A recent firmware update for the 1250 looks to have fixed my “smoke pop” issue. I read some update notes somewhere where they mentioned startup in cold temperatures as I was experiencing at the time.
Feedback and tickets opened by users like us helps them roll out fixes like this.
I use mine...
I really think they do listen. It’s helpful when you open a support case with them. The more information they collect from the field, the more they focus on it.
Mine shook my house when it popped, but the fix is simple, just open the lid.
It’s not wise to start a fire when you’re not present anyway. I’ve seen enough pellet grill malfunction pictures and videos to know that things can happen. Fire is fire. 🤷🏻♂️
I asked the FB group if anyone had any luck with such a device, and all the know it alls are coming out of the woodwork “just use a shop vac” “you’re making this too complicated” 🙄
Humans wear me out.
I was hoping to get more cooks between cleaning the fire pot than I am. I do wish there was an easier way to clean it out good. Tearing the grill down and dragging my shop vac out to prep the grill is kind of a pain, but I do prefer this over my propane grill for flavor and versatility.
I vacuum out the bottom and fire pot every 3-4 cooks anymore, but the massive amount of smoke at startup seems random. Sometimes it fires right up, other times it takes a couple min.
I have dug in during startup a few times and I found the fire pot absolutely full of pellets and it isn’t really...
I just watch for the smoke to start while the lid is open and listen for the fan to kick on and kinda hear that “blow torch” sound. Then I know it’s burning clean and can shut the lid.
Fired up my 1250 in the cold for some 0-400 chicken, and was startled when my whole house shook. Turns out my 1250 experienced an explosion.
I did notice A LOT more smoke than usual as it was warming. I am fairly certain that during startup when there is so much smoke the pellets cannot breathe...