PIT BOSS 700

[MJB05615]

I am getting smoke coming backup out of the pellet bin. I have cleaned everything out completely.

The auger is clean and moves freely. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[BKING!]

1.Is the fan running like it should?
2.When you open it up is there a lot of burned pellets in the auger leading to the hopper?
3. Does it normally do this? If no, was it extra windy that day?

If these points check out then you should be okay. Some smoke escaping through the hopper is ok. Smoke will escape wherever it can. If on the other hand there is some burnback into the hopper then that’s a major fire hazard.

 

[MJB05615]

THANKS FOR THE RESPONSE.

FAN RUNNING CORRECTLY.
WHEN I OPEN I ONLY SEE FRESH LOOKING PELLETS AND A LOT OF DUST/ASH FROM THE BURNING.

AFTER I TAKE IT APART AND CLEAN WITH SHOP VAC, IT USUALLY GOES 3-4 COOKING SESSIONS WITH NO ISSUES. TODAY WAS THE FIRST COOK I DID SINCE CLEANING LAST WEEK.

STARTED WITH NEW FRESH PELLETS INTO AN EMPTY HOPPER. 1ST 3 HOURS NO PROBLEM, THEN THE LAST 2 HOURS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOPPER, I HAD TO KEEP THE HOPPER LID OPEN, AND THE SMOKER LID OPEN TO MINIMIZE. I COULD SEE THE SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HOPPER. IT WAS A LOT OF SMOKE IN THE HOPPER, UNTIL I OPENED THE SMOKER LID THEN IT REDUCED SOMEWHAT.

 

[BKING!]

If the pellets look fresh and unburned in the auger tube leading to the hopper after a cook then there is no burnback to the hopper and you are good.

 

[MJB05615]

OK, SO THE SMOKE COMING BACKUP THRU THE HOPPER IS OK? AND I SHOULDN'T WORRY?
BUT WHEN THAT HAPPENS I GET MUCH LESS SMOKE IN THE COOKING CHAMBER.

 

[BKING!]

OK, SO THE SMOKE COMING BACKUP THRU THE HOPPER IS OK? AND I SHOULDN'T WORRY?
BUT WHEN THAT HAPPENS I GET MUCH LESS SMOKE IN THE COOKING CHAMBER.

If it’s an excessive amount I’d call the manufacturer. A little is fine. I didn’t know it was a lot

 

[MJB05615]

If it’s an excessive amount I’d call the manufacturer. A little is fine. I didn’t know it was a lot

PROBLEM SOLVED. AFTER 1 YEAR OF REGULAR USE, PROBABLY 30 + COOKS, I FOUND THAT THE AUGER FEED TUNNEL, WHICH IS MOSTLY HIDDEN, HAD BEEN CLOGGED WITH GREASE CLUMPED WITH SOME PELLET RESIDUE.

BUILT UP OVER ONE YEAR. HAD TO TAKE PELLET HOPPER ASSEMBLY APART, THEN REACH IN WITH CHANNEL LOCKS AND MANUALLY TURN THE AUGER BACK AND FORTH SEVERAL TIMES TO FREE IT, THEN RUN THE SMOKER WHILE TAPPING THE FEED TUNNEL REPEATEDLY TIL THE AUGER FED OUT THE CLUMPED GREASE MIXTURE.

2.5 HOURS LATER WORKING LIKE NEW. I'VE LEARNED 2 THINGS:

1. AFTER EACH USE, RUN THE BURN OFF CLEANING STAGE FOR 30-40 MINUTES NOT 10-15 LIKE THE MANUAL SAYS.

2. NEVER PLACE ANY MEAT OVER THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GRATE (this is the side the auger feeds from)
My guess this is where the grease came from over the past year. What an ordeal. I am truly grateful for your responses.
You gave me things to think over and further investigate.
Now I can put my MES 40 back into storage. LOL

 

[RCAlan]

I am getting smoke coming backup out of the pellet bin. I have cleaned everything out completely.

The auger is clean and moves freely. Anyone have any suggestions?

Here’s a good read for You that may help you with your pellet hopper smoke issue..
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/traeger-ptg-smoke-in-pellet-box.167308/

This is a problem that has occurred with other pellet grill manufacturers as well. Always shop vac your burn pot after every cook, shop vac the auger tube and the hopper after You first emptied it out as well. What brand of pellets are you using? I know Traeger pellets tend to have excessive amounts of “Sawdust” that can also contribute to your pellet hopper smoke problem. And always do a proper 20-30 min. preheating of your PB 700 at 350* degrees on every cook. Give the above link a good read and the above tips a try... If theses tips don’t correct your problem, then it’s a mechanical problem and I would most definitely call customer service for Support.

PB Austin XL in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[RCAlan]

I guess I was busy researching your problem and posting a reply when You finally figured out your grills problem. That’s good news and good read for others... After one year of cooking/bbqing a complete breakdown and clean out just might be in order... Or just do a complete cleaning after every cook. lol. I know, we never have the time for that. Glad to read your problem solved and keep on smoking/bbqing.

PB Austin XL in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[MJB05615]

Here’s a good read for you that may help you with pellet hopper smoke issue..
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/traeger-ptg-smoke-in-pellet-box.167308/

This is a problem that has occurred with other pellet grill manufacturers as well. Always shop vac your burn pot after every cook, shop vac the auger tube and the hopper after You first emptied it out as well. What brand of pellets are you using? I know Traeger pellets tend to have excessive amounts of “Sawdust” that can also contribute to your pellet hopper smoke problem. And always do a proper 20-30 min. preheating of your PB 700 at 350* degrees on every cook. Give the above link a good read and the above tips a try... If theses tips don’t correct your problem, then it’s a mechanical problem and I would most definitely call customer service for Support.

PB Austin XL in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

Thanks I will definitely read that link immediately. I'm interested in any and all info I can get.

I only use the 100% wood Cookin Pellets, usually hickory. I have heard the traeger brand do not work as well.

I now realize I have not been running it long enough AFTER I am done cooking. I never heated it up to 350 PRIOR to cooking, will do from now on.

I had been shop vac'ing everything after every 2-3 cooks, but will do after every one now.

I am not able to vac the auger tube vbery deep as there's little or no clearance from either side, any suggestions short of taking everything apart?

Thanks, you too are a wealth of info.

 

[MJB05615]

I guess I was busy researching your problem and posting a reply when You finally figured it out your grills problem. That’s good news and good read for others... After one year of cooking/bbqing a complete breakdown and clean out just might be in order... Or just do a complete cleaning after every cook. lol. I know, we never have the time for that. Glad to read your problem solved and keep on smoking/bbqing.

PB Austin XL in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

Thanks

 

[RCAlan]

Also, wet/moist pellets can clog the Auger assembly. Always removed the pellets from the hopper if the grill is not going to used within 24 hrs and store them in a air tight container. If possible, all Pellet Grill Owners should invest in a water proof grill cover and keep their grills in a covered area like a garage when not in use.

PB Austin XL in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[MJB05615]

Also, wet/moist pellets can clog the Auger assembly. Always removed the pellets from the hopper if the grill is not going to used within 24 hrs and store them in a air tight container. If possible, all Pellet Grill Owners should invest in a water proof grill cover and keep their grills in a covered area like a garage when not in use.

PB Austin XL in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

I didn't empty the hopper when not in use , for the first year, and had very few issues like this. I am now emptying it after every use.

I keep the smoker under a pavillion/gazebo with the pitboss cover it came with.