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So, XTexan posted a question, I thought I'd start a thread so we could post a little troubleshooting. Feel free to add and I'll add it to the top post (sort of all in one spot).

add your own lessons learned here
I'll start:

What to do if:

Your fire goes out?

Let's say you've been cooking for a while, and you look in and your fire has gone out. What now?

1. Do you have power on the system? If not, check the power and troubleshoot that. Note. During initial start up and COLD weather the display may not show; doesn't mean no power.

1. Are there pellets in the pot and not burned? So, the flame/fire went out. Could be that the fire was choked off. Think air and heat. If air doesn't get to the fire, it will stop. Do you have a flue/stack. Take it off. Are the fans running (turn it on and check to see they are blowing)?

a. Turn it off, turn it back on. See if the ignitor will kick back on OR you could manually start it (I use a blowtorch). You might need to clean the burnpot out. Be CAREFUL, there will be hot embers in the bottom.

2. Are there no pellets in the pot? The either the pellet hopper is empty (it does happen) or your auger isn't turning. Watch the end of the auger, with the power on and see if it's turning.

I'll add more, just wanted to start the thread.
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CLARIFICATION

NOTE. I want this to be a sticky thread with a list of topics to help people resolve issues. I do not want it to be a "bring your problem here thread".

Each owner should list a new topic so that we can help you one on one, most issues have some unique problem for us to diagnose.

After a few more adds, I think you'll see the idea.

We need to list things like.

How to reset the high temp switch

what if my display doesn't show

what do I do if the temp doesn't get up to the set temp.

There are most.
OK, here's one:

If Your Switches Don't Work

As others have noted elsewhere, the FEC works just great in cold weather, but sometimes when the temp is below freezing, the switches to set the time and temp won't work properly until they warm up.

Warming them up gently will make them work again. Some people have used a heat gun or hairdryer to warm up the control panel. (I would be very careful with a heat gun. They can get hot enough to melt the control panel.)

I found something that is safe and effective: microwave heat packs.

Forget the tools and power cords. Just put it one in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, then lay it on the FEC panel for a couple of minutes. Your switches will come back to life. Once the FEC is up and running, there is enough residual heat from the smoker to keep the switches running thoughout the cook.

If you don't have any hot packs handy, you can get one using this link. This pack is big enough to cover the whole control panel: http://www.amazon.com/Vesture-...16Z0G/ref=pd_sbs_k_2

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