Smokeboost Flame Out

[Dassman5]

I am not sure how SB works. It is half way between light and out. A smolder like that may require the relight function using the glow plug.

There are a lot of variables that come into play when trying to keep a smoky fire going at low temperature, including the delta between the outside ambient temperature and the fire, wind/blower air, humidity and, in the case of the SF, the condition of the firebox (that is the accumulation of ash and unburned pellets.

Consider trying to control an open fire going at, say 170F under windy, humid or high ambient air temp of 95F. Effectively you are trying to feed at a rate to control your fire at less that 80 degrees above the air...a tough challenge. No so much when it is 40F outdoors and no wind and low humidity.

I often use the Smoke Boost function and have never had a problem with it providing I make small incremental set point changes when entering and exiting that function. However, since I find that I get enough smoke flavor running at 200 or 205, that tends to be my default low set point for most smokes.

Certainly a “constantly-on” glow plug could help solve the problem, but glow plugs are high current, low voltage devices that are not designed to operate for extended periods, and they would require frequent replacement.

 

[AHoneyman]

I agree. I am finding that 200-225 degrees are fine. Particularly since I have positioned a grease pan directly under the temp probe which blocks air flow from the fire box. Now the hot air must migrate around the large drip pan. I am still testing but I think I like it. But the SB function is about gone with that mod.

 

[Dassman5]

Like you, I use a grease/ water pan on virtually all smokes. Yesterday I smoked an 8# bone-in butt with the first three hours at 205F before changing the set point to 225F until wrapping and the finished at 250F.

I took this photo at the end of the low temp smoke, and it had already developed a good bark. The finished butt ( sorry forgot to take a picture as it was time to eat) ended up with a great bark and plenty of smoke flavor.

 

[AHoneyman]

Dassman5, I was sitting here looking at your picture and got one of those thoughts. Is your SF a X4? How long are the vents? My X6 has 6 inch vents (3 of them). I was wondering if a difference in venting makes a difference between the X4 and X6 performance. That would require a change in the PIDs.

 

[Dassman5]

Dassman5, I was sitting here looking at your picture and got one of those thoughts. Is your SF a X4? How long are the vents? My X6 has 6 inch vents (3 of them). I was wondering if a difference in venting makes a difference between the X4 and X6 performance. That would require a change in the PIDs.

You could be on to something. My ex4 has run flawlessly — with the one exception of a software download glitch, easily rectified— for approaching a year and 90 some Cooks/smokes. I never paid much attention to the ex4 vs. EX6 issue until now, but I have noticed that there seems to be more issues/ complaints with the bigger brother.

Assuming that both units have identical software and hardware downloads, it is possible that this might be the source of the issue...just speculation{

 

[Ryand82]

I had also a flameout twice with the smokefire. Never used it after that again lol

You and me both. 1st time I caught it and was able to clean out the extra pellets. The second time it dumped pellets all over the bottom of the grill and then it ignited. Big inferno
I am afraid to use mine now