FEC Auger Problem

The auger turns like that when the smoker is up to set temp. I'm guessing that you do have it at the correct cooking temp and the internal thermometer is clean?

Set it for 250, but after 1/2 hour it only got up to 74. Worked just fine about a week ago when it was 15 outside.

Who knows, I might be the only moron that smokes in below freezing temps.

Let us know what Bill/Tony says. Wish I could help.

Sorry I can't help with the FEC, but hey sign me up in the moron club, with my AQ.

I had a similar problem. Temps were off by 25-30 o most of the time. The cause in my case was a faulty control board, which was replaced.

Other things I was told to check for.
Check the bottom of the pellet bin for dust build-up. Disconnect the auger from the motor. Check for pellecrete in the tube assembly. Check the auger leading edges for wear. Rounded edges may cause insufficient pellets. Vacuum the tube and the plenum housing around the fire pot. Check the lower 120 mm fan. Is it running and revving rpm's when in operation? Check the auger motor fan. It should start and stop whirling as the auger turns.

Once you've eliminated those possible trouble spots, call Bill or Tony if you're still having an issue.

Good friend of mine was having the same issue. He took a air compressor gun and shot air down the auger (after emptying the big of pellets and letting the auger run).

Blew a LOT of sawdust out of the auger.

Ran like a champ after that.

Well I think I found the problem. Burned out auger motor. Took it out applied power to it... Dead as a door nail.

I think the tan covering that looks like it's melted is supposed to be white.

Any idea why it would burn up? Didn't see any pelletcrete anywhere. Stuck a small screwdriver into the shear pin hole to try to turn the shaft and it won't budge.

I guess tonight's smoked meatloaf will have to be put on hold.

What temp did you smoke that at?

Sorry, couldn't resist!

I had a chunk of wood in a bag of pellets I missed once and it got in the auger jamming it up. Was lucky it didn't fry the motor but I was out there right after it happened on start up.

Only time I've ever seen that (knock on wood) in about 30 tons of pellets. Not sure how the chunk got in there but it was about 3" long and a little wider than a pencil. It was pinched pretty good but the motor couldn't quite get it sheered off.

quote:

Originally posted by Joe M:
What temp did you smoke that at?

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Guess I shouldn't have gone hot & fast on that one. I thought the INSIDE is supposed to get hot, not the outside.

I couldn't find it @ CS Parts Site.

FOUND IT @ CHARCOALSTORE: ~$100 with s&h.

http://www.charcoalstore.com/p...k-PV518/CH-6606.html

(They are an authorized Cookshack Distributor)

Yep. Already ordered from there. On the Cookshack site it's listed under the FEC500/750.

http://www.cookshack.com/store...tor-Model-FEC500-750

quote:

Originally posted by AndyJ:
Any idea why it would burn up? Didn't see any pelletcrete anywhere. Stuck a small screwdriver into the shear pin hole to try to turn the shaft and it won't budge.

Did you check the auger blade edge for pitting? Maybe a small stone worked its way into the pellet during bagging.

Andy, I'd recommend going to walmart and buying a cheap one of these sifter and use it to sift the dust out and to look for any funny looking objects. I've found plastic and foreign objects in my pellets before.

quote:

Originally posted by cal:
Andy, I'd recommend going to walmart and buying a cheap one of these sifter and use it to sift the dust out and to look for any funny looking objects. I've found plastic and foreign objects in my pellets before.

I use a plastic colander.

on blowing the dust off of pellets, I use my little 2-gal shopvac that I have on standby next to the smoker to vacuum out the firepot. I put it on blow and blow a stream of air across the pellets as I'm pouring them into the hopper - all the dust blows away.

Never had any foreign objects or elongated pellets in my BBQ delight pellets, nor cookshack pellets which came with the smoker.

On the auger, Andy, I'm sorry for your loss. I had a problem with my auger a month ago, that I never posted due to business. The weld broke and the center shaft on the auger was spinning but the corkscrew piece was setting still. Luckily I had a spare and was up and running in no time. Also, it must have been this way for a while, as I was hearing the auger motor labor for a couple of smokes before the old auger broke and it does not labor at all with the new one.

anyway, glad you got it fixed.