I am looking to buy a Mak Grills 1 Star General that is gently used. I know it was bought in early 2016 and is model # EP-380-1G. Although I have confirmed that it has the newer grease trap, I haven't been able to confirm the type of igniter.
Does anyone know if it has the ceramic Flashfire igniter?
Also, I assume that this model is capable of upgrading to Mak Mobile wifi. Correct?
Thanks!
Last edited by tebok; December 30, 2018, 09:58 AM.
Howdy- The Flash Fire igniter became standard equipment with the 2016 and newer MAK grills... so yes, it should have it. You can always contact MAK with the serial number to confirm. The number you posted above is not the serial number though. The SN can be found under the pellet hopper lid. As far as MAK Mobile WiFi, yes, it can be added. I will be honest though, the WiFi is not one of MAK’s strengths. Some guys/gals do not report issues with theirs... but MANY do. What happens is you start the cook just fine... and than at some point during the cook, you lose connectivity (it’s a MAK problem)... the MAK Mobile WiFi will attempt to reconnect 3 times (it never does)... at that point it will switch the cooking temp from whatever you had it set at to Smoke (170-190°). Super annoying. I sent mine back for a refund after using it about 8-10 times. Just wasn’t for me. I find that using the Pellet Boss controller ONLY is so much less problematic (less to go wrong) and extremely reliable. It’s super programmable, allowing you to configure the cook however you want and just walk away
Excellent input, thank you for that. I'll certainly postpone any consideration of purchasing the Moble Wifi until after I've used the smoker for a while and this input especially.
I've contacted Mak with this info along with the serial number (000835). There is an image attached for those familiar with it.
All in all, the smoker looks amazing and is a small fraction of the new price, so I'm OK upgrading a few things if necessary.
IMO you're better off upgrading to the newer flamezone if that one already isn't vs the wifi. I don't have the wifi and will probably try it out at some point, but the new flamezone gets you more even temps, faster to temp, and a bit more efficient on the pellet consumption. You may want to send the unit in for upgraded firmware on the pelletboss as well, depending on what version it's on.
I can confirm that Mak has outstanding customer service. They got a hold of me almost as soon as their office opened. I learned my new to me smoker is a 2014 with the previous igniter. I also confirmed that it is compatible with the new igniter and Mobile Wifi.
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