Problem
Possible Cause
Smoker not heating
• Controller turned to OFF position.
• No power.
• Faulty controller or heating element.
Circuit breaker trips or
• Power surge.
fuse blows
• Another appliance plugged into same circuit as
smoker.
• Moisture or water in controller or electrical
connections.
• Damaged cord or electrical connections.
Smoker will not cook
• Lid of smoker is left open.
properly
• Insufficient preheat or temperature set too low.
• Inappropriate extension cord.
• Excessive buildup on porcelain bowl.
.
Flare-ups
• Excess fat in meat.
• Excessive cooking temperature.
• Grease build up.
Controller indicator light
• Normal controller cycling.
is not lit.
• No power.
• Faulty controller.
Persistent grease fire
• Grease trapped by food build up.
Troubleshooting
Prevention/Solution
• Turn controller knob to setting 5 HIGH.
• Be sure controller is fully seated in heating element bracket and smoker is
properly plugged into outlet.
• Check for tripped household circuit breakers or GFI (Ground Fault
Interrupter). Reset or replace if necessary.
• Try a known, working appliance in the outlet.
• Try a different outlet, preferably on a different circuit.
• Replace controller or heating element.
• Turn controller to OFF position before plugging into electrical outlet.
• Do not use other electrical appliances on the same circuit.
• Keep controller and all electrical connections dry. Do not operate unit when
raining.
• Replace damaged controller or extension cord.
• Close lid on smoker while cooking.
• Preheat 15-20 minutes. Increase controller setting.
• Replace with appropriately rated cord (15 amps).
• Clean lower porcelain bowl.
• Trim fat from meat before smokering.
• Adjust (lower) temperature as needed.
• Clean smoker.
• Increase knob setting or wait for light to cycle on.
• See "Smoker not heating".
• Replace controller or heating element.
• Turn controller knob to the OFF position. Keep lid on and let fire burn out.
After smoker cools, clean insulation bowl.
• Do not apply water to fire. Personal injury may result.
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