Pellet Fan

Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => Memphis => Topic started by: 02ebz06 on August 26, 2021, 11:04:37 AM

Title: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: 02ebz06 on August 26, 2021, 11:04:37 AM
Had this little gadget made to cover the gap (pic 3) in the ramp.  Fits in nicely.
As is a lot of pellets end up in the ash tray and pellets/fines end up behind the pot.
I suspect some day they would catch fire if not cleaned out regularly, which requires taking the burn pot apart.
This part should eliminate those problems.

Got a chicken and a pork loin in fridge thawing.
Will see how well this works out in a few days.
Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: Canadian John on August 26, 2021, 01:39:31 PM


    Nice work.        That should eliminate or greatly reduce your problems. I wonder why Memphis would change something that works? It's hard to believe.. What else was changed along the way?
Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: Canadian John on August 26, 2021, 01:48:08 PM


 A second look revealed to me the why. Someone may have had a hopper fire and to address the issue, the bridge - fire pot to hopper was eliminated potentially selecting the lesser of two evils.

 Have you discussed this with Memphis?
Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: 02ebz06 on August 26, 2021, 02:13:10 PM
Have not discussed it with Memphis.  They would just tell me it would void my warranty.  Already past warranty point anyway.

I had a hopper fire once in my pre-Chinese Made Elite, but I believe it was my fault.
Just a guess but I think this is what happened:
A brisket was too far to the back and fat cap was beyond the drip tray and grease dripped onto the ramp.
Pellets stuck to the grease and started to build up and eventually caught fire.
The change they made "may" have prevented it, don't really know.
I thought a simple fix for that would be drill two holes in the back ledge the grates sit on and bolt a piece of SS to it, wider than the ramp, and front to back would hang over the drip tray.
That way any grease dripping down would slide off and onto the drip tray instead of the ramp.
Dang, why didn't I think of this before I had the other SS stuff made.   :-[
 
Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: bregent on August 26, 2021, 02:18:17 PM
I'll need to check mine when I get home later, but I thought there was also a gap in the US made units. 
Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: 02ebz06 on August 26, 2021, 03:23:06 PM
I was looking to see if I had a picture of the fire and found this.
Shows what comes off that ramp and ends up in the ash tray.

Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: WiPelletHead on August 26, 2021, 06:35:54 PM
That is a lot of pellets missing the pot. I can see why your trying for a fix.

Only guessing here but I think the issue is more the lack of sides than the gap.

I sure could be wrong.
Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: 02ebz06 on August 26, 2021, 08:09:25 PM
That is a lot of pellets missing the pot. I can see why your trying for a fix.

Only guessing here but I think the issue is more the lack of sides than the gap.

I sure could be wrong.

The new part takes care of both.  ;D
Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: 02ebz06 on December 11, 2021, 04:12:53 PM
A little late with an update, but the modified ramp works like a charm.
No build up of pellets in the ash tray.
Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: Canadian John on December 12, 2021, 08:43:17 AM
 
 That is what I like to see: follow-up.  In this case the result was a good one.  Thanks 02'
Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on December 28, 2021, 02:29:28 PM
Per the pics on the Memphis website, it looks like they have a version 3 of our grills and an entirely different looking pellet ramp and burn pot.
Title: Re: Pellet Ramp Mod for the Chineese made unit
Post by: 02ebz06 on December 28, 2021, 02:38:04 PM
I saw that.  I'm guessing the slots in it are small enough for fines to drop in instead of pellets.
Looks narrower too.