Fixing warped heat diffuser?

[jmtyndall]

Hey all, found an ancient Traeger on its last legs that I'm going to fix up as best I can and give it to my father-in-law.

Most everything on it I've figured out how to fix (or just ordered a new one), but one thing I'm a bit stuck on is the heat deflector. The one that was in it is decently warped and I'm wondering if there's a way to fix it without completely replacing it? I was thinking of taking a sheet of 10gauge steel and bolting it to the top of the heat deflector, but I'm not sure if that will be enough to force it back into square. I'd rather not sink $60 into a new deflector

 

[mike243]

how about some angle iron bolted to it .they make a bunch of different sizes

 

[kstone113]

Heat diffusers that are warped(mine is warped) aren't a big deal until it is so bad it pushes against the drip pan. As long as it isn't doing that, you are good.

I've seen people weld pieces of steel rod onto their diffusers which straightened it out.

SmokeDaddy does sell replacement ones that are 10 gauge. I don't believe that will ever warp if you do have to invest in one.

 

[jmtyndall]

how about some angle iron bolted to it .they make a bunch of different sizes

Not a bad idea. Might be able to bolt a sheet of steel underneath to a piece of angle on the top to flatten it

 

[jmtyndall]

Heat diffusers that are warped(mine is warped) aren't a big deal until it is so bad it pushes against the drip pan. As long as it isn't doing that, you are good.

I've seen people weld pieces of steel rod onto their diffusers which straightened it out.

SmokeDaddy does sell replacement ones that are 10 gauge. I don't believe that will ever warp if you do have to invest in one.

Hmm, well it seems like the more I research this the more I see that everyone has a warped diffuser and they're all fine. I'll probably go the cheap route, patch the hole with a sheet of steel and call it good. If he wants a fancy upgraded 10ga bend-proof heat deflector to put in his rusty old grill, he can go for it! haha