Grill displays E5 and shuts down; temperature fails to reach setpoint and may drop unexpectedly.

Safety first: Turn the grill off and allow it to cool before cleaning the fire pot or hopper.

• Check pellet level and quality: Open the hopper and confirm it is at least half full with dry, hard pellets. Break up any pellet bridges (arched pellets that prevent feeding) with a clean tool.
• Empty wet pellets: If pellets appear swollen or sawdust-like, empty the hopper completely and vacuum out dust. Refill with fresh, dry, food-grade hardwood pellets.
• Clean fire pot: Remove grates and heat baffles. Vacuum ash from the fire pot and surrounding area. A full fire pot can smother the flame and cause flame-outs.
• Check combustion fan: Start the grill and verify you can feel strong airflow from the exhaust. If airflow is weak, inspect the combustion fan for obstructions or failure (see E4 procedure).
• Restart correctly: After cleaning, perform a proper startup: ensure the fire pot is not overfilled, set the grill to a moderate temperature (e.g., 225–250°F), and allow it to stabilize. Avoid frequent lid opening during ignition.
• If E5 persists: Inspect the auger for intermittent feeding (see E2). A failing auger motor or control board may cause inconsistent pellet delivery leading to flame-outs.