Pk 100 blew up

[Phantom]

I do have it inside my shop with the chimney venting outside, I did notice when i set the pan of dust only( a box I have used before) that it produced heavy smoke very fast, it was dry i didn’t wet it down first

[processhead]

Using a pan of chips or sawdust seems like it should be a pretty simple way to generate smoke, but there can be some inconsistency in the burn rate. Back when I was doing it that way, I noticed a lot of variation in the burn rate of different types of wood under different smoking conditions, although I never had an explosion.
If you get too much sawdust burning I can see where you could get a lot of volatile vapors building up in the box. I agree with twilliams, it would be best to wet down the chips or sawdust to control the burn rate.

[Jonathon]

Phantom Just so this doesn’t get lost, if you did purchase from us please contact customer service at 800-835-2832 as soon as you are able to. You could also email them at cs@waltonsinc.com

[Phantom]

Jonathon I did not get it from waltons from a local butcher supply house who sold me the smoker

[steve4102]

What does the manufacturer, Pro-Smoker, say about Dry vs Damp saw dust?

[twilliams]

steve4102 damp, says it right in the instructions and recipe books

[steve4102]

Does it say anything out the Dangers of using dry, or just about flavor

[Jonathon]

Phantom Okay, they still should take care of you, they might want you to go directly to PK though. If you get any update from PK on what caused this please update this thread, we have a decent amount of users with the PK100 and I feel like this is something they should all know about. Tagging that group in this post at least will alert them to it but honestly, I am assuming everyone has looked at this. It would be hard to scroll past the title of this post if you own one!

[Pro Smoker Service]

Contact Pro Smoker direct at: info@pro-smoker.com
While pressure can build up in the unit when using pellets or chips, it’s very uncommon for this to occur using sawdust (dry or wet). Additional information is needed as there are zero instances of this happening with sawdust.

[Phantom]

Pro Smoker Service Sent them a email, we’ll see what they say.

[skibumben]

I wonder if what you experienced is similar to a dust explosion https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/OSHAcombustibledust.html

Perhaps with dry dust and bottom vent closed it created the environment for this. I’m no engineer or safety expert but the hazard you experienced sounds similar.

[steve4102]

I too sent them an email.
No reply.
Very disappointing

[Jonathon]

steve4102 You sent them an email to the info@pro-smoker.com address above and they didn’t respond to that? You could tag the group again if you want them to see it here, they seem to have created an account for this topic.

[steve4102]

Jonathon said in Pk 100 blew up:

steve4102 You sent them an email to the info@pro-smoker.com address above and they didn’t respond to that? You could tag the group again if you want them to see it here, they seem to have created an account for this topic.

Yes, and no they did not respond.

Got a link to this “account” they created?

[Pro Smoker Service]

Steve, we have been replying via email to what we believe has been you since the 23rd and have had no reply. Can you call us direct at 800-328-8313 and ask for Earl or Jeff

[Tex_77]

Pro Smoker Service said in Pk 100 blew up:

Steve, we have been replying via email to what we believe has been you since the 23rd and have had no reply. Can you call us direct at 800-328-8313 and ask for Earl or Jeff

steve4102 see the quoted post.

[steve4102]

You have not been replying to my email account.

[Dwight Williams]

Been busy. Too many doctors appointments. Sorry. Heart catheterization Thursday as well.

[Dwight Williams]

Tex_77 not me?? I didn’t send email.

[Dwight Williams]

I think it must have been Steve 4102