SmokeFire Won’t Start

[SteveSpy]

Do you have another method to ignite the pellets in the burn pot? You might try that but I am betting the burn pot needs cleaning. If the burn pot is OK contact Weber technical support. They helped me with my heating issue last November/December.

The burn pot has been thoroughly cleaned now multiple times. I'm going to swap out the glow plug and see what happens. This is the last resort before contacting Weber customer support.

 

[JpsBBQ]

The auger is feeding pellets for sure. Now that I thoroughly cleaned the burn pot and tested it and it failed, I'm going to take a good look at the auger, the chute, and the spoke pot to ensure the pellets are being dispensed properly but my suspicion is that it is the glow plug.

The glow plug is real easy to test. Start the grill and put your finger near but not on the plug. If it’s working it will be very hot. You will feel it. If not it’s not working. That simple.

 

[SillyRabbit]

Go ahead and contact Weber, they have excellent support. They will take good care of you and quickly.

 

[Goneincognito]

The auger is feeding pellets for sure. Now that I thoroughly cleaned the burn pot and tested it and it failed, I'm going to take a good look at the auger, the chute, and the spoke pot to ensure the pellets are being dispensed properly but my suspicion is that it is the glow plug.

So visually the glow plug is not heating up (getting red)?

 

[SteveSpy]

I’m such an IDIOT!! Stupid pellets were bridged!! I shook them and all of a sudden they all sunk down, and now I cal clearly see that this was my issue because the glow plug was red hot and is definitely NOT in need of replacing…

 

[Goneincognito]

Glad you got it sorted.
Do you still have the finger guard in?

 

[SteveSpy]

What the Hell???!!!! My whole porch is in smoke!!?? HHHEEEELLLLPPPP!!!!

 

[SteveSpy]

Alright I’m back to normal. I shut it down in the middle of the smoke show and then turned it back on and it’s back to normal.

 

[Goneincognito]

Alright I’m back to normal. I shut it down in the middle of the smoke show and then turned it back on and it’s back to normal.

But did you know what the issue was?
Also... Do you have the finger guard in still?

 

[SteveSpy]

What’s a finger guard? I’ve had the smoker for a year this was my first bridging issue…

Glad you got it sorted.
Do you still have the finger guard in?

 

[Goneincognito]

What’s a finger guard? I’ve had the smoker for a year this was my first bridging issue…

Bottom of the hopper where the pellets go into the auger there is a guard to stop you from putting your hand in the auger. Take that out as it causes bridging.

 

[JpsBBQ]

Pellet grills get very Smokey during the start up. That’s normal.

 

[OGauge4Me]

The auger is feeding pellets for sure. Now that I thoroughly cleaned the burn pot and tested it and it failed, I'm going to take a good look at the auger, the chute, and the spoke pot to ensure the pellets are being dispensed properly but my suspicion is that it is the glow plug.

I had the problem where the temp would climb up to around 280 then back to 190 then up and back. It turned out the be the auger and the chute. Working with Weber Tech support fixed the problem for me. I have a Gen 2 EX6

 

[JpsBBQ]

I had the problem where the temp would climb up to around 280 then back to 190 then up and back. It turned out the be the auger and the chute. Working with Weber Tech support fixed the problem for me. I have a Gen 2 EX6

Huh. I would not have ever guessed that one.

They are the experts. They hear about all the issues and nuances.

 

[SteveSpy]

Weber support suggested a firmware update. It’s done. Two successful grills since then. Fingers crossed…