Is your grill running too cool or just not getting up to your set temperature? Does the flame go out during a cook? Let's walk through some common causes so you can grill confidently again.
If the grill is not igniting at all, please use the Grill Not Igniting articles below.
If the grill’s temperature fell within 20 minutes of ignition, the grill might be having an ignition issue. Check out these articles for further troubleshooting:
Non-WiFIRE-enabled grills have a temperature setting called HIGH. You may notice that when you set your grill to HIGH, the controller blinks 450°F (232°C).
Note that the HIGH setting's temperature ranges between 425 - 450°F (218 - 232°C). If your grill is in this range, it is functioning as expected. However, if your grill is set to HIGH and is below this designated range, please continue reading.
Traeger grills are designed to maintain cooking temperatures even through freezing temperatures. Although cold weather won't affect your grilling ability, it will increase your grill's pellet consumption. Ensure you check on the pellet level throughout your cook to ensure you never run out of pellets. Running low on pellets, even for a few minutes, can cause temperature dips or swings. For even easier pellet monitoring, check out our pellet sensor article.
If you are often grilling in cold weather and would like to save on pellets, an insulation blanket might be a great fit for you and your grill.
If you have a connected grill, make sure your grill is on the latest firmware.
Ensure there is at least 1 inch of clearance on all sides of large pans. Cooking with a large pan can prevent proper airflow causing the grill to run cooler or have drastic temperature swings.
When using a Traeger drip tray liner, make sure you use the correct one for your grill.
If you are using foil, make sure it is flush with the drip tray and not sticking over the edge, as this can disrupt airflow.
Not having enough pellets in the hopper, or even having old/poor quality pellets, can cause temperature issues or the flame to go out.
If the hopper has previously run out of pellets during a cook, there may have been air pockets instead of pellets fed to the fire. In this case, clean out the firepot and begin the start-up process.
Having a dirty grill can affect the temperature of the grill and the grill's overall abilities.
An incorrect startup can cause the flame to go out even hours into a cook.
The grill needs to be allowed to run its whole shutdown cycle before it can be powered off. An excess amount of ash from an improper shutdown can block the hot rod from igniting the pellets or block correct airflow.
Due to manufacturing or use, the lid might shift and allow too much air into the grill. Therefore, the lid should sit flush against the barrel. A small gap--anything less than a quarter of an inch (0.65 cm)--is acceptable.
The induction fan brings air into the grill, giving the fire oxygen to burn. If the fan is not working, it could cause temperature issues or an inability to keep the fire going.
Check the Fan
Check if the thermocouple's orange protective cover was removed before use. If the cover was not removed and is now melted to the thermocouple, contact Customer Service.
Check for Damage
Verify that your RTD temperature sensor is not damaged.
Check to see if it is bent or touching anything inside the grill.
If it is reading the ambient grill temperature correctly, there is no problem, and you can continue grilling.
Testing RTD/Thermocouple
The best way to test your thermocouple is by comparing the ambient temperature of the grill to the external temperature. With the grill cooled down, complete the following:
If the grill’s temperature is at a steady decline and not consistently below the set temperature, it is most likely an ignition issue and will require different troubleshooting. For assistance with this, please contact Customer Service.