GFI keeps tripping

[snagged in outlet 3]

I haven’t tried the smoker yet.   It happened to that when I bought a new element.   It was plugged in direct when it tripped the front porch outlet on the same gfi circuit as the birdbath heater.   It wasn’t on the cheap cord.  
 

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

All good ideas, my dad always told me to define and isolate the source.  But, that being said, I have additional questions.   I wonder is the smoker has cycles on and off, instantly.   If it does, it may not be suitable for a GFCI circuit.   If you read up on their uses, they are not recommended for refrigerators, due to cycle duties.   Refrigerators often trip GFCI circuits and when that happens food gets ruined.  Washing machines can also trip them due to the duty cycling.  The power draw is strong st first, mimicking an electrical shock or surge and tripping the circuit.   The smoker's thermostat may be turning the power draw quickly demanding power, throwing the circuit.  So, if that is the issue, ther is really nothing wrong, just using the smoker in the wrong circuit to begin with.   Oh, and don't connect 20amp receptacles to 15amp circuits.   Your family is worth alot more than paying an electrician. 

[Devan S.]

14 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I haven’t tried the smoker yet.   It happened to that when I bought a new element.   It was plugged in direct when it tripped the front porch outlet on the same gfi circuit as the birdbath heater.   It wasn’t on the cheap cord.  
 

Sounds like it could be insulation failure in a brand new heating element...

[snagged in outlet 3]

29 minutes ago, Devan S. said:

Sounds like it could be insulation failure in a brand new heating element...

I’m gonna move it around the different gfci to make sure.  

[jdmidwest]

Stand in a puddle of water when you plug it back in.  You will know if it works.

Smoker probably pulling more amps than the GFI rated for.  Check that.

[snagged in outlet 3]

1 hour ago, Daryk Campbell Sr said:

All good ideas, my dad always told me to define and isolate the source.  But, that being said, I have additional questions.   I wonder is the smoker has cycles on and off, instantly.   If it does, it may not be suitable for a GFCI circuit.   If you read up on their uses, they are not recommended for refrigerators, due to cycle duties.   Refrigerators often trip GFCI circuits and when that happens food gets ruined.  Washing machines can also trip them due to the duty cycling.  The power draw is strong st first, mimicking an electrical shock or surge and tripping the circuit.   The smoker's thermostat may be turning the power draw quickly demanding power, throwing the circuit.  So, if that is the issue, ther is really nothing wrong, just using the smoker in the wrong circuit to begin with.   Oh, and don't connect 20amp receptacles to 15amp circuits.   Your family is worth alot more than paying an electrician. 

It’s a simple element without a thermostat.  This exact one.  
 

https://www.brinkmannpartsworld.com/models/810-7080-w/15197

[Devan S.]

You take that off a GFCI and I bet your smoker will eventually turn into a welder. 

[snagged in outlet 3]

9 hours ago, Devan S. said:

You take that off a GFCI and I bet your smoker will eventually turn into a welder. 

What exactly do you mean?   I understand it will get hotter but what is it doing to cause that?

[snagged in outlet 3]

14 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

If you really want a wake-up shocker do a search for "Pellet smoker exploding"  

I looked it up AFTER it happened to us, and was surprised to find out that I wasn't the first to witness it.    I thought that sumbitch was preparing to launch itself into orbit.   

Needless to say, after replacing everything electrical on it.....it now gets used out in the middle of the driveway instead of right next to the house. 😳

That’s crazy!!    And the companies say user error cause them.🙄.  Put in pellets and turn on.   

[Devan S.]

42 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

What exactly do you mean?   I understand it will get hotter but what is it doing to cause that?

My best guess:

A heating element is just a small wire with an insulation coating on it.  Somewhere there is likely a very small crack or scratch in the insulation allowing enough current to escape to trip the GFCI. Overtime the defect in the insulation is likely only going to get worse as it ages and eventually it will get bad enough it will completely short to ground and this is what you will get. 

Good news is your 115v so it will probably just flash, trip a breaker, and not burn continuously like a 230v oven can do.