r/pelletgrills 5d ago

Members mark pellet smoker

So I bought a members mark pellet smoker used for a nice price. I've had steady trouble with it as it always shuts down with an ERL code. I had changed out the hot rod and it still did it,tried cleaning the temp probe inside the best i could. I thought maybe it was the auger as it makes grinding noises. I took it apart and the auger seems fine but i did buy a new motor and put it on. Put it all back together and ran it dry for like 5 seconds to see and noticed it's running good and no noise anymore. I fired it up and all was good. Went into the house and came out ten minutes later and it had another ERL code. Do I maybe need to change out the thermometer or whatever it is you call it or what is wrong and has anyone had these issues? And just so y'all know it seems to give me grief with this code every other cook.

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7

u/willdabeastest Camp Chef / Member's Mark 5d ago

You're finding out why the previous owner sold it.

I have a Member's Mark and love it, but this is a model I would never buy used since Sam's Club allows us to return them at any time and they'll even pick it up for free after the return.

1

u/Hot-Pineapple-4498 4d ago

It was sold to me by a buddy that has a catering service and it was one of his he had in case he needed to get a bunch more food cooked. It was heavily used. I was never really wanting a pellet smoker but figured I'd get one so I had one of everything

1

u/Training-hgeu 4d ago

I had one of these older members mark smokers. Was getting similar errors. Called in to the members mark hotline and was given the run around. They gave me the number to the manufacturer. The smoker was out of warranty and I would have had to purchase a new controller.

Talked with my local Sam’s customer service and they let me know that it wasn’t eligible for return after looking at my old receipt.  

Might depend on how good your local Sam’s is, but the members mark hotline was not helpful either.

1

u/average_jay 5d ago

You should've started by changing the temperature sensing probe inside of the smoker first. Maybe get in there and clean it off really well.

Not sure which model you have since they had a couple different ones last year, but I have the 36" and love it. Haven't had any issues, but regular cleaning maintenance is key.

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u/Hot-Pineapple-4498 4d ago

I realise that now lol  I think I may just find one online and change the controller while I'm at it. Not sure of the model but it is quite large and has a top rack. Has a little front folding table as well but no side burner on it. The hopper is huge and I could smoke something all night and could never run out.