The article outlines steps to clear an auger jam in AC grills. It advises removing all pellets, unscrewing to access the auger, and loosening the jam manually or with tools, using force if necessary. Some models have complex hopper assemblies, so contact Customer Service if problems continue. Auger motor damage may occur after a jam, requiring support.
If you experience a jam in your auger on any AC grill, please follow the steps below. If you have an AC Timberline 850 or an AC Timberline 1300, jump to CLEAR A JAM IN AN AC TIMBERLINE 850 AND TIMBERLINE 1300.
Here is a helpful link with information on How to Clean your Grill.
If you prefer to view an instructional video on this process, see the video below:
How to Clear an Auger Jam in an AC Grill
**Before beginning the steps below, be sure to remove all the pellets from the hopper**
- On the bottom grate under the hopper, locate the 4 screws that hold it in place and remove them.
- Remove the 2 screws holding in the controller.
- Once removed, rotate the controller to push it through where it was housed.
- Unless already removed, clip the zip ties holding all the wires together.
- Locate the 4 screws holding the hopper assembly on the grill and remove them (2 on either side).
- Carefully remove the hopper assembly.
- Remove the 1/4-inch bushing screw (Screw holding the auger to the frame of the grill).
- With force, try to pull the auger motor back and forth by hand to try to loosen the jam.
- **NOTE: If the jam clears at this point, you are finished and can reassemble. If the jam is still stuck, continue to the next steps.
- Using a 7/64 Allen key & pliers, or a 5-16-inch socket wrench, remove the Shear pin, freeing the auger from the auger motor.
- Once the auger is free, latch onto it with a strong pair of pliers or pipe wrench and work the auger back and forth to work it free.
- **NOTE: If the jam clears at this point, you are finished and can reassemble. If the jam is still stuck, continue to the next steps.
- Take a 2x4 or something similar and place it at the end of the auger motor, which will help protect the auger.
- Hit the 2X4 with a mallet or hammer with force until the jam breaks free.
- Now you can reassemble.
Clear a Jam in an AC Timberline 850 & Timberline 1300
**Before beginning the steps below, be sure to remove all the pellets from the hopper**
- On the bottom grate under the hopper, locate the 4 screws that hold it in place and remove them.
- Remove the 4 screws holding in the controller.
- Once removed, rotate the controller to push it through where it is housed.
- Unless already removed, clip the zip ties holding all the wires together.
- Locate the 4 screws holding the hopper assembly on the grill and remove them (2 on either side).
- Next, remove the bottom grate to access the auger through the auger hatch on the side of the hopper (you will not need to remove the entire hopper assembly in this case).
- Remove the 1/4-inch bushing screw (Screw holding the auger to the grill frame).
- With force, try to pull the auger motor back and forth by hand to loosen the jam.
- **NOTE: If the jam clears at this point, you are finished and can reassemble. If the jam is still stuck, continue to the next steps.
- Using a 7/64 Allen key & pliers, or a 5-16-inch socket wrench, remove the Shear pin, freeing the Auger from the Auger motor.
- Once the auger is free, latch onto it with a strong pair of pliers or pipe wrench and work the auger back and forth to work it free.
- **NOTE: If the jam clears at this point, you are finished and can reassemble. If the jam is still stuck, continue to the next steps.
- Take a 2x4 or something similar and place it at the end of the auger motor, which will help protect the auger.
- Hit the 2X4 with a mallet or hammer with force until the jam breaks free.
- Now you can reassemble.
AC Grills with Auger Access Panel
Some AC grills have hopper burner assemblies (HBA) similar to D2 grills.
- AC Timberline
- Century 22
- Century 34
- Silverton
- Select
These grills can be difficult to troubleshoot since the steps to remove the HBA are more complicated than typical AC grills. Use the attached photo instructions to clear the auger jam.
**Before beginning the steps below, be sure to remove all the pellets from the hopper**
If you are having trouble clearing the auger jam using the graphic above, contact Customer Service.
Clear an Auger Jam on a Portable Grill
- Open the grill and remove the following 5 screws using a Phillips screwdriver:
- 1 inside grill barrel
- 2 on opposite sides of the hopper
- 2 on the controller
- Push the controller through the opening to inside of the hopper
- Grab the handle inside the barrel and lift up. Lean the contents on the inside of the lid
- Cut the zip ties
- Undo the Molex connector for the red wires
- Remove the screw holding the 2 grounding wires (1 green, 1 green and yellow) in place and unhook grounding wires
- Remove the 4 screws holding the auger motor in place.
- With force, pull the auger motor back and forth by hand to loosen the jam.
- NOTE: If the jam clears at this point, you are finished and can reassemble your grill. If the jam is still stuck, continue to the next step
- Pull out the motor and auger, to clean any additional jam.
- Auger Motor Damage & Pre-Replacement Check
It is possible that the auger motor may have been damaged after fixing an auger jam. If the motor is cracked or has visibly broken parts, Contact Customer service for replacement
Before replacing the auger motor, loosen the screws on the auger motor. This can often solve an auger that is not turning after an auger jam.
- Now you can reassemble the grill.
Side Effects of an Auger Jam
After having an auger Jam on an AC grill, there may be damage to the auger motor. If you hear clicking or if the auger is not spinning, call Customer Support for further assistance.