Butts gone bad

The only time I've seen this happen is when the fan (blower) stops working and the draft across the pellets lets the fire go out. This usually happens early in the cook and on the lower settings.

I always listen for the fan. Keep it oiled.

I've been playing with Traeger burn systems quite a bit lately and have a theory as to why flameouts occur. Momentary auger jams are not rare. A pellet binds the auger, and then breaks freeing up the auger. If this occurs at the right point of the run cycle and is of long enough duration, there aren't enough pellets deliveried to the burn pot to burn through the delay cycle. We had lots ot flameouts early on until we decreased the delay time on the controller.

Candy Sue has been telling us to smash our bags of pellets on the concrete to break them up. From what I've observed, the long pellets are often the cause of these momentary auger jams. So drop those bags on the concrete. Second, she also says to not just dump a bag in the hopper. This dumps all the fines in the bag into the system. Scoop them in.

Greoge at Traeger says that cresote builds up in the end of the auger tube (applys to the direct delivery, not ramp models). This build up can slow or even jam the auger as it heats up. He suggest cleaning the auger tube every two years, but given the burn times on a smoker vs. a grill, I would think at least an annual cleaning.

Flameouts will be rare since a combination of events have to occur to cause them. I believe breaking up those long pellets puts the odds even more on our side.

I have seen flameouts when running at 180 or smoke setting. Only started noticing it when I did a brisket cook while at work. Put the meat on at 5am and did not check it until 6pm that night. When I arrived home, there was a fair amount of smoke coming out of the exhaust, temp was at 195. When I opened the door, the firepot was only smoldering, but within a couple seconds it burst into flames and all appeared to be ok.

I talked to Tony today at Cookshack. Ordered new seal.
He said that it could be the fan or air going in the vent pipe.
I don't think it was a vent problem, I'll have to watch the fan and all the other reccommendations from you guys.
Thanks for the reply's.
Lee

Saw the title

Butts gone bad and couldn't decide if it was the title of a BAD movie or what.. Maybe a horror flick..."when good butts go bad" or some others I can't go there.

Just a little laugh on Monday.