Hey all, trying to fix my recteq 590 smoker after it jammed after a rainy season. I'm unable to remove the pin connecting the motor to the auger because the U pin is pinned against the metal frame. I tried a clothes hanger and warm water to soften up the turd and no go. I'm sorta out of ideas. I emailed support but they haven't gotten back to me, any ideas how to remove the jam?
by WillisPoofin
12 Comments
a bent tent stake worked fairly well for me. still was a SOB to get done tho. i would chip away, vacuum out the debris and repeat. screwdriver maybe. blowtorch it for a bit to burn up. i had to cycle through some different techniques the few times ive had the do this.
You have a air compressor with a blowgun for it hit it with some air
My jam broke the shear pin at the motor so I was able to use a block and a heavy screwdriver to pry it out one twist at a time.
Based on what I’ve seen wood pellets do when they get wet, I’d try spraying the auger with water and let it sit. They should reduce back to saw dust. Obviously, unplug the grill first.
Mine did the same tried to spin.it and it broke the auger off. Couldn’t get it out so trash it went
Torch it and pick at it
There may be a panel with 4 screws over the auger on the inside of the smoker, before the fire pot. It is likely covered with ash. If you remove the panel, you may have easier access to clear the jam.
I had a jam on my Bullseye and had the same issue. First I removed the screw holding the white bushing in place. Then I took a pry bar and positioned it against the auger on the output side. Then used a small sledge hammer and banged on the pry bar until it pushed the auger back far enough to remove the locking pin. I had to bang on it a LOT. Then I had to bang on it some more to loosen the stuck material enough to pull the auger out.
Replace with a screw and a bolt. Much easier fix if this happens again. I gotta do mine like 2 times a year when I go through a streak of not using it over winter.
I had almost this same issue except my pin was rotated 180 degrees from where yours is. I eventually got it to rotate out by cycling on and off and it would rotate 15 degrees or so each time before stopping. Once it was parallel to the ground I was able to remove the pin and disconnect the motor. From there it took more elbow grease to get the auger out to clean it but that’s what worked for me.
If your somewhat handy- remove the cover- and the drive/. Grab a cordless drill and cut a metal clothes hanger- the center of the auger is open- you can use the clothes hanger as a drill bit to loosen the middle of the whole run- and hopefully at that point remove the white bushing and spin the auger out with a pair of vise grips.
You know, it’s funny you mentioned turd in your post. Soak the auger tube with water to soften the turd then a small drill-powered sink snake to roto-rooter out the auger. The small drill-powered sink snakes are self-centering, bend in tight pipes, and some are the perfect size to do the job. Try starting from the burn chamber end.