I’ve blown/vac’d this out. And I can’t get decent smoke out of this damn thing.
That said, it’s clear the “down draft” is bullshit.
I bought around July. Fought with it for a while. Regret immensely.
Not sure I wanna be a Costco return douche or not. But it seems this thing sucks.
by alwaysweening
21 Comments
Hey! It looks like you posted an image!
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?
Traeger on!
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Traeger) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Install a lava lock gasket, helps a ton of the 620. Mine has been running great for over 5 years now.
It’s a store not your grandmother. Go return it if you don’t like it
Usually that’s the amount of smoke people want!
Seriously: did fire go up the auger?
I got a similar model from Costco about 5 years. It was more or less the same on my first few uses. Put some lava lock on once and didn’t have anymore issues.
I later found out that everyone I know has put lava lock on their pellet smoker or something similar came installed from the factory/store.
IMO, this line of Treagers smokers are ok. It could be a skill issue in my part. I ended up also getting grill grates to improve temps when grilling. I highly recommend those if you don’t have another grill. Haven’t gone the smoke tube route yet to improve smoke rings and flavor. I don’t smoke often enough to justify it.
That is a viable reason to return something. If it isn’t turning out good meat, then screw it. Pretty sure they can afford the return.
Costco has the best return policy of any store, ever. Return it id you don’t like it isn’t working correctly. However, that is bizarre if the smoke is supposed to come out that back slot, it straight looks completely blocked.
Why are you douche to return something that’s not working?
Seems like a weird place for smoke exhaust. It’s naturally going to rise with the warm air and then also sucking cooler air through that “exhaust ” I feel like.
Mine does this at start-up. Normal… I think.
It does use the downdraft after its up to temp.
I bought one of these used yesterday. Hoping i have better luck.
It’s working fine. Mine does that on startup. It’s not a big deal. Yes, it looks weird, but the flavor is still great.
Looks like your smoker is doing what it’s supposed to.
If you don’t like it, return it, no one but you thinks you’re a douche for doing a return.. nobody gives a shit
Hey there, I’ve had a Trager for about 3 years… this is how ignition and start up is every time… was I surprised, yes, did I fucking post it… no damn way.
They all smoke like crazy on start up
“Can’t get a decent smoke.”
*proceeds to post a photo of the grill billowing smoke*
Normal
Mine does that. Mine is the original version with the hopper on the other side. What I found after about 4 years is that my lid doesn’t actually fit flat down by itself and I have to push it again after I close it. Once I do that I get a better closure. Mine however has… other problems. You need to clean that thing out thoroughly every time you use it despite what the roadshow salesman may have told you. My grease catch, drip tray, and part of the sidewall have all disintegrated. You can check out my thread if you want to see gore pics of it.
Traeger gave me a 15% off coupon to use by the end of the year as the only thing they are willing to do to help me. RIP to my Silverton. 8/2019 – 11/2025. Pour out a bottle of Kinder’s Gold for it.
Return it and buy a RecTeq Backyard Beast for $999. Thats what I did, thank me later.
Blown head gasket