Its 4am and fire out again! I think I'm done....

XTex - I have to think that there's a traceable cause to this situation. Not being privy to your conversations with CS customer service, I'm thinking it's a faulty igniter...since you've addressed the wind/weather factor by way of the vent cap.

I'd be very, very frustrated with this situation. The FEC is designed to provide you a good nights sleep. Rest assured, Cookshack will resolve this one way or another.

Check your PM (private message box)

Good luck getting your PB's and briskets done in time for the game.

Max, I don't think it would be the ignitor as that only comes on at the start of the cook. My own opinion is that it has something to do with the variable rate draft fan not working properly.

But we will leave it up to CS to take care of the problem.

Texan,

Not sure how long you've owned it but there is a guarantee with the Smoker. If you really want to return it, then talk to CS.

Me? I wouldn't give up. SOMETHING is causing it. It's not a normal confidition and ALL new products have that initial period where it either works perfect or it doesn't.

I'm with John, I think it's airflow. Once the pellets are lit, there shouldn't have to relit.

I think it's your covering the exhaust. I've seen more problems by people WITH a vent pipe than without.

You could be getting a backdraft which is causing the fire to have ozygen issues.

I'd take the vent completly off, face it away from any wind and see how it works.

Thanks Smokin I appreciate the help/ advice. The only problem w no pipe at all is wind direction change. I put the meat on yesterday and the wind was was from the west. Last night it had changed directions and was a slight breeze from the east. So my reason for buying this was not to have to worry about it once I put the meat in.it sounds like w no pipe at all I would just be praying that the wind doesn't change direction. I am noticing the fire out problem when it's at around 200-220 degrees. I hope CS can figure something out because the unit does a great job.....when it's lit.

quote:

Originally posted by RibDog:
Max, I don't think it would be the ignitor as that only comes on at the start of the cook.

That would be correct. Just got off the phone with XT and we discussed some causes and fixes. He's been using an end cap at the end of his elbow. I suggested he nix the end cap and just try with the elbow.

Update...I have been out of the oven and back on the fec since 830 am and things are great. The difference is I have been smoking about 20 degrees hotter. So it must be something to do with cooking at 220 or less??Just to be clear I have had the fire go out With and WITHOUT a cap, just elbow. Thanks MaxQue for your help it was good talkin to ya.

XT,

Just thought I would throw out there that I have had FEC100s now going on eight years. During that timeframe, I have never used anything attached to the exhaust. I do use a Maverick remote smoker therm to tell me if the temp goes outside a high and low limit that I set. If it did that because of a wind change, I just turn the smoker and go back to sleep. Just wanted to share some of my own experience with them.

The problem is if I am sleeping how do I know there is a wind change? I thought about taking the elbow off last night but my fear WAS a wind change so I left it on. It definitely has something to do with lower temps 210 or less. After my last update I went from 240 to 200 and came back out and the unit was @ 128 ughhhh...so I will call CS tomorrow and see what they say. ALSO! The auger makes a clicking sound from Tim to time....tiktiktiktik. So not sure if that has something to do with it?

Texan,

Cook without the cap. Don't worry about the wind for now. We need to see if everything is working.

FYI, the only time I had wind issues when in Oklahoma, blowing 40 MPH straight up the vent with the old Traeger controller.

If you think about old stick burners, I'm pretty sure you're choking off the fire somehow with your vent/cap configuration.

Let's problem solve and see that everything is okay with the unit, without a vent/cap THEN figure out the right solution if you still need one.

Update....turned the smoker on (no meat) set at 180 without the elbow or cap. I was pretty excited for about a half hour then I saw my Maverick was at 163. Ok no biggie I thought it was trying to adjust. The problem is it is now holding steady @ 207?? The temp on the unit is very close to my Maverick. So is it possible that something is wrong with the unit? I have never cooked without something on the exhaust. Could the smoker be trying to adjust to that?? I don't know how "computerized" these units are.

I tried to put an exhaust on my FE with no luck. I even tried just the 90 degree elbow and no stack but it just couldnt get up to temp. Restricted flow I guess. Cooks fine with just the stock exhaust and no add ons

Texan,

You need to put times with your temps. The smoker will ramp up and typically overshoot the temp then settle down. Key is what is the average temp.

I would turn it on, let it run for HOURS and see what it is each hour or maybe each half hour.

Stuck auger? Is the pot full of pellets when the fire is out?

Or with you saying it has something to do with temps. I'd be inclinded to say it may be a bad ground. the fan is regulated by the ground.

Another update/ observation:
I did a test run as Russ suggested.I really don't think there are any problems until I open the door while the smoker is at low temps. I need to ramp up the temps first, especially if there is a wind. I talked to Tony from CS and he said my temp fluctuation ( from test run) is probably due to a lack of meat in the unit.I put the elbow back on and the temps seemed to
level out better for some reason?? The only
time The fire went out was when I went from
250 to 180 back up to 250. I know this is not
a normal situation, but I was experimenting. I
basically watched as the fan and pellets smothered the fire.
For me the biggest thing I learned was RECOVERY. You guys taught me to: use a spoon to empty a full pot, I always vacuumed the pot, not good at 4am. I will have my Mavs set for high and low temps, so I can sleep until there is a problem (hopefully not). I will have a torch on hand so
recovery is fast and I don't have to worry about re - setting or re-starting.
My two fire out situations on Sat-Sun.were: low temp, opened the door w a wind and 4am I had a cap on which I think smothered the fire at low temps. I saw no difference in performance using an elbow or nothing at all but I will keep the cap off.
Hopefully I (WE) figured out the problem. The smoker ran for 7 hours with no problems.
Thanks again for all your help!

-Will

Glad you're getting more info.

That's a challenge, ANY new smoker will have issues and a learning curve.

You're correct, going high/low/high on temps might create a problem because if the temp/fire is low enough and it dumps new pellets, then you could get a smother situation.

One thought (new one) might be to add a handful of pellets before you jump the temp up. You want those pellets to light, not smother, then up the temp.

Russ

i got a question what pellets are you using and are you sure they are completely dry?

Are you back? If so, welcome back. Glad you're safe. And thank you.

I like the handful of pellet idea. I am using Cookshack pellets, stored in my garage.

I put an elbow and cap on my FE 3 years ago mainly to keep the sparrows out. I don't take it off when I cook and I have never had a problem. I smoked 16 butts the day before the Super Bowl at 224. Outside temp dropped to zero overnight and wind was blowing cause I have a 1 foot drift in front of my garage. Put them in at 4pm cold...rotated them at Midnight...pulled and foiled at 8am...put them in coolers and delivered them to the Super Bowl Parties at 11am.