Storage pellet removal & auger jam prevention

[KSM]

I wont be using my pellet smoker for about 6 weeks. I have removed all the pellets from the hopper and burn pot by vacuuming as much as possible knowing that there are a some unused pellets still left inside the auger tube that the vacuum just cant suck out. My smoker is stored outside but under my patio roof and I keep the cover on it when not in use. Its the beginning of colder, damp months here. I was wondering if I have done enough to protect from pellet expansion that can lead to an auger jam or should I remove the cover and turn on the smoker and burn out whatever amount of pellets are left in the auger tube that I could not vacuum out? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Beach Bum]

If desired, you can run the auger in test mode to push the rest into the fire pot and vacuum out.

 

[KSM]

If desired, you can run the auger in test mode to push the rest into the fire pot and vacuum out.

Thank you - This was very helpful. Being a new to the Recteq world I did not remember this option.

 

[Beach Bum]

Happy to help. 99% of my advice is likely something I learned on this forum.

 

[SmokeZilla]

if you can’t get a vacuum to suck it out, you can always use a compressor and blow it out if you want to be perfectly clean of pellets. Just a suggestion.

 

[Jim6820]

If desired, you can run the auger in test mode to push the rest into the fire pot and vacuum out.

…and/or this…

if you can’t get a vacuum to suck it out, you can always use a compressor and blow it out if you want to be perfectly clean of pellets.

Either works well. The air compressor is a bit quicker but the auger test mode is a bit more reassuring since you can’t see inside the tube.

 

[KSM]

Thank you all - good suggestions - As Beach Bum stated in his reply I am also learning a lot from this forum. For example using the Auger mode in test mode is not mentioned in the care and cleaning tips of the user manual.

 

[tickerguy]

If you run it at a given setpoint after removing what you can get out of the hopper until it starts to drop temperature (e.g. by 50F) its pretty-much completely empty down the tube.