The ignition rod is used to ignite the wood pellets. After lots of use or occasionally if there is a product fault the ignition rod can fail. It is clear when the ignition rod isn’t working as it will blow the fuse in the controller and the grill will fail to ignite the wood pellets.
If within the 3 year warranty period a replacement ignition rod will be mailed to you free of charge.
Click here for step by step instructions on how to replace it yourself.
If you have any difficulties please contact us.
It is important to keep your Z Grills well cleaned, not only so it looks shiny, but also so it works reliably.
Check out the video below to see how easy it is to keep your Z Grill clean.
Check out this video basic operating steps.
The maximum rated power draw is 300Watt, but during operation the unit will run between 50W and 250W. The main fan and auger motor are 25W each and the ignition rod is 200W but only turns on/off periodically to ignite the wood pellets.
If planning to use the grill outdoors running off a generator or a car battery, a 400W 240V AC output is sufficient.
Once you have finished cooking turn the controller Dial to Shut Down Cycle. The fan will run for about 10min and then the grill will turn itself off. Do not turn it off or disconnect the power before the shut down cycle has finished.
If cooking on HIGH, turn the dial to Smoke for 10min, then to Shut Down Cycle to ensure the fire can die down and burn out fully during the shut down cycle.
Watch the video below to understand what each error means and also read the more detailed explanations below.
Check out this video basic operating steps.
Er1 = Temperature Sensor Failure
• Check to ensure the Temperature Sensor cable plug is properly connected.
• Check sensor cable connection on the controller board blue terminal block.
• If still not working replace the temperature probe.
Er2 = Incorrect Startup Setting
• Switch the Grill OFF and turn to Shut Down Cycle position
• Switch Grill back ON and then turn to SMOKE to start normal operation
LEr = Low Temperature Error.
• Grill internal temperature below 65oC for 20min
• Grill may have run out of pellets or the Ignition Rod is not operating.
HEr = High Temperature Error.
• Grill internal temperature above 287oC
• Turn to Shut Down Cycle position and switch the Grill OFF
• Open the Grill Lid then switch the Grill back ON and turn to SMOKE position
• Wait until the controller display has dropped below 90oC, then close the Grill Lid
and turn to the desired temperature.
• High temperature error can also occur in hot weather when the grill in the direct sun.
• Open the Grill Lid and move it into the shade to reduce the temperature.
Firstly close the grill lid and let the grill run for at least 10 minutes to see if the temperature stabilises.
If the temperature is still very different (more than +/- 50°F) to the dial setting check the following:
• Is the fire-pot empty of ash?
• Make sure you sure using fresh, dry pellets (should be shiny, very hard and not easy to crumble in your fingers)
If the temperature on the display is jumping around rapidly it may indicate a loose temperature sensor connection.
• 700 model: Check the cable connection between the grill and controller (tucked down between the hopper and grill drum).
• 700 or 450A models: Disconnect power, remove the two screws on the front of the controller, gently pull the controller forward and check the two skinny white sensor cables are tightly secured into the blue or green terminal block. If they are loose the temperature reading will be inaccurate.
If none of the above steps fix the issue, please contact us as you may have a fault controller or temperature probe which can easily be replaced.
Smoke can begin to rise out of the pellets in the hopper due to back-burn up the auger feed tube to the fire-pot.
Turn the controller dial to SMOKE and open both the grill and hopper lids.
Check out this video basic operating steps.
Why this happens?
There are a few possible reasons:
1. Wood dust. Avoid pouring the wood dust in the bottom of the bag of pellets into the hopper as this can lead to back-burn. Some pellets also form a lot of wood dust when they are broken. If getting lots of smoke issues, clean out the grill and try another brand of pellets.
2. Running the grill at a high temperature with the lid open to frequently can result in too many pellets in the fire-pot.
3. Too much ash in the fire-pot can also raise the overall height of the fire in the fire-pot and lead to burn-back. Vacuum out the ash after every 8-10 hours of operation.
4. Turning the grill from HIGH immediately to SHUT DOWN CYCLE can sometimes lead to smoke in the hopper as there is a huge fire in the fire-pot. First turn from HIGH to SMOKE for 10 minutes and then to SHUT DOWN CYCLE.
What To Do:
Already in Shut Down Cycle
1. Open the hopper and grill lids.
2.Turn the controller dial to SMOKE setting.
3. If after another 10 minutes there is no more smoke coming from the hopper turn the grill to SHUT DOWN CYCLE.
4. If the smoke does not stop appearing from the hopper after 10 minutes, remove all the pellets from the hopper right down to the auger (use vacuum if necessary) and run the controller on High until ALL pellets have cleared from the auger tube.
5. Turn the unit to SHUT DOWN CYCLE. Once the unit has shut-down and is cold, do a thorough clean, vacuuming out all pellets and ash, including in the auger tube (put vacuum suction to the hopper end and then fire pot end).
6. Complete initial startup procedure to prime the auger tube with pellets for normal operation.
In the Middle of a Cook
1. Open the hopper and grill lids. You may want to remove your food too.
2. Turn the controller dial to SMOKE setting.
3. If after another 10min there is no more smoke coming from the hopper turn the grill back to the target temperature and continue cooking.
4. If the smoke does not stop appearing from the hopper, remove all the pellets from the hopper right down to the auger (use vacuum if necessary) and run the controller on High until ALL pellets have cleared from the auger tube.
5. Turn the unit to SHUT DOWN CYCLE. Once the unit has shut-down and is cold, do a thorough clean, vacuuming out all pellets and ash, including in the auger tube (put vacuum suction to the hopper end and then fire pot end).
6. Complete initial startup procedure to prime the auger tube with pellets for normal operation.
Refer also the troubleshooting section of the owner manual. Please download the latest version from the bottom of this page.
The controller screen lights up, I hear the auger motor and fan, but no smoke or fire!
Make sure your fire-pot is cleaned of ash. Vacuum it out.Check to see if pellets are dropping into the fire pot (remove the grease tray and baffle plate so you can see).Check to see if the ignition rod in the bottom of the fire-pot is getting dull-red colour after 4-5 min after turning the grill onto Smoke from Shut Down Cycle
Controller screen is blank, no fan or auger motor noise.
Change to another power supply and ensure the power hasn’t tripped in the house meter box. If power supply is ok, check to see if the fuse in the back of the controller has blown (with power disconnected).If the fuse is ok, the controller may be dead and need to be replaced. Please contact us.
The auger rotates very slowly to push the wood pellets from the hopper into the fire-pot. The auger is designed to be quite loose and is able to move forward/backward slightly to allow it to break through longer wood pellets. This will sometimes make a squeaking or clunking noise as the pellets break. This is normal operation.
Check the length of the wood pellets, if they are longer than 1cm they will make more noise as they will be broken by the auger. Ideally the pellets should be less than 1cm in length.
Please note the auger does not run continually. It turns on once every 2mins for short period of time to deliver pellets into the fire-pot.
You are already in the right place.
Have a look through these FAQs on this page.
Please also review the owners manual which has detailed troubleshooting section. Scroll to the bottom of this page to download the latest version.
If you still can’t find the answer, please send us a message through the pop-up chat on this website, or submit a product support request through the contact us page.