Went out & uncovered the DC to cook a couple rib eyes, Hit the start button  & went back in the house Few minutes later I went out & turned the temp up to 525. minutes later it said 325 I put the steaks on & went back into the house. Figured 6 minutes a side then check internal as these were pretty thick.

Six minutes later I go out & the grill temp is 345 & real smokey I'm thinking what DAAAA..... & I look and I forgot to open up the chimney cap!! Open it up & the temp instantly starts to climb. How could I forget something I check every time!

Six minutes later I have a FIRE!! Take the steaks off & hit the fan mode & closed it up. Grill got so hot that the stainless lid warped, it went back into its shape when cooled, Steaks were a bit to smokey but done to perfection. Grill looks like it got a good cleaning with everything burnt off of it. Cooled off now, checked some things with a flashlight, grates haven't been this clean in a long time & the 3 1/2 years of buildup in the chimney is gone. Will have to do further investigating tomorrow when its light out

Sounds like an exciting night.

Self cleaning mode!  I hope nothing was harmed.  I'm new at this pellet grill park and I'm still a bit nervous about things like this. 

We’re cooking with fire...it’s bound to happen sooner or later... glad things appear to be ok

Glad you, your house and your grill are ok.  we all have those “dangit” moments.

FIRE!!  FIRE!!  FIRE!!  I'm glad to hear nothing was lost but a few bad words.  Let us know what came of it.

Mine is an older DC with a mfg date of 9/2013 & I bought it in 4/2014 & have used it pretty extensively over the years. I have had absolutely no problems with it over the years. I store it under a cover under the eave of the house & always move it away from the house when using.

Upon further review this morning all I can say its a heck of a way to clean your grill. 3 1/2 years of soot & gunk in the chimney are gone and the small holes in the drip tray are once again all open. Doesn't seem any worse for wear except the stainless lid now in some places has a bronze & blue coloring to it. Grates haven't been this clean in a long time. Scraped & vacuumed everything & placed a handful of pellets in the pot for priming purposes. Should be good to go for next time!

What did you cook last? I had this happen twice after cooking bacon, then setting the temp for over 425°  for the next cook. If you cook something greasy, turn up the grill to just under 400 and let it burn off some before shutdown so it burns the grease off below ignition temp.

What did you cook last? I had this happen twice after cooking bacon, then setting the temp for over 425°  for the next cook. If you cook something greasy, turn up the grill to just under 400 and let it burn off some before shutdown so it burns the grease off below ignition temp.

I couldn't tell ya, Pit's 3 1/2 years old. It WAS well seasoned!

it may have been dumping extra pellets to reach the higher temp then when you opened up the chimney cap  the additional air flow ignited the extra pellets and managed to start your chain reaction and Voila!!! Fire in the Hole... had this happen on the DB, on the positive side you get to re-season it...

 OR, it could have been a "buildup" of nasties that got to the point of  being just enough to cause the fire.  Sounds to me like a lesson well learned.

Merry Christmas.

it may have been dumping extra pellets to reach the higher temp then when you opened up the chimney cap  the additional air flow ignited the extra pellets and managed to start your chain reaction and Voila!!! Fire in the Hole... had this happen on the DB, on the positive side you get to re-season it...

That's what I was thinking. I used it tonight to cook some porkchops. All is well!