Hey everyone, I’ve finally pulled the trigger and got a grill off of Facebook after years of looking. Now that I have it, I’m overwhelmed with what to do next. As you can see it’s kind beat up and rusted but it turns on and works fine.
Do I need to clean off all the rust and repaint? How can I test how well it’s working without the probes that connect to it? What are some of y’all’s best tips for maintaining it?
Looking for any advice, thanks in advance!
by Jealous_Ad_382
21 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.*
Use it.
Clean it , you can sand off rust and paint with high heat spray paint if you want.
Make sure on startup you keep lid open .
Get you some ribs or something pork shoulder and fire it up
Turn it on and put something dead in it.
I have the same grill. I’ve had it for about 5 or 6 years now and it’s served me well. I think you’re going to be happy that you got it.
Cook meat low and slow. I have the 36” model. You will be very pleased if you take care of it.
Having the same grill, depending on the age, you will want to update the PIC controller board. To do this, download the CampChef app on your phone, then power up the grill controller and attach to it via bluetooth. check for updates.
Associate the grill to your WiFi.
With the pellet bin open, look down at the bottom of the bin, you should see the entry port for the auger that moves the pellets to the burn pot. Turn the dial on the controller and tell it to “feed”. You should see the auger slowly turn in a way that moves the pellets down. If its trying to move, but cant, then someone left pellets in the cooker and then it got wet (rain, sprinkler system, etc) You will need to disassemble the end of the grill with the hopper, disconnect the motor and then pop out the auger. When the pellets get wet, they expand like rice, but when they dry, they cement together. couple pops with a dead blow hammer on the end of the auger should break the frozen pellets. Pull the auger all the way out to clear the channel, reinsert it clean, reassemble. Then go through another test feed. Once you know the auger is turning, you are ready to test fire the pit.
My experience with this model, is that if the smoke is over 7, the temperature regulation is more difficult, and can vary as much as +/- 20 degrees. You also will not be able to “seer” in the traditional sense, but you can cook anything and everything on this grill. If you need the seer, pull the meat and either broil it in the oven, or hit it quick in a skillet.
Everything I have cooked on mine has been stellar.
Dont be afraid to try other pellets, but one thing to watch out for are pellets with a lot of saw dust. That saw dust is worse than the pellets at attracting moisture and turning into that wood concrete that locks down the auger.
Have fun! Its a great grill!
I’d probably make something in the oven.
Pulled pork
I would take the grill grates off and scrub down w some Dawn Power wash, remove and scrape the heat shield clean w a paint scraper and grill brush, use a shop vac to vacuum the insides out, re assemble, fire and get it nice and hot then back the heat down to 220 or so and then BBQ Baby. You should start with a pork butt or some 3-2-1 style ribs, hard to screw up.
Pork butt
Slap your meat in it
Great grill! Pork butt ASAP
The options are endless. Enjoy it.
Clean it, then do a break in and seasoning. Follow the mfg instructions.
Clean it. Make fire. Put in meat. Cook meat. Eat meat. Enjoy.
I have the same one, I’d give it a good cleaning with LA’s Totally Awesome, then a good 2 hr burn off at 400. Then refill the hopper and cook something
Smoke shit
Give it a good cleaning, then get it dirty AF
Grill