another pellet question
- Thread starter choo-choo
- Start date
squirtthecat
New member
Nope. I leave mine covered and sometimes uncovered, and I've never had a problem with moisture getting in the hopper.
Big Poppa
Administrator
I dont know on the GMG...I always think it is a good practice if you know its going to be super wet outside and you arent planning on using the smoker to take the pellets out. I have had a few examples of "pelletcrete" when they do get wet inside the expand and then dry and it is seriously like concrete in your auger
RGrunz
New member
I live in Georgia where the humidity has been in 90% range from time to time, and the usual afternoon pop up thunderstorms. I have had no issue with moisture at all so far. I DO keep my Traeger covered though. I am hoping my good fortune continues. If I could make a recommendaton to Traeger, I would suggest an easy pellet emptying system; perhaps a trap door on the back of the bin. Not sure they would listen, but I can dream. It would be nice if I wanted to change flavor. For now I just scoop out most of them and add small amount of the new flavor, mix them up good, and then add the desired flavor.
IT will all depend on how wet it and temp swings, humidity, etc.
Especially covered, sometime you can get condensation inside the cover (just like covering any out door stuff, if you leave the cover on too long, in the right climates, you get mold or mildew forming on the cover inside)...
If you get condensation in there, over time it can make its way into the hopper/auger and cause an issue.
If you are leaving it for a long period of time, I would get the pellets out of it. If you are in 80% humidity with temp swings that will generate dewy nights, and condensation on the cooler metal under the cover... I would pull the pellets.
You'll run it dry every time after you have to back out an auger shaft 1/4" at a time to get it broken free
After you have sheared the auger pin on the shaft and determined it isnt running . One reason I like the units with a drop feed better, you only have to clean out a stub auger, or paddlewheel. Still a pain though.
I have heard of a new method I have not personally tried yet... and that is taking a weed burner to it and burning the auger out. (fire up the fan and get the shaft hot. The pellets burn, and you just auger out the ash.
Especially covered, sometime you can get condensation inside the cover (just like covering any out door stuff, if you leave the cover on too long, in the right climates, you get mold or mildew forming on the cover inside)...
If you get condensation in there, over time it can make its way into the hopper/auger and cause an issue.
If you are leaving it for a long period of time, I would get the pellets out of it. If you are in 80% humidity with temp swings that will generate dewy nights, and condensation on the cooler metal under the cover... I would pull the pellets.
You'll run it dry every time after you have to back out an auger shaft 1/4" at a time to get it broken free
After you have sheared the auger pin on the shaft and determined it isnt running . One reason I like the units with a drop feed better, you only have to clean out a stub auger, or paddlewheel. Still a pain though.I have heard of a new method I have not personally tried yet... and that is taking a weed burner to it and burning the auger out. (fire up the fan and get the shaft hot. The pellets burn, and you just auger out the ash.
Buffalotom
New member
RG,
A pellet emptying system like what is on the Mak2. I love my mak. Quick and easy to empty the pellets.
A pellet emptying system like what is on the Mak2. I love my mak. Quick and easy to empty the pellets.
smoker pete
New member
Ditto x2 ... I have just gotten in the habit of emptying my hopper after every cook cause it's so easy to do and store my pellets in those nice plastic buckets in my shed.
MAK DADDY
Moderator
Yes, all pellet cookers can draw moisture over time and cause the pellets to swell. They do not have to get wet from rain either just the moisture in air itself will do it. Cover on or off doesn't matter although it probably helps, remember they are made from sawdust compressed into a pellet with no binders. We recommend if you are not using your grill for more than a couple weeks then dump out the pellets into a fairly good sealed bucket.