How to Get Your Traeger Grill Fired Up

Buzz

Content

Preparing the Grill

Preparing Your Grill for Heating

Wrapping Up Your Grill Session

Traeger, a favored wood-burning grill brand among BBQ enthusiasts, offers a range of models, each following a straightforward start-up and shutdown process.

Steps

Preparing the Grill

Ensure your grill is assembled properly. If this is your first time setting up your Traeger grill, double-check that all components are assembled correctly. Assembly typically involves putting together the lower cabinet, grill body, heat baffle, grease drain pan, flue pipe, chimney cap, grill grates, and grease bucket.

As every Traeger grill model is unique, refer to the assembly instructions provided in your owner’s manual.
Before igniting the grill for the first time, remove the grill grates, grease drain pan, and heat baffle. This allows for troubleshooting any initial start-up issues.

Connect your grill to a power source. Unlike traditional wood-burning grills, Traeger equipment relies on electricity to power its internal thermostat, fan, igniter rod, and wood pellet auger. To prevent accidental activation, keep the grill unplugged when not in use.

Acquire Traeger-brand wood pellets. To operate your grill, you’ll need specialized wood pellets, available for purchase from Traeger’s official website. These pellets come in various flavors, such as hickory, mesquite, apple, pecan, oak, maple, alder, and cherry, each imparting a distinct taste to your food. For safety reasons, only use Traeger-brand wood pellets with your grill.

Load the wood pellets into your grill’s hopper. Locate the large metal box attached to your grill’s main body, referred to as the hopper. Open the lid and, if needed, clear out any pellets already inside or empty them through your grill’s hopper cleanout door. Then, fill the hopper to capacity with wood pellets.

You can use the same batch of wood pellets for up to a week.

Check and clean your RTD temperature probe if required. The RTD temperature probe, situated on the left side of your grill’s main body, is a metal prong. Prior to starting the grill, ensure the probe is devoid of grease, dirt, and other debris that might interfere with its operation. If the prong is soiled, wipe it clean with a fresh cloth.

A dirty temperature probe can lead to undesired fluctuations in heat during grilling.

Preparing Your Grill for Heating

Pop open the lid of your grill and flick the switch. When it's time to get cooking, lift the lid on your Traeger grill. Then, flip the power switch found on your unit’s control panel to the “On” position. Your grill needs a bit of time to warm up, so hold off on placing anything on the cooking grates for now.

Adjust the temperature dial to “Smoke.” Locate the small temperature knob on your grill’s control panel. Twist the knob to the “Smoke” setting. If your unit doesn't offer a smoke option, set the temperature between 160 °F (71 °C) and 200 °F (93 °C).

Allow the grill to settle for approximately 5 minutes. For most Traeger models, your grill requires around 4 to 5 minutes to properly preheat. If your grill features Advanced Grilling Logic, it might need a minute or 2 less. During this time, keep an eye on the grill to ensure it starts up smoothly without any technical hiccups.

For brand new units, tack on an extra 2 to 3 minutes to the preheating phase. This gives the grill’s auger enough time to transfer your wood pellets to the firebox.

Shut the lid when the grill begins to roar. Once the preheating is done, you'll hear a robust, roaring sound coming from the main body of the grill. This noise usually resembles the hum of a jet engine or a gust of wind. When you hear it, close the grill’s lid to trap in the heat and smoke until you're ready to start cooking.

Inspect your grill’s hotrod, fan, and auger if it refuses to start. If your grill fails to heat up or make a roaring sound, there might be an issue with one of its components. Check the grill’s hotrod, fan, and auger for any debris or dust buildup. If you find any, clear the area and attempt to run your grill again. If it still won’t turn on, refer to Traeger’s official FAQ webpage for assistance.

Find your grill’s hotrod beneath the grill grate, drip tray, and heat baffle.
The grill’s fan and auger are typically located beneath the hopper.

Adjust the temperature knob to your preferred cooking temperature. Once the grill is preheated, feel free to switch the temperature knob from the smoke setting to your desired cooking temperature. Before placing any food on the grill, check the temperature gauge above the knob to ensure the chamber has reached the desired heat level.

Traeger grills utilize numeric temperature settings and do not offer preset options for grilling, roasting, braising, etc.

Wrapping Up Your Grill Session

Remove any remaining food from the grill. Leaving food on the grill grates can lead to unwanted residue buildup or rust, which will need to be cleaned before your next cooking session. To prevent this, clear the grill of any remaining food before shutting it down.

If there's any food stuck on the grill grates, clean it off once the unit has cooled down.

Switch the temperature knob to the “Shut Down Cycle” setting. Instead of a low temperature option, Traeger grills offer a “shut down cycle” feature designed to help the unit power off correctly. To safeguard your grill, always run the shut down cycle before turning it off completely.

Close the grill’s lid and allow the unit to sit for approximately 10 minutes. Following the activation of the shut down cycle, close the lid of your grill and let it shut down on its own. After roughly 10 minutes, the grill should shut off automatically.

Even after the unit powers off, exercise caution around the grill grates in case there's any residual heat.

Flip the power switch off and disconnect the grill from the power source. After the grill has powered down, ensure to switch the unit’s power switch to the “Off” position. Then, unplug the grill from the wall outlet to prevent accidental activation.

Give the grill a thorough cleaning once it has cooled off. Following each use, it’s important to wipe down the grill grates with a clean rag. Additionally, approximately once a year, you should perform maintenance on the grill's smoke stack, grease drip pan, heat baffle, and main body.

Helpful Advice

Items You’ll Require

Traeger grill
Traeger-brand wood pellets
Clean rag
Extension cord (optional)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What initial steps should I take to prepare my Traeger grill?

To prepare your Traeger grill, first ensure it is properly assembled according to the owner’s manual. Then connect it to a power source and load Traeger-brand wood pellets into the hopper for operation.

How can I effectively check the temperature probe before grilling?

Before grilling, inspect the RTD temperature probe located on the grill's body. Clean it of any grease or debris to ensure accurate temperature readings during cooking.

Why is it necessary to follow the shut down cycle?

Yes, following the shut down cycle is necessary to properly power off your Traeger grill. This feature helps prevent damage and ensures the unit shuts down safely.

How long should I allow my Traeger grill to preheat?

You should allow your Traeger grill to preheat for approximately 4 to 5 minutes. For new models, add an extra 2 to 3 minutes to ensure the auger transfers wood pellets effectively.

What should I do if my Traeger grill won't start?

If your Traeger grill won't start, check the hotrod, fan, and auger for debris or dust buildup. Clear any obstructions and refer to Traeger’s FAQ if the problem persists.

What maintenance is required after using my Traeger grill?

After using your Traeger grill, wipe down the grates with a clean rag. Annually, perform maintenance on the smoke stack, grease drip pan, and heat baffle for optimal performance.