Traeger - New Owener - Tips/Advice?

[illini40]

Hello everyone

I have been looking at pellet smokers for a while now, and I finally pulled the trigger. Our local Ace had $100 off and free assembly and delivery.

Purchased a Pro 34.

Do you have any tips for a newbie? I'm coming from a Masterbuilt propane smoker.

How do you keep it somewhat clean and looking good?

What else should I be considering with the new unit?

Thanks!

 

[dan the mano]

Hello everyone

I have been looking at pellet smokers for a while now, and I finally pulled the trigger. Our local Ace had $100 off and free assembly and delivery.

Purchased a Pro 34.

Do you have any tips for a newbie? I'm coming from a Masterbuilt propane smoker.

How do you keep it somewhat clean and looking good?

What else should I be considering with the new unit?

Thanks!

after every other smoke make it a happen to clean out pellet auger with a vacuum cleaner .
then store pellets in a dry place ( no humidity . i store mine in a pail with a lid ( no rodents can bother this either)
still keep out of the wind , rain and snow as best as you can when smoking
try to keep temp probe cleaned every other smoke
put clean tin foil on, and not over the last one .
try to go and keep grease pot empty after smokes scrape down racks good after every smoke .
heat up good before doing a smoke ... that way also it will burn off other dregs ...
you can place bricks ... around fire box to keep heat there and maintain temperatures
and also after each smoke ... empty out pellet box too ,( moisture control ,humidity )
keep the ... DOOR CLOSED ... even though your curious ..

after all this happy smoking , and this is just my thoughts on what and how i do my smoking . have a good one ..

 

[illini40]

Great - thanks for all of the advice.

In regards to tin foil, do you cover your drip pan in foil every cook?

Also - will a standard extension cord work? I'm referring to a general purpose orange drop cord.

 

[Thebutscher]

Cover drip pan with heavy-duty foil and change as needed. I change mine after every 5 cooks or so depending on what I've been cooking. Whenever I change the foil I also clean the racks and shop vac out the ash from the firepit and the rest of it. Whole process takes maybe 20 mins.

 

[Geebs]

I do the same as above, about every 3-5 smokes I will break down the smoker and give a good wipe down, clean out any ash, and recover the drip pan with heavy duty foil. I also foil the grease bucket as well for easy cleanup. If you want to clean up any difficult grease I recommend CitruSafe Grill Cleaner, cuts through really tough grease really easily.

 

[Jamie Wargo]

Just purchased the same on Saturday. Coming off a MES 40. It seems like there’ll be a learning curve. Struggled with ribeyes. Put potatoes on first then tried to make it smoke for the steaks. That’s not happening. Anyway finished them off over a campfire.

Any advice on mods or accessories? I saw a drop-in sear station. I’m also curious about the grill grates. Do they work well?

 

[Geebs]

I have a CC Woodwind and can get a decent sear if I turn the grill on high, not sure what the highest a Treager can get too. If you want some extra flavor look an the A-MAZE-N Pellet Tube Smoker, I have the 12"-18" expanding tube to add more flavor to my pellet grill.

 

[Thebutscher]

Just purchased the same on Saturday. Coming off a MES 40. It seems like there’ll be a learning curve. Struggled with ribeyes. Put potatoes on first then tried to make it smoke for the steaks. That’s not happening. Anyway finished them off over a campfire.

Any advice on mods or accessories? I saw a drop-in sear station. I’m also curious about the grill grates. Do they work well?

I use GrillGrates....they work fantastic!

 

[Ishi]

I use GrillGrates....they work fantastic!

X2 I’ve only had them for two weeks but I’m really liking them.

 

[illini40]

Just purchased the same on Saturday. Coming off a MES 40. It seems like there’ll be a learning curve. Struggled with ribeyes. Put potatoes on first then tried to make it smoke for the steaks. That’s not happening. Anyway finished them off over a campfire.

Any advice on mods or accessories? I saw a drop-in sear station. I’m also curious about the grill grates. Do they work well?

Was the issue with the ribeyes that you were not getting enough smoke? Or not able to sear hot enough?

 

[illini40]

X2 I’ve only had them for two weeks but I’m really liking them.

Are you using the Grill Grates on a Traeger?

Do the Grill Grates help that much on a pellet grill (since the overall heat is not as high)?

 

[Ishi]

Are you using the Grill Grates on a Traeger?

Do the Grill Grates help that much on a pellet grill (since the overall heat is not as high)?

I’m using them on a RecTec.
So far I’ve only had the grill set at 450 degrees when using the grates. Even at 450 the grates are crazy hot and they leave very nice sear marks and the surface of the meat has a nice crust to it.

 

[Javaaman]

X2 I’ve only had them for two weeks but I’m really liking them.
View attachment 367964 View attachment 367965

Got 'em too but they are a PITA to clean!

 

[Ishi]

Got 'em too but they are a PITA to clean!

That they are!

 

[Thebutscher]

Got 'em too but they are a PITA to clean!

I cleaned mine for the first time today in the dishwasher....the horror! No worries. They kept their seasoning...even on the 'pots and pans' setting. Still had some gunk after but wiped relatively clean with a paper towel.

 

[Javaaman]

I cleaned mine for the first time today in the dishwasher....the horror! No worries. They kept their seasoning...even on the 'pots and pans' setting. Still had some gunk after but wiped relatively clean with a paper towel.

Like the "lemming" that I am - LOL! I read "no dishwasher". Going to live life on the edge later and use the dishwasher!!

 

[ross77]

Put them in a plastic storage container with soap. Let them soak then spray them with a hose. They don’t need to be spotless.

 

[Jamie Wargo]

Was the issue with the ribeyes that you were not getting enough smoke? Or not able to sear hot enough?

It was the sear. It was like I was baking them. So I pulled at 110 and tossed them on the fire.

Sorry to hijack your thread illini. Didnt want to start another pro 34 thread.

 

[Jamie Wargo]

Would you guys recommend grillgrates or pelletpro’s sear daddy? I’m leaning towards just doing the grates first. Hate to dump more $$$ than needed after just spending $900.

 

[illini40]

I fired up the new Traeger for its first run today. I was very pleased with it, and it was great not having to baby sit my smoker to watch the temps like I had to with my Masterbuilt propane.

It seemed do put off plenty of smoke on the Smoke setting and also at 225*.

What cleanup does everyone do on their pellet smokers after each cook? I cleaned my grates quickly, removed the foil from the drip pan and emptied my pellet hopper. Should I be doing anything else?

I did not get many pics, but did get a pic of ribs on and the tri tip off of the smoker.