Smokin-It User Forum!

Accessories => Gadgets and Gizmos => Topic started by: NDKoze on January 09, 2015, 11:44:56 AM

Title: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 09, 2015, 11:44:56 AM
OK, I know I have been pretty adamant that I did not see a need for an A-MAZE-N Smoke Generator for use with the Smokin-It smokers. My view was based primarily on the fact that I rarely cold smoke and if I do it is only for a relatively short time where chips and my chip insert in the #3 have always been more than adequate. But, if you want to cold smoke, say bacon or something like that for 6+ hours or so, I can see where this device could be nice to have.

So, I was kind of bored today and on a whim, I ordered the following model to do some testing on:
https://www.amazenproducts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AMNPS5X8 (https://www.amazenproducts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AMNPS5X8)

They are relatively inexpensive and I have a crap-load of Hickory sawdust from my old Big Chief smoking days. So, I figured what the hell.

I have some Canadian Bacon and one small piece of pork belly that I put into my Buckboard Bacon brine on Wednesday that I may try this out on. I think I'll probably just try the piece of pork belly. I usually start slow on the Canadian Bacon, but eventually hot smoke them up to temp. So, I'm not sure the cold smoker would really be appropriate and/or necessary for the Canadian Bacon.

Then I may also try some smoked cheese.

It will be interesting to see if I get enough air flow in the #3 to keep this thing lit or not. I can always put the Jerky Dryer on if I find that there is not enough air flow to keep it lit.

More to come after I get the device and 10 days or so before I actually test it out on the pork belly.

I'll probably do a dry run with nothing in the smoker just to see how it works.

So, more to come for those who may be interested.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: old sarge on January 09, 2015, 12:10:47 PM
Gregg,

You might want to try dropping the drip tray down to the ground rather than having it attached to the smoker itself; this should create a tad more space for air intake.

Dave
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 09, 2015, 12:29:09 PM
That is a good point.

I also thought about removing the smoke box too which should allow more airflow from that little hole. I'll probably wrap a piece of foil around the element bracket to prevent any drippings on the element.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: CoyoteFlatz on January 09, 2015, 04:28:01 PM
Okay, I'm in...Just will be standing by to see the results.

Thanks for taking the time to try this out!

Cheers,
Don
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 09, 2015, 04:43:13 PM
Yeah, I would definitely try a few dry runs before taking on serious smoking.

I think that those who've tried the pellet/sawdust maze in the #3 have found that there wasn't enough air to keep it going. The jerky drier should work, but it'll up the temp.

The original little A-Maze-N sawdust smoker doesn't require a lot of draft and does work in the #3, but the fine ground sawdust that A-Maze-N sells must be used....coarser sawdust won't burn reliably.

Coarser sawdust will work in the model that you bought(given enough air) but it does burn hotter, which brings up another issue....too much heat unless it's fairly cool outside.

Can't wait to see how it works for you.
I think that, with the #3, pre-heating the smoker a little to create a draft before you introduce the A-Maze-N may help.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 09, 2015, 05:10:38 PM
I have a ton of pretty fine sawdust, so I should be able to do as many test runs as I want. I bought a 40 pound bag and probably have at least 20 pounds left still. Based on some of the Youtube videos I have watched my wood is exactly the same size consistency as the A-MAZE-N sawdust.

It is pretty cold here right now. So for me, at least in the winter time, it should be easier to keep the temps down.

I am open for continued test scenarios.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 09, 2015, 05:16:32 PM
It's the little A-Maze-N that requires special sawdust.
Almost any sawdust should work in the pellet/sawdust smoker.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 09, 2015, 05:18:41 PM
It's the little A-Maze-N that requires special sawdust.
Almost any sawdust should work in the pellet/sawdust smoker.

You are right sir. Yeah, I would think if it can handle and is designed to handle pellets that various sized dusts should work without issue.

In the end, I am not sure how much I will end up using this, but it will be nice to have in the smoking arsenal for those times when it would come in handy.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: coachB on January 09, 2015, 06:12:51 PM
One of the posters over at SMF made an alteration that he claimed allowed the usage of pellets in the A-MAZE-N.  He drilled a second drain hole (same size) about 1"-1 1/2" directly in line behind the original drain hole.  Foil lined the bottom of the unit and poked a 2nd hole in the foil.  Said he had enough air flow to keep the pellets going.  I suppose when not using pellets foiling the bottom and only poking one hole would slow down the additional air draft.  The poster said he then placed the unit close alongside the original smokebox.  Don't know how Steve feels about poking more holes in his machine, but we do it for the Auber install.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 09, 2015, 06:31:40 PM
Thanks for the note Bill.

Yeah, I have read those posts and there is a not a snowball's chance in hell that I drill another air hole in my smoker. ;) If that is really what it takes to use the this device, I will just do my cold smoking in my trusty Big Chief which would not have any problems with air flow.

I see the hole for the Auber differently though as it gets plugged and would not affect the performance of the smoker. As I said before, I really don't see myself using the A-MAZE-N that much. So, permanently altering my smoker is really not in the cards. I see this just as an extra option that can be used for certain appropriate occasions.

I don't think I'll have a problem with airflow though. If I need more air, I'll use my jerky dryer as that will provide more than enough air (maybe too much). I'm going to try it without to see if it fails like some have said. I have enough dust to do some different tests.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DivotMaker on January 09, 2015, 09:06:53 PM
Looking forward to your report, Gregg.  We'll see if you change my opinion about this. ;)
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 09, 2015, 09:46:32 PM
Looking forward to your report, Gregg.  We'll see if you change my opinion about this. ;)

Or my opinion either. ;)

My opinion has always been that while it may be a very solid device and needed in many other smokers, I think its usefulness in conjunction with Smokin-It smokers will be somewhat limited and primarily used for long/low/cold smokes. But, we'll see. I am looking forward to playing with it.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DivotMaker on January 09, 2015, 09:50:25 PM
I know your review will be thorough, and honest, Gregg!
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: McKay on January 12, 2015, 12:49:26 PM
I have tried this and did not succeed until I used the jerkey dryer. The temp rise was not anything significant and the AMZN burnt through the whole tray very nicely once I used it.

I did not try this by taking the drip pan out though, thats a great idea.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 12, 2015, 12:52:39 PM
What model Smokin-It?
What model A-Maze-N?
Pellets or sawdust? What brand?
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: Pork Belly on January 12, 2015, 05:35:16 PM
If the goal is long, low temp smokes there is no better time than in the winter. I would think that if you used your jerky fan you would be getting enough airflow to make it work.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 12, 2015, 06:20:11 PM
Yeah, I think for sure I would get enough smoke with the fan. My only worry would be that it would be too much air flow. I received notice that my AMAZEN was delivered today. But it is so dang cold out today, I may not do my first test until tomorrow or Wednesday. I think some smoked cheese will be on tap for this weekend depending on the results of my testing.

I don't think I'll have to worry about the smoker temps. I read some posts saying that the temps should be in the 35-55 degree range. That may be tough to do depending on how much heat the smoker puts off.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 12, 2015, 06:37:50 PM
The jerky fan will certainly help but causes other issues...drying (not surprisingly) and an increase in temps...when burning pellets anyway.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: McKay on January 13, 2015, 10:22:50 PM
What model Smokin-It?
What model A-Maze-N?
Pellets or sawdust? What brand?

Me?
Model 3
5X8 pellet
Sawdust by Amazn
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 13, 2015, 10:26:36 PM
Makes sense, that sawdust burns relatively cool.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 16, 2015, 03:23:43 AM
Well the first test is complete with some success and some failure.

While I had pretty good smoke for the bulk of the smoke, I think the lack of air flow through the smoker (likely decreased throughout the evening as the wind died down) eventually extinguished the fire and thus the smoke stopped.

So, I think ultimately I experienced the same issue that most have with the Smokin-It smokers, being that there just isn't enough air-flow under normal circumstances to use the A-MAZE-N smoker without some type of modification to increase the airflow.

I certainly think the jerky dryer would increase the airflow. But would it be too much? If I were smoking cheese, would it dry out the cheese too much? I don't think this would be as big of a deal with cold smoking bacon. But, wonder if the dryer would dry the outside of cheese too much?

Should it be too much, I wonder if it would work to set the dryer on a couple of half inch boards to raise the dryer a little bit above the smoke hole to decrease the effectiveness of the dryer?

Any other thoughts or suggestions for the next test (other than drilling holes that is ;))?
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 12:11:55 PM
I saw your post early this morning and decided to give it a try in the #1.
In the past I've ran the little A-Maze-N sawdust model (with A-Maze-N's fine sawdust) in the #1 without a problem, just to see what would happen.

Some un-burned sawdust along the edges is common, but there really shouldn't be a lot of it.
The texture and consistency of the sawdust makes a difference...and it needs to be absolutely bone dry...that's essential.

My current hickory sawdust is a mixture of the coarse Frantz sawdust from Butcher & Packer and some A-Maze-N dust, which is quite fine.

I fill it full and level it off....jumping rows is usually only a potential issue when hot smoking.

I started at 11:00...it was 30 degrees outside with with a slight breeze and some sun so the inside of the smoker was about 41 degrees.

It's now noon and it's dropped to 27 degrees outside with 84 in the smoker.

(https://www.smokinitforums.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXCAGnhy.jpg&hash=cbd219bff124854552a8f6510df6ae59209e831b)
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 16, 2015, 12:23:28 PM
I am using 100% Frantz dust. But to be honest, the dust I used for the first test had gotten wet at one time, but has since dried.

It seemed pretty dry, but to avoid issues I did put it in the microwave for 2 minutes, stirred, and then another minute before putting in the smoker.

It is possible that my dust was compromised from being wet.

When you fill, do you pack it down at all? I did and maybe shouldn't have.

I am going to try it again this afternoon with some cheese and see how it goes. It seemed like it worked pretty well in the daytime, but as night fell, so did the breeze that was present in the afternoon, which I think was the biggest problem.

Did you place the A-MAZE-N on the bottom of the smoker or on a lower rack?

Any other suggestions on what I could do different/better?
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 12:32:21 PM
Drying questionable sawdust in the oven, set on low, for an hour or two is what works best for me.

I don't pack it in the A-Maze-N, just carefully sprinkle it in and level it off.

I'll try to take a pic of it in the smoker before dark...if it's still burning.  :)

It's 12:30 and the temp in the smoker is currently 86.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 12:35:40 PM
Oooopss...I forgot to add where I placed the A-Maze-N.

I pulled the smoke box out and it's setting on the rail that surrounds the element.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 16, 2015, 12:53:31 PM
That is an awesome idea to set on the element rail, for smokes that won't drip that is. :)

I will try that today.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 04:14:17 PM
4:00...5 hours in and still going.

21 degrees outside and 90 in the smoker...too hot!!!!

(https://www.smokinitforums.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7PZbcHb.jpg&hash=3d9c7770beae7bcab53921e8724f17dcc6ca4e2b)
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 16, 2015, 05:59:05 PM
OK, I am trying this one more time.

It is 25 degrees out, but there is a pretty stiff wind that makes it feel much colder.

I'm kind of having trouble getting the A-MAZE-N lit today. I put dust in the outside rows and am trying to light both ends to up the smoke production for a relatively short cheese smoke. I have the A-MAZE-N resting on top of the element brace inside the smoker and the wind keeps on blowing the flame out as soon as I let off of the torch. It seems like there is a cherry in there burning, but I let it go for awhile just to come back and find it burnt out. I actually had better luck yesterday when there was less wind. I would have thought that the increased wind would help, but it appears to be hindering.

I created a thread for the cheese smoke here:
http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=2698.new#new (http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=2698.new#new)

Temp on both racks is 48 and starting to increase a little bit. So, hopefully I have it going successfully now. I'll check back again in a bit with an update.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 06:09:10 PM
6:00...7 hours in and still going.
17 degrees out and calm...98 degrees in the smoker...ugh!!!
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 16, 2015, 06:20:39 PM
I think I have mine going pretty good now. Temps have risen up to the mid 50s and seems to be smoking pretty well.

I wonder if the smaller volume in your #1 verses my #3 is causing your temps to run so high.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 06:25:19 PM
I'm glad you got it going.

I have similar high-temp issues in the #4 except with the original sawdust smoker and A-Maze-N's dust.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 08:03:57 PM
8:00
9 hours in and still going strong.
14 degrees outside and calm...smoker temp...86
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 09:06:06 PM
9:00
10 hours and still going....it should wind-down sometime between now and 12 hours...I'll try to check every half hour...unless I doze off.
I haven't opened the smoker since 4:00 when I took the pic and don't intend to until morning.
Currently, 12 degrees outside and calm...84 degrees in the smoker.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 09:36:36 PM
9:30
10 1/2 hours in.
Still smoking along.
11 degrees outside and 81 in the smoker
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 10:03:31 PM
10:00
11 hours in and still putting out smoke.
10 degrees outside and calm.
79 degrees in the smoker.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DivotMaker on January 16, 2015, 10:18:23 PM
Just curious... Martin, you were having temp issues earlier.  Has anyone tried adding a big pan of ice between the meat and the AMNPS, like we do with the cold smoke plate?  Seems like it would help keep the temp down 10-20°, but not sure - that's why I ask.  Also, if you partially covered the shelf you put the ice pan on with foil, it would make the ice last longer, wouldn't it?
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 10:24:36 PM
That would help with the temperature issue, but create other issues..issues with moisture mainly...but it would also generally complicate things.
I like to be able to just light the A-Maze-N and walk away from 12 hours of cold smoke without worry...possible with the most basic model but not so easy with the others.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DivotMaker on January 16, 2015, 10:32:44 PM
Didn't think about moisture, and possible dripping, Martin.  One other question - I've read some folks using an aquarium air pump, with a variable pressure adjustment, through the drain hole, to add airflow.  What's your thoughts on that?
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 10:41:57 PM
Yeah, the dripping is the major problem....I could cold smoke all day every day (and night) in some of the drum smokers and the like that I have...but the condensation and the dripping of stuff off the ceiling and other complications are why I looked for an insulated smoker.
Some folks have experimented with the aquarium pumps, including myself, for extra air, mainly...thinking that lack of air was the major issue...trouble is, extra air means more heat. :) I think the main issue that sometimes makes it so hard for folks to keep these smoke generators burning is moisture...not lack of air.

10:30
Still smokin'.
8 degrees outside and calm...77 degrees in the smoker.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 16, 2015, 10:52:00 PM
Well, my Cheese smoke is done.

The temp stayed at 65-70 pretty much the whole time.

I tried to smoke until I got some color, but the cheese didn't ever really take on much color. So, I ended up smoking for 5 hours. I hope I didn't over smoke them.

They're all packaged up and in the fridge. They were cool to the touch right out of the smoker and didn't look like they got a lot of color. They definitely smell smoky though. Hopefully some mellowing in the fridge will do them good.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DivotMaker on January 16, 2015, 11:04:00 PM
Thanks for the clarification, Martin!  Like I said - I don't know much about the AMNPS, so I'm eager to learn!

Gregg - the cheese looks...like cheese. ;)   Just kidding!  You can see some darkening.  Trust me - with 5 hours in the smoke, it will definitely be smoky enough!  As it sits in the fridge, the smoke will penetrate deep into the cheese.  Not sure why this "mellowing" happens, but would like to know.  Guess I'll have to do a little research! ;)

A few days from now, I bet that cheese will be phenomenal!
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 11:05:08 PM
11:00
Still smoking.
12 hours of smoke.
I did open it up real quick and it is almost done.
8 degrees outside and calm...75 degrees in the smoker...that's before opening.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 16, 2015, 11:38:44 PM
11:30 and it's definitely finished.
I'll take a pic of it tomorrow...unless an asteroid hits or the like...LOL
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 17, 2015, 01:51:48 PM
After the burn....
(https://www.smokinitforums.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fdur2EI6.jpg&hash=7779c3efd9483f9fb07e1d874253a2ece08b30fa)
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: old sarge on January 17, 2015, 06:37:02 PM
Appears to me that both the cheese and the sawdust burn were both successful. Congratulations to you both!
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 17, 2015, 06:40:59 PM
Thanks. I am excited to see how the cheese tastes after it mellows in the fridge for awhile.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 19, 2015, 05:07:45 PM
Someone gave me a few pounds of Traeger hickory pellets....they're crap and need to be burned up.
I may try a pellet burn in the #1 sometime soon, just to see what happens.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 19, 2015, 05:25:58 PM
Someone gave me a few pounds of Traeger hickory pellets....they're crap and need to be burned up.
I may try a pellet burn in the #1 sometime soon, just to see what happens.

I will be interested to hear how this goes. I saw that Costco carries these Traeger Hickory Pellets and was thinking of picking some up to try. But if they are not good, I'll stick with my Frantz Hickory Saw Dust.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: Pork Belly on January 19, 2015, 06:19:08 PM
Trager pellets are good wood I have burned about 100 pounds of them. I have used them in a Trager, over charcoal and in my #3.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 19, 2015, 06:34:35 PM
Brian, do you just use them in the smoke box?

Do you use a chip screen or foil?

My guess is that they would burn similar to chips and would be used in situations where you would typically use chips (short time/low temp smokes). Am I right on this?

Do you use them for long higher temp smokes too?

I have tons of sawdust and plenty of chunks, so not sure I really need the pellets. But I like to keep my options open as every smoke can be tweaked a little if you want to.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: Pork Belly on January 19, 2015, 06:36:31 PM
I used the last few I had on a jerky smoke. They were on the screen but not on any foil.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 23, 2015, 07:37:12 AM
Traeger pellets will certainly work, I just don't like them as well as Milt's Pure.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 26, 2015, 10:13:29 AM
I did my first test last night with some PitMaster pellets that I received with the A-MAZE-N and I got them going really well with the door open. I was actually able to maintain a flame with the door open for 3-4 minutes before I blew it out so it could start smoldering. The saw dust always blew out. There could be a couple of reasons for this. First, I bought a better torch that put out a bigger flame. Second, the wind may not have been quite as strong as my last attempt with the dust.

I added a small piece of Pork Belly that I had been brining with my last batch of Canadian Bacon that I smoked on Saturday. This was a small piece of skinned pork belly from the hog that we butchered during deer processing season.

Since I was cooking meat that could drip, I left the smoke box in and placed the A-MAZE-N on the very bottom shelf on the opposite side of the pork belly which was up on the top shelf.

After about an hour the smoke went out, so I lit it up again and added the Jerky Dryer. This totally did the trick and it smoked non-stop for the next 10-12 hours. I went to sleep with about 1.5 rows of pellets left after it had already been smoking for 5-6 hours.

This was a cold smoke where I did not turn on the Smokin-It heating element. The pellets definitely burned hotter than the dust that I tried before, but I am not sure if that was because of the pellets or that I had the Jerky Dryer going. My temps actually got up to about 115 at one point, before going down. While OK for Bacon, this would not have been good for cheese. So, going forward, I may have to add some ice, and/or buy/borrow a cold smoke plate when doing cheese.

As you can see from the picture below, I got a nice full burn on the pellets.

My only complaint is that while the color of the belly looks really good, the smoke smell while strong, does not really smell the best. I know this was a long time in the smoke, so maybe it just needs to mellow a bit.

I have it wrapped in plastic wrap and in the fridge for now. For any of you bacon experts, how long should I leave in plastic wrapped before, I vacuum pack it? I'm not going to dirty my slicer for this one little piece of bacon, so just going to package it whole and slice as needed.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 26, 2015, 10:29:32 AM
One other question. Should I be warm smoking this at all? Or is the 12 hour cold smoke enough?
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 26, 2015, 10:56:28 AM
Yeah, pellets naturally burn hotter than dust.
I let cold-smoked bacon mellow at least a week before slicing.
You'll get all sorts of answers regarding cold smoking vs. warm or hot smoking.
I only cold smoke (75 degrees of less) bacon because I prefer the flavor, it keeps better and warm or hot smoked bacon is prone to "warmed over" (https://www.google.com/search?q=%22warmed+over%22+pork&oq=%22warmed+over%22+pork&aqs=chrome..69i57.14632j0j7&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=0&ie=UTF-8) flavor and that's something I DEFINITELY don't want in my bacon.

Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 26, 2015, 11:07:27 AM
Thanks Martin. So, since I am not going to slice this one, should I be letting it mellow in plastic wrap in the fridge for a while before vacuum packing? Or would it be OK to just vacuum pack it now?
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 26, 2015, 11:09:05 AM
I had a couple of spikes into the 90s and a very short time above 100. But for the most part, the bulk of the smoke was in the 75-85 range. A little higher than your suggested 75, but pretty close I would think.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 26, 2015, 11:10:14 AM
Yes, I would let it mellow in the fridge.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on January 26, 2015, 11:43:49 AM
How long should I let it mellow in the fridge before vacuum packing and freezing?
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: DiggingDogFarm on January 27, 2015, 06:08:57 AM
Personal preference....I let it mellow for at least a week.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on March 09, 2015, 10:44:09 AM
I finally got a chance to test out my 18" AMNTS Cold Smoke Generator yesterday. This was a pure dry run with no food in the smoker.

It was a mild ND day with a healthy South wind (smoker on South-facing deck) with ambient temps at start time around 45 or so. Temps went down the 30s overnight.

I removed the smoke box, removed the drip pan, and placed the 18" AMNTS filled close to the top filled with some Jack Daniels Oak Whiskey Barrel pellets about 1" from the smoker wall on the bottom rack of the smoker and put the torch to it around 3:45pm.

I gotta say that the these pellets lit and stayed lit better than the Pitmaster's blend that I got with the AMNPS. I am not sure if it was the tube smoker or the pellets, but for whatever reason it was much easier to light and stay lit than with the Pitmaster's blend in the AMNPS.

The AMNTS stayed lit and ran for 15-16 hours.

It provided a nice heavy beautiful smoke that was a lot heavier than with Hickory Dust in the AMNS. I am pretty sure that this provided a significant amount more smoker than the Pitmaster's pellets in the AMNPS too. But then again, it was hard to tell because I had to run the Jerky Dryer to keep the AMNPS running with the Pitmaster's Blend pellets.

Based on reviews from others, I was expecting it, but the temps did run quite a bit higher than with the dust. My temps ran about 120-130 which would be way to cold for a cheese smoke. I have some cheese waiting to be smoked and can borrow a cold plate, but wondering if the cold plate would reduce the airflow and thus make it harder for the AMNTS to stay lit?

I can definitely freeze some water-filled soda or milk cartons to try to reduce the heat, but not sure if that will reduce the heat enough for a cheese smoke or not. I may have to do another dry test with the frozen bottles/jugs before I try with my cheese.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: SuperDave on March 09, 2015, 02:03:46 PM
Gregg,
My last cheese smoke was so perfect, I don't know if it would work in your #3.  I had a big pan of sand directly over the heat source, a cold plate with a turkey pan full of ice above the sand and then a rack with my cheese.  Cheese rack very near the top resulted in a 20 degree delta from my first cheese smoke where the cheese rack was nearer the bottom.  I used the smoker heat element for my heat source.  I used a foil pan as my chip/pellet pan, turned power on for 20 minutes at a time.  Box temp in the area of the cheese only got to 70 degrees the entire smoke. 
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: 1stlink on May 04, 2015, 07:32:22 AM
Thanks Gregg, Martin, Mike and all other contributors to this thread as it is very informative. I'm trying to decide which if any A-MAZE-N product to buy for use in my SI #2 here in very warm SW Florida.

I want to create smoke at relatively low temps primarily for smoking fish. I doubt that I will ever want to smoke cheese. (luv cheese, but)

 The A-MAZE-N-TUBE-SMOKER 6", 12" or 18" or the A-MAZE-N-PELLET-SMOKER(AMNPS) are relatively cheap and seem to be what I need. I'm not sure if the Jerky dryer is needed or not.

I'm tempted to order the AMNPS! Guidance and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.  :-\
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on May 04, 2015, 11:52:50 AM
If you have a SI #2, do NOT get an 18" as it will not fit.

I have had much better luck with my Tube Smoker than with my pellet tray.

If you have trouble keeping it lit, I think I read on another forum that they were able to resolve the problem by not latching the smoker door and just leaving it cracked open as close as they could get it. The other option would be to get a small aquarium pump.

I kind of decided that I am not sure I want to use my jerky dryer when cold smoking because I don't want to pull all of that valuable smoke out of the smoker which is what the dryer would do. I would rather crack my door open or get the aquarium pump to provide some airflow.

My last smoke, I removed all of my unused trays and the smoke box and had enough air flow even with the door closed. This was for a cheese smoke and was my best one yet. If I were doing meat, I would use some foil to cover my element.

Thanks for the suggestion on how to use the smoker element, but I think I will stick to my A-MAZE-N smokers for my cold smoking as I think I have them working pretty well. This is good information for those without the A-MAZE-N smokers though.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: 1stlink on May 04, 2015, 01:37:33 PM
Thanks Gregg, I think that I'll order a 12" Tube and give it a try.  8)
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: NDKoze on May 04, 2015, 02:59:00 PM
Thanks Gregg, I think that I'll order a 12" Tube and give it a try.  8)

They are pretty affordable, so it is pretty low-risk. The cost comes when you want to start buying all kinds of different wood pellet flavors ;)
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: 1stlink on May 04, 2015, 03:16:56 PM
Yep, 12" $30 added some pellets to the order in order to qualify for free shipping.. Lots of flavors, Lots of $$$  :'(
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: Pork Belly on May 06, 2015, 12:17:31 AM
If you still have that belly in the fridge I would cut a section off then smoke the remaining piece for another 12 hours. You can then do a taste test between the two. I did my last bacon for 24 hours cold smoke and it was wonderful.
Title: Re: A-MAZE-N Cold Smoke Generator
Post by: coachB on May 09, 2015, 12:09:27 PM
I have the tray pellet smoker and found it would not stay lit.  I was looking for it to use primarily to smoke bellies.  I ordered the Jerky Dryer from Steve, used it and the cold smoke plate with a tray of ice and the problem was solved.  The Jerky Dryer moves enough airflow through the box to keep the tray lit through the smoke, while the Auber keeps the heating element low.  The only downside I see is that the tray of pellets burned much faster than expected.  A complete tray only lasted 3-4 hrs, but I can live with that to get enough smoke and keep the temps down.  For cold smokes this combination worked fine.  For regular smokes I would use the stock wood box with the chip tray, pellets, and no Jerky Dryer.

The Jerky Dryer really pulls air through the #3 smoke-it box.