Just got my SmokeFire EPX6

[JpsBBQ]

The wire insert is NOT an interference with operation. It does not, I repeat, does not, hamper pellet feeding.

Guys will convince themselves of almost anything.

Absolutely wrong. Pellets will bridge even without obstructions. Any, and I mean any, physical barrier no matter how small will and does compound this phenomenon. That is why they moved the pellet guard to the top of the hopper on the new model. I’d remove that one too because the safety guards are totally unnecessary and are a result of corporate lawyers and some moron that sued 15 years ago.

I’d leave yours in place though. Enjoy.

 

[MrAhmerGamer]

Well since this thread is off track, I will contribute to the off-tracking. I removed my hand guard on my gen 2, used only Weber and Lumberjack pellets, kept my pellets dry, I live in So Cal, plenty dry here, haha and I continually had pellet build up. It was my number one complaint with my SmokeFire. If I didn't smooth out the pellets by hand, I would get a low fuel message and it would hold up the cook. Can't see how leaving it in would be a non factor. Although from my experience, it didn't matter.

Would love to hear some more feedback from OP on the new version. Makes me wonder what is up. Dude posted and went dark. There is almost nothing out there on these new grills yet, he could almost go viral lol.

 

[TimA]

I will reiterate: the guard does not impede pellet feeding. You guys convince yourself whatever you like, it’s a myth

 

[JpsBBQ]

I will reiterate: the guard does not impede pellet feeding. You guys convince yourself whatever you like, it’s a myth

The designing engineer responsible for the wire guard? You all decide.

 

[Goneincognito]

I will reiterate: the guard does not impede pellet feeding. You guys convince yourself whatever you like, it’s a myth

So was the moon landing but you probably believe that too.

 

[TimA]

Is this your guys’ first rodeo, or do we just like running our mouths on the internet, liking each other’s posts?

Now, pay attention boys. Maybe you don’t look at hoppers a whole lot, but there are COUNTLESS insert designs. From wire inserts that drop in, to wires bolted to the sides, to perforated sheet metal, to some high and some low in the hopper. And not a goddamn one of them produces this mythical bridging issue. You two knuckleheads probably subscribe to the lube trick on the slide, or the vibrator (really, I’ve seen this), or whatever other gizmo to prevent bridging because by god, that’s the issue you’ve convinced yourselves is the one.

Bridging is absolutely a by product of the design...you have one long shallower side, and a short, steeper side, and the feed rates of pellets are not the same inside the hopper. The shallow side feeds more laterally than the steeper side. This, and ONLY this, causes the bridging in Smokefire.

Almost every other hopper on the market is a symmetrical square, where the feed rates are identical. It doesn’t take an engineer to understand this very basic principle. The inserts, nearly all of them across all pellets on the market, are changed in an effort to reduce end user removal. News flash fellas: manufacturers don’t typically like their stuff messed with, regardless what it is.

Now, go grease that slide and turn your vibrator to high

 

[Goneincognito]

Yup...
He believes in the moon landing.

Now, pay attention boy. This is not my first rodeo but it certainly seems like yours. You ran your mouth enough in that last post so we never have to.

You don't have to convince me that I'm wrong and I honestly wouldn't listen to you if you tried after the way you have been carrying on.

I'm guessing you still have yours in since you have such strong feelings about it and have had issues with bridging.
I have the finger guard removed (no lube or vibrators here) and even removed the insert Weber included in the GEN2. I have never had an issue with bridging (or anything else) in the 16 months I have been using the SF.

 

[JpsBBQ]

The square symmetrical hoppers experience bridging also. There are others with rear loading like the Smokefire (Memphis, rectec). There can be more than one factor, but the wire guard is definitely the greatest one.

After interacting with you I suggest you install a second and maybe a third guard down there by the auger. Space them out and offset them an inch or so. You need to idiot proof yours. It’ll work great.

Did you really leave your wire guard in place? Do you really even own a Smokefire? You stated earlier that you’ve had 2-3 bridging problems that ruined your meal. Sounds like you got this figured out .

I do agree that running you hand over the pellets is no big deal, but withe the wire guard in place, you may have to push them down kinda forcefully to overcome the bridge as the wire is pretty strong and can cause a pretty stout bridge. By the way, I check all my other four brands of pellet cookers too, they sometimes get hung up on the edges of the hopper and don’t feed properly too. It is just a good practice/habit.

I’m a huge fan of the Smokefire and it’s simple and effective design, but while NOT the only one with a rear hopper and short auger feed, they are the ONLY one I’ve ever seen with the poorly designed wire guard in or near the bottom of the hopper. Wonder why that would be? I wonder why repositioning it out of the pellet flow line was one of the very few changes they’ve made that aren’t aesthetic? Oh the mystery! Again I reiterate, go make up some other wire obstacles (I mean guards) and install them in yours. If you are correct, it will just be safer and work the same as it does without them. If your incorrect, I believe you won’t have to worry about sitting down as you will be continuously running you little hand over the pellets and forcing them through the wires to the auger. Sounds like fun! Enjoy the ride!

 

[Goneincognito]

To get back on topic...
Here is another EPX in the wild (not mine, it was on tvwbb).
This one has the silver straps also.

-

 

[bbqking]

Is that a mid size? Doesn’t look as big as EX6, but not as small as EX4

 

[Goneincognito]

Is that a mid size? Doesn’t look as big as EX6, but not as small as EX4

Its a 4. They have not introduced a new size.

 

[SloppySalmon219]

How's the performance been vs the ex

 

[Goneincognito]

How's the performance been vs the ex

Not mine.

 

[JpsBBQ]

How's the performance been vs the ex

The original cooker is the bomb and I’d expect nothing less from the newer model.