Smoke coming out of the hopper is not normal behavior; however, it is not usually dangerous. If you feel any sense of alarm that pellets in the hopper are at risk of catching fire, please go directly to Billowing Smoke below and follow the steps listed there.
Smoke from Hopper During a Cook
Cause
- Airflow issue, not a fire risk.
- Fan may not be creating enough pressure to pull smoke out the exhaust, causing it to escape through the hopper.
Diagnostic Steps
1. Check Grill Setup
- Ensure grill is on a level surface.
- Turn on the grill and listen for the induction fan (soft whirling sound).
2. No Fan Sound?
Non-WiFIRE / Westwood Series Grills
- Remove hopper access panel.
- Locate induction fan.
- Try spinning manually:
- If it doesn’t spin, replace the fan.
WiFIRE Grill
- Check if fan is installed upside down:
- Arrows on fan should point toward firepot.
- Confirm airflow by placing hand near firepot (after removing grates and turning on grill).
Woodridge Series
- Check to make sure the fan is not installed upside down.
-
Sticker should face up if installed correctly.
- If the fan is installed upside down, refer to Replacing a Woodridge Series Induction Fan, for instructions on how to remove and replace the fan right side up.
3. Check for Ash Buildup
- Ash can block airflow and push smoke back into hopper.
- If there is ash buildup, refer to cleaning a pellet grill for cleaning information.
4. Check Chimney Height (when applicable)
- Cap should be ~¾ inch (2 cm) above chimney.
- Twist to adjust height.
Smoke During Shutdown (Backburn)
Cause
- Pellets in auger heat to smoke point.
- More common with Non-WiFIRE grills.
Steps
- Set grill to SMOKE or lowest temp.
- Let temp drop below 225°F.
- Then initiate Shutdown Mode.
Follow-Up Tips
- Before shutdown, run in SMOKE mode for a few minutes.
- Keep lid closed during shutdown.
- Ensure grill is level.
- Clean out ash buildup.
Billowing Smoke or Hopper Fire
Cause
- Active backburn (pellets burning in auger).
Immediate Action
- Unplug the grill.
- Keep grill and hopper lids closed to starve fire of oxygen.
-
If no active fire:
- Perform shutdown.
- After cooling, remove burned pellets.
Refer to Grill Fires documentation for more details.
If you have any questions, please contact our customer service.