Bull New Pellets won’t fire up?

[BBQMike700]

Anyone had this issue? Put around 400lb of lumberjack through my bull with no problems. Bought a bag of knotty wood plum pellets and they wouldn’t light up. If I turned it on to 400 it wouldn’t fire unless I dropped the temp back to around 200. I cleaned the fire pot thinking that was the issue and there was some really weird rock hard stuff in there I’d never seen before. Still having the same issue though. Also noticing quick random drops in temp. Is the change in pellets causing the issue or just a coincidence? Is my igniter rod bad?

 

[Beach Bum]

I'd say pull those pellets and toss in another bag of LJ, just to see if that changes things. My guess would be pellets. This would be an easy one to check first. I have used nothing but LJ since day one, so I can't tell you anything about the plum wood ones you tried.

 

[fullhouse32]

Is the igniter getting HOT?
Is it out enough to touch the pellets?

 

[Gonefishin]

Different pellets but when I had similar issues with it not lighting RT had me clean out the auger. Ran it till empty, vacuumed out the dust in the auger, reloaded with fresh. Worked in my case.

 

[chadinsc]

works every time. just kidding don’t do this. you got some good advice above.

 

[C. Keeper]

works every time. just kidding don’t do this. you got some good advice above.

WD40 drippings would also work

 

[opus]

Anyone had this issue? Put around 400lb of lumberjack through my bull with no problems. Bought a bag of knotty wood plum pellets and they wouldn’t light up. If I turned it on to 400 it wouldn’t fire unless I dropped the temp back to around 200. I cleaned the fire pot thinking that was the issue and there was some really weird rock hard stuff in there I’d never seen before. Still having the same issue though. Also noticing quick random drops in temp. Is the change in pellets causing the issue or just a coincidence? Is my igniter rod bad?

I used to get the rock hard stuff in my Pitt Boss. I could never find anyone else having that issue. It would be a solid concrete like thing in my fire pot. It was like that every time I cleaned it out. Haven't had that problem with the RT and I'm using the same brand of pellets.

Maybe clean out the fire pot and then put a handful of your LJ pellets in there and see if they light up. If they do then it appears it is the new pellets. If it is, it could just be a bad batch.

 

[ken g]

works every time. just kidding don’t do this. you got some good advice above.

lmao!!!

 

[BBQMike700]

Is the igniter getting HOT?
Is it out enough to touch the pellets?

The igniter is getting hot. The pellets are really hot just don’t fire up

 

[sdynak]

Dumb question but is your fan working?

 

[BBQMike700]

Dumb question but is your fan working?

It is. Just weird it fires up when set to 180 but if I set it higher it doesn’t.

 

[sdynak]

It is. Just weird it fires up when set to 180 but if I set it higher it doesn’t.

Weird.. def reach out to support if it still does it after swapping the pellets. Maybe at 180 the ignitor runs longer hence why it fires then.

 

[BBQMike700]

Thanks for everyone’s ideas. This was solely a problem with pellets. I took all the pellets out and started fresh with lumberjack. Fires up every time.

 

[JamesB]

I used to get the rock hard stuff in my Pitt Boss. I could never find anyone else having that issue. It would be a solid concrete like thing in my fire pot. It was like that every time I cleaned it out. Haven't had that problem with the RT and I'm using the same brand of pellets.

Maybe clean out the fire pot and then put a handful of your LJ pellets in there and see if they light up. If they do then it appears it is the new pellets. If it is, it could just be a bad batch.

I have just experienced the “rock hard” junk in my RT-700 firepot. I tried to reverse sear four steaks last night, but regardless of how high I set the temp, it go beyond 350.

I did a thorough cleaning today and pulled large, basically solidified ash that seemed to have baked onto most of the sides of the firepot. I have had my RT-700 for four years and I have seen anything like this before.

 

[JamesB]

I was VERY surprised. I typically use Traeger or Costco pellets (various wood types or blends depending on the cook) , and I have never had a problem with them.

I’m wondering if the problem originated with using my Bull during recent sub-zero temperatures? I have done that in years past with no issues (yay Rt-700!), but we had a full week of them with the last polar vortex event and even with my Bull in a very protected setup ( covered roof, wind shielded, etc.) it was brutally cold.

Anyone have any thoughts or similar experiences?

 

[Waterboy]

They are called clinkers (klinkers?). I’ve had them a few times but not often. Doesn’t seem to matter what season or temperature. I wonder if it has to do with the pellet source. Maybe wood with more moisture/sap? It happens. It’s part of why you need to clean the fire pit periodically.

 

[SmokeOCD]

They are called clinkers (klinkers?).

Little late in the season, but first thing that popped into my head.

 

[JamesB]

View attachment 23443
Little late in the season, but first thing that popped into my head.

If i go out there and find an ugly “Leg Lamp” wearing a fishnet stocking in my Bull, I am going to be very unhappy and RT Customer Service is going to hear from me .

 

[C. Keeper]

They are called clinkers (klinkers?). I’ve had them a few times but not often. Doesn’t seem to matter what season or temperature. I wonder if it has to do with the pellet source. Maybe wood with more moisture/sap? It happens. It’s part of why you need to clean the fire pit periodically.

Klink

 

[Waterboy]

Klink
View attachment 23447

I see nothing….nothing.