start up of FEC100

Are you using a ramp or pre-ramp model of the FEC 100?

Hog Heaven -- You should probably move this thread to the FEC Forum. On the Main Page of the website it's 3-4 sections down. Those folks will help you out.

Good luck!

I moved this over.

Definitely read the Owners Forum here. There is a post (several of them) about the same issue. Pot Overflow. You might see answers to some other questions.

Here you go:
Firepot Overflow

I'm not sure what you mean by pre-ramp vs ramp. My smoker is two years old next month, if that helps.

You probably have the non ramp.

If the auger feeds the pellets straight into the firepot,it is non ramp.

If the pellet feed goes over to a ramp,and slides pellets down the ramp into the firebox-it is a ramp.

Gotcha. I have a ramp model. I spoke with Tony on Friday and he suggested that I start the smoker on "smoke" since it has a limited time when it puts pellets into the firebox. I also saw a suggestion that instead of using the ignitor, that I could put a little gel start up in the firebox along with some pellets and let it burn for five minutes and then turn on the smoker. I will give it a test run this week and see how it goes. I was concerned because I have a competition this wekend and didn't want any malfunctions happening at the contest. I appreciate all the comments and ideas--keep em coming.

You don't have to use Gel. Just take a small handful of pellets and drop them down by the igniter. The issue is "delay". The igniter needs enough pellets to light, putting the handful in solves that problem. The old method was turn it on for 5 min. Turn it off and then back on (this resets the igniter).

I agree with Smokin on this one. While I do carry some gel as backup, I have never had to use it yet.

would you turn it on by setting it on smoke? In the past I have done the handful of pellets and by the time the fire started going, the firebox was full of pellets and that caused the excessive heat. Tony said that putting it on smoke to start would limit the number of pellets dropping into the firebox thus eliminating the buildup of pellets.

Yes, start it on Smoke. Tony is correct that by starting it on Smoke, there are fewer pellets being dropped than if you set it at say 225. And it does not need to be a big handfull of pellets that you drop in the pot. Just a small handful should be plenty. Sometime when you are vacuuming out the firepot and the unit is cold, reach down in the pot and feel where the ignitor is. This is where you want the small handful of pellets to go when you drop them in.

Keep in mind that on the IQ4 there is a 3-4 minute lag from turning the unit on to when the ignitor lights up to start the pellets.

Thanks John and Okie for the great advice and quick comments. I will let ya'll know how it goes this weekend at the cook-off. By the way John, I was just in your neck of the woods earlier this month. We drive to Florida every summer for vacation and I have family in St. Pete. Thanks again.

Please call or email me next time so we can get together.

Will do. I always enjoy meeting others who labor over and love bbq. Will warn you now that I have six children who are all carnivoresand who love to help at contests.

No problem. My teammates and I cook for about 200-300 kids each year for a charity event for All Children's Hospital.

I look forward to meeting you and the family.