Wood pellet grill

 

  Hey all,

  Anyone have a Traeger wood pellet grill?  I just brought one home from Costco. (The Junior size) They say it'll do 6 different styles of cooking, Grill, Smoke, roast, Braise, BBQ and bake.  Got the thing built, started to do the "Burn in" to get rid of the shipping oil, and "Season the grill" The "burn in" didn't complete.
  I went out to check on it, about 30 minutes into its 45 burn on high, and it was cold .  WTF?  Pellets stopped being delivered to the fire box for some reason.  The fan was still blowing though.
  I'm thinking "Now I gota pack this thing up and haul it back to Costco!"  Wasn't really happy bout that, and didn't wan't to build another, (Still have to deal with the 1st box.)
Calmed down a little, tried turning it off, clearing the hopper of pellets, and started it back up.  Yup auger was not turning.  Called their customer support, and talked to a tech, explained what I was doing and what happened.  He told me he was 99% sure the 3-speed controller was the problem. (It was working when I started everything, it was at 200* and raising when I let it go) He said there was a suspected batch of  if'Y controller    That they've replaced, so I asked how I could verify this.
  He said I could swap the auger power connector with the fan connector (Same connections) and being the Field Service Engineer I am, agreed to do it. (Other option was to return it to Costco.) Turns out the Auger motor is fine now, but the fan stopped working (After the connector swap)
  Called the Customer service guy again and confirmed what he said, then asked him if he would send me out the digital controller to replace the 3-speed one.   
  It should be delivered by Tuesday.  So, now I'm getting a $150 upgraded controller with a digital temperature readout and 6 selection instead of 3 for my little Junior.
Wasn't happy it "Failed on install" but happy to get the controller of the big unit (The one I really wanted in the first place but not at $700)  Their customer service was very helpful.
  Oh and I got a bag of hickory and bag of Misquite pellets.
Looking forward to breaking in steak on the thing!  (Maybe smoking some salmon as well)


   

I have the Texas grill size version, Troy. Be sure to put the grill through the highest heat setting a few times. There was an issue with the finish on some grills not holding up to the heat. I like mine...so far. Had the salesman throw in two more bags of pellets...had to remind him of his offer.

Howard

I have had a texas grill for a couple years now.  Overall Im very pleased with it, but there are certainly some nuances that you'll have to get used to.  Keep yer pellets dry.  Traeger customer service has been very good... I also have been through a controller and th paint on my lid peeled afer about a year.  They sent me a new one that Im hanging onto until the first lid gets really bad. 

I upgraded to a faster auger motor this summer to get a faster heat rampup and higher top end temps.  There are some great forums out there to learn the tips and tricks, like pelletheads.com. 

Overall its a good product and can do magic with meat.  I think youll have fun with it.

Also,
Don't be fooled into believing you have to use their pellets. I have used the Luhr Jensen pellets we sell at F.W. and can't tell the diff except for the price.

Sent from my phone cause I can

If ya'll have any questions about Traeger Grills let me know I have all three non commercial models and I used to work for them.

My advise to you is unless the junior is for camping sell it on craigslist for as much as you paid for it or take it back to Costco no questions asked!

The 055 "junior" is great for camping!!! I took the legs off and added the leveling kit so it can be put on any surface. For power I either run it of my car lighter or I run it off two deep cycle batteries to a solar mat for recharging. Once the fire is going it will only draw about 50 watts! If you keep it pay the 79$$ and get the digital thermo unit It changes everything!!

For the other guy that has the Texas and adjusted the "P" settings line the belly of the grill with lava rock or fire brick!! you will cut down on the pellet consumption by 25%

 

   Just got the thing, not going to sell/return it just yet.  I won't have to get the $79 upgraded digital controller, their sending it to me free to replace the 3-speed one that crapped out "Fail on install"  I have 2 other Weber Grills, one gas the other is the classic round charcoal user.  I've ad it now about 25yrs.  (Plan on having it another 25yrs as long as it don't rust out)
  I had a feeling about the pellets, about keeping them dry.  I'll have to get a 5gal bucket with lid to use for storage. Being in a redwood forest, winters never dry out.  Right now I only have one bag (mesquite) opened to "Burn the grill" in but have to wait for my new controller to arrive (Tuesday)to continue the burn in.
 Lookin forward to it!

Keep the bag closed and inddor. Done!

Keeping the pellets in a container is best, as you play around with other Traeger pellets keep in mind the cherry wood and oak burn the hottest. Keep your eye out for GRAPE VINE pellets they have been discontinued but give an amazing taste. Yakhopper is right about the pellets just don't tell customer service! Another good brand to try is BBQ delight pellets they have a very consistent burn.

 

  Finally got the replacement controller, (Yesterday) installed it and continued the "Burn in" then, couldn't wait.  Picked up some skirt steak,and fired the Trager up again.  The digital thermometer displayed a pretty consistant 442* F on the high setting,(Outside temp was hovering around 37*F) slapped the meat on the grill and let it go.  Discovered that this grill cooks a little slower than my gas grill.  Thats ok.  Looking forward to many more meats commuting throught this thing!