Skip to main content

24 replies

Winter Cooking FEC100

Replies sorted oldest to newest

J jjhacker (Guest)
Sounds like you may have gotten moisture in the pellet box. I have used my 100 at 10 above zero and once started it works great. I don't recall temp issues.

I would consider removing you pellets in the hopper and insure that the inside of the hopper is completely dry and then put new pellets in and the try again.

Hope that this might help
John
FM Former Member
Thanks I think the heat was back drafting up though the pellet and dripping down on the pellets. I have never had this sweating problem before till I put the cap on the exhaust to keep the north wind from blowing in the exhaust. I will try the stove pipe and keep all posted. By the way smoke was coming out (very little) around the pellet box lid. Lenny
FM Former Member
I cooked 2 pork butts on mine last night. The exhaust was facing north as we had a south wind when I started. About 0530 a cold front came through and wind switched to NNW and gusty. I had to take down the EZ UP as it was trying to lift off but for the smoker all I did was turn the 90° elbow to face east and it purred right along. I don't have any kind of a cap on the elbow, just open. By the last hour it was running 330° to get the butts done.
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by sawyer39560:
NaughtyNurse do you have any sweating inside your pellet box on the lid? THKS

I didn't look while I was cooking, but just went out and checked and it does look like there was a little moisture that ran down the insides of the hopper. I'll have to pay attention next time I cook.
FM Former Member
When you add a vent and cap you're changing the airflow.

AIR has to get to the fire to increase the pellet burn. The insulation is enough to deal with any temperature, so if you're only getting 220, then something is off.

Either the fan isn't blowing air, or pellets aren't dropping or you're chocking off the air. I'd remove the whole vent and test it to see if that's the issue.
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by sawyer39560:
... By the way smoke was coming out (very little) around the pellet box lid. Lenny


That happens, and it's not a bad thing. Smoke will find the easiest way out and up the auger is easy especially if you block off the vent. Same way moisture would get up there.

Make SURE if you get moisture in the pellets to remove them. If they expand and dry again, you'll get PELLETCRETE and that's not a good thing.

Russ
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by NaughtyNurse:
quote:
Originally posted by sawyer39560:
NaughtyNurse do you have any sweating inside your pellet box on the lid? THKS

I didn't look while I was cooking, but just went out and checked and it does look like there was a little moisture that ran down the insides of the hopper. I'll have to pay attention next time I cook.

Sawyer, I cooked last night and it was 35° when I started and 25° at dawn. I checked my pellet hopper and it was completely dry.
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by jjhacker:
I have cooked at 5 above zero on my FEC100 with no moisture in the pellet box. Also use an elbow and 1 3 ft section, and a cap for the pipe. No problems. Pipes are same size as the outlet.

John
jjhacker: I have done the same but have not smoke yet. I got a lot of sweat on the bottom of the lid but did not have the three foot piece but do now. Thanks for your note. Lenny
J jjhacker (Guest)
Lenny
Sounds like you have moisture coming from somewhere. I store my 100 outside but it has the CS cover on it when not in use. I also had to bring it into a heated garage to get warm enough to start. Control panel would not work outside with the cold. Do you have a place where you can bring your cooker inside to warm and dry out? If so Suggest that you also empty out your pellets.

John
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by jjhacker:
Lenny
Sounds like you have moisture coming from somewhere. I store my 100 outside but it has the CS cover on it when not in use. I also had to bring it into a heated garage to get warm enough to start. Control panel would not work outside with the cold. Do you have a place where you can bring your cooker inside to warm and dry out? If so Suggest that you also empty out your pellets.

John
John I keep my out but have CS Cover and it is well protected under a Roof. I am hoping after talking with Tony at CS by adding the three foot pipe this will solve the sweating problem. In the past all I have was the 90 degree elbow and wind top. I am going to uses only the elbow and the pipe. If that does not work then I will go back to nothing. Just have to move it around to keep the wind out. Thanks Lenny
FM Former Member
Well, I'm not convinced by the 3' pipe. In another thread there is an issue AFTER adding such a long pipe.

1. How does it cook without the pipe? Are you achieving the set temps? One of your posts said you couldn't get up to temp. Are you now?

2. Moisture. It HAS to come from somewhere, that's what you have to figure out. I've kept my "home" FEC outdoors for 5 years and only a cover. I use a rain cap ONLY when the winds are over about 20 or so (the vent faces south). I've NEVER had moisture or failure to come to temp.

3. Fans. Check that the fan(s) are running. Depending on the model you may have one or two. If one of them isn't running, then you won't have enough air.

4. Pellets. They may be getting moisture somewhere. What brand? I don't see how moisture can form on the inside of the lid (and how much is it anyway). If the heat rises up the auger into the pellet hopper and the hopper is warmer than the outside air, then condensation will form. I'd just keep the cover on it full time. If that doesn't work, maybe insulate the top fo the pellet hopper. But I don't see an issue with a little amount of moisture, you'll have to decide.

Summary.

1. Not sure the moisture is even an issue
2. If you're not getting up to temp, then it's air and that's what we need to help you with.
FM Former Member
I certainly am not an expert since I have had my 100 for about a year and a half. The 100 does get used almost every weekend and at comps.
1. It sits outside on the North side of my house, under a covered deck.
2. It is covered with the CS cover
3. I use a 90 degree elbow, facing down…..most of the time
a. At comps, under the canopy, we put a longer pipe on it to vent outside the canopy. I will either go straight out or turn with the assistance of another elbow.
b. There is always an elbow facing down.
4. I have used a wind/rain cap before, going up, but that is a real pain.
There have not been any temp issues, even when it is single digit temps outside. Further, no condensation has formed. Every once in a great while, smoke will be in the hopper, but that is rare.
The fire pot is cleaned out after every cook.
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by SmokinOkie:
Well, I'm not convinced by the 3' pipe. In another thread there is an issue AFTER adding such a long pipe.

1. How does it cook without the pipe? Are you achieving the set temps? One of your posts said you couldn't get up to temp. Are you now?

2. Moisture. It HAS to come from somewhere, that's what you have to figure out. I've kept my "home" FEC outdoors for 5 years and only a cover. I use a rain cap ONLY when the winds are over about 20 or so (the vent faces south). I've NEVER had moisture or failure to come to temp.

3. Fans. Check that the fan(s) are running. Depending on the model you may have one or two. If one of them isn't running, then you won't have enough air.

4. Pellets. They may be getting moisture somewhere. What brand? I don't see how moisture can form on the inside of the lid (and how much is it anyway). If the heat rises up the auger into the pellet hopper and the hopper is warmer than the outside air, then condensation will form. I'd just keep the cover on it full time. If that doesn't work, maybe insulate the top fo the pellet hopper. But I don't see an issue with a little amount of moisture, you'll have to decide.

Summary.

1. Not sure the moisture is even an issue
2. If you're not getting up to temp, then it's air and that's what we need to help you with.


SmokinOkie First I would like to thank you for helping not just me but others. I have read alot of you comments and they make good sense. I am thinking about putting some paper towel above the pellets to catch the sweat from getting into the pellets. I live in South Mississippi were the humidity is heavy. Thanks again for all your help. Lenny
FM Former Member
Hey, just happy to help that's why I do it, I LOVE BBQ.

You spent good money on the smoker, we need to help you out. I just want to get you to SMOKING ASAP.

I'm thinking if you lined the top of the hopper with something safe (don't want insulation dropping) it might solve the problem.

Hadn't really heard of this issue so I'm solving it as we go.

Shoot, I could be getting moisture too, but I've never noticed.
FM Former Member
quote:
Originally posted by SmokinOkie:
Hey, just happy to help that's why I do it, I LOVE BBQ.

You spent good money on the smoker, we need to help you out. I just want to get you to SMOKING ASAP.

I'm thinking if you lined the top of the hopper with something safe (don't want insulation dropping) it might solve the problem.

Hadn't really heard of this issue so I'm solving it as we go.

Shoot, I could be getting moisture too, but I've never noticed.
Thanks again I will report after the next Smoke. Lenny
mike4258mike4258Registered Old Fart
Welcome to the forum, from another Mississippi guy. I envy your FEC 100, I bought my Amerique in early October and I have really enjoyed it! Of course AFTER I had gotten the Amerique, I told my wife I really wished I had got the FEC and she asked why I had not..... I thought I had pushed the envelope getting the Amerique... Sigh, go figure... LOL.

There are a great bunch of folks on the forum who love to help each other!
FM Former Member
Got my new Christmas rib racks CS. So I could not wait till Christmas smoke. Put the stove pipe on (three foot above the elbow) and started the smoke. My sweating (on the inside lid of the pellet box) problem is over. Well the ribs took about six hours at 230 degrees. Six ribs slab top shelf. Rotate half way. Next time will lower to next down shelf till I find the right heat and up the heat 250 degrees. Was not happy with the finish. That is my fault for not placing the ribs in the rack so the heat would cover the outer surface of each rib. The ribs were touching each other which would not finish to the quality look was spotty. Part was finish and because they were touching were lighter. Thank God for the dishwasher to help cleaning the rib rack. Thanks for the help on the sweating problem. Lenny
J jjhacker (Guest)
Glad things are working out with the moisture. You must be cooking lots of ribs to use the rack. I have only used my racks 2*, Otherwise I just lay them flat. Think you solved the big issue. don't let the ribs touch. Also if this is your first pellet smoker, you may see a difference in appearence. Still the best.

John

Add Reply

Post

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×