Hopper grid removal?

caldenjones · Feb 20, 2022

Hey everyone, sorry if this has already been asked before. Has anyone else attempted to remove the grid cover inside the hopper? Not sure why it's there or why it's needed but it's a pain to try to remove pellets to swap them out with the grid in the way. Thoughts?

ANT0407 · Feb 20, 2022

caldenjones said:
Hey everyone, sorry if this has already been asked before. Has anyone else attempted to remove the grid cover inside the hopper? Not sure why it's there or why it's needed but it's a pain to try to remove pellets to swap them out with the grid in the way. Thoughts?

I removed mine day 1. Just easier to access the pellets. We're all adults and should know better than to reach all the way in and put our fingers in the auger so I don't see any reason for it to be there.

Mike From R.I. · Feb 20, 2022

I left mine in figuring it might add some support to the smoker on my vertical when I'm moving it around. I use a wooden dowel to move the pellets while smoking and to get them out the door when changing pellets, the little that's left will be burnt up during the heat up.

caldenjones · Feb 20, 2022

ANT0407 said:
I removed mine day 1. Just easier to access the pellets. We're all adults and should know better than to reach all the way in and put our fingers in the auger so I don't see any reason for it to be there.

Thanks. That's exactly what I was thinking but I was just wondering if it serves a purpose. If not I'll be removing it. I saw a couple of screws in the front. Didn't notice right away if the screws in the back are easily accessible. If not easy, no worries. I'm sure I'll be able to get to them.

caldenjones · Feb 20, 2022

Mike From R.I. said:
I left mine in figuring it might add some support to the smoker on my vertical when I'm moving it around. I use a wooden dowel to move the pellets while smoking and to get them out the door when changing pellets, the little that's left will be burnt up during the heat up.

Yeah I found a long, thin spatula to push the pellets around to get them to fall out the door but it was a pain in the ass and took way longer than it should. Thanks for the response!

Guineabear · Feb 20, 2022

That was the 1st thing off my smoker too. I'm sure it's a safety device. Just keep hands out of the auger. Makes it a lot easier to dump pellets and to mix them in the hopper.

MKinHB · Feb 21, 2022

removed mine the first time I used the grill.

caldenjones · Feb 21, 2022

Guineabear said:
That was the 1st thing off my smoker too. I'm sure it's a safety device. Just keep hands out of the auger. Makes it a lot easier to dump pellets and to mix them in the hopper.

Yeah

Yeah

Guineabear said:
That was the 1st thing off my smoker too. I'm sure it's a safety device. Just keep hands out of the auger. Makes it a lot easier to dump pellets and to mix them in the hopper.

Yup that's what Pit Boss said. It's just there as a safety measure. Bye bye grate!

senebraskaee · Feb 22, 2022

The salesman called it "The Idiot Grate" as it is there to keep idiots from putting their fingers into the auger! Remove mine day one.

spudthegreater · Feb 22, 2022

caldenjones said:
Hey everyone, sorry if this has already been asked before. Has anyone else attempted to remove the grid cover inside the hopper? Not sure why it's there or why it's needed but it's a pain to try to remove pellets to swap them out with the grid in the way. Thoughts?

Removed mine as well. Be sure to silicone the holes so water doesn't get in or use metal tape on the inside to cover them. Have not had any issues with pellets swelling or jamming the auger for two years being outside. One guy had issues after removing the grate because he didn't plug the holes and water got in. as Far as safety is concerned, really? have you ever watched how SLOW that auger turns? You'd literally need to be a sloth to get stuck in that.

caldenjones · Feb 22, 2022

senebraskaee said:
The salesman called it "The Idiot Grate" as it is there to keep idiots from putting their fingers into the auger! Remove mine day one.

Yup removed mine yesterday. Thanks!

waynes6 · Feb 22, 2022

Another idea is put silicone then push the screws back in through it just in case you ever need them again. Plus it doesn't look like it's missing parts.

Badgersmoking · Feb 22, 2022

Removed mine too, but kept the grate and screws incase I wanted to put it back on if I decide to sale it. Sure is better when filling.

MeatLoafT · Feb 22, 2022

I took the bolts out, removed the grate then put the bolts back in and just set the grate on top of the bolts. It's there but easily removable if you need it gone.

Kicked Ash · Feb 22, 2022

OK... since this topic showed up, I found a nice way to solve this issue with my Pit Boss Pro 850 smoker. Since I have grandkids that visit from time to time, I wanted to make sure no little hands could get down into the hopper (in case I was inside getting something). Found this link below that did the trick. I ended up having to flip my screen over, so my area for holding the meat probes was a little smaller, but it still works.