Traeger Grills - Troubleshooting: Maintaining Temperature

In this Traeger maintenance video, we’ll show how to maintain the internal temperature of a wood-fired grill.

To get the temperature of a wood pellet grill on lockdown, it may be tricky. Different wood pellet blends burn at different rates and temperatures but Traeger’s temperature control devices regulate like a champ.

If your wood pellet grill has issues with maintaining temperatures, here are a few steps you can take to keep them steady. Cooking with fire is like cooking with a convection oven, when the door or lid opens and heat escapes the internal temperatures may fluctuate.

0:29 Temperature swings
0:45 Importance of Pellets
1:14 What to clean on your Traeger
1:49 What to do with the rusty firepot

How to maintain a Traeger’s internal temperature:

Traeger temperature gauges and temperature controllers give precise readings of the internal grill temperature at the time you view it. Once you open it the internal temp can change.

1. Always use Traeger pellets.
2. Make sure your pellets are dry. Moist or wet pellets will not burn evenly, they may not ignite and this may cause your wood-fired grill not to function properly.
3. A clean grill helps keep temperatures consistent, make sure your firepot is clear of ash to keep airflow consistent
4. Clean the RTD temperature controller. It’s on the left of the inside of your grill next to the hopper.
5. Make sure your hopper is full so you have enough pellets to fuel into the fire.
6. Swap out your temperature controller to a newer model.*

*The 2016 Digital Pro Temperature Controller has Advanced Grilling Logic which checks the internal temperature every 60 seconds and fuels the fire if there are any deviations from the set internal temperature. Swapping out your temperature gauge with this controller will ensure precision control.

Consistent temps create consistently delicious food.

Call 1-800-TRAEGER for any questions, help, or technical support.

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[copisetic]

I had problems with maintaining temperature on my new Bronson. Treager sent me a new motor and controller in a couple of days, installed them, runs perfect, treager tech support and service is exemplary. This company knows all about service.
THANKS GUYS for the help.
Dave cope

[brianquiniones]

I know a lot of these comments are very old, but here's my 2c worth.
Have had my Traeger BBQ07E (Lil Tex Elite) for 10 years and the only issue I've had is the Hot Rod finally went out after 10 years of use! Of course my unit is considered "Legacy" since it was built in 2010 when still made in the USA. Just replaced the Hot Rod, and I'm back up and running. I keep it cleaned, covered and out of the weather when not in use and have never had temp issues or struggles. Everything except the Hot Rod is original. There's something to be said about older and simpler "Legacy" units! Traeger On!

[pentaxfan]

I too will chime in about my Traeger experience.
Super happy with my first and now 7 year old Junior. Smoke is perfect, always spot on temp and never misses a beat.

Now with the bad!!!
We purchased a Lil' Tex model last fall and have had nothing but problems with it.
Smoke temperature fluctuates right at 100 degrees and cooking temp fluctuates about 80.
If I had known there was a problem with the new machines, I would have taken my cash elsewhere.
I have talked with customer service over and over, I had a local Traeger repair tech replace the temperature sensor and the controller unit and the problems still exist.
Trying to weigh pro's and con's about purchasing another controller, talking to customer service again and again or just selling this boat anchor in hopes of finding another grill that will match the quality of Traegers past models.
Suggestions?

[paulpetersky]

Trying to maintain 225-degrees has been an unsurmountable challenge. Set it at 180, no problem, but set it at 225, the temperature soars up to 280-degrees and it becomes a battle to get it back within +/-20 degrees of the desired setting. This whole notion of "set it and forget it" has not been my experience. It has taken an eagle eye and constant fiddling to keep it from drying out your brisket. I've fiddled with the "P" settings and it doesn't seem to fix the problem. This grill is too expensive to be giving anyone this sort of grief. Just saying...

[BrineAngler]

Just bought a new Tailgater 20.... I was so excited I seasoned it as soon as I got home and started brining some Salmon. Set the grill to its lowest setting at 165 for smoking and it currently at 265 I have tried shutting it off and allowing it time to cool only to have the same issue happen time and time again. Its really a shame to spend so much money on something and have it not work. Feels like a massive waste, and need a better option. Any help would be awesome!

[freddahldahl]

Bought a pro 22 series last week and today is my second time using it. The temp swings are frustrating! Trying to smoke a pork butt at 225 and the temp drops down to mid 100's and then jumps up to 257. Not sure if I will keep this Im thinking about returning it at this point

[kerryhawk]

I have a pro 34. The temp on the pellet box side is 30-40 degrees hotter than the stack side. I have a Tailgater 20 also and it is AWESOME! I am seriously considering blocking the stack and cutting exhaust vents like on my Tailgater 20.

[ipturpin]

I have an ironwood model and always takes longer than the suggested time to smoke. Off by hours but temp stays steady at what it is set for.

[steelgtr]

Where is the sensor on and old 3 position knob Junior?

[vitaliyamanda]

I cant wait when its time for new grill, i have problem with my treager, that keeps overheating and shutting off, been cleanning that grill so good..

[mikeurquhart]

Set my brand new Pro 575 at 185 to smoke a turkey and the temperature has ranged from 110 - 351. Will have to wait for Monday to see if they can fix this going forward while ruined the turkey is ruined. Could not be more disappointed.

[bobshirley]

How could the pellets cause a run temperature of 210 when the controller is set at 165?

[LUVDATPUSPUS]

I’ve owned mine for 12 hrs. Did the whole start up procedure and burn off. I got my chicken on and I set the temp for 180. Got to 180 and it started smoking real good but then the temp started going down. Dropped to 147 so I raised it to 225 and when it hit 180 I dropped it back to 180. It then began dropping and reach 151. It’s just going up and down. Is that part of the process? Or is mine busted?

[adamberger]

Same problem, temp is totally unpredictable--forget about slow and low and you cannot be sure when it will be done. If you are cooking brisket--set as low as it will go and you might be able to keep it below 250.

[GRKelso]

Keeping it in the shade seems to help too.

[garylitschgy]

I've done all the maintenance and my Traeger won't maintain temperature in the winter. I called Traeger and spent an 1hr on a video call with them and I was told the a 45 degree variance is acceptable. I was more than disappointed. Unfortunately in my experience, this smoker is unreliable as you can't set the temperature and walk away.

[StackingCommies]

Mine never reaches max temp I’ve had it for 2 years I set it to high and it never gets over 350. I paid 1100 for it and refuse to buy new parts for it as I feel I shouldn’t have to. I’m gonna switch to an egg and never look back!

[stevekuykendall]

My traeger is a headache. I have cleaned it, disassembled it, upgrade the controller, induction fan. This morning I started it up, honestly I thought it blew up. Smoke just rolling out of it on high setting. Looked at temp guage, 50 degrees. I'm ready to put it out front of my house and put a free sign on it. I'm going back to my master built elite propane smoker. Traeger, you are not for me!!!

[ryanteter]

Having a tough time with a brand new Scout. Out of the box, Wild temp swings. Printout that came with manual says to start grill with LID CLOSED. Tech Support insists the lid must be open. Tried both ways, no difference. Being sent a new RTD probe but I see many others tried this to no avail. Will give it a shot and hope I don’t fall in to the 80% of users who just can’t get these Scouts to perform correctly.

[snisle]

The temperature on my traeger is set at 180 and the temp read out is displaying 250. How can you set it and walk away.