Bella CSG Flare-up!

[NorthernSmoker]

I had an opportunity today to do my first smoke in my 3.5D WiFi on some smoked Kielbasa.  I was using the Bella CSG for smoke generation and ran into some issues.  While there is a noticeable difference in the settings of the adjustable air pump for the CSG I had difficulty regulating the amount of smoke down.  I used a mix of small chips and Traeger cherry pellets and started the CSG with the pump on high for about 10 min.  After that I turned it all the way down for the smoke and programmed the controller to step up the temp as the recipe progressed.  After about 90 min I actually shut the CSG off because I couldn't control the smoke and felt like it was producing way too much.  I pulled the cover off the top and the pellets had practically disintegrated into loose sawdust.  I think this was the cause of the run-away smoke but am not sure.  The top cover of the CSG was vented but perhaps not all the way.  Could humidity have been that high to cause the pellets to fall apart? 
I plugged the CSG in again to try and add a little more smoke but it quickly began producing uncontrollable smoke; so much so, that smoke was coming out of the top of the Bella and when I pulled the cover off to look it it flared up to flame!  After that I removed the bottom of the CSG and dropped the flaming pellet sawdust into a bowl of water.  I'm concerned that had I not been closely watching this that it could have really flared up and caused serious damage.  Any thoughts?  Bella pump problem or are Traeger pellets not as good as I thought they should be?

 

[old sarge]

Just a quick question from a non-CSG user:
If you used the mix that came with the Bella prior to this disaster, did you have any issues?  If not, it may be the Traeger pellets or the cherry chips, or both.

I ask because if you need to get with Steve, he is sure to ask the same question.

 

[NorthernSmoker]

I did use the mix that came with the CSG and it seemed to work better but I only ran it for a short period of time.  You bring up a good point and I'll go back to that as a benchmark to see if the air flow is 'controllable'.

 

[old sarge]

Good luck!

 

[Dave in AZ]

Just bought the 3.5wifi and the Bella, haven't unboxed yet.  Saw this thread, read...saw David from Arizona and was all, "wth, did I mistype my name for this place, not paying attention?"  Lol.
Ive got some Traeger pellets too, will report my findings with them soon.

 

[Lonzinomaker]

You had a smoke combustion when you took the lid off and allowed oxygen to enter.  Firefighters are aware of flash combustion when they go into a closed room filled with hot gas and smoke.  That's why they try to vent rooms and roofs before entering a  burning structure.
I used my bella with the pump running as low as possible to see smoke coming out.
Which on my pump is about 1/4 on to keep it burning.
I also suggest you get pellets that say 100% fruitwood on content label, they burn cooler than pellet grill pellets.  As far as I know, Traeger pellets are flavored with oils, and contain very little fruitwood.

 

[OldeSmoker]

I have the Bella and have used it many times, although I have not encountered this problem. Mine does not have the vented lid. It sounds like too much oxygen entered the Bella and caused it to burn rather than smolder. When you try it again it could be helpful to close the vent and see what you get. I also start the air pump on high to get it burning and then turn it down to low speed.

 

[old sarge]

Welcome Dave.