Do YOU sift pellets before they hit your hopper!!??

[@leelivezey4843]

Thanks Grill Sergeant. Didn't see the need to sift - until today. Loaded a brand new bag of Pit Boss Competition into my BPV3 and noticed there was a fair amount of dust while pouring. Not a rainy day, but had rained up until about an hour before I started. No problems for the first 10 hours, then it happened. With just a couple of hours left my smoker stopped heating due to clogged auger. The brisket and tri-tip were already wrapped so no big deal to move into the oven to finish, but could have ruined my day if it'd happened earlier. Just ordered the sifter and a couple of gamma lids for 5 gallon buckets for dry storage. Live and learn.

[@albinodipasquale]

One of the best intro music and video i have ever seen and heard ... keep it up Sergeant !!!

[@robconnard8795]

Recently, I had placed pellets in a gallon size ziplock bag and stored it outside in cabinet. Bad idea! When I went to use pellets, a good portion was broken down, part dust, part clumps. In order to salvage the rest, I used a pasta colander. After that mis step, all pellets are now stored indoors. I attribute high humidity the culprit. I do find with each pellet bag purchased there is a finite amount that needs to be filtered out. Great topic, great video. Will stay tuned!

[@carpetmagicofwilson]

I just went through mine and cleaned all that small stuff out, i like the sifting idea i will start doing that Thanks

[@slothymotivation]

Thanks just got my pellet grill. First time using it today. Thanks for the tips.

[@GrillSergeant]

Nice! What are you smoking today?

[@slothymotivation]

@@GrillSergeant doing a chuck roast like a brisket.

[@thegrumpyolgringo]

Than goodness, someone finally did an unboxing video of bottled water. Why did I have to wait so long??? Lol.😊. Sifting?? Who knew?? Nicely Done. Thanks for sharing. 😎.

[@rocket4602]

The dog says...."gimmie dem bones, will ya?!"

[@GreenhornBBQbeer]

You know, I've thought about sifting before, but just dont use the bottomed out part of the bag anyway. And thanks for the tips on pouring water, Deb likes me to be fancy but it feels weird.

[@frankzabotsky3237]

I like the sifting idea also been doing it for about 6 months thanks for all the help

[@raylongoria7178]

I'm going to start sifting! Thank you for the valuable tips!

[@brianx2640]

Learned the hard way never sifted had 9 days of rain here had concrete in bottom. Had to take apart the auger. Back in business

[@mikesr3011]

How about the quick pour? Hold bottle in one hand, twist cap off per your instructions, grasp water bottle with either hand, lift bottle towards mouth and insert in-between lips and pour swallowing as water is escaping from the bottle. Eezy, peezy! On sifting, I'm on the fence about it. Mainly because I vacuum out my smoker all the time so I don't have any build up. So for now I don't although it is a good idea if you notice an excessive amount of dust and fine pellet particles in your particular brand of pellets. Great video Serge!

[@GrillSergeant]

The quick pour! Genius!

[@kaivonmortazavi8656]

Just stumbled on this video - got my new/first pellet smoker this weekend and went through burn in, biscuit test etc. and noticed that there was a lot of dust and small stuff in my 20 Ib. Bag of Bear Mountain Hickory pellets. I had heard that these are good pellets with low dust!! Since Im new at this, I have nothing to compare bear mountain dust level to but I was wondering if I should be sifting and just by chance I saw your blog. I think I will order a 1/4” sifter and start sifting - surly it cant hurt and only help. Thanks for the education.

[@GrillSergeant]

Welcome! Sifting helps and does not take that long to do. What smoker did you get?

[@ChefJimmyJ]

TIP: Broken pellets can be ground into Dust an old food pricessor or blender, ifor Cold Smoking in a Maze Smoke Tray.

[@natep1661]

Yes I sift. And vac everything after every use. I have the updated model of yours and the auger at least on mine can get finicky.

[@jeraldcombs2503]

Sift! Always. Great videos man.

Friend, I'm impressed with the quality of your image! Congratulations, the video is of excellent quality! exposure

[@jagerbomb29]

Dang the luck. The sifting pan is currently out of stock. Great video btw. Lots of good information. My wife just bought me my first pellet smoker as a early birthday gift. Can't wait to use it.

[@GrillSergeant]

In theory if you find a 1/4 screen, you can make your own...

[@justinmurray7039]

Thats pretty good for keeping your auger from getting jammed but you could put the stuff that sifted out in the fire pot to start your grill so it doesn't go to waste

[@GrillSergeant]

That’s a really great idea! 🍻 Thanks for sharing!

[@edpippin]

I don’t use a sifting pan, i have an old large fryer basket ‘outdoor fryer’’ and all I do is fill it up, shake it around and let the dust fall through the holes. This gets 90 percent of the dust and its quick. Then I poor into my storage buckets.

[@GrillSergeant]

Whatever gets the job done! Cheers!

[@jeremyhicokraddad_mtb8388]

I'm gonna have to start doing this. Two ErL codes in one smoke

[@mosconi0359]

I've been using pellet smokers for at least 10 years now. Never bothered to sift. Don't know that I will start. I have replaced an auger though, and a firepot, but I doubt it had anything to do with not sifting pellets. IMHO if you vacuum out both the ash and the auger tube and the bottom of the pellet hopper each time you clean your grill the sifting of pellets may be a moot point. Just sayin' Great video though.

[@GrillSergeant]

I hear you. I have yet to have a jammed auger after sifting but I agree that it's best practice to vacuum out the burn pot before each use. A clean pellet smoker is a happy pellet smoker. LOL

[@lanie1421]

I have the Brunswick vertical pellet smoker

[@tri-tipjunkie]

I appears that it would behoove you to shift. Thanks for the water unboxing I think I can use that same technique for beer. Thanks Andrew

[@GrillSergeant]

Ha! Cheers :)

[@stevecaskey6433]

I'm going to start sifting too

[@michaelgartman4320]

What size sifter would be good for Cabela's/Lumberjack? I know Pit Boss pellets are larger diameter.

[@johnnyg507]

I noticed in a comment below you mentioned making a video about making your own sifter. Did you ever make that? If not, can you offer some suggestions/insights? I know that the sifter you linked on Amazon is back in-stock now, but it's $28. :-o That seems awful pricey for a plastic bowl with a 1/4" mesh bottom that I might use on a few times a season. And then I have visions of my kids playing with my $28 sifter out in the sandbox! :-D Thoughts/suggestions?

[@martinmorales3269]

Yes, my pellet smoker jammed by not doing this and humidity build up, i had to take apart auger and clean out, 😤 it messed up while i was gna do turkey 🦃, totally killed off time, and wife wasn’t happy 😂

[@GrillSergeant]

Happy Wife Happy Life - sorry to hear you were having issues

[@robertjason6885]

Haha...water pour...happy to subscribe

[@texascrossbowdude636]

Seems like you need a finer mesh to sift more of the dust. Isnt it more of the dust that can clump up.

[@angiebates4844]

I just bought an Asmoke Skylight pellet grill. Does it matter what brand of pellets you use? Are the different brands different sized pellets?

[@GrillSergeant]

You can run anything you want

[@MihaelaRo]

Hello I just purchased my first pit boss and I’m so lucky to have found your videos. Thank you so much. I was wondering if you can tell me do I empty the hamper after every use? Also do I clean and vacuum the inside and after every use? If yes that means I have to prime it before every use to get it started right? I’m so confused. LOL

[@GrillSergeant]

Hey Mihaela! Welcome to the channel. I never empty my hopper. That being said, if you live in an area with very high humidity there is a chance moisture could get into your hopper and cause your pellets to swell up sightly and that could cause jams or feeding issues. If you did empty your hopper your auger would still have pellets in it so you don’t need to prime it. What Pit Boss model did you get?

[@MihaelaRo]

@@GrillSergeant thank you so much for responding so fast. I got the 5-seiesVertical pellet 77551. I’m in Illinois and I’m actually smoking something right now and trying to keep the temp at about 160F I cured some bacon and pork tenderloin,cold smoked it at about120F for couple of hrs and now I’m fighting to keep it steady trying to reach that internal160F. So far I like it. I’m trying to form good habits to keep it in good shape so I can enjoy it longer with blowing up LOL 😆 I guess to be on the same side I’ll empty the hopper. Also where are you buying the charcoal pallets? I will order the shifter. Thank you again

[@GrillSergeant]

That’s awesome! If I’m not mistaken, the charcoal pellets by Pit Boss are exclusive to Walmart. 🍻

[@robbelmore418]

What brand charcoal blend pellets do you recommend?

[@ruhster666]

I appreciate your time and tips before I purchase my first vertical smoker, I feel though for cooking burgers a charcoal grill is the best

[@ericmartin7127]

horizontal do better for grilling they typically have hotter settings

[@MisterWub]

Thanks for the tip! I ordered the sifter today and unfortunately amazon only has the 1/8” Will that work for Traeger and Pit Boss Pellets?

[@GrillSergeant]

Yep!

[@rburn99]

Is charcoal pellets something made with unicorn horns? I don't see anyone selling charcoal pellets (although I like the idea a lot!)

[@johnnoack7775]

what is the advantage of using this mix? I am quite intrigued. Thanks! Do you have video of the smoke produced from it?

[@GrillSergeant]

Hey John! So on a traditional smoker you are using a charcoal with wood chunks to bring heat and smoke flavor. By mixing 1/1 ratio of wood pellets and charcoal pellets you are recreating that flavor but on a pellet smoker. If you find my name on IG you will see a shot of the smoke being produced. It's a LOT under the smoke setting, but not so much after you hit 250+

[@Shovelups]

Pinky out definitely makes the water taste better. Great tip on sifting pellets. Do you know if the 1/4” screen will work well fir other brands also?

[@GrillSergeant]

Mike Wright Yes it will.

[@Shovelups]

Grill Sergeant Thanks. I use Lumberjack. Debated between a sifter vs a metal kitty litter scoop

[@GrillSergeant]

Mike Wright That might work too. But the cat might look at you weird. 😂

[@1967MGC]

@@Shovelups LOL, the kitty will leave a special flavor on your food.

[@chrisromano4822]

Just wondering if your charcoal pellets are a blend, I can only find charcoal blend pellets.

[@GrillSergeant]

Yes.

[@Justcruzin99]

where did you purchase the pan shifter?

[@jeremyshort1152]

Ace hardware

[@GrillSergeant]

amzn.to/2SsEKW7

[@lanie1421]

What size of sifter should I get

[@ednovak3601]

Where can I get the pellet sifter

[@GrillSergeant]

I put a Amazon link in the video description.

[@ednovak3601]

@@GrillSergeant Thank you very much

[@frankzabotsky3237]

I sift makes it less of a chance to plug

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Very nice 👍

[@Meatwad.Baggins]

I dont sift but I just got an erl code so that's going to change

[@ronaldwoodruff91]

Where do you find charcoal pellets (not listed on Amazon)

[@GrillSergeant]

Hey Ronald - I think you can only find them at Walmart...

[@LadycoachExplores]

Informative and Interesting

[@LeprechaunTV]

So what if you inherited someone else's smoker and eveything is clumped in the bottom?

[@GrillSergeant]

Shop vac and chisel? lol

[@clarkcomish8934]

I have been pouring water wrong this whole time

[@TeamRubalcavaNetwork]

Bahah I talk with my hand too! Don’t forget to keep that pinky out. Haha

[@GrillSergeant]

You fancy son! lol

[@forgethought8174]

Hey there, just found your videos! Looks like this sifter is out of stock. Do you have an alternate place to buy it or other recommendations?

[@GrillSergeant]

In the works on making a video how how to make your own for super cheap! :)

[@forgethought8174]

@@GrillSergeant Super appreciate both the solution and the prompt response! Looking forward to it.

[@eastwindfarms3671]

Do the cups have to have dainty shapes and colors on it?

[@GrillSergeant]

I brought them out to appeal to viewers just like you! LOL

[@joshshuttleworth1932]

Thanks for the videos, is there a certain size mesh softer you recommend?

[@joshshuttleworth1932]

I ordered a 1/4 size one from Amazon hopefully that’s sufficient. I started the burn off and it came up with the ERL code.

[@GrillSergeant]

@@joshshuttleworth1932 Yep. This is what I used. amzn.to/2SsEKW7

[@jaysbrappingbbq842]

Allways miss the lives

[@GrillSergeant]

All good bro! See you around!

[@danroth3782]

Hello all, is there a specific size sifter used for this? Also I cannot find the pit boss charcoal pellets in stock anywhere. Anyone else having this issue?

[@jpmd4935]

Lowes

[@GrillSergeant]

amzn.to/2SsEKW7 And I found the pellets at Walmart

[@jwhite144]

What sifter do you have and where to get?

[@GrillSergeant]

amzn.to/2SsEKW7

[@jwhite144]

@@GrillSergeant thank you

[@michaelking1454]

What mesh sifter do you use

[@GrillSergeant]

amzn.to/2SsEKW7

[@OFFTHEGRILL]

Competition blend and Charcoal blend..ha..I prefer pouring my water with pinky up too..I see u 😎1K UP

[@GrillSergeant]

Thank you kindly girl! :)

[@CulinaryUndertaking]

Dude, when did you get a Pit Boss? Never sifted, never will. PINKY OUT!!

[@GrillSergeant]

Culinary Undertaking I have a video coming out next week about it. :)

[@thegalleryBBQ]

I never sift but probably should...

[@daddydutchbbq]

I missed it ! Which way did you twist the cap to remove it ? Asking for a West Hollywood friend! #no sift here !

[@NorthTexasBBQAddicts]

I dont personally sift cool thinkin!

[@GrillSergeant]

Cheers Ken!

[@RalphsReactionsedwards]

Hello my friend i love this video

[@GrillSergeant]

Thanks RJ!

[@brianyoung213]

You never state the size of the mesh in the screen, obviously too big and everything goes through and too small and nothing does... ty

[@GrillSergeant]

Brian Young I left a link in the description to the softer that I bought. 🍻

[@brianyoung213]

Thank you!! I’m a little new to the channel thing on KZbin, didn’t know where the description was but I found it, thanks again.

[@GrillSergeant]

Brian Young No worries man! Hope to see you around! Cheers man! 🍻

[@MomentosAngelicales]

Saludos. Like.

[@CATmanATL22]

I always sift my pellets ......

[@ComparisonCooking]

Hahah, whats up with the finger!

[@GrillSergeant]

LOL

[@webcrawler3332]

Not worth sifting. All that would have burned just fine

[@GrillSergeant]

I've gotten a Er1 code (jammed auger) once before I started sifting. Maybe it was a fluke but I have not gotten that error code after I started sifting so there might be something to it...cheers!

[@webcrawler3332]

Grill Sergeant weird! Yeah I’ve yet to have a problem but I also don’t have the newer models and I’ve been finding that the newer ones are more finicky.