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Problems and Troubleshooting => Having a problem? Look Here First, or Post Your Question! => Topic started by: poppypig on July 05, 2022, 09:38:07 AM

Title: Holes in drip pan
Post by: poppypig on July 05, 2022, 09:38:07 AM
My SI-2 under smoker drip pan has at least 12 pin holes which I found the hard way after a 14 hr. overnight 2 butt smoke with grease running down the cabinet the smoker sits on.I don't know how long they've been there because most of the time I line the pan with foil, but I didn't this time. I wonder what caused them as it doesn't look abraded and the only thing ever in it was grease which isn't caustic. There are holes in the bottom (which I circled in the pics) and several holes where it curves up the side. The smoker is only a couple years old. Anyone else have this problem and where an I get a replacement? I know I can just line it with foil but I'd rather have a pan with no holes.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: Lonzinomaker on July 05, 2022, 11:36:32 AM
Take your pan with you to a restaurant supply store. You should be able to find one there.  Measure the clearance on your smoker, don't know if you have casters on or not. Might be even able to get one a little deeper so you don't have to worry about overflow as much.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: PulledPorkSandwich on July 05, 2022, 05:14:53 PM
I'm curious how the holes got there.  That's a reasonably thick stainless steel pan, right?  Could it be that there is something about the pan that is defective?

I have an SI 2 myself and I'd like to avoid this kind of problem.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: old sarge on July 05, 2022, 05:39:34 PM
I've not seen anything like that before.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: swthorpe on July 06, 2022, 07:36:39 AM
I have not encountered this issue.   I have had my #2 for 9 years.  I don't put AL foil in the drip pan, and I just hand wash it after each smoke (rinse out, soap and a sponge).   I think I might have run it through the dishwasher a couple of times, but this is rare.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: poppypig on July 06, 2022, 11:06:43 AM
The pan bottom does seem pretty thin and there are a few scratches where I've scraped out the grease but I don't think that caused the pinholes as there are some on the side curves, I'm at a loss as how they got there, never anything caustic in the pan, only washed with dish detergent :-\
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: old sarge on July 06, 2022, 12:40:56 PM
Give Steve a call/send email with pictures and see if he has a solution.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: poppypig on July 07, 2022, 11:24:31 AM
David, where would I find his e-mail?
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: OldeSmoker on July 07, 2022, 11:49:39 AM
I use the disposable aluminum foil half size steamtable pans from Sam’s Club in my 3DW. Just throw them away when I’m done. They are 12”x10”x2” deep.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: old sarge on July 07, 2022, 12:18:17 PM
David, where would I find his e-mail?
Please call us at:
260-417-9951
or email at:
smokin.it.info@gmail.com
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: MudFarm on July 08, 2022, 03:30:37 PM
I had the same thing happen on my #3 but pretty much in the center of the pan. Used JB weld for now but was looking for a thicker pan.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: LarryD on July 10, 2022, 03:46:25 PM
I highly recommend just replacing the stock pan and getting a deeper one.  It sucks to have the pan overflow.

I got this one (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OJHXG2/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) when it was only $16.  It fits perfectly fine on my 3DW that is mounted on the SI stand.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: old sarge on July 10, 2022, 05:43:00 PM
Looks like a really sturdy pan.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: PulledPorkSandwich on July 11, 2022, 12:35:29 PM
I highly recommend just replacing the stock pan and getting a deeper one.  It sucks to have the pan overflow.

I got this one (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OJHXG2/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) when it was only $16.  It fits perfectly fine on my 3DW that is mounted on the SI stand.

I've smoked ribs, brisket, pork shoulder, and salmon in my model 2 and I've never come close to filling the stock pan.  I get almost no juice at all in it.  I've seen recipes for finishing sauces for pulled pork that use juices, but I never get enough to make one.

I'm still curious how the holes developed in poppypig's pan.  Have you learned anything from Steve?
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: LarryD on July 13, 2022, 03:21:06 AM
I've smoked ribs, brisket, pork shoulder, and salmon in my model 2 and I've never come close to filling the stock pan.  I get almost no juice at all in it.  I've seen recipes for finishing sauces for pulled pork that use juices, but I never get enough to make one.

That's wild... I don't know that my #2 ever over-flowed the pan, but I got it damn full on many occasions.  On my 3DW I had to dump it mid-smoke when I was doing 6 butts.  :)

Even if it doesn't over-flow, the extra room makes it much easier to deal with the waste without worry of accidentally spilling it.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: barrytm on August 12, 2022, 09:18:41 PM
My guess is galvanic corrosion.  Aluminum can cause corrision when in contact with Stainless steel and a liquid.    I bought a used Masterbuilt Smoker that came with a Stainless water tray, and it had a number of pinholes in it.    My unsupported guess is that moisture got between the stainless and the aluminum, and over time caused the pinholes, though I would have thought it would have caused pinholes in the Alumimum . Like the first time i put aluminum foil on a pan of lasagna - and went to take off the foil the next day and wondered why the foil looked like swiss cheese.   If there is no moisture between the aluminum foil and the pan, there should not be any corrosion issue.
Title: Re: Holes in drip pan
Post by: old sarge on August 12, 2022, 09:24:10 PM
I hadn't thought about that.