How to stop the fire in hopper

[cajunland]

I have had this vertical smoker and since I have it’s good when it works right
I’m tired of using it cause it continues to burn the pellets in the hopper
I have read that I will do it if the ash tray isn’t clean but mine does it when it’s clean or barely used
I’m sick that I paid this much money for a piece of sh!!t that most of the time doesn’t work right
Right out the box the latch was broke and door was slightly bent
I went to bring it back to Lowe’s the next day after opening and they said I had to contact pit boss which like someone has said customer service was great they sent me a new latch and a door gasket to help with the door that was slightly bent but I deal with that
I m just frustrated that I can’t cook long on it since it burns the pellets in the hopper or I have to baby sit it and keep adding pellets so it doesn’t
So what’s the point of having this high dollar pos if I can’t smoke for over night or even 4-6 hours
Honestly I wish I would never have gotten this thing and stayed with my cheap electric smoker from academy
The only problem I ever had with it was is burn up the element from cooking so many times

I would think twice about burning this

 

[cajunland]

I have had this vertical smoker and since I have it’s good when it works right
I’m tired of using it cause it continues to burn the pellets in the hopper
I have read that I will do it if the ash tray isn’t clean but mine does it when it’s clean or barely used
I’m sick that I paid this much money for a piece of sh!!t that most of the time doesn’t work right
Right out the box the latch was broke and door was slightly bent
I went to bring it back to Lowe’s the next day after opening and they said I had to contact pit boss which like someone has said customer service was great they sent me a new latch and a door gasket to help with the door that was slightly bent but I deal with that
I m just frustrated that I can’t cook long on it since it burns the pellets in the hopper or I have to baby sit it and keep adding pellets so it doesn’t
So what’s the point of having this high dollar pos if I can’t smoke for over night or even 4-6 hours
Honestly I wish I would never have gotten this thing and stayed with my cheap electric smoker from academy
The only problem I ever had with it was is burn up the element from cooking so many times

I would think twice about burning this

 

[brewersfan73]

Did you have a question for this forum?

 

[cajunland]

How do u stop the vertical smoker from burning all the pellets in the hopper

 

[Redoctapus]

How do u stop the vertical smoker from burning all the pellets in the hopper

Sorry to hear about this. Two things come to mind after viewing your pictures.
Check the crucible blower- with the smoker open and defuser removed run a start up cycle, start with a 3/4 full crucible. At some point during the preprogrammed start up the blower should start blowing very strongly. If it doesn't blow strong and steady look for problems with the air flow.
Also check quality of the pellets in use. I suggest vacuuming out all the pellets. Pellets should be tight, crisp and Shiney. Pellets that have been mishandled or subjected to humidity and moisture will be slightly larger than normal Shiney ones. They will crush easily between you fingers and these damaged Pellets burn faster and can out pace the auger feed rate.
I believe it is fixable.

 

[cajunland]

I only use the pit boss competition pellets and I make sure I sift and get as much dust out before putting them in the smoker
The fan does come on fast and hard when u first turn it on
The only thing I can think of is this ash tray doesn’t seem like it locks into place and maybe letting air in but with it being forced air with the fan I don’t know how that would burn backwards
The photos below are what it looked like last night

 

[Redoctapus]

I only use the pit boss competition pellets and I make sure I sift and get as much dust out before putting them in the smoker
The fan does come on fast and hard when u first turn it on
The only thing I can think of is this ash tray doesn’t seem like it locks into place and maybe letting air in but with it being forced air with the fan I don’t know how that would burn backwards
The photos below are what it looked like last night

I would lay this on a table to view the bottom. There has to be something diverting the air flow. The pictures aren't close up enough.
My PBV5 blower almost levitate the pellets, it is very forceful and the burn pot is always 3/4 full.
Sorry I can't offer a quick fix.

 

[Cowboy1955]

Have you try and sift your pellets through a colander?
That’ll stop the ash from burning and it’ll burn cleaner
Hopefully this helps you

 

[Hoff]

I have had this vertical smoker and since I have it’s good when it works right
I’m tired of using it cause it continues to burn the pellets in the hopper
I have read that I will do it if the ash tray isn’t clean but mine does it when it’s clean or barely used
I’m sick that I paid this much money for a piece of sh!!t that most of the time doesn’t work right
Right out the box the latch was broke and door was slightly bent
I went to bring it back to Lowe’s the next day after opening and they said I had to contact pit boss which like someone has said customer service was great they sent me a new latch and a door gasket to help with the door that was slightly bent but I deal with that
I m just frustrated that I can’t cook long on it since it burns the pellets in the hopper or I have to baby sit it and keep adding pellets so it doesn’t
So what’s the point of having this high dollar pos if I can’t smoke for over night or even 4-6 hours
Honestly I wish I would never have gotten this thing and stayed with my cheap electric smoker from academy
The only problem I ever had with it was is burn up the element from cooking so many times

I would think twice about burning this

 

[Hoff]

I know how you feel. It’s a lot of money for something you’re afraid to use if you’re not standing right there watching. I’ve had the same issue with my KC combo and the same suggestions. What I’m not getting is an actual fix from Pit Boss. This is clearly a known issue that needs to be addressed. Really regretting this purchase!

 

[Sparky]

I know how you feel. It’s a lot of money for something you’re afraid to use if you’re not standing right there watching. I’ve had the same issue with my KC combo and the same suggestions. What I’m not getting is an actual fix from Pit Boss. This is clearly a known issue that needs to be addressed. Really regretting this purchase!

Hoff, I have my KC Combo now for 3 yrs and have not had this problem.

 

[Redoctapus]

If we were neighbors I'd come over with a case a beer, some shine and work on that joker. If we couldn't fix it we could put it down range and ventilate it!

 

[Chuck P]

Look familiar?

After dumping the hopper...

Owned about two months, first fire... Fried the auger motor and wire connector.

Please report back if you find a fix.

 

[Cowboy1955]

Look familiar? View attachment 4589

After dumping the hopper...
View attachment 4590
View attachment 4592



View attachment 4593View attachment 4594

Owned about two months, first fire... Fried the auger motor and wire connector.

Please report back if you find a fix.

Do you sift your pellets through a colander?
Keeps all the dust out of the pellets
I’d also call pitboss support since it’s under warranty
Hopefully this helps you

 

[Chuck P]

PB has sent replacement parts. No issues there, quick efficient call to get replacements.

I use mostly Lumberjack pellets and store them and the smoker indoors. They never see moisture and always remain tight, hard and slick.

I do not sift pellets. There's not that much dust incorporated in them in my experience.

I've had a Recteq horizontal a few years with a relatively short auger run. I've never had a hopper burn on it or seen any indicators.

My PB hopper fire coinsided with some malfunction that I think shut off the unit without the shutdown routine having run. I was away running off the app doing a low temp bacon smoke (140-150) when the app crashed on the phone. One lesson is to keep the hopper lid closed so any fire smolders instead of blazes.