Pellet hopper

[TripleG]

I have a new 1600 CS. The second time I used it when the hopper got to half full the pellets would not slide down and just fed from the middle until they ran out from the middle. It had a hole in the center of the pellets with half a hopper on all sides.
Today I filled it up to the top. After about 2 hours temp started dropping. Went to stir the pellets and I could hear them drop and then had to prime again. Anyone having this problem?
Thanks

 

[Cowboy1955]

Welcome from east Texas to the group!!
If it were me I’d empty it out then sift the pellets through a colander
Sometimes longer pellets causes this
Hopefully this helps you

 

[Sparky]

Welcome to the group from Mesquite, Texas. I always shift before I add pellets. I also move then during the cook.

 

[bobissmokin]

Welcome!

 

[Mike From R.I.]

Welcome from Rhode Island.

 

[robl3577]

I have a new 1600 CS. The second time I used it when the hopper got to half full the pellets would not slide down and just fed from the middle until they ran out from the middle. It had a hole in the center of the pellets with half a hopper on all sides.
Today I filled it up to the top. After about 2 hours temp started dropping. Went to stir the pellets and I could hear them drop and then had to prime again. Anyone having this problem?
Thanks

Happens to me on every cook. My grill brush has a long skinny handle that I use to push them down. On overnight cooks I fill it to the brim before I go to sleep. I plan to cut out some of the grates so I can just push them down. Yes I’m aware of the dangerous auger down there. Saw where one guy attached slick plastic plates to the sides of the hopper to help them slide

 

[sparkyv]

It's called ratholing. This is a real engineering solids flow challenge, not just pellets.

 

[Mark H.]

Happens to me on every cook. My grill brush has a long skinny handle that I use to push them down. On overnight cooks I fill it to the brim before I go to sleep. I plan to cut out some of the grates so I can just push them down. Yes I’m aware of the dangerous auger down there. Saw where one guy attached slick plastic plates to the sides of the hopper to help them slide

Don't have to cut anything. Should just be a couple screws holding that safety feature in. One of the first things I did with my new grill.

 

[Upinmygrill]

Could waxing the inside of the hopper make it slicker in there and help keep them sliding? I haven’t had this issue yet but I haven’t done any cooks longer than 7hrs.

 

[Mark H.]

It's called ratholing. This is a real engineering solids flow challenge, not just pellets.

View attachment 11638

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How to Fix Ratholing Problems in Silos and Hoppers

Prevent costly production delays caused by ratholing: Causes, effects, and the solutions for improving material flow in silos and hoppers.

www.s3process.co.uk

One of the reasons I don't do overnight cooks.

 

[Torquin]

What is the humidity like in your area? All I can imagine is that the pellets have some moisture on/in them and are sticking together a little bit. Have you tried pellets from a different source, e.g. different flavor or brand?

Chris

 

[jbmiller23]

I have a new 1600 CS. The second time I used it when the hopper got to half full the pellets would not slide down and just fed from the middle until they ran out from the middle. It had a hole in the center of the pellets with half a hopper on all sides.
Today I filled it up to the top. After about 2 hours temp started dropping. Went to stir the pellets and I could hear them drop and then had to prime again. Anyone having this problem?
Thanks

Yes. This has happened to me as well. I don't know how to fix it other then checking the hopper every hour or so and stirring it up. Which is a bummer because I cant do an overnight cook.

 

[probak118]

In the US do you not have plastic ( 1 gallon ) jugs for milk etc ? Could you not cut a 2" x 2" hole in the bottom of it fill it and place it directly over that spot. It would fill the hopper under itself and then keep filling that area as the hopper creates that ratholing hole ? If nothing else it would extend the time until the tunneling occurs.