Pellet consumption seems high

[rwhapham]

I have a Gen 2 EX4 that I got just before Thanksgiving. It's running software version 1.4.2783 and controller version 0402. I've also removed the pellet ramp and finger guard, and have put a gasket around the three contact sides of the lid. I've not really done a long-ish cook on it until today, so I really haven't had much prior to base my observations on. But I'm about 7 hours. into a pork butt that I've been doing at 275F. I filled the hopper almost completely before I started, so I'm guessing near 20 lbs. of Weber pellets. Based on what I see is left, I doubt that it'll last beyond another 2 hours. Ambient temps have started in the high 40's and have now hit 70, so I'm not fighting against the cold. Seems to me like it's going through fuel at a fast rate. Certainly enough to make we worry about doing an overnight cook; though I certainly wouldn't be doing that at 275. Any thoughts or insights?

 

[ROCKEWEHARD]

My EX6 definitely seems to eat pellets fast...granted I've really only done the burn in at 450-475 and some testing as the controller seems to have an issue but compared to my Traeger it seems hungrier. Note: The Traeger is only a 22.

Trendkill BBQ just did a side by side with his EX6 and a Grilla Grills Silverbac...Chuck Roast cooked at same temps and times...both with full 20lb hoppers. EX6 burned like 75% of pellets...Grilla burned hardly anything. Grilla is fully double walled and 304 Stainless so i guess it holds heat better. The Grilla was smaller and a betterr comp would have been the EX4.

Once my new parts arrive and i can actually use the thing ill check real usage for myself

 

[ftank47]

I agree...I don't own another pellet grill to compare it to but I was a little shocked at how fast it goes through pellets. I'm hoping that a software update comes out that reduces the consumption and in the meantime I'm trying to source the cheapest weber pellets I can find. There is a Lowes that has them 50% off but it's like the 4-5th one away, not really convenient by any stretch.

I follow Trendkill and saw that same video! He was a big reason I took the plunge on the Smokefire. It looked like that Grilla Grills didn't produce much smoke and it sounds like it didn't have as much smoke flavor either. So is that the tradeoff....more smoke flavor but more pellets burned??

I kinda figured running full throttle at 500+ would burn through pellets quickly but I'm not going to lie, I kinda wish at 225 we had similar consumption as that Grilla Grills. And if you needed more smoke then just use smokeboost right? Maybe we will get there....

 

[rwhapham]

Yeah, one can only hope that this might be something partially addressable through software/firmware. But it may just be what it is for the way the materials and mechanics of the grill were designed. I guess I had loftier hopes on the efficiency of pellet grills. If that's my biggest complaint, then I can live with it. And keep an eye out for local Lowe's to put bags on 50% clearance.

 

[AHoneyman]

If you want efficiency, here's your unit. Search for the thread "Pellet Joe - this looks interesting."

The Pellet Joe

 

[rwhapham]

If you want efficiency, here's your unit. Search for the thread "Pellet Joe - this looks interesting."

The Pellet Joe

Looks nice, but I wanted the all-in-one convenience of the SmokeFire. Knowing that it wouldn't necessarily be the best in any particular area. At least not without going up from an already somewhat steep price tag. It may be blasphemy around these parts, but I only wanted one grill sitting on my pack porch. I know, I know...get the torches and pitchforks.

 

[ftank47]

If that's my biggest complaint, then I can live with it.
[/QUOTE]

 

[rexster314]

Certain Lowe's have the Smokefire hickory pellets on sale at 1/2 off. Of course my local Lowe's isn't participating, but another store fairly close to me did have them 1/2 off

 

[MemphisBBQ]

I started to have them delivered rather than drive the 15 miles through the busiest retail section of town. Hit the deliver button and saw $75 fee. So I guess I'll set up free store pickup. This store also has grillmaster blend for $10.18 so I'll get some of those also.

 

[ftank47]

Certain Lowe's have the Smokefire hickory pellets on sale at 1/2 off. Of course my local Lowe's isn't participating, but another store fairly close to me did have them 1/2 off

Yeah my local Lowe's didn't have any. I checked online and there is one in my area running that deal, it's just not all that convenient for me to get to.

I just picked up a 40# bag of the Pit Boss blend for $15. They don't get the best reviews but they stock these 5 mins away. With most options in life, you get Cheap, Fast, and Good and you can only pick two. Let's see how this goes....

Cheap
Fast (to acquire)
Good

 

[Dassman5]

I have an ex4, so not a direct pellet consumption comparison...At 200-225F my unit burns 1.25 to 1.5 #/ hour, which will give me 10-15 hours on a bag. Since I do mostly long smokes for briskets and butts, that is perfectly reasonable and pretty much in line with the cost of briquettes and wood chunks for my WSM 22”.

I seldom use my unit for searing as I have Summit with a great sear station for that, and most other cooks in the mid-temperature ranges are fir 4-6 hours maximum where I estimate I am using up to 2# per hour. I just figure pellet consumption is all part of the cost of a good meal.

 

[rexster314]

I've been hitting the 1/2 off sales advertised. Bear Mountain has a BOGO sale going on right now, Lowe's as mentioned. I hit a Cabela's last week that had BOGO also. My normal go-to is the B&B pellets at Academy. 20# bags go for 9.99$ everyday, and their 40# bags of pellets are around 15$, along with Pitboss blend 40# bag for 15$ as well. Hard to beat when the stuff is in stock.

 

[MojoBones]

I have an ex4, so not a direct pellet consumption comparison...At 200-225F my unit burns 1.25 to 1.5 #/ hour, which will give me 10-15 hours on a bag. ...

For what it is worth, I am running an EX6 and am seeing about the same rate as well ( with similar usage pattern) with no great discernable difference between brands of pellets.

 

[rwhapham]

I should have given more thought to the fact that this thing is just a fancy wood/charcoal grill where outside temps and wind can have a big affect on keeping the pit at temp. Since the OP, I did some chicken thighs on a cold windy day, which seemed to eat through pellets even for the 2 hours I smoked then. But then ribs the next day for 5 hours with munch nicer temps and no wind and pellet usage was pretty minimal in comparison. I should just be impressed it does what it does.

 

[SupportKing]

I have a Gen 2 EX4 that I got just before Thanksgiving. It's running software version 1.4.2783 and controller version 0402. I've also removed the pellet ramp and finger guard, and have put a gasket around the three contact sides of the lid. I've not really done a long-ish cook on it until today, so I really haven't had much prior to base my observations on. But I'm about 7 hours. into a pork butt that I've been doing at 275F. I filled the hopper almost completely before I started, so I'm guessing near 20 lbs. of Weber pellets. Based on what I see is left, I doubt that it'll last beyond another 2 hours. Ambient temps have started in the high 40's and have now hit 70, so I'm not fighting against the cold. Seems to me like it's going through fuel at a fast rate. Certainly enough to make we worry about doing an overnight cook; though I certainly wouldn't be doing that at 275. Any thoughts or insights?

Now that it has been a few updates since this post, have you noticed the fuel consumption any better? About how many lbs per hour are you using and at what temps? Thank you in advance for your reply!