Pellet grills having pellet level detection systems and related methods
A pellet grill includes a detection system configured to detect at least one pellet level in a hopper of the pellet grill. The detection system can include at least one sensor that is configured to detect at least one condition in the hopper of the pellet grill. The detection system may optionally include a communications module that is configured to notify a user of the at least one pellet level in the hopper of the pellet grill.
1 . A pellet grill, comprising:
a main grilling cavity;
a hopper configured to contain particulate fuel prior to combustion of the fuel;
an auger system including an auger located and configured to convey particulate fuel away from the hopper and toward the main grilling cavity; and
a detection system configured to detect multiple threshold pellet levels in the hopper of the pellet grill and configured to estimate the time left until the hopper is empty, the multiple threshold pellet levels positioned above a bottom of the hopper and above the auger, the detection system including:
at least one light-emitting device positioned at each of the multiple threshold pellet levels in the hopper and configured to emit a different wavelength of light at each of the multiple threshold levels; and
at least one light sensor positioned in another portion of the hopper, the at least one light sensor configured to detect light from the at least one light-emitting device.
2 . The pellet grill of claim 1 , further comprising:
a firepot configured to contain combusting particulate fuel; and
an auger for conveying particulate fuel from the hopper to the firepot.
3 . The pellet grill of claim 1 , wherein the hopper comprises a lid.
4 . The pellet grill of claim 3 , wherein the detection system is configured to detect at least one pellet level of the multiple threshold pellet levels in the hopper of the pellet grill while the lid is closed.
5 . The pellet grill of claim 1 , wherein the detection system comprises at least one sensor configured to detect at least one condition in the pellet grill.
6 . The pellet grill of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light-emitting device and the at least one sensor are configured such that particulate fuel within the hopper will prevent light emitted by the at least one light-emitting device from impinging on the at least one sensor when a level of the particulate fuel is at or above an associated threshold level of the multiple threshold pellet levels in the hopper, and such that light emitted by the at least one light-emitting device impinges on the at least one sensor when a level of the particulate fuel is below the associated threshold level in the hopper.
7 . The pellet grill of claim 1 , wherein the detection system comprises at least two light-emitting devices configured to emit different wavelengths of light, and wherein the at least one sensor is located and configured to detect light emitted by the at least two light-emitting devices.
8 . The pellet grill of claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a laser rangefinder positioned within the hopper.
9 . The pellet grill of claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a photodetector located within the hopper and configured to detect light impinging on the photodetector when a level of the particulate fuel within the hopper falls below the photodetector.
10 . The pellet grill of claim 9 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a plurality of photodetectors located at different levels within the hopper, each photodetector of the plurality configured to detect light impinging on the respective photodetector when a level of the particulate fuel within the hopper falls below the respective photodetector.
11 . The pellet grill of claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a weight sensor configured to weigh particulate fuel in the hopper.
12 . The pellet grill of claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, or a mechanical switch sensor.
13 . The pellet grill of claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a camera.
14 . The pellet grill of claim 5 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an acoustic sensor.
15 . The pellet grill of claim 1 , wherein the detection system comprises a communications module configured to notify a user of at least one pellet level of the multiple threshold pellet levels in the hopper of the pellet grill.