Vent: My $600 pellet smoker died mid-brisket at a comp last Saturday

I was 6 hours into a 14 hour cook at the Jack Daniel's Invitational last weekend. Temp sensor just flatlined. Had to finish that brisket in a buddy's offset. Never thought I'd say this but I'm about to switch back to wood charcoal after 3 years on pellets. Anyone else had a controller fail at the worst possible time?

3 comments

3 Comments

emery_black8d ago

My buddy runs a BBQ supply shop and he told me once that the controller failure rate on pellets is like 1 in 40 but when it happens it always seems to be at the worst possible moment. I watched a guy at a local comp lose power to his Traeger right as he was wrapping his pork butt. Switched to a campfire and a trash can lid to finish it. He still got 6th place somehow. Point is the tech is solid most of the time but when it fails it fails hard and fast.

drew_reed628d ago

Nah man, one bad controller doesn't mean pellets are trash.

clark.alex8d ago

Yeah I once dropped a brand new controller three feet and it started drifting like it was trying to escape me. But you're right, one bad experience doesn't make the whole line garbage.