Pellet consumption

[Pappymn]

Did a 16 hour cook of some shoulder at mostly 225 degrees. Blew through very nearly a full 20 pound hopper of hickory Lumberjack pellets. I could see the auger when i opened the hopper. Outside temp was 95-100 degrees.

Is this a "normal" rate of consumption? Using Mak 2 Star.

 

[Scallywag]

Usually a pound per hour.. depends on wind and such. I wouldn't worry about it. Clean out your ash pot after that cook though.

 

[Tatonka3A2]

Seems a tad on the high side but like Scallywag said... there is a lot of factors. Keep on using it and see where you are. We use Lumberjack pellets and are very happy with them. We are smoking with a Yoder.

 

[Chili Head]

That seems a bit excessive to me too. Make sure your thermocouple is clean as well.

 

[Big Poppa]

lumberjack produces much more ash....may be a factor

 

[sparky]

also the bbq delight is oak based. i burnt less pellets w/ a oak based pellets. i think because i'm getting more heat w/ less pellet. who knows? i've only had 1 latte so far.

 

[HoDeDo]

Sparky is right on. Those pellets you used were 100% Hickory I would assume. They have a lower BTU output than a blended pellet with oak. BBQrs Delight blends 2/3's oak and 1/3 flavor wood, so regardless of flavor you get a nice consistent BTU output from the pellet ( and lower ash).

Lumberjack makes a blend with Red Oak, to help compensate, but it is still mostly Hickory. You really notice if you move to a 100% fruitwood pellet that is much lower BTUs.

Hope that helps. If you try their oak pellet, I bet your consumption will decrease. Or just go for BBQr's Delight, and pick your favorite hardwood, and fruitwood go 50/50

 

[MAK DADDY]

The MAK burns approx .7lbs/hr at 200 and 1.3lbs/hr at 300 during factory testing. Pellets will vary the consumption rate as well as the induction air temp, cleanliness etc. Remember it takes pellets to create all that smoke you get from your MAK
Hope that helps.
Bob

 

[Carter13]

Mak Daddy,

These are about the rates I am seeing burning Bear Mountain pellets here in the great Northwest.

 

[Pappymn]

Thanks everybody for your collective wisdom. The food turned out fantastic. I was just surprised to see the auger when I shut her own for the night. First time I have seen it since putting the unit together.

 

[sparky]

i like what bear once said, "if the hopper is out i just get another bag, if the bag is out i just go the pallet, if the pallet out i just make a phone call". as someone once said easy pezie.

 

[MAK DADDY]

I forgot to ask, what firmware version is your pellet boss running?

 

[Pappymn]

I forgot to ask, what firmware version is your pellet boss running?

I am Mak #1000......should be current.....right?

I think the 100% hickory is more likely the culprit. I am making sure to be more mindful of pellet choice.

 

[MAK DADDY]

Yes, and yes we don't recommend burning 100% pellets as they can jam your auger and build up a lot of ash.
You can always check your pellet boss version by pressing and holding the up arrow for 10 seconds.

 

[Pappymn]

Thanks Mak Daddy. Is 100% oak ok? I cleaned the Mak today. Significant ash from the 16 hour 100% hickory cook. Burn pot was almost half full!

 

[MAK DADDY]

Sorry, yes 100% Oak or Alder are just fine

 

[Big Poppa]

Once again Memphis strongly discourages the use of Lumberjack in any flavor due to the lab testing for ask content.