New Canadian smoker

[Puckdodger]

Hi all,

I'm from Oshawa Ontario just started smoking this summer when my kids got me a vertical charcoal smoker for Father's Day then I ended up finding an EX6 at Lowe's for half price. I thought I got lucky, but I am having poor luck so far. It won't stay lit. The glow plug gets hot and it fires up but doesn't consistently keep going. I couldn't get Weber pellets so I got Pit Boss Competition blend. I've tried to connect via the app but no luck yet. It's too bad because I don't have confidence to plan any serious meals yet.

Any tips?

How has the customer service from Weber been?

Thanks for any input

 

[DutchieCooks]

I used the pitboss blend before. Didn't like them at all.

Don't know what you actually mean about the glow plug is it only lights up to start the pellets and will go off when the pellets are burning...

 

[Puckdodger]

Basically the first time I tried to light it, for seasoning, it smoked for a couple minutes then stopped and gave an E6 Code. Cleaned it all out and then tried again and it worked. The next night i lit it to cook a chicken and some jalapeno poppers and it went out after it got up to like 325. Cleaned it out again relit and it finished the cook perfectly.

 

[AHoneyman]

I would make sure that all of the software updates have been done. Then a couple of power cycles (proper startup and shutdown). And then give it a try. And make sure that you have the welded chute installed. PB pellets should not be a problem other than feeding through the wire mash designed to protect your fingers. That can be removed (not take out all of the screws at once).

 

[Dassman5]

Basically the first time I tried to light it, for seasoning, it smoked for a couple minutes then stopped and gave an E6 Code. Cleaned it all out and then tried again and it worked. The next night i lit it to cook a chicken and some jalapeno poppers and it went out after it got up to like 325. Cleaned it out again relit and it finished the cook perfectly.

The first thing I suggest is to uninstall and reinstall both the firmware and software using your phone (with the latest version of Weber Connect installed) via pairing with Bluetooth.

Second, using your assembly manual (also available on line at Weber) make certain that the firebox and its cover as well as the slide are installed correctly.

Third, remove the finger guard from the bottom of the hopper as it can cause bridging and improper feed to the auger, which could lead to fire failure. This seems to be a bigger problem for those using non-Weber pellets.

Fourth, check to see if you have the old two piece auger and gasket installed. If so, contact Weber and ask them to send you the new one-piece auger assembly.

Fifth, if you can get one, plug a second ambient air grill probe into one of the probe ports and place it in the unit during a cook and keep an eye on what is happening compared to the permanent probe.

if these steps do not work, you may have a defective control board, and need to talk with Weber support to get a replacement. Unfortunately, a lot of the dealer assembled units were incorrectly put together, and has caused both owners and Weber a lot of aggravations.

 

[Puckdodger]

Thanks for the quick replies. I will take a look at all the suggestions try to take advantage of Weber tech support. I have revision F augur, which I think is the "good" one.

 

[Bruno]

I’d check and make sure the glow plug is properly installed as well.

 

[sntwilliams]

The first thing I suggest is to uninstall and reinstall both the firmware and software using your phone (with the latest version of Weber Connect installed) via pairing with Bluetooth.

Second, using your assembly manual (also available on line at Weber) make certain that the firebox and its cover as well as the slide are installed correctly.

Third, remove the finger guard from the bottom of the hopper as it can cause bridging and improper feed to the auger, which could lead to fire failure. This seems to be a bigger problem for those using non-Weber pellets.

Fourth, check to see if you have the old two piece auger and gasket installed. If so, contact Weber and ask them to send you the new one-piece auger assembly.

Fifth, if you can get one, plug a second ambient air grill probe into one of the probe ports and place it in the unit during a cook and keep an eye on what is happening compared to the permanent probe.

if these steps do not work, you may have a defective control board, and need to talk with Weber support to get a replacement. Unfortunately, a lot of the dealer assembled units were incorrectly put together, and has caused both owners and Weber a lot of aggravations.

I cannot stress how important all of the above steps are. Having spent the very first part of my working life in retail, I'll never trust anything put together in a retail store ever again.

The BILT app is a great tool for double-checking the assembly!

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[bbqking]

I’m not a very mechanical guy. My wife puts most of our stuff together. My EX6 was already put together when I got it. But having worked in construction...I did have to use some common sense. Enough about me. My first thought is glow plug. I’ve read of guys using a small hose clamp to keep them grounded because the original connections are kind of cheesy. Oh, and welcome. Great place to pick up tips and advice. Good luck.

 

[Bruno]

I’m not a very mechanical guy. My wife puts most of our stuff together. My EX6 was already put together when I got it. But having worked in construction...I did have to use some common sense. Enough about me. My first thought is glow plug. I’ve read of guys using a small hose clamp to keep them grounded because the original connections are kind of cheesy. Oh, and welcome. Great place to pick up tips and advice. Good luck.

When I change my glow plug I’m going to do the hose clamp trick

 

[Puckdodger]

Thanks for everything, I updated the software through the Weber app, put a hose clamp on the ground, made sure lots of pellets were available. It got up to 60 degrees then I got an E6. I'm ready to take a break, I'll have to call Weber and see what they say.

 

[Dassman5]

Thanks for everything, I updated the software through the Weber app, put a hose clamp on the ground, made sure lots of pellets were available. It got up to 60 degrees then I got an E6. I'm ready to take a break, I'll have to call Weber and see what they say.

Could be any of a number of things, including either: (1) A defective glow plug that does not get hot enough to start combustion, or, (2) A bad temperature sensor that is not feeding the correct difference between actual grill temp and set-point or, (3) a bad 24 volt DC transformer that is not supplying sufficient amperage to the glow-plug to establish a stable ignition cycle or, (4) A bad control board, or (5) A bad fan interface with the control board or, (6) A defective firmware/software communication issue.
None of these are insurmountable issues, and a competent Weber tech should be able to help you troubleshoot.

None of the above should be attributed to today being Friday the 13th 2020!

 

[Puckdodger]

I may have it working this time, like an excited newbie I didn't realize I should power cycle it a couple times. It updated the firmware and software are both current. Just smoking some sausages to see how it works when there is no pressure to deliver a gourmet meal lol thanks again for all the tips and pointers.

Smoke on!!!

 

[Bruno]

Good luck eh!