TRAEGER GRILLS!!!

[boggie]

I had a lot of grief with mine running way to hot. It was set it and burn it , no low and slow. Finally dawned on me I was on my own. After installing a Ortec control it straightened out . It swings a little but I think it helps it make more smoke. Keep the inside probe and the fire box clean. Also I only use one brand of pellets that are all hickory , no oils.

 

[kerstingm]

I had a lot of grief with mine running way to hot. It was set it and burn it , no low and slow. Finally dawned on me I was on my own. After installing a Ortec control it straightened out . It swings a little but I think it helps it make more smoke. Keep the inside probe and the fire box clean. Also I only use one brand of pellets that are all hickory , no oils.

What brand of pellets are you using, Traeger or another brand? I've been meaning to ask if anyone has had better luck using another brand. We all know how Traeger is with their warranty!!! Only use theirs???

 

[boggie]

I have been using Cookinpellets and I like them a lot. I dont know that they are magic but thats whats easy for me to get. OOPS, There go's my warranty

 

[kerstingm]

I have been using Cookinpellets and I like them a lot. I dont know that they are magic but thats whats easy for me to get. OOPS, There go's my warranty

Now that's funny,
I'm going to try out some other brands to see if it helps with my low temps when set on high. The only way I can hit 450 on high is to close the gap down on the chimney cap

 

[bregent]

We all know how Traeger is with their warranty!!! Only use theirs???

Traeger no longer states that you must use their pellets - I believe they were forced to change their language because it was unlawful. They still 'suggest' you use them, but cannot void your warranty if you use another brand. Which is a good thing, since they make some of the least flavorful pellets out there.

 

[kerstingm]

Traeger no longer states that you must use their pellets - I believe they were forced to change their language because it was unlawful. They still 'suggest' you use them, but cannot void your warranty if you use another brand. Which is a good thing, since they make some of the least flavorful pellets out there.

Thank you for that info,
Now I need to find and test other brands, maybe it help with my low temps also?

 

[RiversideSm0ker]

This is the part that makes me glad I went with a simple offset smoker. I love technology but sometimes I just thing that there can be a bit too much going on. Too many moving parts that can fail. That being said, if I wanted a device for set it and forget it I would most likely go with one of those Masterbuilt 40" electric models. My smoker is simple though, yes I have to check on it every hour or so but all I do is feed it charcoal and wood chunks. I move one vent to adjust for temp and that's pretty much it. I really hope that you get your pellet grill issue fixed for you because I know they can turn out great quality Q.

George

 

[kerstingm]

Trust me when it works I turn out some of the best smokin BBQ ever. Taste like it's straight off a camp fire, this is why I like it so much (WHEN IT WORKS).

 

[yahoot]

Sorry to hear you are having so much trouble with your Traeger.

Traeger is without a doubt the best marketed pellet grill out there. The guys who took over the company a few years ago and moved the HQ from Oregon to Utah are masters of marketing (the CEO came from Skullcandy). Unfortunately, I don't think their product is as good as their marketing.

About 8 years ago when we went to get our first modestly priced pellet grills, we were all set on buying from Traeger. We went to a trade show, visited the Traeger booth to confirm our decision, and happened to wander into the Danson booth to look at a Louisiana smoker. Wow. We never even talked to Traeger again.

The Loiusiana has a vastly better burn system. instead of the long auger into a bottom burn pot (with periodic jamming and auger fires), it has a side feed system a lot like the a Yoder (pellets slide down a slope and drop into the burn pot - so no auger fires, no jamming). Not the equivalent of our yoder, but also way less than half the price. Truly just turn it on and it works.
Since those first units, we have purchased over almost two dozen Louisiana grills (2-3 a year), including a whole hog and a super hog. Only problems we have had is that a couple of motors have worn out (after 6-7 years of heavy use). We also upgraded the controllers on our early units from analog to digital. We pretty much only use lumberjack pellets, and their consistent quality helps us a lot too.

More recently, we have started buying upright smokers from Pitboss (another Danson brand) because our cooking style is focused on smoking, not grilling. Love them too.

FWIW - If you really want the bottom feed burn system like that used by traeger, pitboss pellet grills (sold at at Walmart, among other places) use the exact same burn system as Traeger (burn system parts on most pitboss models are part number identical to traeger), so you can save yourself a bunch of money by buying the pitboss.

 

[kerstingm]

New setup zero help

I am totally done with Treager

They suck, nothing with change my mind.
Copied message to them below
I'm the laughing stock of the town putting up with this piece of crap as long as I did. Mind you only 2nd cook on new setup.


New setup same issues
Smoke setting did do a little better, turned up to 250 it never went over 239
Turned up to high after 15 or 20 minutes never went over 326. Again I was outside the entire time watching.
I adjusted the chimney from 1", 2" or so to closed and no help.
At this point I just want my money back no matter what.
You do what you what you want to do I just don't care anymore.
I will be sending my backlog emails, messages, and pictures supporting what my issues gave been over the past 5 years to the BBB, you can deal with them.
I am so done with Treager!!!!!!
Going back to my Brinkman

 

[kerstingm]

I'm smoking a 8lb butt today, three hours into my cook and my grill is working perfect. I wish it worked like this every time

 

[boggie]

I bet you have fixed a lot of machines in your time that are more complicated than this one. There are people that make after market controllers that will fit your machine. Get one that makes it work like YOU want it to.

 

[airmec]

I second that commit, I keep changing my Treager to see what I really want in my next grill in the end it will be cheaper than buying something that can't do what I want or need.

 

[kerstingm]

Trust me I know what aftermarket parts I'm going to get, I'm just wanting Traeger to back their grill while under warranty.
I see this isn't going to happen
So today a perfect 10 cook, 10 degree up/down swing as controller spec said. Too bad it doesn't work like this all the time

 

[dalejr2204]

I purchased a Texas 34 a little over a year ago after watching a infomercial. Initially, I experienced similar "flame out" problems. What I found was that the stack cover was not adjusted correctly, causing the draft to be wrong. After playing with that over the next few cooks, I found the sweet spot. I've had nothing but trouble free operation since. I use my Treager about 4 or 5 times a week.....no problems at all!

I have just bought a Pit Boss 1000 for our weekend home, and I'm looking forward to seeing how well it compares to the Treager considering it's half the price. Seems to be similarly constructed.....we'll see

 

[kerstingm]

I purchased a Texas 34 a little over a year ago after watching a infomercial. Initially, I experienced similar "flame out" problems. What I found was that the stack cover was not adjusted correctly, causing the draft to be wrong. After playing with that over the next few cooks, I found the sweet spot. I've had nothing but trouble free operation since. I use my Treager about 4 or 5 times a week.....no problems at all!

I have just bought a Pit Boss 1000 for our weekend home, and I'm looking forward to seeing how well it compares to the Treager considering it's half the price. Seems to be similarly constructed.....we'll see

What gap did you find your sweet spot at?

 

[airmec]

The main problem is the Traeger controller does not relight when temps drop like most of the replacements will. At low temps my Savanna Stoker will turn on the ignition several times a minute as it sees a need. Unless you have sealed the door (my Traeger had a 1/2in gap) and grease drain it is hard to smother the fire pot with the forced air from the fan. I have shut mine down to the point of cavitation (more air wants in than is going out) of the air at normal fan speed then lower the fan speed to it's lowest for up to 4hrs and still not had a flame out.
The sad truth is you have a $40 controller in a grill you bought for a thousand and now you either spend another $200 or learn to live with it. My third Traeger controller was one I could live with always cold so it did not burn up everything just took longer but since changing I only ask why I waited.

 

[kerstingm]

Last night I smoked a 9lb butt, it took longer to finish than any other one I've smoked in the past.
I put on around 7:30, after 8 or 9 hours it was only at 152 but probe tender. Wrapped it and let it finish, pulled it at 11am at 212 (fell asleep ran out of beer lmao)
Only thing I did different this time was I tried using my injector. I am curious if the extra juices inside would stall the internal temps longer?
Or do I need to start cooking at 250 or 275? I am still learning the new controller since installing it,
it seems like all of my smokes are taking longer to hit internal temps
I will add I did not take the time to lay butt get to room temp, started on smoker at 30 degrees, I'm sure this didn't help over all cook time


Either way it is one of the best butts I've ever smoked, I can't even begin to tell ya'll how good the leftover juices are. Went right into my homemade BBQ SAUCE!!!

 

[kerstingm]

Did I mention friggin amazing!!!!

 

[cymesg]

I purchased a Treager from Home Depot in November 2017. It worked great for the first year, but the lid warped, as did the body. I can now smoke the whole neighborhood but not the meat inside the smoker. I have asked for my warranty to be recognized, at first just to replace the lid, but that will not even work as I have run tests to see if the lid was held down, would it work..and the answer is no, it still smokes the neighborhood.

DO NOT BUY...THEY DO NOT RESPECT THEIR WARRANTY OR THEIR PRODUCT