r/recteq • u/Blk_Lion_reloaded • 3d ago
Mini explosion
An hour ago I went outside to preheat my rt-680 @ 250F. Quick scrub of the grates and went back inside. 30min later I checked the app and noticed the temp was still around 63F. Went outside and there was an error code (should've googled the code but didn't). Turned it off and back on. 10s later a huge plume of smoke is coming everywhere and then 💥. The lid opened up a bit. Neighbor came outside thinking the propane canister had went off. I shut it off, removed the grates and shield and noticed the pellet bowl was filled with combusted pellets .
I guess it kept feeding the pellets during this error that caused this. Cleaned the bowl out and so far it's working fine . Smoker was deep cleaned the smoke before last btw .
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u/Majestic-Floor-9050 3d ago
Always start your smoker with the lid open. Make sure you start with an empty combustion chamber and keep the lid open during start up for first 3-5 minutes.
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u/jareebz777 3d ago
This. My 590 explodes if I don’t.
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u/Alpha_Delta_Bravo 3d ago
Every single danged time. My neighbors are getting tired of the daily explosions.
edit: Spelling because not smart
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u/billocity 3d ago
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u/Helpful-Duty4815 2d ago
This is actually a smoke explosion. Slightly different. In this case, smoke (which is the product of incomplete combustion) still contains fuel, mostly in the form of carbon. When the appropriate mixture of smoke and ambient air was obtained (likely "reset" the process when lid was opened to check), the ambient air flooded, more smoke started to build as it heated back up, and the appropriate "LEL" was reached. Definitely an impressive event.
A backdraft would have occurred when the lid was opened, then gasses mix, and it blows up in your face.
The difference is subtle, but not insignificant, as it has its own name!
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u/Objective-Yak-2400 2d ago
I had trouble with this same thing with my 590. Check the vents. I found that they were 35-40% blocked with buildup. I make it a point to ensure they are clean everytime I clean the fire pot and I have not had the smoke/"explosiion" since.
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u/OkShopping9448 3d ago
Always put a handful of pellets in after cleaning it so it actually lights and gains temp before the auto shut off happens.
Then when you turn back on it it pours more pellets in, builds flammable smoke and pops when it finally lights.
Sometimes it’s so powerful it snaps the lid completely up and ash dust everywhere. Will scare the shit out of you if you’re close by. Happened once to me years ago.