Some noise from a pellet grill is completely normal. Here's a guide to help you distinguish normal sounds from those that may need attention.
| Sound | Normal? | What It Is |
|---|---|---|
| Low hum from the rear or bottom | ✅ Yes | Induction fan running normally |
| Ticking or clicking as the grill heats up | ✅ Yes | Metal expanding from heat — normal for all steel grills |
| Grinding / crunching from the hopper area | ✅ Yes | Auger turning and breaking down pellets as it feeds |
| Occasional pops or crackles | ✅ Yes | Pellets combusting in the firepot |
| Loud grinding or rattling from the auger area | ⚠️ Check | Possible pellet jam or debris caught in the auger |
| Clicking or buzzing noise | ⚠️ Check | Wires touching the blades of fan or auger motor especially after any repairs |
| Loud banging or clunking on startup | ⚠️ Check | Check for loose screws or components inside the barrel |
To prevent this issue from happening again, here are two solutions you can try:
- Try a brand of pellets with shorter lengths: Ideally, your wood pellets should be less than 1cm in length.
- Remove the protective guard at the bottom of the hopper: Gently pull out all the cables, ensuring they’re away from the blades of the fan or motor. Use a zip tie to secure them. Finally, reinstall the protective guard in its original position.
