Anyone ever seen silicon nitride hot rod?


 
Yes. I upgraded to this in my Pitts and Spitts. Been running now for almost 2 years with zero issues. Purchased from the same seller you linked. I also like the fact that it’s shorter and does NOT stick out into the burn pot. Attached photos are my photos as I also upgraded my burn pot with one from Smoke Daddy. The Nitrate Rod fires up so much faster and was cheaper than my factory replacement option.
Another note…I corresponded directly with the company a few times. Super nice. If you see an option for a unit with a longer warranty at a slightly higher price, it’s the same unit. You are just paying for the extra warranty time.
 

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Darian Hofer said:
Yes. I upgraded to this in my Pitts and Spitts. Been running now for almost 2 years with zero issues. Purchased from the same seller you linked. I also like the fact that it’s shorter and does NOT stick out into the burn pot. Attached photos are my photos as I also upgraded my burn pot with one from Smoke Daddy. The Nitrate Rod fires up so much faster and was cheaper than my factory replacement option.
Another note…I corresponded directly with the company a few times. Super nice. If you see an option for a unit with a longer warranty at a slightly higher price, it’s the same unit. You are just paying for the extra warranty time.
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Hey good to know. I appreciate it. So even though one is gray and one is white same rod?
 
LMichaels said:
Hey good to know. I appreciate it. So even though one is gray and one is white same rod?
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1 unit is 2 year warranty, the other is sold with a 5 year warranty. It states upgraded model but the guy at Heat Founder in China told me they were actually the same unit. Just paying more for the 5 year warranty. Your choice price vs maybe getting warranty coverage. I bought the cheaper listing.
 
I ordered the 2 year. Was only like $13. I should have ordered the double pack and install one on my Member's Mark Maybe I'll just shuffle over to Amazon right now and do that :D
 
Darian Hofer said:
Hope everything fits properly.
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Me too. I ordered 2 of them. As their literature specifically mentions working on Members Mark and Z Grill models. They're supposed to be here today. Since I've done 2 cooks on Big Z I need to vacuum it out anyway so I'll be halfway there. MM is in the garage and it makes life a bit easier. But I have the Kubota in there as well. Bought a new (smaller) tach for it and longer line for my oil pressure gauge. I want to remount them on the hood. I'll post up photos in another thread
 
So, I installed the new igniter rod today. All I can say is WOW! That thing was pumping out smoke in less than a minute and was fully ignited in under 2. Can't wait to put the other one in my Members Mark.
Hopefully the new rods add to stability. But even if it doesn't ignition speed is incredible.
 
Those silicon nitride ignitors are basically the same one in furnaces and ovens.... they get red hot in like 15 seconds! Its not surprising that they light up the pellets so much faster. It kinda looked like they are bare elements --- take care not to bump them and they should last.... thats why they are shorter and not protruding out into the burn pot. They look pretty stout, but they are still pretty fragile. Still - seems like a nice upgrade to a metal clad heater.

(I had to replace the ignitor in my oven a couple of months ago and there were warnings of how fragile the element is -- mine had a cage and there were still warnings. Up side is that that the old element lasted 28 years!)
 
OK, as promised I installed one in the Members Mark. I double checked directions this time and realized the element is supposed to be kept vertical (which I did not do on Big Z) so I will be pulling Big Z slightly apart to realign the element from horizontal to vertical. The Members Mark was even faster to light off. With smoke rolling in 30 seconds and flames within a minute flames. Big Z was a little slower to fire at just under 2 minutes. So I will realign and retest/time. In any case absolutely incredible speed improvement. HIGHLY recommended
 
LMichaels said:
So, I realigned the heat element according to instructions so it was vertical. Knocked at ;east 30 seconds off lighting up Big Z in a brief test
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We went through this argument on another forum about installing vertical or horizontal. The contact at Heat Founder told me it really doesn’t matter performance wise. After the initial first burn, that can be a bit slower, vertical or horizontal should fire up the same. But installing vertical will lessen ash and pellet pieces from building up on the horizontal surface. So I vent vertical as well.
Because they don’t stick out into the burn pot, there is a much less chance of damaging them. I’ve given no special attention to mine and zero issues so far. Glad yours are working great as well.
 
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