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Traeger Help?

Joe4Cy

Joe4Cy

Well-Known Member
Mar 5, 2010
399
535
93
Urbandale
www.comedyxp.tv
Okay, so some idiot forgot to cover the Traeger last week when it rained. Even worse, the grill lid was wide open! As it happens when it rains, the interior and the hopper absorbed a lot of water. Now, the Traeger won't light and I keep getting an Err message on the display. (It's an older model, maybe one of the first - no WiFi, etc.)

(BTW, it was me. I'm that idiot.)

I've cleaned out the interior, emptied the hopper, used a shop vac to suck up all the pellets I could. Replaced with a smaller, new batch, but still having trouble.

Anyone have experience with such an issue? Or know of someone that could fix a Traeger? (I'm not in the position to buy a new one at the moment.)
 
kingcy said:
Make sure the auger can turn freely. I bet it is still plugged. Uncouple the auger from the motor and turn it backwards. I have heard of guys taking a hand torch and burning the caked up pellets also.
Click to expand...
Yep. Physically unbolt the firebox.

And if you're gonna do all this I would just replace the fans and ignitor while you're at it.
 
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Yeah it seems like you have a lot of moisture in your firecup, auger, and/or hopper. Unbolt everything and clean it out. Bolt everything back up, prime the grill, and then physically watch the firecup to see if it lights. You should be fine as it should only be a moisture problem.
 
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Joe4Cy said:
Well, thanks friends! That gives me hope. I was afraid it was done for!
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Those older ones were built pretty good. I had a guy give me his because it more than likely had the same problem yours is having. Just had to watch a YouTube video on unclogging the auger and she was as good as new!
 
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Joe4Cy said:
Okay, so some idiot forgot to cover the Traeger last week when it rained. Even worse, the grill lid was wide open! As it happens when it rains, the interior and the hopper absorbed a lot of water. Now, the Traeger won't light and I keep getting an Err message on the display. (It's an older model, maybe one of the first - no WiFi, etc.)

(BTW, it was me. I'm that idiot.)

I've cleaned out the interior, emptied the hopper, used a shop vac to suck up all the pellets I could. Replaced with a smaller, new batch, but still having trouble.

Anyone have experience with such an issue? Or know of someone that could fix a Traeger? (I'm not in the position to buy a new one at the moment.)
Click to expand...
You're not an idiot..... you have an awesome avatar.
 
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Joe4Cy said:
Well, thanks friends! That gives me hope. I was afraid it was done for!
Click to expand...
You have hopes but it may be a journey. I've seen this happen and the pellets absorb the water and expand and then harden like concrete in the auger when they dry. I've seen videos of people clearing them with a long wire and a drill.
 
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Those pellets expand like a peep dropped in a fryer when they get wet. Auger is jammed. Ive always pulled the auger out to unjam, but might try the torch thing if it happens again. A bit of a pain to pull apart.
 
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Joe4Cy said:
Success! While I was unable to replace the fans, I was able to resurrect the grill!

The Traeger help number is wonderful! I was texting with a technician for about 45 minutes. They walked me through a number of steps, and we were able to save the grill.

Now to learn how to make that brisket.
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That’s good to know. A couple years ago when I was having issues, I had no luck with their customer service. Glad it worked for you. I’ll keep that in mind.

Good luck on the brisket. It’s not as hard as they make is seem. Just give the thing some time.
 
Joe4Cy said:
Success! While I was unable to replace the fans, I was able to resurrect the grill!

The Traeger help number is wonderful! I was texting with a technician for about 45 minutes. They walked me through a number of steps, and we were able to save the grill.

Now to learn how to make that brisket.
Click to expand...
So….what was the problem?

I have a GMG DB. I had and issue where the auger was gummed up as the fan was blowing back through the auger as the gasket between the hopper and auger assembly was allowing air to get in. Took the auger to a wire wheel cleaned it up and put gasket seal on it. Works like a champ now. Just the strangest things can cause issues on a pellet grill.
 
cycloner29 said:
So….what was the problem?

I have a GMG DB. I had and issue where the auger was gummed up as the fan was blowing back through the auger as the gasket between the hopper and auger assembly was allowing air to get in. Took the auger to a wire wheel cleaned it up and put gasket seal on it. Works like a champ now. Just the strangest things can cause issues on a pellet grill.
Click to expand...
Something was jamming the induction fan. A quick flick with a screwdriver freed it up and it began spinning immediately.
 
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