Pellet Fan

Accessories & Essentials => Pellets -- comments & questions => Topic started by: jdmessner on October 27, 2017, 10:40:13 PM

Title: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: jdmessner on October 27, 2017, 10:40:13 PM
Just curious if anyone has thought about or tried cherry pits in their pellet pit? I know people burn them in their pellet stoves for heat. Some folks say they are toxic, but I just read about a BBQ place not too far from me that smokes with them and swears by them. I may have to stop in and try some of their product the next time I am in that neck of the woods. It's the Pit Stop BBQ Catering Company in Grand Rapids MI.
Title: Re: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: Canadian John on October 28, 2017, 12:14:55 PM
 New to me.  If you try it let us know.
Title: Re: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: Bobitis on October 28, 2017, 12:49:13 PM
I would be concerned about auger jams. The pits are much larger than your typical pellet.

I could see them used in an offset stick burner, but I think they would get consumed at a very high rate (flame on).

 :2cents:
Title: Re: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: cjs180 on October 28, 2017, 03:34:16 PM
I burned about 6 tons of them through my pellet stove. They have a learning curve to get them to burn good and they did not start well. I would stick with pellets in a grill.
Title: Re: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: pmillen on October 28, 2017, 03:36:09 PM
I would be concerned about auger jams. The pits are much larger than your typical pellet.

Bob, I'm trying to visualize how a pit that will fit through the auger pipe would jam?  It probably can't get caught between the auger and the entrance to the pipe.  What else would jam it?
Title: Re: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: pmillen on October 28, 2017, 03:38:14 PM
I burned about 6 tons of them through my pellet stove. They have a learning curve to get them to burn good and they did not start well. I would stick with pellets in a grill.

They could be introduced after the pit is at the desired temperature.

I was thinking of starting with a mix. 
Title: Re: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: jdmessner on October 28, 2017, 04:36:08 PM

I could see them used in an offset stick burner, but I think they would get consumed at a very high rate (flame on).

 :2cents:

The place I was reading about did not use them in a pellet grill. They supplemented the pits with other hardwoods. If they don't jam the auger I was thinking it might be worth a try to mix in about 25% pits with the pellets once the fire got going.
Title: Re: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: Bentley on October 28, 2017, 11:15:24 PM
What was Laetrile made from?
Title: Re: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: jdmessner on October 29, 2017, 01:10:42 AM
What was Laetrile made from?

I want to say appricots. I do think from what I've read recently appricot pits have simular properties as the cherry pit. I don't know if the smoke from the pits would be harmful or not. Haven't found anything definative yet on-line. However, it does make you think twice.
Title: Re: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: Bobitis on October 29, 2017, 01:31:10 AM
I would be concerned about auger jams. The pits are much larger than your typical pellet.

Bob, I'm trying to visualize how a pit that will fit through the auger pipe would jam?  It probably can't get caught between the auger and the entrance to the pipe.  What else would jam it?

When I look at my feed mechanism, I don't see how a cherry pit could easily fit. It might start to go in there...
Title: Re: Cherry Pits for the Pit?
Post by: pmillen on October 29, 2017, 03:35:35 PM
What was Laetrile made from?

I want to say appricots. I do think from what I've read recently appricot pits have simular properties as the cherry pit. I don't know if the smoke from the pits would be harmful or not. Haven't found anything definative yet on-line. However, it does make you think twice.

Yeah, apricot, apple and some others when it was promoted as a cancer cure.  I don't recall cherry pits as part of the process.  It was also just synthesized. 

BTW, it's cancer-curing properties have largely been discounted.