Cleaning the burn pot? How often?

[PEF42]

Had a flameout the other day starting the SmokeFire. Have had the grill for 1.5 years, changed the glowplug once, and assumed it went out. I actually vacuumed out the burn pot - restarted it, and it worked! Bottomline - how often should i be vacuuming out the burn pot?

 

[Goneincognito]

Clean it out every time you use it.
Only takes a couple of minutes and gives you a chance to inspect for any wear or damage which can cause a whole other set of issues down the track.

 

[JpsBBQ]

Couple times a year here. Maybe do around 200+ cooks per year and I clean mine a couple times per year. Individual mileage may vary.

 

[TimA]

I went through 3-4 months of heavy use and never cleaned the thing. Zero issues. Hell I didn’t do so much as cleaning the grates; throw meat on and go. I did this intentionally to see what issues I had.

Not a single one. I personally see no reason to clean the pot as it’s just ash left

 

[MrPhilGrillTX]

I just knock that pellet ash turd out with the nylon cleaner thing. Sometimes I even scrape the ash out into the tray.

 

[bbqking]

I haven’t cleaned mi e for probably 4-5 cooks. Before I cleaned every one or two cooks.I’ve had no issues at all with not cleaning it. (Cleaning as in vacuuming it out)

 

[PEF42]

Couple times a year here. Maybe do around 200+ cooks per year and I clean mine a couple times per year. Individual mileage may vary.

Thanks for this info. With 200 cooks a year- how often have you changed the glow plug?

 

[PEF42]

I went through 3-4 months of heavy use and never cleaned the thing. Zero issues. Hell I didn’t do so much as cleaning the grates; throw meat on and go. I did this intentionally to see what issues I had.

Not a single one. I personally see no reason to clean the pot as it’s just ash left

I’m with you. I’m curious - only Weber Smokefire pellets?

 

[JpsBBQ]

Thanks for this info. With 200 cooks a year- how often have you changed the glow plug?

Never. Going on two + years now.

 

[JpsBBQ]

I’m with you. I’m curious - only Weber Smokefire pellets?

You can develop a carbon nugget as described by others. I’ve personally found one the last time I cleaned mine. It can cause failed starts. Certainly takes a little while to form one. How long, I couldn’t say.

 

[PEF42]

Never. Going on two + years now.

And never changed the glow plug ONCE? only weber smokefire pellets?

 

[JpsBBQ]

And never changed the glow plug ONCE? only weber smokefire pellets?

Yeah. The plug should last years. If
It doesn’t it is likely shorting out due to bad connection. I noticed when I installed mine that it took a bit of force to actually get it snapped in. I thought it was in for a second and went back at it again and realized it wasn’t. I use the Weber pellets cuz I figure that’s what they intended. I’m sure you can use others, but I like them anyway.

 

[TimA]

I’m with you. I’m curious - only Weber Smokefire pellets?

Nope. I usually grab Green Mountain pellets, but I’ve tried a handful of others. That’s the fun part of pellets, is trying different blends to see who offers what.

 

[Bruno]

I’ve only used Weber pellets, I vacuum my grill every 3-4 cooks and will Sri kntaht in the fire pot. I bought a small shop vac just for the grill.
I am also on my first glow plug. I’ve had it since day one when they shipped. I probably have not done 200 cooks but I’ve put a lot of hours on mine.