Pellets in the FEC

I clean out the pot, but leave pellets in the smoker and leave the cover on. Never had pelletcrete.

Mine both are outside in FL rain and humidity,so I empty-if I don't plan a cook.

Teammate,Ribdog,has both under small screened porch and he leaves them full.

Never a problem.

Mine is outside, but Covered with the CS cover. I have always left pellets in the hopper. Never been an issue. As you can see from the thread I started the other day, I just had my first snafu. Pellet clogging was the first thing I thought of, but that wasn't the issue.

I clean the pot after every use, and refill the hopper. It lives outside and has the cover on it. I've not had a problem in the 16 months I have owned it.

Used to leave them in the hopper, stress "used to"

Had the FE100 for 5 years and always outside with FE cover. A year ago after sitting with pellets for a couple months it was like concrete in the auger. Spent 2 hours chiseling it out and luckily it still works fine.

The issue I think with leaving the pellets is the loose dust that settles and in my case must have gathered moisture.

Mike
I am in Gautier MS and only emtpy the hopper if I won't be using the smoker for several weeks. Try not to get the powder in the bottom of the bag in the hopper. Do clean the firepot or you will have problems.

Welcome to the forum Gator Q!! Yeah, I bought a small 1.5 gallon mini shop vac JUST for the FEC. I vac the fire pot out after each cook.

Got to get me one of those 1.5 gal shop vacs. And buddy, it's staying right in the living room where I can walk out the back door and vacume the FEC and NOT have to drag the big 12 gal one half way round the house from the garage. It might just make a nice little end table next to my easy chair! Welcome Gator!

quote:

Originally posted by Chaplain Bill:
Got to get me one of those 1.5 gal shop vacs. .... It might must make a nice little end table next to my easy chair! Welcome Gator!

Bill,

That would be ONE SHORT end table!! These things are small but powerful. They actually come with a wall mount loop that the vac can sit in. I paid less than $30.00 at Lowe's.

Mine has been outside covered for over 3 years. Never had a problem and I always keep the hopper full. I vacuum the fire pot, change the foil on the drip pan and sweep off the bottom after every cook. I love it. I also loved the Brisket sandwich I just had. 16 pounder for 22 hours at 206 fat side down UNTRIMED. DON'T TRIM THE FAT. I keep hearing people on here trimming the fat. First time I tryed the lower and slower. I may just go back to 220 for 15 to 17 hours as the point seems to stay a little juicer.