasser, in the Masterbuilt, and the Weber. It won't last but a few minutes. It'll smoke for an hour or more outside the cookers, but put it in a cooker, and it goes out. I have followed the steps and listened to my friends tell me how they make 'em work.
I can't make it work...
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are you stuffing it too tight with pellets?
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Jack...I don't know what is going on with yours......But- I will tell you how I light mine:
Fill my Amazen Tube about 75% full with pellets. Then I set my propane or Mapp gas torch on high. Place the tube in the grill - with part of it hanging out of the grill, so I don't burn the grill as I light it. I get the pellets fully burning on the open end of the tube. I mean - I hold the torch on them until there is a roaring fire in the first 2-3 inches of the tube.
I let it burn for 2-3 minutes. Then blow out the flame. Using a gloved hand, I pick it up - holding it level - and place it near the intake of the pit. Close the door.
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Are you letting it burn a full 10 minutes before putting it in the grill? I had problems with mine because I didn't do this and it really doesn't work well if it doesn't get enough air flow in whatever cooker you are using. I use the Amazen tube smoker now and as long as it has proper air flow it doesn't go out. Have you got to the Amazen products website and read their FAQ's? It addresses several issues about it not burning. I could never really get the one you have to work in my old Masterbuilt.
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Jack...I don't know what is going on with yours......But- I will tell you how I light mine:
Fill my Amazen Tube about 75% full with pellets. Then I set my propane or Mapp gas torch on high. Place the tube in the grill - with part of it hanging out of the grill, so I don't burn the grill as I light it. I get the pellets fully burning on the open end of the tube. I mean - I hold the torch on them until there is a roaring fire in the first 2-3 inches of the tube.
I let it burn for 2-3 minutes. Then blow out the flame. Using a gloved hand, I pick it up - holding it level - and place it near the intake of the pit. Close the door.
Tim,
He has the pellet box, not the tube. It shouldn't make a difference but, I found the box was more of a pain to use than what I wanted so I went and got the tubes.
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I tried to post a picture of the box. I couldn't get the flame to burn 10 minutes without torching it the whole time. It burned a right smart of the pellets - probably an inch and a half or more were in flames before the flames went out. (about the length of my thumb).
It works perfectly until I put it inside any grill or smoker.
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Sorry - I missed the "box" in your description Jack. I would send Todd @ Amazen an e-mail..and relate your experience with the box ( I think they called those a "maze"...thu s"A-MAZEN" smoker...). They will either have some solutions - or may even send you a tube style one as a replacement.
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Jack,
It sounds like your pellets have absorbed humidity. I know humidity is worse in your neck of the woods than mine (60'ish miles north of you), but I don't have any problems keeping my tray lit. With dry pellets once lit, they should stay burning with a visible yellow flame until you blow them out. If the flame is going out on it's own, either the pellets are slightly damp (it does not take much) or they were not fully lit. I usually end up with about 3/8" of the lit end glowing bright yellow with the torch on it. I can see the pellets are clearly fully lit to their core and after that the flame will stay lit on it's own. Also if you blow it out you should be able to slowly blow on the pellet coals and it will flame on again. If you are at that point, blow it out and it should smoke until the pellets are all burned out (assuming there is airflow in the smoker to the tray).
Try putting some of your pellets in a pyrex measuring cup and microwaving them on high for 2 minutes. If you see moisture being forced out and collecting on the sides of the measuring cup, they are damp. Once microwaved, they should light OK though (right after microwaving). Another options is to put the pellets in the try and sit the tray inside the smoker as it comes up to temp (unlit tray). The heat of the smoker will also dry the pellets out.
Also the brand of pellets may make a difference. What are you using?
This is what mine looks like when lit and the flame is sustained (I let it burn like this for 5 to 10 minutes and it stays lit). Also the pellet tray can only run up to about 250* max and seems most happy at 225* and below (it will go out if over temp)
(https://i.imgur.com/D3qXLEh.jpg)
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watching.. .☆´¯`•.¸¸. ི♥ྀ.
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Try some wood chips from the hardware store. They are tinder dry and should work fine. I also think your pellets might have some dampness to em. Sounds like you are giving them plenty of oxygen.
Try the chips and see what happens.
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watching.. .☆´¯`•.¸¸. ི♥ྀ.
Watching X2
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watching.. .☆´¯`•.¸¸. ི♥ྀ.
Watching X2
You can stop watching...it'll be a while before I use the box again. I got my first box at the Gathering in Augusta - got pellets, too. I never had a successful cook with it in the gasser or MES. I gave it away. Earlier this year, Albert talked me into getting another one... Told me how to set it up for the MES. He uses it a lot.
I put the pellets in the microwave, then into the maze. It smoked like a locomotive for almost 2 hours out on the patio. The next day, I got it going the same way and let it go for a bit like a locomotive. Then I put it in the MES. After 20 minutes it was dead.
Friday I tried to use it in the Assassin where there is plenty of air flow and it lasted about 20 minutes.
I'll go back to using wood chunks.
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BINGO!
I finally decided to try this thing again in the Masterbuilt.
After hearing from DWard, Smoke, and others, I put some pellets in the microwave for about 2 minutes.
When I took them out, there were some water drops in the cup...AND there was some dust - something I've never seen before.
So, I I filled one row in the smoker box and lit it per instructions. When the flame went out, I put the box in the bottom of the Masterbuilt and closed the door opening the drawer a good bit for air.
It smoked steady for over 2 hours.
I am going to try it as I smoke a small butt, hoping it works with a real cook. I fully expect it to.
I'll update when I get 'er done.
Thanks for the good advice.
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Yep, it's that Georgia humidity!!!! Especially below the "gnat line" ::)