Anyone have ideas on why the auger on my pellet grill keeps catching fire? I kept getting smoke in my hopper and found that it was caused my my auger catching fire. I've cleaned the fire pot, replaced the induction fan, auger motor, ignitor, controller and RTD. I've replaced the pellets I was using ( thinking quality of pellets was causing sawdust. I've used trager and bear mountain pellets with the same result. Also found that smoke coming through the auger was making the pellets fall apart, amplifying the issue by creating sawdust. I've pulled the auger and wire brushed it, nothing seems out of normal. One thing I though could cause auger bind is the auger motor kinda sits at the end of the auger and isn't secured, so I tried leveling it and got the same results, any ideas
by InvestigatorSoft3990
8 Comments
We Need Your Help!
We’ve noticed that recent changes in Reddit’s algorithms have made it harder for original content (OC) communities like ours to get the visibility we used to enjoy. This shift means that posts and comments aren’t getting the attention they deserve.
By voting on and commenting on posts, you’re not only helping others but also boosting the visibility of your own posts. Your engagement is crucial, not just for r/PelletGrills, but for all the wonderful niche communities like food, crafts, art, and culture that thrive on original content. Even a simple comment like “This would fit X sub” can make a big difference.
Together, we can support and uplift our entire community. Let’s keep the positive vibes and delicious smoked meat content flowing!
—
It’s working: https://i.imgur.com/EU1Y5GO.png – Concurrently more users are viewing r/Pelletgrills, keep up the votes and comments and thank you to everyone who’s helping us stand out.
—
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/pelletgrills) if you have any questions or concerns.*
The look of the fire pot looks fine. What does it look like when you start it up with the grates and diffuser plate all removed? I would try to start it up with it all removed and see if the fire pot ignites the firepot properly. The firepot should look like it’s feeding pellets slowly and the fire roaring. Another question, have you had your fans removed since? I have seen a fan reinstalled in reverse direction.
I have read that the amount of pellets being fed can affect that but I don’t know what controller you have.
Good luck
Sorry, not trying to hijack this thread but I saw a few posts like this. Is it common for the auger to be directly over the heating rod? Mine is above the entire fire pot assembly at an upward angle and drops in.
Is this only when shutting down? Or during your cook as well?
Make sure the vents are clean for proper airflow
I have your answer, pellets got moist, degraded, may have even crumbled, making a trail from your igniter to the box. Completely empty your hopper, then take a yard blower to it to get everything out of the corkscrew section. This will fix ya problem.
I just had the exact same problem on a Traeger. Are you sure there’s nothing wrong with the fire pot? Mine had a hole caused by rust and apparently that allowed enough “extra” air in there that it caused the pellets in the auger to catch fire.
It looks like your heating rod is too exposed. I’m not sure if this will help the problem, but I recently replaced the hot pot on my Traeger (I know, different manufacturer) and the replacement instructions indicated it should only be exposed by 1/4” to 3/8”.
Alternately, check the chimney on it to make sure it isn’t plugged by anything, forcing the hot air back through the auger.