HELP! Slick Tape?

SmokeDaddy · Oct 25, 2022

Hello, I am fairly new to this group, and am really appreciating the collective wisdom found here.

I just bought a Gen 1 EX6 with the Gen 2 mods (steeper hopper ramp, new auger and chute) uninstalled. I see some of you have tried a slick tape on the hopper ramp with some success. I am reluctant to install the steeper ramp, with its reduced hopper capacity, if I am still going to get bridging. So far, my longest cook has been pork steaks for about five hours. I was nearby to move the pellets around. However, I would like to do a brisket at some point, so the bridging (and/or reduced hopper capacity) will be a bigger issue if I am in bed ; )

Does the slick tape idea work? If so, any experience with PTFE vs UHMW? The UHMV looks a lot slicker and is more abrasion resistant, but does the hopper get above 180 degrees? Has anyone measured it?

Should I just install the Gen 2 ramp?

Thanks in advance.

JpsBBQ · Oct 25, 2022

The biggest key is to remove the wire guard directly above the entrance to the chute. Pellets will still eventually have some cavitation, but all pellet grills do. I’ve had no issues that are out of the normal pellet grill monitoring. I’ve done several overnight cooks and find that at the lower temps the burn rate on mine allows plenty of time.

Enjoy!

abmet · Oct 27, 2022

JpsBBQ said:
The biggest key is to remove the wire guard directly above the entrance to the chute. Pellets will still eventually have some cavitation, but all pellet grills do. I’ve had no issues that are out of the normal pellet grill monitoring. I’ve done several overnight cooks and find that at the lower temps the burn rate on mine allows plenty of time.

Enjoy!

100%

SmokeDaddy · Oct 29, 2022

JpsBBQ said:
The biggest key is to remove the wire guard directly above the entrance to the chute. Pellets will still eventually have some cavitation, but all pellet grills do. I’ve had no issues that are out of the normal pellet grill monitoring. I’ve done several overnight cooks and find that at the lower temps the burn rate on mine allows plenty of time.

Enjoy!

My understanding is that the EX4 does not have the same issue, as the chute is steeper than the EX6. I did remove the wire guard a month ago, and the pellets still stop sliding. Perhaps the low and slow will be fine. Would still like to hear from teflon tape users.