Pellets keep starting on fire while smoking

[cfiskey]

Hi everyone,

I have a new Vermont Castings pellet grill I just got together today. I made the move from an electric.

I've been playing around with it all today, not cooking, but just trying to get a feel for it.

One problem I seem to be having, and am wondering if I'm missing something - is when I turn the unit on, to "just smoke", the pellets start on fire after a few minutes - and as a result there is very little smoke. The lowest temperature is 180 degrees F on the unit (which is the "just smoker" setting).

Is there a trick to this? Should I heat the whole unit up, and then dial it back to smoke? Should I purchase a pellet smoker tube (which I think I will anyway for cold smoking)?

Please let me know what I might be missing.

Thanks in advance!

Craig

 

[SmokinEdge]

Welcome to SMF.
What you describe is normal for a pellet machine. The pellets ultimately have to burn, flame, and as such produces less smoke. They are to efficient in the fire department for good smoke.
yes buy a pellet tube. They work well.

 

[RCAlan]

Hi everyone,

I have a new Vermont Castings pellet grill I just got together today. I made the move from an electric.

I've been playing around with it all today, not cooking, but just trying to get a feel for it.

One problem I seem to be having, and am wondering if I'm missing something - is when I turn the unit on, to "just smoke", the pellets start on fire after a few minutes - and as a result there is very little smoke. The lowest temperature is 180 degrees F on the unit (which is the "just smoker" setting).

Is there a trick to this? Should I heat the whole unit up, and then dial it back to smoke? Should I purchase a pellet smoker tube (which I think I will anyway for cold smoking)?

Please let me know what I might be missing.

Thanks in advance!

Craig

Just to add a little extra to what SmokinEdge has already shared.
Quote from pg. 16 from your grills owners manual… https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0089/8737/7764/files/10512_VC1080PG1_manual_EN_FR.pdf?v=1601496041
Quote: The Smoke Setting on the Temperature Control Dial is the “Start Up” mode for the unit. The grill operates at the lowest temperature, without the fire going out… End quote.. So while your grill is on its Smoke setting, there will also be a flame in the burn pot. The flame is required to produce the smoke.

You never mentioned what steps/procedures you’re following to start you grill. Are you just plugging it in and setting your grill to your desired temperature? Give page 18 a good reading in your owners manual… AUTOMATIC START-UP PROCEDURE… FYI. After the Start Up procedures are completed, now Preheat your grill for 15-20 mins at 300* degrees. Doing this will bring your entire grill up to temp and will allow your grills PID Controller to have Rock Solid temps during your bbqs. After the preheating is completed, now set your grill to your desired temp.
I’ll say this, the owners manual could have been more clearer in its explanations. Page 14. recommends preheating your grill for a period of time in Hot and Cold weather…. Longer during Cold Weather, but it’s never mentioned again in the Automatic Startup procedures section on pg. 18 in the owners manual. I would just take a few minutes and give the owners manual a re-reading and I’m sure you’ll get everything all figured out. FYI.. While going over through your grills owners manual, it’s very much like the owners manuals from Louisiana Grills/Pit Boss Grills. Just an observation. I hope the info and tips help. Post back how everything works out for you on your next cook and Good luck.

__________________
Char-Griller 980 GF… Pellet Pro Austin XL and a few more mods... In SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[smokerjim]

Welcome to smf, personally I dont think you'll get the same smoke flavor from your pellet grill that you got from your electric, at least I dont, and the hotter you try and run it the less smoke you'll get, I would definitely get the tube. But even with the tube I find myself going back to my electric more, simply because I get better smoked results. But again that's me.

 

[schlotz]

Interesting general comments regarding pellet smokers. I have not used your specific model but I also began with an electric. I quickly migrated to using it with pellets in a separate tray vs chips as the smoke source. It worked quite well. A few years later I migrated to a pellet smoker after doing a fair amount of research. Not all pellet smokers are equal, BTW. There are those that prefer the heavier smoke flavor that a stick burner can provide but we like to be able to taste the meat we smoke along with the smoke. I do know some pellet smoker owners augment the amount of smoke by adding a smoker tube of pellets. Personally, I get great thin blue smoke from my equipment and have been satisfied with the results. What you've described sounds like it's just getting to know how your smoker works and R RCAlan has you covered. Keep at it, you'll find the solution and have some great eats to boot!