Dumpster today had this next to it. I've never owned a pellet anything as I've been team coal+weber kettle since birth. It doesn't look that bad for being next to a dumpster.
I googled the hopper/fan motor/control board prices (not sure if it even turns on) and it seems like worst case I spend $40-120 getting it to turn on.
Any cleaning tips before I try and clean it up and test it? I'll probably scrape it down and dry clean it as best I can and disassemble before I plug it in. Are these things worth fixing if they are borked?
Thanks in advance fine smoked meat friends.
by Grockssocks
5 Comments
IMO it’s not worth $120 b/c if you wait you may be able to find a better smoker on CL or FB for around that. But that depends on your location, of course. I was given one of those Z-Grills for free and it’s really flimsy. Also the hopper is really small so you’d have to refill it for long cooks.
However, if it mostly works and you just have to replace the hot rod it may be worth the $10-$15 just to try it out. That means it turns on, the fan works, the auger works, etc.
Plug it in and see if it lights and holds temp.
Clearly it had a massive grease fire but other than the paint on the lid and chimney being torched it looks like it is in good condition and may not need anything.
Worth scrapping. Get a new one that holds more than a half pound of pellets.
If it works scrape off paint on inside and repaint with high temp paint if it’s peeling. I would use it if it works, would basically be free with a little bit of labor
They aren’t terribly complicated. I’d fix whatever is broke and run it after a cleaning. I wouldn’t bother with the cosmetics. It’ll never be the same unless you’re a pro.