First off, this is my mom's Traeger and I have no experience with them. I tried google and got a ton odd suggestions so I'm here hoping someone has had the same issue and can help.
Here's what's going on:
I turn it on to Smoke and the temperature just keeps rising. If I turn it up to a middle temperature – say 250 – and leave it there a while, then turn it down, then it will decrease in temperature. Is that normal? What's going on?
by cik3nn3th
6 Comments
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If this is a photo of one of your cooks, maybe share the recipe and techniques
used, as it’s almost guaranteed one of the first questions you will be asked!
*What seasoning did you use?
*How long did you cook it, and at what temperature?
*Did you use any special tricks or techniques?
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Ive had this issue before.
So what you want to do.
1. Shut it down.
2. Open the lid, keep it open
And turn it to smoke. Once you get smoke coming up for at least a solid 5 minutes. Then close the lid and turn it to your desired temp.
You may want to check the burn pot. Look for excess ash build up or burnt up pellets stuck in the burn pot. These can effect the smoldering effect when put on smoke mode because that build up/unburnt pellets interfere with the staging of the auger.
Make sure the temperature prone inside the grill clean. You can take some over cleaner spray and a nylon pad to clean it. The Traeger control boards also can a large variation from the set temperature and actual. I changed mine out.
I agree with cleaning the burn pot but also clean the temp sensor inside. Look for a rod sticking up on the inside close to the pellet hopper. The smoke setting isn’t really a temp setting, it just somewhat produces smoke. I dont use it personally. If I want smoke I set it at 180 and watch it do its thing. +/- 10° is the norm on mine.
Check the P-Setting. It controls how fast the auger feeds pellets.
Traeger Smoker P-Settings Guide
The P-settings on a Traeger smoker, short for Pause Settings, are used to manually adjust the temperature on older or budget models by controlling the pause time between auger cycles, which feed wood pellets into the firepot. This feature helps fine-tune the grill’s temperature, particularly in extreme weather conditions, to maintain consistent cooking results. Here’s a concise breakdown:
* Purpose: P-settings regulate the pellet feed rate by adjusting how long the auger pauses between delivering pellets. Shorter pauses (lower P-settings) increase pellet delivery, raising the temperature, while longer pauses (higher P-settings) reduce pellet delivery, lowering the temperature.
* When to Adjust:
* Cold Weather: Use lower P-settings (e.g., P-1 or P-2) to feed pellets faster, preventing the fire from going out.
* Hot Weather: Use higher P-settings (e.g., P-3 or P-4) to slow pellet delivery, preventing the grill from overheating.
* Smoke Mode Issues: If the grill is set to SMOKE (typically 160–180°F) but runs too hot (e.g., above 200°F), increase the P-setting to cool it down.
* Temperature Swings: Adjust P-settings if the grill’s temperature consistently deviates from the set point.
* Settings Range: Typically ranges from P-1 to P-5 (some models up to P-9), with P-2 as the factory default. Each increment increases the pause time, reducing pellet feed frequency.
* Example: At P-2 (default), the auger runs for 15 seconds and pauses for 65 seconds. Higher P-settings extend the pause (e.g., P-4 might pause for 85 seconds).
* Applicable Models: Found on older Traeger AC grills or budget models like the Scout, Junior 20, Tailgater, or Renegade. Newer models (e.g., Timberline, Ironwood, or those with D2 Controllers) automatically adjust pellet feed and lack P-settings.
* How to Check: Look for a small button, a plain black sticker, a “Call Service” sticker, or a hole next to the digital display on the controller.
* Usage Tips:
* Adjust in Smoke mode for low-temperature cooking (e.g., jerky, cheese, or cold smoking at 150°F).
* Avoid settings above P-4 to prevent excessive creosote buildup or firepot clogging, which can occur at very low temperatures (below 150°F).
* Run the grill at a high setting (e.g., 350°F) for 15 minutes after smoking to burn off creosote.
* Use a non-metallic tool (e.g., a toothpick) to press the P-setting button to avoid damaging the controller.
Note: Modern Traeger grills with WiFIRE or D2 Controllers automate temperature regulation, making P-settings obsolete. For precise smoking, high-quality pellets (e.g., Traeger’s own) and regular grill cleaning are recommended to optimize performance.