Help me trouble shoot burn problem please!?!?!

[jjdbike]

Hello postmasters,

My former neighbor gifted me a small basic Treager w/ a few years on it. I cleaned it up, tightened it up and have used it quite a few times over the last couple of years. I appreciated it for how convenient, quick and easy it is to use. The last time I tried to use it just after I started it, smoke began to billow. Way too much smoke. I turning it off, unplugged it and tried again. This time even more nasty smoke. I opened it and the burn box was fully ignited in fire. I smothered their with HD aluminum foil, let it cool, and emptied the burn box. I tried again and the digital read out said "ERROR".

What is going on? How can I fix it? Might a part have gone bad? Could this just be an anomaly? Shall I clean out the burn box again and add some pellets "prime it".

Should I toss it out and buy a new one (least preferable option)?

I'd really like to use it today for some smoked queso.

Thanks in advance!
JD

[realdocBBQ]

Hard to say, really... I think first things first, empty it all out and vacuum out the auger as well. Clean things as well as you can.

It may be repairable - I know I had an OLD OLD OLD Traeger (still have it, unused and stored) and I replaced about every part on it - controller, temp probe, firepot, igniter - I am not sure, but I don't THINK I ever replaced the auger, but I might have. Just worked my through it when things messed up. But if you're mildly technically handy, these things aren't marvels of technology - they're actually pretty basic in terms of their functionality.

Depending on where the thermocouple is on yours, it's possible it got burned up - OR the igniter is burned up and failed. If so, either of these might have a feedback circuit that prevents operation and reports an error when they're damaged. Both are cheap and easy fixes, as well, might be worth just replacing those two items to see. Lots of possibilities - could be a burned up wire or one of those parts. Just have to maybe tear into it and see what you can find.

That's what I did when mine screwed up, and I learned how it worked and really, how simple the whole underlying mechanism actually IS.

[captainlee]

Tons of smoke on startup could be pellets absorbed moisture and weren't burning well. If the controller sensed there was little heat it could of dumped more pellets and when they finally ignited you had a massive flame. Just one thought, but if you had that much flame there may have been too many pellets in the burn box by some cause. Maybe another reason caused by the controller. Clean up you firebox and try again.

[captainlee]

Another thought could be a weak ignitor.

[smokenoob]

empty the pot / fire box and vacuum the cooker after every cook!
If it’s old, the plug for the thermo probe may be corroded. Fine where it plugs in and reseat it a few times. If that doesn’t work try any other probe that fits the socket. It may be hard wired, I don’t know.
good luck

[Alan Brice]

Charcoal n wood chunks. Works every time. Don't need no stinkin plug.

[realdocBBQ]

Now now.... that's not very 'tolerant' of us... we're all about making people feel welcome and included around here. Until we get to know 'em, then we can give 'em nine kinds of hell! lol

[Alan Brice]

2 1/2 yrs n seven hunnert posts...he good.

[WI Bubba]

It sounds similar to what happened to me with my Camp Chef pooper.

In my case, it failed to light properly, so I unplugged it, plugged it back in, and did a normal start up. The problem you run into when you do that is the controller doesn't know that it has already put a bunch of pellets in the pot from the first attempt to startup, so it dumps a bunch more in again. Now if it lights them up your burn pot is packed with twice the normal amount of pellets and you get one heck of a fire. I actually took a picture of mine when it happened, and posted it here. Can't find the pic or the post right this second, but it was impressive.

What I learned from that episode was that if you have a failed ignition you need to pull the grates and the diffuser and check the fire pot BEFORE you try to relight things. If the pot has a pile of pellets in it, clean them out before you run another startup, or you run the risk of things getting out of hand.

As for the error you have now, it could be a lot of things. Does your controller show a specific error code, and if so what is it?

[jjdbike]

Thank you for all of your input! Based upon your responses, I'm giving up on this beat up little basic unit. Not worth the time and effort to trouble shoot. I'm going to replace it.

I wish there were a general pellet smoker forum. I'd like some advice on a quality dependable pellet smoker with a wide temp range and dependable temp control. I have a Weber which I find extremely versatile, I have a KBQ stick burner which makes amazing food. The smoker is for low effort, plug and play basics. For serious cooks like Butt, Ribs, and Brisket I'll use the KBQ. This will be for smoked fish, beans, smoked queso, smoked cheese, various burnt ends, etc.

Any recommendations? I'm looking to stay under $1000. Don't need a large capacity. Don't need WiFi. I'm not married to Traeger.

Thanks in advance!
JD

[UncleSpike]

I had similar issues with a new one. Someone on here suggested that I check the 'P' settings. You should google that and see if that solves your issues.
I've had no problems with it since.

Traeger's little tailgater is a nice option if you're looking for a new one. It holds a dozen burgers, so it's not huge. But the price point is good...

[Carolyn]

You might want to start a new thread for recommendations. It will get more attention.
I think you can put that in the "other" section of pellet smokers.

[WI Bubba]

You can pick up a 2nd Gen Smoke Fire for well under 1K. That might suit your needs.

[bep35]

Post a new thread titled, "What pellet grill/smoker should I buy and why?". Then hang on. You should get 50 or more recommendations with enough information to overwhelm you...

Oh, and Recteq offers some good options BTW. I own the RT-B380 Bullseye and really like it. 750 degrees in 15 minutes. Get the RT-B380X and get 1,000 degrees.

Have fun!

[MBMorgan]

jjdbike - I've been really happy with my Original Grilla:



Plenty big for our needs (488 sq.in., easily extendable to 600+), great in all weather conditions, small footprint, even temps throughout, built like a tank, and really good smoke profile.

[CandySueQ]

After you clean it out, try a different bag of pellets next time.

[WI Bubba]

Is there a particular brand you recommend?

[realdocBBQ]

Another thing you might think about is a gravity feed charcoal smoker. Something like a Masterbuilt gravity feed?

[Brian_M]

My Masterbuilt Gravity 1050 is still my most used cooker, followed closely by a Primo Oval XL. That Gravity Series isn’t pretty anymore, and I’ve had to replace some parts and tinker with it a bit, but it cooks. Low and slow, hot and fast, easy to light, easy to shut down…If it ever completely fails I won’t hesitate to buy another.