Turned it on today! Everything works but hearing element not. Am I missing a step or what's my next move?
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Do you mean FEC 500? If so, the ignitor might be bad. People with FEC100's sometimes use a propane torch to light the pellets, not sure if you can do that with a 500.
So there is only electic to it. The heating element under the pellets doesn't seem to be heating. You say there is an igniter as well? Does it have to have x amount of pellets on its table before the infniter comes on?
So now that I've found the owners manual duh! So the therory is light the pellets the smoker does the rest?
I personally don't have an FEC, I'm sure some of the other guys will pop in soon with their fist hand knowledge. But yes, the ignitor/heating element lights the pellets, the auger will continue to deliver more pellets based on the temperature you have set. The burning pellets provide the heat and smoke.
you can light it manually by turning it on then putting a handful of pellets in the pot and lighting with some fire-starting gel.
CS can probably get you a replacement ignitor as well.
CS can probably get you a replacement ignitor as well.
Welcome Sidecar,
For the 500, there are two pots, so I'd be shocked if both of them have gone out, might be something else.
Yes, the only heat source is the pellets themselves. There is an electrical plug at the bottom of the firepot. First clean out the pot, looking for any old ash that has compacted around the ignitor.
IF it is covered with ash, that may be your problem.
IF it is NOT covered, then you'll need an ignitor.
The good thing is you don't "have" to have an ignitor. I know people that always manually start their smokers once the ignitor goes bad. Starter jell like Nordy says or a blow torch (works for me). Once you have a solid fire, then you'll be okay.
There are a # of lessons from other owners. The main difference is to learn the differences between the 500 and 100's.
For the 500, there are two pots, so I'd be shocked if both of them have gone out, might be something else.
Yes, the only heat source is the pellets themselves. There is an electrical plug at the bottom of the firepot. First clean out the pot, looking for any old ash that has compacted around the ignitor.
IF it is covered with ash, that may be your problem.
IF it is NOT covered, then you'll need an ignitor.
The good thing is you don't "have" to have an ignitor. I know people that always manually start their smokers once the ignitor goes bad. Starter jell like Nordy says or a blow torch (works for me). Once you have a solid fire, then you'll be okay.
There are a # of lessons from other owners. The main difference is to learn the differences between the 500 and 100's.
If you need help trouble shooting call Cookshack we can help figure it out.
Don't worry too much about the ignitor. I have actually cut the wires to my 500 I use in the restaurant. It allows me to remove the fire pots occasionally and clean out the fine pellet ash dust that falls down there. I use a Benzomatic cane torch and the disposable propane camping bottles to light the fire pots. Been doing it that way for the last year on both my 500 and 100.
My ignitors work on my 500 but sometimes when I leave the smoker doors open too long while removing butts the fire goes out and I just light the pots back with a propane torch.
I am sure the ignitors will fail someday. Is it hard to replace them? It is handy to just push the start button to fire the 500 up.
Thanks,
Mike L.
I am sure the ignitors will fail someday. Is it hard to replace them? It is handy to just push the start button to fire the 500 up.
Thanks,
Mike L.
Thanks guys, Finally got it home and now to test the cooking aspect of it. Seems to be tons of smoke. One of mt concerns is that it'll be too smokey. Any thoughts?
I've NEVER heard anyone say their FE was too smoky.
Get it going and once it stabilizes, you probably won't see much smoke, it's just that ramp up period as it tries to get it up to temp.
Get it going and once it stabilizes, you probably won't see much smoke, it's just that ramp up period as it tries to get it up to temp.
I would have to ask a few questions.
At what temp is it smoking so much, while it is coming up or after it hits temp?
If it is while it is coming up to temp. When you open the door up on the fire pots, are they blazing, or just a small fire?
If it not blazing, open up the side panel were the fans and the pellet feed motors are located. Are both fans working. I had wire to break on mine, and it was doing something similar to what you describe. Both fans should run at the same time, as well as both feeds for the pellets.
RandyE
At what temp is it smoking so much, while it is coming up or after it hits temp?
If it is while it is coming up to temp. When you open the door up on the fire pots, are they blazing, or just a small fire?
If it not blazing, open up the side panel were the fans and the pellet feed motors are located. Are both fans working. I had wire to break on mine, and it was doing something similar to what you describe. Both fans should run at the same time, as well as both feeds for the pellets.
RandyE
Just a little FYI. Got off the phone with "Packer Backer" Dave in Boise. He had to cancel an order because his FE100 kept tripping the ground fault. Over the phone we narrowed it down to a grounded hot rod. He took it out of the mix and everything worked. I remember Fast Eddie suggesting I put double pole single throw switch in line with the hot rod. That way you can fire up but take the ignitor out of the circuit when cooking so it can't trip the ground fault or blow a fuse. Seems that had happened to him.
I did this on my two Traeger COM200s and my FEC100 and never had a problem after.
I did this on my two Traeger COM200s and my FEC100 and never had a problem after.
After temp, I figured when coming up to temp it may be more than necessary. My biggest gripe about most BBQ is too much Smoke on the product.going to order new pellets "mesquite" and go from there the trial will commence soon