Pellet Fan
Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => Memphis => Topic started by: MikeMcQ on April 28, 2023, 04:22:30 PM
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:'( Went to turn on to smoke some salmon for dinner and no response. Unplugged power, plugged back in and short initial flash, could see 3 lines of code and dark again. Tried multiple times. Left unplugged over night still nogo. Bios just won't initialize, dead controller.
Ok call Memphis support, did not expect to solve the problem and get her running, was not disappointed as expected ::) remained dead. Ordered replacement contoller $632. Was told in stock and should ship next day.
Next day came and went with no cc charge no email notification of shipping or anything. Called support back and was told shipping was backed up probably go tomorrow. Again tomorrow came with no shipping email and no cc charge.
Called again this afternoon and was told shipping 3 days behind. Nice, $5k smoker grill and can't ship a replacement controller in a timely manner, being paid for no less not a warranty replacement since 7 months out of warranty! Again was told might ship later this afternoon but no holding my breath. :(
16lb porkbutt 14 hours into cook on my (6 years older) MAK 2 Star.... :clap:
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WOW, that's pricy for the controller.
Is it a Chinese made Pro?
When I purchased the Chinese made Elite. It was DOA.
I had a Pro and an Elite (USA made) with no problems.
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WOW, that's pricy for the controller.
Is it a Chinese made Pro?
When I purchased the Chinese made Elite. It was DOA.
I had a Pro and an Elite (USA made) with no problems.
No my Pro is pre outsourcing to China vintage. Agree pricey but only other option is to dump the whole thing!
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Let us know how the repair and results go. Sorry for your problem.
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Let us know how the repair and results go. Sorry for your problem.
Will do. I'd be very irate indeed Memphis still not shipping an in-stock replacement controller in 3 business days, if not for the fact of having a perfectly working decade old MAK 2*. If someone were to ask me which I'd recommend between a MAK or a Memphis take a guess which it would be. ::)
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Let us know how the repair and results go. Sorry for your problem.
Will do. I'd be very irate indeed Memphis still not shipping an in-stock replacement controller in 3 business days, if not for the fact of having a perfectly working decade old MAK 2*. If someone were to ask me which I'd recommend between a MAK or a Memphis take a guess which it would be. ::)
My experience with the Beale Street is well documented here. But I thought the pre-China grills had a superior record. A little clue might be that it is almost impossible to find a large number of reviews (of any kind) on their products, in particular favorable. Structurally, except for the BS they are a quality build and the pre-China owners on this site seem very happy with theirs. I thought the service guys were very nice on the few occasions we talked but performance was slo-mo, and satisfaction was absent for me.There was one other observation on my unit, and that was it produced a massive amount of soot on the entire interior, with all three controls that were tried. Hope the new control settles your problem.
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There was one other observation on my unit, and that was it produced a massive amount of soot on the entire interior, with all three controls that were tried.
"Soot" and not ash?
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Let us know how the repair and results go. Sorry for your problem.
Will do. I'd be very irate indeed Memphis still not shipping an in-stock replacement controller in 3 business days, if not for the fact of having a perfectly working decade old MAK 2*. If someone were to ask me which I'd recommend between a MAK or a Memphis take a guess which it would be. ::)
My experience with the Beale Street is well documented here. But I thought the pre-China grills had a superior record. A little clue might be that it is almost impossible to find a large number of reviews (of any kind) on their products, in particular favorable. Structurally, except for the BS they are a quality build and the pre-China owners on this site seem very happy with theirs. I thought the service guys were very nice on the few occasions we talked but performance was slo-mo, and satisfaction was absent for me.There was one other observation on my unit, and that was it produced a massive amount of soot on the entire interior, with all three controls that were tried. Hope the new control settles your problem.
A friend of mine has 5 pellet grills, (3 Traegers, pit boss, and req tec). The pit boss always leaves a film of soot on food, have tried new controller (smoke daddy) new fire pot, new fan, different pellets, nothing has fixed it. We can’t figure it out.
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Yes soot. I suspected the design of the fire pot/fan may have something to do with it on BS or the control algorithms? But really don't know. I know that my RT's have never had this problem. I know that some soot will gather is some areas on any grill, but this was obvious after the first or second cooks most obvious on the grates. Wonder if any other Memphis owners have noted this? I notice the new fire pot design on the premium Memphis models have been change. ? Well I no longer have a horse in this race, so will quit here.
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My Elite would get soot on the inside of the hood.
It would start to flake every now and then, so I would just vacuum it so it wouldn't get on food.
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A friend of mine has 5 pellet grills, (3 Traegers, pit boss, and req tec). The pit boss always leaves a film of soot on food, have tried new controller (smoke daddy) new fire pot, new fan, different pellets, nothing has fixed it. We can’t figure it out.
I would look for a new fan or an obstruction in the air flow, be it in the chamber under the burn pot maybe a dirty stack if it has one.
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The saga continues. Customers service incompetent, lazy or plain and simply liars. Recap last Wednesday morning ordered a replacement controller and was told in stock likely to ship next day. Nada Thursday called back Friday and was told shipping was backlogged. Nada Friday afternoon or Monday. No cc charge and no notification of shipping. Called today and was told he personally "processed the order" to shipping yesterday Monday 4 business days after the call was logged! And after I'd be told twice order was with shipping backlogged. Lying then or now!? Couple hours later still no pending charge on my credit card. 5 business days and nothing done. Jeeze lame at best.
Not a happy Memphis customer to say the least. Oh of course zero communications from them of any hold up. Lack of communication probably the biggest sin in customer service. No biggest sin is lying to your customers...
For the record, after my last call to Memphis I called MAK just to let them know and thank them for the great job they've always done!
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With switching to grills made in China and Greg (great tech guy) leaving, they have gone down hill fast.
Side question Mike, have you had any auger fires or serious problems with your MAK ?
I had a Blazin' GridIron and had several.
The auger feed tube being right over the burn pot concerns me about getting another grill with that design.
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With switching to grills made in China and Greg (great tech guy) leaving, they have gone down hill fast.
Side question Mike, have you had any auger fires or serious problems with your MAK ?
I had a Blazin' GridIron and had several.
The auger feed tube being right over the burn pot concerns me about getting another grill with that design.
No serious problems with my MAK 2* just one auger jam recently in 8 years. Have noticed some possible smoldering now and then but haven't noticed an actual fire. Though recent jam may have been a result of an auger tube smoldering situation, don't know. When clearing jam didn't noticed burned pellets etc.
My many contacts with MAK support have been multiple upgrades after buying mine 2 years old. Adding wifi module, upgrading controller bios to support wifi, discussing makgrillsmobile (love the web version, hate the phone app, web version runs great on phone as well as laptop) adding cart sides and door, adding front shelf, adding Flashfire igniter (it be way fast), and lastly new controller to support new style K temp probes.
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With switching to grills made in China and Greg (great tech guy) leaving, they have gone down hill fast.
Side question Mike, have you had any auger fires or serious problems with your MAK ?
I had a Blazin' GridIron and had several.
The auger feed tube being right over the burn pot concerns me about getting another grill with that design.
No serious problems with my MAK 2* just one auger jam recently in 8 years. Have noticed some possible smoldering now and then but haven't noticed an actual fire. Though recent jam may have been a result of an auger tube smoldering situation, don't know. When clearing jam didn't noticed burned pellets etc.
My many contacts with MAK support have been multiple upgrades after buying mine 2 years old. Adding wifi model, upgrading controller to support wifi, discussing makgrillsmobile (love the web version, hate the phone app, web version runs great on phone as well as laptop) adding cart sides and door, adding front shelf, adding Flashfire igniter (it be way fast), and lastly new controller to support new style K temp probes.
Thanks for the response.
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3 days since my last post and 3 days since I last called Memphis support. Now 9 days since ordering replacement controller. Still nothing, no notice of shipping or charge to cc. no communication of any kind from Memphis. I logged an "online" service request this morning and did get an automated email response, first communication of any kind from Memphis. Will see if "one of our support agents who will contact you within the next two business days." actually happens and or if the replacement controller actually ships!
Logging an online service request this morning (referencing previous phone calls etc.) is/was the only way I could think of to attempt to escalate the issue. I mean it's beyond ridiculous! 9 days ago was told the replacement controller was in stock and would likely ship next day but they still haven't shipped the dang thing. Pathetic. :'(
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Wow! Hope I don't need any service help on my probably close to 15 year old Elite.
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Apparently logging online service request Friday worked. Text of email received this morning "Thank you for your patience, tracking number is 500799394982 and will be arriving Wednesday." Checked tracking (wasn't UPS or USPS 3rd try a charm FedEx) shows shipped Saturday eta Wednesday.
Interestingly cc still not charged as of moments ago. If not charged by time I receive, install and confirm new controller works will call Memphis back about processing payment!
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:clap:
Could possible be because of the unkind note I sent them about their lack of service ever since Greg left.
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Interestingly cc still not charged as of moments ago. If not charged by time I receive, install and confirm new controller works will call Memphis back about processing payment!
$710.25 charged to cc (inc. shipping and tax) OUCH! More than many entry level smoker grills cost for just this replacement controller. :-X Of course a Memphis Pro especially pre-China isn't entry level but still, dang.
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That's a really big OUCH!
They are going to put themselves out of business.
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Wow! Hope I don't need any service help on my probably close to 15 year old Elite.
Yeah I definitely expected better than 3 1/2 years before a catastrophic failure, but doo doo occurs! May your Elite rock on with another 15 years!
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That's a really big OUCH!
They are going to put themselves out of business.
While no question a big ouch grateful to be in a position it wasn't a break the bank decision to replace.
If buying now I definitely wouldn't even consider a Memphis, besides IMO their new ITC3 models being butt ugly with the controller hanging off the side like an afterthought, moving manufacturing to China well not a good sign to me. A money grab not a maintain quality move.
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I agree on that controller. Older one was much better I though.
Really annoyed me that as soon as you turn it on it goes right into cook mode feeding pellets. Really stupid.
If you just want to set up WIFI you have to do it while it in cook mode. Not very bright.
I ruled them out quickly when looking for another grill.
The Fireboard controller on the Lone Star Grillz pellet grill I have on order lets you do what ever you want when you power on, then you can press the start button when ready to cook or cold smoke.
Really looking forward to get it. 13 weeks to go. :'(
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Really annoyed me that as soon as you turn it on it goes right into cook mode feeding pellets. Really stupid.
If you just want to set up WIFI you have to do it while it in cook mode. Not very bright.
Actually, to me makes total sense to start up when you turn it on. It's not like I need to do a setup procedure every time I power on! MAK is same way turn it on and immediately feeding pellets initializing fire up. In fact IIRC every pellet grill I've owned since first Traeger in the 90s started up when turned on. Need to do some extensive programming? Turn it off to stop pellet feed etc. and go for it....
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Actually, to me makes total sense to start up when you turn it on. It's not like I need to do a setup procedure every time I power on! MAK is same way turn it on and immediately feeding pellets initializing fire up. In fact IIRC every pellet grill I've owned since first Traeger in the 90s started up when turned on. Need to do some extensive programming? Turn it off to stop pellet feed etc. and go for it....
I guess we have different views, makes no sense to me to start cook mode before you have even set temp.
I agree that every one I have owned goes straight to cook mode, and bugged me. Maybe I'm weird. Haha
It would really be simple to set a flag.
If flag is set, cook, useful if you hade a power failure, go right back to cooking on power up.
If not set, do nothing and let person set temp, setup, or whatever.
Clear flag at shutdown.
Easy Peasy...
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Pro back up and running. New controller (ITC v2) arrived via FedEx Wednesday 2 weeks after ordering. Memphis had emailed me a link to video to r&r controller. It said needed 3/8" socket or wrench, phillips, and 5.5mm socket. I had 5 & 6mm sockets, checked local hardware store and no 5.5mm. One guy in customer service (Parkrose Hardware not Memphis) who knew what he was talking about told me to try 7/32" SAE very slightly larger than 5.5mm. Yup that's what was needed and much more typical size socket.
Well things started to progress until attemping to disconnect a very stuck on connector from old controller. Couple minutes wiggling rocking pulling hard and it finally jumped off. Unfortunately my left hand flew back a good distance and hit the removed shield edge. Top of hand about 1 1/2 inch deep cut cushing blood. :-[ Normally I'd just pressure bandage up best I could at home but this seemed a bit severe. So had Debi run me to the ER. 3 1/2 hours and 3 stitches later headed back home. Way past dinner so we grabbed a Jersey Mike's hot sub on the way home. Pro work done for the day/evening.
Had other things to do Thursday until afternoon so then went back to it. CAFEFULLY removed remaining cable connections, removed the 4 small 5.5mm nuts with the 7/32" socket, pulled and replaced controller, buttoned her up. Fired right up. Debi wanted dogs for dinner so 4 Nathan's on @ 180f for 1 1/2hour then upped temp to 300f to finish about 20 more minutes. We like them to plump until they just start to split.
Had have a weird wifi anomaly but it's working from my phone app even though at setup doesn't recognize home network. Tried a few things like resetting, then moving router no go. Tried using my phone's hotspot but it didn't show up on the Memphis either. However when I turned off the phone wifi hotspot the Memphis showed up on my phone as a wifi connection! Strange. Didn't attempt to connect just enable my usual home 5g connection. It was after this brought up the Memphis app on my phone and whoa, it's working to monitor and control the Pro! I highly suspect for now the app will only work at home not out and about like it used to since not connecting through my home network. Don't know for sure though, haven't tested at a distance yet.
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FINALLY - good to hear the pit is up & running.
A NOTE ON PULLING CONNECTORS..Hold one connecter in each hand. DO NOT PULL as when the connectors dislodge your hands go flying with great force. Instead, hold the connectors one in each
hand & use your two thumbs pushing aganst each other to separate the connectors. The disconnect is far less violent this way.
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Sorry to hear about the cut, Hurts thinking about it.
I think you were lucky getting out of ER in only 3-1/2 hours.
Took my wife is a few months ago and after 11 hours they took her in.
Another hour before we got out.
Sure glad I didn't have a finger cut off or something worse.
Bet you're happy to have the Pro running again.
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For the money you paid both times, that is terrible. I have 10 year old GMG and when my igniter went out ($15 bucks ) I had it in 3 days.