HELP! Smokefire Gen1

[Plastic67]

Hi All. Have had smoke fire pellet grill smoker now for about 4 years and only used about 6 times!! 4 when I bought it around COVID times and couldn't control it. Temp kept dropping, having to shut down start again etc then it just stopped. Left it till this year and managed from my local garden centre where I bought it to replace floor plug and thought great, here we go. I've used it twice no the times sorry and I've realised I have to go to it every 10 minutes or so to move pellets around as a void is created which I think is what was happening years ago. It's useless! If you have to constantly move pellets every 10 minutes then what's the point. Is there a fix for this as I'm thinking of taking it to a clifftop and wheeling it off!!!

 

[abmet]

If it’s original gen 1 make sure you get the upgraded chute from Weber. They used a two piece chute originally and eventually switched to a welded single piece and resolved a lot of issues.
For pellet voids take out the wire finger guard, I never had another issue with pellet voids after removing. Just remove one screw at a time since those same screws hold up the chute. Also I’d stick a rag in the chute in case drop a screw. Oh and don’t stick your fingers in the auger while it’s running.

 

[Plastic67]

Thanks for that. I think it's the void that's creating all the problems to be honest but changing the auger, will that improve things as well?

 

[How bout dem Os]

Let me start by saying that I don’t represent any company, this is just my experience.

I had the same issue with my second gen Smokefire. Pellets would bridge, temp drops, then the fun of cleaning out the fire box during a cook. I have tried several pellet types and found that some work better than others.

Brands that minimally bridge:
B&B - readily available, price competitive, very good flavor
Weber

Brand to avoid:
Kirkland - the extruded pellets are way too long

Brand that I’ve never had a problem with:
Lumberjack - FYI, I’ve also found that they produce better flavor than other brands.

Good luck!

 

[Plastic67]

Let me start by saying that I don’t represent any company, this is just my experience.

I had the same issue with my second gen Smokefire. Pellets would bridge, temp drops, then the fun of cleaning out the fire box during a cook. I have tried several pellet types and found that some work better than others.

Brands that minimally bridge:
B&B - readily available, price competitive, very good flavor
Weber

Brand to avoid:
Kirkland - the extruded pellets are way too long

Brand that I’ve never had a problem with:
Lumberjack - FYI, I’ve also found that they produce better flavor than other brands.

Good luck!

Thanks for the advice on the pellet sizes. I'll see which ones are available in the UK, cheers

 

[abmet]

Thanks for that. I think it's the void that's creating all the problems to be honest but changing the auger, will that improve things as well?

I would get the new welded chute if you don’t have it. Helped with temp issues. But the finger guard definitely caused pellet void issues for me and others.

 

[BrettJA]

Hi All. Have had smoke fire pellet grill smoker now for about 4 years and only used about 6 times!! 4 when I bought it around COVID times and couldn't control it. Temp kept dropping, having to shut down start again etc then it just stopped. Left it till this year and managed from my local garden centre where I bought it to replace floor plug and thought great, here we go. I've used it twice no the times sorry and I've realised I have to go to it every 10 minutes or so to move pellets around as a void is created which I think is what was happening years ago. It's useless! If you have to constantly move pellets every 10 minutes then what's the point. Is there a fix for this as I'm thinking of taking it to a clifftop and wheeling it off!!!

I'll sell you my grill