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6 replies

I Can Use Some Help!

FM Former Member
Well, the good news is I finally sold my Lang 84, ordered an FE-100, it arrived yesterday and I set it up tonight. I'm either have a problem or I don't know what I am doing (strong possibility on the latter). I followed the curing instructions, filled the hopper, plugged the unit in, found that pellets were dropping immediately, reset the burner switch (Is that the one with the temp markers on it? Did not find a main switch referenced in the operators manual - if someone will contact me from CS I will volunteer to help write an owners manual, typeset it and prepare it for printing) and waited. Soon started billowing white smoke, after about 10 minutes the temp started rising - went to 80, then 75 and sat there for about 5 minutes - all of a sudden had torch like flames and in a minuted or so the temp was at 300 (switch set at 180. The fan was still blowing. I thought this didn't seem right. Turned off burner switch. Flames continue to burn in burner pot. I'm watching it. Any danger that it will burn up into the auger? OK - there you have it. Any comments or suggestions? I'd be grateful. Thanks for help. Lane
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FM Former Member
Lane,

Fire it back up and let it burn for thirty minutes or so. Without being there, it's hard to know what happened, but it sounds like you built up a few too many pellets in the fire pot. With the thermostat set on whatever temp you want, it will eventually even out. If the fire continues to rage for more than 30 minutes, shut it down. Your new pit will chug along at temps from 180 to 450. One tip: If you are running the pit at high temps, turn the thermostat down for ten or fifteen minutes before shutting the unit down.

Rod
FM Former Member
I agree with Rodney, try that and let us know.

There was a different version of this problem but the smoker would shoot up into the 400 degree range.

There is only one switch. The temp setting/dial with the degrees on it. You might call CS Customer Service and mention the wording of the manual being confusing, Main Power vs. Burner Switch. Always helps to give them feedback.

Smokin'
FM Former Member
Everything turned out just fine. Rod, I think your thought that there might be too many pellets was correct. After a while it settled down. I know from reading other posts that there seems to be no relation between the temp markings on the switch and what actually happens. I also have noticed that the digital readout seems significantly different than what my polder shows. I haven't had the time to map it yet, so it is kind of fun knowing that there could be some challenge in smoking with this unit. I don't want to have to work too hard (boy am I thankful the Lang is gone) but I would like to exert some manly manifestation by sitting by the smoker and observing. I'm hoping that my neighbors will think my caffiene free diet coke looks like a beer. (Wait a minute, I'm in Utah and I don't drink - so I guess I'll be ok without the beer.) I will call Cookshack and offer a few suggestions - the manual should measure up to this great smoker. Thanks for the help. Lane
FM Former Member
SmokinD,

I too did a double take when I read "Turn on the main power, then set temp to blabla"

I think where they are coming from in the owners manual is this: "Main power" would be whatever you have it plugged into. Cookshack doesn't assume you have it plugged into a garage outlet..they just figure whatever you have it plugged into..inverter, separate circuit with a switch..is considered "main power"

Its very possible that the reason pellets started dropping immediately is that somebody tested your auger at the factory and it already had pellets in it or the temp you set it on was higher than 180 to begin with. Whatever the case I am glad it all worked out. There is a post called "Temperature mapping" in this forum by SmokinOkie. It provides valuable info.

Temperature Mapping a CS/FE100
FM Former Member
Just a final note. First, I really appreciate the comments given concerning the problems I was having. I talked to the folks at CS today about some concerns - particularly with regards to the Operating Manual. I'll post any subsequent information when I learn more in the near future. Thanks again everyone for your interest. Lane

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