How does a pellet cooker work?

[Chasdev]

I know burning pellets create heat but does most of the heat come from the same source as the "pellet lighter" device?
It seems to me that since a 10 hour cook only burns 1/2 to 2/3 of the pellets in the hopper that there must be another heat source.

[astrohip]

The heat comes from the pellets. They are basically compressed hardwood (sawdust), and burn very efficiently. Leaving almost no ash (compared to a stick burner or charcoal grill, for example).

More info...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellet_grill

[astrohip]

It seems to me that since a 10 hour cook only burns 1/2 to 2/3 of the pellets in the hopper<snip>

Just as a point of information, every pellet grill is different. Hopper size varies, as does pellet burn rate based on external conditions, such as heat setting, wind & ambient temp, etc.

So a blanket statement on how much of the hopper burns in a time period can't be used for comparison purposes.

[Chasdev]

Right but does the cooker heat air as well as start the pellets burning or do they run on pellet burning heat alone?
I thought they ran on pellet heat alone but I ran mine up to 450 the other day and the hopper did not seem to go down faster than when I run at 225.

[OldUsedParts]

Other than the igniter mechanism, I think the Cooking heat comes from the Pellets only

[Papa Tom]

The igniter is only on for the first 4 minutes after that it is pellet heat only.........amazed aren't you....

[Chasdev]

If that's the case, and I don't argue that it's wrong, then I'm going ahead with my experiment to add some hardwood pieces to the burn pot and see what happens.

[GRailsback]

Can you do it in your garage and send us pictures?

[OldUsedParts]

The igniter is only on for the first 4 minutes after that it is pellet heat only.........amazed aren't you....

Not me I already new'd that

[Chasdev]

Can you do it in your garage and send us pictures?

I'd do anything for you sweetheart.

[GRailsback]

Now you sound like you live in Austin

[astrohip]

If that's the case, and I don't argue that it's wrong, then I'm going ahead with my experiment to add some hardwood pieces to the burn pot and see what happens.

Sure, why not. What could possibly go wrong?

[Chasdev]

I thank you for your kind permission to try it.

[OldUsedParts]

If you do, then you'd better come back and post up a detailed report of the entire experience, even if it burns the Garage down. Is that understood ?

[Chasdev]

Glad to, I plan first on starting it up with the metal burn pot cover and large drip tray removed so I can watch what happens when I hit start.
Then depending on what I see I'm going to choose the size and shape of a wood chunk to insert in the burn pot area, then restart and observe what happens.
Last series of tests will be with as much wood as I can get in there without jamming up the feed cycle, with all the metal bits installed and the lid closed to see what the onboard computer/heat regulating software thinks of it and what level of smoke it produces.
After about 30 minutes I'll shut down and observe the ash pile and may or may not proceed to add or subtract the amount and size of the extra wood depending on the results of the above and how the ash builds up.
While it may be hard to repeat I've got some super dry post oak mini splits (around 14% water content) that leave little ash when burned and may not mess up the pellet feed function.