Hopper moisture issues

[Truckchef]

Just bought a Brunswick and after my first cook I noticed moisture droplets on the inside of my hopper lid, enough that it had been dripping on the pellets. The pellets were brand new, sifted, and dry, im not in a area with high humidity either. Emptied the hopper and went out and purchased 2 new bags of pellets for another cook. About two hours into the cook I had smoke billowing out of the hopper. After emptying out the hopper and shutting down the unit I called customer support and asked about the two issues ( hopper fire and the moisture on the hopper lid) I got a couple silly answers to both. Any one else have these issues? If so, what was the cause and fix?

 

[Guineabear]

I have had my 850 for about 1 1/2 years with lots of cooks but never had either issue. I do keep it covered when not in use. I suggest calling Pitboss again and hopefully you'll get some real answers.

 

[Dab942]

Just bought a Brunswick and after my first cook I noticed moisture droplets on the inside of my hopper lid, enough that it had been dripping on the pellets. The pellets were brand new, sifted, and dry, im not in a area with high humidity either. Emptied the hopper and went out and purchased 2 new bags of pellets for another cook. About two hours into the cook I had smoke billowing out of the hopper. After emptying out the hopper and shutting down the unit I called customer support and asked about the two issues ( hopper fire and the moisture on the hopper lid) I got a couple silly answers to both. Any one else have these issues? If so, what was the cause and fix?

Sounds like there is a gap somewhere. Did you assemble it or was it pre-assembled?

 

[Truckchef]

I have had my 850 for about 1 1/2 years with lots of cooks but never had either issue. I do keep it covered when not in use. I suggest calling Pitboss again and hopefully you'll get some real answers.

I called them, really nice guy I talked to but he had some silly answers for me, said it was probably grease vapor working it’s way up the hopper. I just can’t see how that could be given the way it’s built and the fact that I had about 40 lbs of pellets in there. I figured it’s probably condensation from the pellets being warm and then cooling down, it was a bit chilly out, but who knows. I’m actually returning it due to two separate cases of hopper burn back.

 

[Truckchef]

Sounds like there is a gap somewhere. Did you assemble it or was it pre-assembled?

I put it together but that only consists of putting on the legs and handles, the rest is assembled at the factory. I also had hopper burn back happen on my first 2 cooks so now I’ve decided to return it. I had called customer support after the first one and did everything they suggested but it happened again today right as I went to pull the pork butts I was cooking.

 

[Dab942]

I put it together but that only consists of putting on the legs and handles, the rest is assembled at the factory. I also had hopper burn back happen on my first 2 cooks so now I’ve decided to return it. I had called customer support after the first one and did everything they suggested but it happened again today right as I went to pull the pork butts I was cooking.

I had read about Brunswick's being shipped broken or damaged. That helped me make the decision on the smaller one.