Questions for RecTeq owners: MAK UPDATE!

[chopsaw]

Was thinking about that idea when I read your idea

Yeah , might be able to double nut the open end , and use a wrench to turn it back and forth .
You'll get it .

 

[schlotz]

Gonna review the bottle jack option first with MAK but if for some reason that won't work then the threaded rod with adapters is next. Thanks for the idea Rich!

 

[sandyut]

Maybe rewetting and use some kind of small drain snake. Found some on HD that might be small enough. Found one with a 1/4” cable. That might fit.

 

[DougE]

Been doing some research in regards to using a bottle jack, assuming I can find one short enough to fit the space between the auger tube and the far wall.

Porta power has some attachments that will work in the limited space. Even the Harbor freight kits are a little pricey though.

The spreader in the main kit is what I have in mind.

4 Ton Portable Hydraulic Equipment Kit

Amazing deals on this 4T Portable Hydraulic Body Repair Kit at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Or the short body ram attachment

10 ton Hydraulic Short Body Ram

Amazing deals on this 10T Hydraulic Short Body Ram at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[sandyut]

Or at flexible water jet this one gos on a hose, but I saw some for power washers.

https://a.co/d/j0Yd78L

 

[schlotz]

Porta power has some attachments that will work in the limited space. Even the Harbor freight kits are a little pricey though.

The spreader in the main kit is what I have in mind.

4 Ton Portable Hydraulic Equipment Kit

Amazing deals on this 4T Portable Hydraulic Body Repair Kit at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Or the short body ram attachment

10 ton Hydraulic Short Body Ram

Amazing deals on this 10T Hydraulic Short Body Ram at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

Hey Doug, that portable 4 ton hydraulic jack might be a better solution than the bottle jack I was looking at. Got to call their tech service to get the actual length of the ram section when closed. There is one available at a local Harbor store. thanks for the link!

 

[schlotz]

Or at flexible water jet this one gos on a hose, but I saw some for power washers.

https://a.co/d/j0Yd78L

Appreciate the link, thanks David!

 

[DougE]

Hey Doug, that portable 4 ton hydraulic jack might be a better solution than the bottle jack I was looking at. Got to call their tech service to get the actual length of the ram section when closed. There is one available at a local Harbor store. thanks for the link!

If the ram section is too long to fit, you could use the dowel and blocks with the spreader attachment that comes with it, or the same with addition of the short body ram.

 

[schlotz]

UPDATE: Had another conversation with MAK support (great people) and we both decided it was time to go the nuclear route. Won't bore everyone with the details but the use of a sledge and sacrificing the motor drive was in play. Finally got the auger out. Brother was that pellet cement hard. It took a lot of force with a screw driver to break it free from the auger. Good news is MAK is sending a motor & auger assembly to me at no charge. I reminded them again that this issue was totally my fault but no matter, it's coming free of charge. This is the definition of a top end American Pellet Grill manufacturer. Definitely a great company to deal with. No question this ordeal has been a lesson to never repeat, i.e. getting lazy after a smoke. Always dump the pellets, let the auger run out into the pot, then cover the smoker. Truly appreciate all who have offered help and suggestions. To a tee you all are what makes SMF great. Yeah Rich chopsaw , I got it out!

 

[chopsaw]

I got it out!

Awesome . I knew you would . Sometimes you just need to walk away , and talking about it makes you think . Even if the suggestions aren't used , it sparks a thought .

Hey , you can still get another one . I mean the parts are free . Lol .

 

[zwiller]

NO PICS?!?!?! LOL

 

[Brokenhandle]

Glad you got it out! Been quietly following along... does this mean you're gonna be famous, and put in a book? Owner's manual of warnings and things not to do!

Ryan

 

[schlotz]

No book, everything one needs to know is in the one sentence: After the smoke, always dump the pellets, let the auger run out into the pot, then cover the smoker.

 

[chopsaw]

No book, everything one needs to know is in the one sentence: After the smoke, always dump the pellets, let the auger run out into the pot, then cover the smoker.

The Smokefire ( drop auger ) runs in reverse and dumps the pellets back in the hopper . Thinking you can't do that with an inline ? , but I've always thought there should be a manual switch to run the auger after shut down to empty the chute . Maybe some models have that feature .

 

[schlotz]

Yeah no reverse on the in line, however with the hopper empty you can simply continue running the smoker until it flames out. Ergo, the auger feeds the fire pot until there isn't any pellets. Doesn't take that long and you can even speed it up by setting the controller to a higher temp.

 

[sandyut]

Congrats! MAK sounds like a solid company. Wish there were more like that. Ive come across a few here and there and its amazing.

 

[flexster]

Do RecTeq models have a trap door to remove pellets?

Is there a shutdown mode that will run for a period which will clear out the pellets in the auger chamber?

I'm a proud RecTeq owner. They are great grills, and mine has neither of the two components you asked about.

 

[DougE]

Great news! Glad you got it out and are getting free parts to put back in.