Building a pellet cooker

ChiliMacDaddy · 12-09-2007, 12:07 AM

Anybody here have any experience or knowledge in DIYing a pellet cooker?
I've been wanting to build one for a few years now but never can find a good design or set of plans/pics. I used to own a couple of FEC-100s so I got the basic jist downpat on how they work. But the pellet mechanisms are not cheap from the typical BBQ sources.

While perusing the web and ebay awhile back, I see there are quite a few sources for cheap pellet stove auger assemblies, fire pots, controllers, etc. And there isn't all that much different between how a pellet stove and a pellet cooker operate. Seems like it wouldn't take too much moolah to fabricate something a little different, what with the availability of parts out there.

Anybody ever built a pellet cooker before?

txschutte · 12-09-2007, 12:09 AM

Nope. If I built a pellet pooper, these guys would have me commited.

Norcoredneck · 12-09-2007, 01:07 AM

Been looking for an old pellet stove to disect. Not so available in sunny So Cal.

HoDeDo · 12-09-2007, 12:24 PM

We have built a couple of pellet cookers... One out of a kingfisher, one out of a proofing oven.

We were trying to go simple... The biggest complaint about using one in comps is that boards go out, augers jam, etc. So we were (are) trying to build a better mouse trap.

We have been trying to use a gravity feed, and no forced air. It has been successful, sometimes. If you can get a good draw, the pellets will burn nicely without forced air, but unless you have an insulated unit, you need the forced air to generate enough heat to keep thing cooking.... (or multiple firepots.) It's way to nasty out right now... but if we get a break in the cold/ice next before Christmas, I will snap some pics of what we have done so far.

Mo-Dave · 12-09-2007, 02:27 PM

Different approach but much cheaper and less problems with electronics and augers may be to build the pellet smoker device that Norcoredneck illustrates in his post down below. It probably could operate off your car battery or cig lighter at a competition with little or no problems. Only draw back would be you still would need to use a traditional source of heat. Just a thought.
Dave

Norcoredneck · 12-09-2007, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo-Dave

It probably could operate off your car battery or cig lighter at a competition with little or no problems. Dave

Next one will have a battery backup aquarium pump.

Mo-Dave · 12-09-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norcoredneck

Next one will have a battery backup aquarium pump.

There you have it.
Dave

ChiliMacDaddy · 12-09-2007, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoDeDo

We have built a couple of pellet cookers... One out of a kingfisher, one out of a proofing oven.

We were trying to go simple... The biggest complaint about using one in comps is that boards go out, augers jam, etc. So we were (are) trying to build a better mouse trap.

We have been trying to use a gravity feed, and no forced air. It has been successful, sometimes. If you can get a good draw, the pellets will burn nicely without forced air, but unless you have an insulated unit, you need the forced air to generate enough heat to keep thing cooking.... (or multiple firepots.) It's way to nasty out right now... but if we get a break in the cold/ice next before Christmas, I will snap some pics of what we have done so far.

Yes, I would like to see some pix if you get a chance.
But I can't see where you are going to be able to get around the forced air feature. Every pellet burner I've ever seen had it in some fashion or another.

What I'm envisioning is a box that's sized similar to the Stumps clone that Keri & Robert of Oklahoma put together (look here) http://tinyurl.com/ytg682 but instead of using a gravity fed charcoal firebox, substitute in a pellet assembly of some sort.

Anyway, that's the very basic concept so far. I've collected some parts pix and an engineering overview of how the electronics should work on a pellet stove. I think the main thing is finding a reasonably priced auger assembly that could be easily incorporated into the design. An auger assembly would be sort of difficult to DIY, imo. But I think the rest of the components could be fabricated without much difficulty.

Look forward to see what you've done. No hurry for me. Weather is rotten here too. Besides, I've been mulling this project over off and on for quite awhile so what's a few more weeks or months?

yelonutz · 12-10-2007, 12:35 AM

check out this site. It is where Robert and Kari got started. You will find some familiar names over there, including mine!
Moderator, if this isn't alright, please delete

http://www.phpbbserver.com/phpbb/vie...orum=smokinjim

ChiliMacDaddy · 12-10-2007, 03:24 PM

That's a nice link there.
Looks like great minds think alike

Gives me some good ideas to consider.
Thanks!

Coz · 12-10-2007, 07:32 PM

There are a lot of ideas to mull over on the site that Yelonutz posted.Also many discussions on thoughts and theory.

Norcoredneck · 12-10-2007, 07:55 PM

This guy built a pellet feeder into a Stump clone.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLan...fromshare&Ux=0

Thawley · 12-10-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norcoredneck

Been looking for an old pellet stove to disect...

2nd post, eh, Pat? I'm surprised it took you so long.

As soon as I saw the topic (DIY Pellet Smoker), I knew you'd get sucked into this thread like its was gravity...

Can't you get some of your aerospace pals to do some R&D and post a 3D CAD file for us???

ique · 12-10-2007, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norcoredneck

This guy built a pellet feeder into a Stump clone.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLan...fromshare&Ux=0

Awesome project, thanks for the link

BBQ_MAFIA · 12-10-2007, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norcoredneck

This guy built a pellet feeder into a Stump clone.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLan...fromshare&Ux=0

Thanks. This was great to see.

12-09-2007, 12:07 AM	#1
ChiliMacDaddy Got Wood. Join Date: 10-24-07 Location: The Heart of it All	Building a pellet cooker Anybody here have any experience or knowledge in DIYing a pellet cooker? I've been wanting to build one for a few years now but never can find a good design or set of plans/pics. I used to own a couple of FEC-100s so I got the basic jist downpat on how they work. But the pellet mechanisms are not cheap from the typical BBQ sources. While perusing the web and ebay awhile back, I see there are quite a few sources for cheap pellet stove auger assemblies, fire pots, controllers, etc. And there isn't all that much different between how a pellet stove and a pellet cooker operate. Seems like it wouldn't take too much moolah to fabricate something a little different, what with the availability of parts out there. Anybody ever built a pellet cooker before? __________________ [FONT=Impact][I][B][FONT=Palatino Linotype]Mac [/FONT][/B] [/I][/FONT]

12-09-2007, 12:09 AM	#2
txschutte Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 08-02-07 Location: Cozad, Nebraska	Nope. If I built a pellet pooper, these guys would have me commited. __________________ "Bring it on, you bananna thong wearing killer of brisket!"-Chambers If you really care about this place, you'll show some respect for it. Your beard is so stupid, it took two hours to watch 60 Minutes.

12-09-2007, 01:07 AM	#3
Norcoredneck somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-11-06 Location: Norco, Ca.	Been looking for an old pellet stove to disect. Not so available in sunny So Cal. __________________ *Low and Slow.....* *The Prontologist is in...* *Ok let's see your Butt!*

12-09-2007, 12:24 PM	#4
HoDeDo Babbling Farker Join Date: 02-19-06 Location: Kansas City	We have built a couple of pellet cookers... One out of a kingfisher, one out of a proofing oven. We were trying to go simple... The biggest complaint about using one in comps is that boards go out, augers jam, etc. So we were (are) trying to build a better mouse trap. We have been trying to use a gravity feed, and no forced air. It has been successful, sometimes. If you can get a good draw, the pellets will burn nicely without forced air, but unless you have an insulated unit, you need the forced air to generate enough heat to keep thing cooking.... (or multiple firepots.) It's way to nasty out right now... but if we get a break in the cold/ice next before Christmas, I will snap some pics of what we have done so far. __________________ Andy /Smoke on Wheels Competition BBQ - www.smokeonwheels.com

12-09-2007, 02:27 PM	#5
Mo-Dave Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-18-06 Location: Hurricane Deck Missouri	Different approach but much cheaper and less problems with electronics and augers may be to build the pellet smoker device that Norcoredneck illustrates in his post down below. It probably could operate off your car battery or cig lighter at a competition with little or no problems. Only draw back would be you still would need to use a traditional source of heat. Just a thought. Dave __________________ Let us have a drink and by God lets us not think about the things we ain't never going to know about.

12-10-2007, 12:35 AM	#9
yelonutz is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 06-02-07 Location: Chico, Ca	check out this site. It is where Robert and Kari got started. You will find some familiar names over there, including mine! Moderator, if this isn't alright, please delete http://www.phpbbserver.com/phpbb/vie...orum=smokinjim __________________ Weber Smokey Mountain 18 & 22.5 in Gator Pit Trailer mount MAK 2 Star General Pellet Pooper Medium Green Egg Mini Green Egg New Black stoker with built in wi-fi KCBS CBJ #20258 Drunk Uncles BBQ Team, Ruining Family Gatherings for Over 20 Years. DAMN IT ANDY!!

12-10-2007, 03:24 PM	#10
ChiliMacDaddy Got Wood. Join Date: 10-24-07 Location: The Heart of it All	That's a nice link there. Looks like great minds think alike Gives me some good ideas to consider. Thanks! __________________ [FONT=Impact][I][B][FONT=Palatino Linotype]Mac [/FONT][/B] [/I][/FONT]

12-10-2007, 07:32 PM	#11
Coz is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 10-05-07 Location: Georgetown , Ky	There are a lot of ideas to mull over on the site that Yelonutz posted.Also many discussions on thoughts and theory. __________________ Stumps Clone "RAINMAKER" Stumps Clone RIP 9-20-08 Stumps Clone "LIL RAIN " Stumps Clone " CHRISTINE " ONE Evil Biotch and another in process BRINGIN' THE HEAT BBQ Team just Cloning around

12-10-2007, 07:55 PM	#12
Norcoredneck somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-11-06 Location: Norco, Ca.	This guy built a pellet feeder into a Stump clone. http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLan...fromshare&Ux=0 __________________ *Low and Slow.....* *The Prontologist is in...* *Ok let's see your Butt!*