Cuisinart Twin Oaks (GAS0356AS)

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20210912-EAAF2-2147360537. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: Cuisinart Twin Oaks (GAS0356AS) (Cuisinart Twin Oaks combination pellet and gas grill Walmart # 57813084 Model Twin Oaks (GAS0356AS)). Incident: We purchased a Cuisinart Twin Oaks combination pellet/gas grill at the beginning of the summer. We used the pellet side for a few small smokes. On our first 3+ hour smoke we had our first hopper fire once our food was completed. At the conclusion of cooking, we came inside and began eating. I noticed a small amount of smoke coming from the hopper but the manual said this was �normal�. When the smoke began getting thicker I checked on the smoker. Fire had consumed interior of the hopper. I extinguished the fire and began looking for what I did wrong. After rereading the manual and doing some research I found that this was a common problem with the grill. A [REDACTED] video described a similar situation to what I believe happened in my grill. I contacted Cuisinart customer service to voice my concerns. After much back and forth, I was told that fires are not covered under the warranty and that my issue could not be reproduced. As the grill could no longer be returned to Walmart, I purchased the necessary replacement parts. I continued to monitor my grill closely and follow the instructions from the manual in addition to the recommendations provided via email. Since the initial replacement I have had two more hopper fires that I have been able to extinguish before damage to the grill. After continued emails, cuisinart continues to claim this can not be reproduced. The main issue comes from the fire pot not emptying when the clean out mechanism is used. If the grill sits for a period of time without use, particularly in a humid climate, the ash hardens and does not drop into th