clouds of smoke?

I also did my first big cook this weekend Brad. I noticed the same thing as you. So I'm guessing it's supposed to do that. Right folks?

My unit is used and when it would start smoking I noticed some smoke coming out of the upper left hand side of the door. It wasn't pouring out and it didn't seem to affect the temps, so I'm assuming it's ok. Is it?

Rick

Hey guys,
The excessive smoke is probably because the thermostat has just kicked more pellets into the firepot because it sensed the temp dropping.
I wouldn't worry about it.
As for the smoke leak around the door, your door could be warped a little or a gasket isn't sealing completly. Either way, don't worry about it. Our door is bowed towards the middle and leaks a little smoke, but it won't affect the temp.
One of the things I had to learn about the FE is that once you get used to it, to relax and let it take care of itself. I put my butts & briskets on at midnight, and go to bed till 6 am
with it on 180 Degrees. A friend told me he was up & checked the FE a couple of times dring the night & it was dead on @ 180 degrees.
don't worry... be happy

I was just worried that it wasn't burning clean and I would end up with some bitter taste in the meat on a longer cook (i just did some ribs this weekend, so the cook time was short)

Brad,

If you ever get a bitter taste from a pellet cooker, it's the meat or the rub. These things just don't over smoke anything, even if the air is heavy.

Welcome to the dark side. Hopefully someone showed you the secret handshake. Oh, welcome to the real Midwest also!

Rod

P.S. - Ricky, your unit probably doesn't have a gasket. It probably isn't a demo, but instead a refurbished unit that was built early on.

Rodney, my FE was purchased new by the Whoop-de-Que gang less than 2 yrs ago. So it ain't that old!

Rick