how to keep the hopper cleanout door on my PBV4PS2 open?

[hankhill11]

I normally keep char-hickory in my hopper as my standard wood to smoke with. Sometimes, like this weekend, I want to do a pure form of another wood, like cherry or apple. Its always a pain the butt to keep the clean out door opened due to its spring loaded mechanism. Have any of you found a way to keep it open so I can push all the pellets out including what doesn't fall out initially?

 

[Steve In Pa]

I normally keep char-hickory in my hopper as my standard wood to smoke with. Sometimes, like this weekend, I want to do a pure form of another wood, like cherry or apple. Its always a pain the butt to keep the clean out door opened due to its spring loaded mechanism. Have any of you found a way to keep it open so I can push all the pellets out including what doesn't fall out initially?

For the second question, I have 4 foot garden stake that now serves as my hopper poker for that reason and whatever.

 

[hankhill11]

Thanks Steve, the 2nd part is already covered. I made a little paddle out of a garden stake and duct tape as well! just gotta keep that darn flapper door opened

 

[Steve In Pa]

Thanks Steve, the 2nd part is already covered. I made a little paddle out of a garden stake and duct tape as well! just gotta keep that darn flapper door opened

I’ll have to go out and uncover mine to see for sure but generally when I open it up there remains a small gap, maybe an inch or so that the pellets tumble out through.

 

[Mike From R.I.]

Always could try using a clean shop vac, suck them all out.