Pro series 1600 auger jam repeatedly

[Asraber28]

I purchased a pit boss ProSeries 1600 early July 2021 and used it until roughly October or early November. Since then I have had nothing but problems with the auger jamming before the temperature reaches 200°F. The auger is physically jamming Inside the auger housing. Every time this happens I pull the hopper off remove the auger motor use pliers to turn the auger and break it free, reassemble and it keeps working for 10 or 15 minutes then jams again!

anybody else experienced these issues?

I have a video of it actively jamming if that helps anyone but it’s too large of a file to upload to the forum apparently

 

[Mike From R.I.]

Is it all pellet dust causing the jam? Might have to sift the pellets to avoid jam ups. What brand of pellets are you using?

 

[Asraber28]

Is it all pellet dust causing the jam? Might have to sift the pellets to avoid jam ups. What brand of pellets are you using?

Using lumber jack char hickory also tried pitboss charcoal pellets(terrible at holding temp not a pellet I’ll recommend)

I don’t see any obviously burnt pellets when clearing out the jam. It’s as if the pellets just wedged in between the auger and housing or something to that effect?

Lumberjack has way less dust but still jam

Jamming issue started a couple months after switching pellet brands so I’m not sure it’s a dust issue

 

[Mike From R.I.]

If all your connections are tight, I would call Pit Boss Tech support 877 303 3134 option 2 and see what they say. Maybe a weak/bad augur motor, or defective augur where the flights are not high enough when it fits into the augur tube. They would know for sure.

 

[MikeInFla]

Upload the video to YouTube then post the link here, curious to see it but sorry I can't help as I don't know what would be causing it. PB customer support might be able to help.

 

[Asraber28]

Upload the video to YouTube then post the link here, curious to see it but sorry I can't help as I don't know what would be causing it. PB customer support might be able to help.

 

[Mike From R.I.]

Anyway, of checking the amp draw on the augur motor. Nice long pellets with no dust, it does sound like it's laboring and binding at some points. I'd call customer support with that video.

 

[Asraber28]

Anyway, of checking the amp draw on the augur motor. Nice long pellets with no dust, it does sound like it's laboring and binding at some points. I'd call customer support with that video.

thanks for the replies

I don't have a way to check amp draw however, I do have a 3rpm auger motor from smoke daddy inc and it does the same thing. I've called pit boss a few times first they sent me a support bracket for the auger motor(didn't fix it) and now they are sending a new auger. I just cant see how a 4month used auger that's not rusty or bent could be the issue, but hey if they send it for free I'll put it in lol

 

[Mike From R.I.]

I wonder if the new augur will be slightly bigger in diameter (taller flights) so maybe pellets can't get stuck between the augur and the augur feed tube.

 

[Asraber28]

I will get the calipers out and measure it when it gets delivered

 

[MikeInFla]

Are those charcoal pellets? If so, I had a similar issue with mine when those pellets first came out. It was almost like they were too hard or something, I could hear grinding when I used that first bag. The auger stopped turning and I took it apart. Called PB to trouble shoot and they sent a new motor and auger.

I have no idea if the pellets were the cause but I only had that issue when using those pellets. After I replaced the motor and auger it never happened again but by then the bag was used up. I have used those pellets since with no issues. I suggest trying a different kind of pellet and check and see if it still binds up with a different type of wood.

I did notice the charcoal pellets were much more firm than the other type of pellets and when I would break them they had a loud snap to them. But as I said, I have used them since with no issues. Just a thought. I could be way off LOL.

 

[Asraber28]

Are those charcoal pellets? If so, I had a similar issue with mine when those pellets first came out. It was almost like they were too hard or something, I could hear grinding when I used that first bag. The auger stopped turning and I took it apart. Called PB to trouble shoot and they sent a new motor and auger.

I have no idea if the pellets were the cause but I only had that issue when using those pellets. After I replaced the motor and auger it never happened again but by then the bag was used up. I have used those pellets since with no issues. I suggest trying a different kind of pellet and check and see if it still binds up with a different type of wood.

I did notice the charcoal pellets were much more firm than the other type of pellets and when I would break them they had a loud snap to them. But as I said, I have used them since with no issues. Just a thought. I could be way off LOL.

Yes they are charcoal pellets but it was happening with the lumber jack and pitboss brand

The auger pit boss sent me just came in today so I’ll get that installed and see what happens

Thanks for the info though!

Did u have the 1600 pro series as well?

 

[MikeInFla]

No, mine is a much older 340 model. My vertical is a Series 3 Copperhead.

 

[Asraber28]

New auger came in. Installed and seemed to be working fine for over an hour, set the WiFi connection to monitor in bed lol, woke up and it’s at 35degrees Fahrenheit

Was holding 270 when I left it

Thought it was fixed but apparently pitboss just wants to hear from me again, so frustrating!

At what point does pitboss consider replacing the entire smoker or at least the hopper and auger housing???

 

[ANT0407]

New auger came in. Installed and seemed to be working fine for over an hour, set the WiFi connection to monitor in bed lol, woke up and it’s at 35degrees Fahrenheit

Was holding 270 when I left it

Thought it was fixed but apparently pitboss just wants to hear from me again, so frustrating!

At what point does pitboss consider replacing the entire smoker or at least the hopper and auger housing???

They won't replace the entire smoker. They will tell you to that you have to deal with the store you bought it from. But they should send you parts.