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    Father InLaw having problems with Traeger

    Posts: 327
    in EggHead Forum
    My 78 year old father InLaw is having problems with his Traeger getting hot but not putting out smoke. Anybody out there own one in a former lifetime? Its only about a year old!! I'm 400 miles away so I can't trouble shoot. Any ideas??? Yes he has pellets in it!!!!!!
    Kennesaw Ga. XL Egg. Cheers, Kevin
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    • Posts: 19,267

      I've heard Traegers work much better as storage next to a functioning BGE :)

      kidding. Hope someone can help you out... if they'll 'fess up to it. 


      #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
      A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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    • Posts: 5,234
      I wish I could help you Kevin, but I have never used one. Hopefully someone can help. @SGH can you help him out? 

      Louisville, GA - 2 Large BGE's
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    • Posts: 13,836
      @cazzy did a brisket on a Traeger, had a similar observation, weak smoke.


      Not sure I have any great suggestions, but you could add an AMNPS in the cooking chamber to add additional smoke...


      They/Them
      Morgantown, PA

      XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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    • Posts: 39
      it seems like most traeger problems are feed related. I'd dump out the pelet bin and check for issues there first.
      BGE XL in the Pacific NW
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    • Posts: 327
      @caliking‌ lol. Exactly what I was thinking while typing. No one would admit they own one.
      Kennesaw Ga. XL Egg. Cheers, Kevin
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    • Posts: 327
      We bought it for him because it's simple. Id love to get him an egg, but honestly I'm afraid he'd burn himself or the house down! They're Catholic by 500pm at least one bottle of wine has been destroyed!!
      Kennesaw Ga. XL Egg. Cheers, Kevin
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    • Posts: 28,928
      johnkitchens said:
      @SGH can you help him out? 
      My friend without actually seeing it, it's hard to say. I'm a little more familiar with the Yoders than I am with the Traegers. However what I have noticed is that the pellet smokers do not pour smoke. They produce a very faint smoke like the egg. Just curious, did his food lack smoke flavor?

      Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

      Status- Standing by.

      The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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    • Posts: 28,928
      edited January 2015
      I spoke to brother Reed and he recommended using these pellets. Said they were about as good as it gets. I myself can not say as I donot use a pellet smoker. However I have full confidence in brother Reeds advice. http://www.amazenproducts.com/

      Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

      Status- Standing by.

      The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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    • Posts: 327
      @SGH‌ thank you for the input. I will recommend the pellets. I am not there but it is my understanding that he isn't getting any smoke. My first thought is the hopper is possible clogged.
      Kennesaw Ga. XL Egg. Cheers, Kevin
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    • Posts: 13,836
      StillSmoken said:
      @SGH‌ thank you for the input. I will recommend the pellets. I am not there but it is my understanding that he isn't getting any smoke. My first thought is the hopper is possible clogged.
      Is he getting heat? If so, then he is getting as much smoke as the pellets he is using will create.

      They/Them
      Morgantown, PA

      XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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    • Posts: 1,774
      StillSmoken said:

      We bought it for him because it's simple. Id love to get him an egg, but honestly I'm afraid he'd burn himself or the house down! They're Catholic by 500pm at least one bottle of wine has been destroyed!!

      @stillsmokin if easy use you are looking for and want a egg style but pellet cooker look ar the Black Olive. They are not cheap but seems easy to use. I do NOT own one yet but have been trying to get a local dealer to get them so I can pick one up.

      As far as the tr eager i have never used one.
      1 XXL BGE,  1 LG BGE, 2 MED. BGE, 1 MINI BGE, 1 Peoria custom cooker Meat Monster.


      Clinton, Iowa
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    • Posts: 28,928
      edited January 2015
      I'm confused myself. Above you mentioned that the unit is getting hot but no smoke. My understanding of the pellet smokers is that the fire pot sits directly in the cooking chamber. That said, if it's getting hot it's almost inevitable that he should be getting some smoke however vague. Again I'm basing this off of what I have seen with the Yoders. I suppose the Traegars could be set up different. I wish I could help more. If I was there I'm more than sure I could trouble shoot and repair the problem for him. However without actually seeing it, I'm just speculating as to what the under lying issue is.

      Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

      Status- Standing by.

      The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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    • Posts: 28,928
      Just curious if you know or not, but does the Traegars fire pot sit inside the cook chamber like this?

      image

      Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

      Status- Standing by.

      The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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    • Posts: 327
      @DMW‌ he says he is getting heat. Do the pellets create the heat or is there some sort of element?
      Kennesaw Ga. XL Egg. Cheers, Kevin
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    • Posts: 13,836
      edited January 2015
      StillSmoken said:

      @DMW‌ he says he is getting heat. Do the pellets create the heat or is there some sort of element?

      The element is only to fire the pellets. This is why pellet pushers are allowed in KCBS sanctioned competitions, the cooking is from burning wood, not from an electric element.

      They/Them
      Morgantown, PA

      XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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    • Posts: 28,928
      StillSmoken said:
      @DMW‌ he says he is getting heat. Do the pellets create the heat or is there some sort of element?
      The burning pellets create the heat.

      Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

      Status- Standing by.

      The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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    • Posts: 327
      @SGH‌ I really don't have a clue. I've only seen the thing a couple of times. I'll be down in FL in a few days and look at it then. I really appreciate you taking the time to help.
      Kennesaw Ga. XL Egg. Cheers, Kevin
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    • Posts: 14,544
      It sounds like you are cooking too hot. The hotter you cook with the Traeger the less smoke. Makes sense as the pellets burn up more efficiently. If the unit has an electronic tbermo, there is a lot of adjustment. If not, would suggest getting one and changing it out. Once you have an electronic thermo you should lower the temp. You can even change the auger rate by adjusting the setting with a paperclip, Google it. I suspect it has three setting manual thermo which has very little adjustment. Best guess.
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    • Posts: 28,928
      StillSmoken said:
      @SGH‌  I really appreciate you taking the time to help.
      My pleasure brother. Wish that I could have offered more but the pellet smokers are not specialty. Now if he had a offset or vertical, I could diagnose any problem he had without seeing it. Heck I could send pics and videos on how to correct any issue on a offset. However I feel that if the unit is coming up to temp, that it is working perfectly fine. I have been told that the smoke from the pellet cookers can leave a lot to be desired. If that is the case and the unit is in fact coming up to temp, have him try the higher grade pellets that brother Reed recommended. It may make all the difference in the world. Again sorry that I couldn't offer more and good luck.  

      Location- Just "this side" of Biloxi, Ms.

      Status- Standing by.

      The greatest barrier against all wisdom, the stronghold against knowledge itself, is the single thought, in ones mind, that they already have it all figured out. 

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    • Posts: 23,161
      StillSmoken said:
      We bought it for him because it's simple. Id love to get him an egg, but honestly I'm afraid he'd burn himself or the house down! They're Catholic by 500pm at least one bottle of wine has been destroyed!!

      well, I must be Catholic too then...
      Keepin' It Weird in The ATX FBTX
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    • Posts: 327
      If I ever get a vertical or offset I'll definitely get your input first. I'll get him some of those pellets brother Reed recommends. Thanks for the input.
      Kennesaw Ga. XL Egg. Cheers, Kevin
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    • Posts: 327
      @DMW‌ he seems to think the heat is created by an element alone. God bless him!!! I'll get him straightened out. Thanks for bring me up to speed!!
      Kennesaw Ga. XL Egg. Cheers, Kevin
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    • Posts: 174
      @pgprescott‌ is correct. If there's heat he is burning pellets. chances are he is burning to hot to create much smoke. He should see good smoke upon firing it up.
      Barrie,Ont.,Canada.
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