To dump or not to dump ... that is the question ...

[MBMorgan]

... I mean, literally. Do my fellow pellet poopers (poopheads?) typically empty the hopper between cooks or just let it ride (covered, of course)?

[Jerod Broussard]

Never dumped. Under a patio.

[CaptainMike]

Wut he sed

[bten]

Covered, not under a patio. Never empty the hopper

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I already got to learn how to take the auger out of my MAK. Not sure how it is on other grills, but it was NOT a fun experience. It was during a dewey/condensation type period and I hadn't used the grill for a week. I've been dumping and burning grill on high to deplete the pellets. In drier times I'd probably leave the pellets in, but this time of year I'll be cleaning out every time.

[CaptainMike]

I don't think those of us who live in an alpine climate and have our grills under cover need to worry about it. If (or when, perhaps) we move to a more humid environment that mindset could change. As far as pellet choice I rarely empty it out from cook to cook unless I'm REALLY shooting for a flavor/smoke profile.

[Donw]

I don’t. I live by the ocean with water on three sides, and haven’t had an incident yet. Besides the cover, I do cover the pellet hopper with a large construction trash bag.

[SMOG MAN]

I never dump, always covered when not in use, never a problem.

[Sweaty Paul]

Let it ride. I have one under an overhang on back deck that is also covered. My other pellet pooper lives in the garage.

[jerrybell]

Let it ride. Stored in the bbq shed when not in use.

[JGo37]

As soon as I feel like I should dump, I try to as soon as I can; really to make sure I still can before it becomes a bigger issue.

I don't know if I answered what you asked, but I answered going by what I know...

[CaptainMike]

Spoken like a true Navy man.

[Bumby]

Going on 8 months and I haven't dumped yet or had an issue yet. Knock on wood!

[realdocBBQ]

Using pellet poopers for about 5 years now - never been a problem.

[jgreen]

Not generally humid where mine is, so have never bothered to dump. I probably would in a wetter or more humid place.

[MBMorgan]

Thanks for the feedback, folks. Here at 6300 ft. elevation in bone-dry Colorado (even the snow is usually dry), I think I'm falling into the "let it ride" category. The pellet pooper is wearing a cover and it sits on a covered deck ... 'sounds like it should be fine.

[FlipprDolphin]

Santa Fe, NM here. I just let it sit in there. I have a heavy-duty amazon basics cover for it.

[CandySueQ]

Personal experience! Depends on your cooker and hopper and where you are. I've got a Woodmaster Mini Hog trailer and hopper is full and pellets are dry. Kept under cover always. MAK -- no pellets. GMG pellets, but it's kept in the garage. Grilla gets used 2-3 times a week, pellets are in but it's under cover. Yoder Cimarron -- no pellets but it's outside without cover.

[MBMorgan]

Thanks CandySueQ! Which Grilla are you using? I just got into the pellet smoking business a couple of months ago with an Original Grilla ... and I've gotta confess that I'm loving it ...

[CandySueQ]

Original! I love my little cooker too.

[Derickls]

CampChef DLX outside with a cover, I've always left the pellets in. In southern California.