What is a Traeger Wood Pellet Grill and How Do I Use It?

Wood pellet grills are currently one of the hottest cooking trends, and Traeger is the most popular pellet grill brand. You’ve probably wondered how to use a Traeger wood pellet grill, whether you’ve just gotten one or are planning to get one.

Pellet grills use wood pellets as fuel, but they also need the energy to operate the flame igniter, the auger that feeds the pellets into the firepot, the fan that circulates the heat, and the flame igniter ignites the pellets. They are significantly more precise and easier to use than conventional grills.

All new versions include Wi-Fi and can be managed remotely via a mobile smartphone.

However, there’s a lot more to know about Traeger barbecues! What is the best way to utilize a Traeger pellet grill? Other than grilling, what else can you do with it? What about seasoning it or running out of pellets in the middle of the cooking process? What is the lifespan of the pellets? We’ll address all of these concerns, as well as others.

Continue reading to learn more!

What is the best way to utilize a Traeger pellet grill?

Pour pellets into the hopper, plug the grill in, then turn it on to use a pellet grill. Then adjust the temperature to your liking and wait 10-15 minutes to ignite and reach the proper temperature. Close the lid until you’re ready to fill it with food.

Joe Traeger invented the wood pellet grill. After noticing his gas grill was engulfed in flames while making dinner for his family, he had the idea. It was 1988 at the time. Traeger Grills now offers a variety of barbecue models, ranging from the Pro Series to the Timberline Series.

And Traeger has become the market’s most well-known brand. Pellet grills combine the flavor of wood smoke with the convenience of a gas barbecue to give customers the best of both worlds.

Natural wood and all-natural wood pellets are used as fuel in wood pellet barbecues. Pellets, unlike propane, natural gas, or charcoal barbecues, do not pollute the environment. They are FDA authorized and come in a variety of flavors.

It’s no surprise that grills that can be used in six different ways are so popular.

How does a wood pellet grill, on the other hand, work?

Pellet grills have five main components: the hopper, controller, auger, fire pot, and fan. To begin, let’s go through each component, what it does, and how it works:

Controller

Simple controls come standard on wood pellet barbecues. Turn on the grill and adjust the temperature to your liking as you would with your oven.

This LCD-style control screen is used on all current Trager models.

It’s an older model if it has the old-school dial with the temperature settings marked on the grill. There’s nothing wrong with it, but they don’t have all of the current features that the new Traeger’s do. So, if you see one in a shop, pass it up.

Hopper

They feed automatically into the auger, which propels them forward toward the firepot. You may check the pellet levels and add more at any time by opening the hopper lid.

Traeger makes pellets in 13 distinct flavors. Their pellets are made entirely of natural, food-safe hardwood.

Auger

The drill is placed at the hopper’s very bottom. Feed the pellets into the hopper and gravity will naturally force them down into the whirling auger.

The pellets are moved from the hopper to the firepot via the auger. If you desire a hot, fast fire, you can configure it to move the pellets swiftly.

Would you please set it to move the pellets for low, slow cooking progressively?

Firehot

The fan stokes the fire. Smoke and heat are circulated at different speeds for even cooking.

To use your Traeger grill, set the temperature as if it were an oven, and cooking temperatures are kept consistent thanks to the computerized controller.

Many models even include Wi-Fi capabilities. Using their app on your phone or smart home device, you can operate your barbecue from anywhere.

That is all there is to it, and it’s that simple.

Fan

Is it possible to use a Traeger as both a grill and a smoker?

A Traeger can be used as a grill as well as a smoker, among other things. However, in comparison to charcoal grills, the heat is indirect, meaning the food is not cooked directly over an open flame. Traeger grills also reach a maximum temperature of 450-500° F, which is lower than propane and charcoal barbecues.

As a result, it’s not the best choice for cooking certain dishes.

Traeger advertises their grills as “6-in-1.” All of their grills are capable of:

• Grill
• Smoke
• Bake
• Roast
• Braise
• Barbeque

Grilling takes a little longer than on a typical grill since it uses indirect heat.

It can’t get as hot as charcoal or even a gas barbecue because it’s an electric grill. Trager grills reach up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit (that is if you get their most expensive ones).

Charcoal grills can reach temperatures above 650 degrees Fahrenheit, while gas grills can reach 600 to 650 degrees Farhenight.

Charcoal and gas grills, of course, support two-zone cooking, allowing you to keep one side colder than the other. This allows you to grill over either direct, high-heat, or indirect, lower-heat.

So, while you can grill on a Traeger, a gas or charcoal grill could be a better choice if you’re solely planning to use it for grilling. You may not have as much control over the temperature setting, but you have more choice over whether you use direct or indirect heat when cooking.

You can even barbecue vegetables on it, exactly like on a regular grill.

You don’t want to burn them, though. Tips on grilling excellent, perfectly cooked vegetables can be found in this recent article on my blog.

Note that nothing can be burned in the Traeger because it employs indirect heat once again. However, it is possible to overcook it. The amount of smoke produced by wood pellet grills varies depending on the cooking temperature.

Low temperatures, which are commonly utilized for smoking, result in more smoke. Smoke is produced in small amounts at high temperatures, such as those used in cooking burgers.

Use your Traeger to smoke

To use your Traeger as a smoker, follow the directions in the Traeger’s owner’s manual.

Remove the baffle, drip tray, and grill plates first, making room for any troubleshooting required.

Then select the smoke setting.

Then double-check that the drill is rotating. The drill is responsible for moving the pellets from the hopper to the firepot.

This isn’t to say that it necessitates a lot of babysitting, unlike a regular gas or charcoal barbecue, and it’s just something to keep in mind.

Check that air is blowing out of the burner after you’ve made sure the auger is spinning. If you don’t want to get burned, don’t touch the firepot.

The baffle, grease pan, and grill trays should then be returned to the smoker. Fill the pellet box to the brim, close the cover, and adjust the smoker’s temperature to your liking.

Patience is required. It takes time to quit smoking, but it is well worth it! You’ll eventually be able to consume excellent, tender, and juicy meat. The flavor of smoked food is unrivaled by gas or charcoal barbecues!

What is the best way to warm a Traeger grill?

When you’re ready to cook, plugin and turn on the Traeger, adjust the temperature using the dial or keypad (depending on the model), and press the ignite button. It will take 10-15 minutes for the grill to warm and stabilize at the desired temperature.

Traeger grills, unlike regular barbecues, are extremely simple to preheat, and it’s as simple as turning on the oven.

If you’ve ever used a gas grill, you know how difficult it can be to get the pilot light to heat up. It’s essential if it hasn’t been used in a long time. If the starter stops working, it can be re-ignited with a long lighter, which is risky. And it’s unlikely to be exceptionally safe.

Traeger’s, on the other hand, are exceedingly easy to ignite and maintain.

You can even start it from an app on your phone or other smart devices if you have one of the WiFIRE-enabled versions!

Put nothing on it just yet!

Preheating most Trager grills takes 10 minutes (or more). Depending on the model, it may take lesser time. Newly installed devices will need to be seasoned before being used (which we will get into below).

A roaring noise will be heard when the grill heats up. The sound of a jet engine is very natural. Close the lid to seal in the heat and smoke until the set temperature appears on the screen.

A wood pellet grill is known as a Traeger and it runs on patented wood pellets, which is not the same as a wood grill or even a charcoal grill.

How do you get started with a Traeger?

If you’re using a fresh new Traeger, allow 50 minutes to season it before using it. Set the temperature dial or keypad (depending on the type) to the highest the grill allows and leave the door closed for 45-50 minutes. When you’re finished, your Traeger will be ready to use! Alternatively, you may turn it off, and it will be ready to use the next time you need it. I go over these stages in greater depth further down.

Your Traeger, unlike other barbecues, will need to be plugged in. The internal thermostat, fan, igniter rod, and drill all require power. Before plugging it into an outlet, be sure it’s turned off.

Before putting the greased pan back in the smoker, cover it with foil to make cleanup easier.

Before putting any food on a Traeger pellet grill or smoker, it must be preheated for at least 10 minutes with the door closed. But once you’ve seasoned it, all you have to do now is adjust the temperature and settings to your liking.

What should I do if the pellets in my Traeger run out while I’m using it?

If a Traeger’s hopper runs out of pellets while the fire is still burning, add fresh pellets as soon as possible. Unfortunately, if the Traeger runs out of pellets during cooking, the fire will be extinguished. The only other alternative is to let the grill cool completely before refilling the pellet hopper and restarting.

Traeger grills require 1-3 pounds of pellets each hour to operate. Depending on the type, the hoppers can hold anywhere from 18 to 22 pounds.

Of course, how quickly you go through them is determined by how hot it is. Pellets are offered in 20 pounds, and cooking time varies between 6 and 20 hours per bag.

Long periods of smoking are required for some of the tastiest dishes. Ribs from St. Louis can be cooked for up to 8 hours, and beef brisket will take 12-15 hours to cook. So, for a brisket (yes, please), plan on using roughly 10-15 pounds of pellets during the cooking process.

So, before you start cooking, double-check that you have enough wood pellets on hand.

According to Traeger’s ” Initial Firing Instructions, ” when you run out of pellets, the grill must cool completely before being restarted, according to Traeger’s “Initial Firing Instructions.” According to the Traeger’s owner’s manual, this entails removing the baffle, drip tray, and grill plates, and you’ll want to wait until they’re completely cool before removing them.

Because you’ll have to wait for the grill and its components to cool entirely before firing it up again, your brisket will have to sit for several hours, and this could allow hazardous microorganisms to flourish.

To finish it up, you could always put it in the oven.

However, I believe you’ll find that the final product isn’t quite as delicious as it would have been if it had been cooked entirely on the Traeger.

Buying a hopper extender is one technique to avoid running out of pellets while cooking.

Hopper extensions allow you to add 10 pounds of pellets to your hoppers, reducing cooking time by around 25%. Hopper extensions are reasonably priced and easily installed on existing hoppers. Although Traeger does not produce an extender, there are lots of firms that do.

The pellets burn slowly and evenly, providing convenience and flavor. The pellets have been cleared by the FDA and are available in a range of tastes. You may even combine the flavors to create a new flavor.

A 20-pound bag might last a long time if you usually grill. If you like to smoke your food, though, a bag might only last one or two cooking sessions.

Traeger wood pellets are roughly $18 for a bag on the low end. As a result, having multiple bags on hand is somewhat of a little investment.

It’s also a good idea to have a range of tastes on hand. However, having many bags on hand ensures that you always have enough fuel and a variety of flavors to try from.

You do not need to use Traeger wood pellets. However, Traeger does promote them (and if they can prove it, it will void your warranty). However, when compared to other brands, Traeger pellets are pretty affordable.

Make sure you don’t leave any unused pellets in your Traeger for a long time.

Open the hopper cleanout hatch once your Traeger has cooled down and allow all the unused pellets to fall back into the bag. Then put the bag somewhere cool and dry.

When you leave unused pellets in your grill for an extended period of time, moisture enters the pellets, which is undesirable for grilling and smoking.

Is it necessary to season a pellet smoker?

The first time you use a pellet smoker, you’ll need to season it. It must run for 45 minutes at full temperature to burn off any coatings or oils leftover from the manufacturing process.

According to the Traeger’s owner’s manual, the smoker must be seasoned before any food is placed on the grill.

Seasoning grills is necessary for three reasons.

• The first step is to burn off any oils or coatings that were applied during the production process. You don’t want to eat any of that disgusting stuff.
• The second step is to allow the paint to cure. Many grill paints require a lot of heat to burn off the volatiles and build an impenetrable barrier.
• Seasoning enhances the flavor of your food while also extending the life of your grill. Pellet smokers aren’t the only ones who benefit from seasoning. Before using a grill, it should be seasoned.

What is the proper way to season a Traeger pellet grill or smoker?

Easy. “Turn the temperature dial to the highest temperature that your grill goes to and run for 45-50 minutes at this setting with the door closed,” says the Traeger instructions manual. This must be completed before any food is cooked on the grill.”

To be more exact, follow these instructions for the Traeger 780. You may need to consult your manual, which may have a different procedure:

• Connect your Traeger (but keep the power switch off)
• Fill the hopper with around 1 pound of pellets (after checking to make sure it is empty)
• Toggle the power switch to the “on” position.
• To activate it, press any button on the control panel.
• Toggle the menu button.
• Choose “prime auger” from the drop-down menu.
• Allow 2 minutes for the pellets to reach the firepot.
• Back (seasoning does not necessitate a large number of pellets)
• Set the temperature to 350° F on the dial.
• Activate the ignition switch.
• Keep the grill door shut.
• Once the temperature reaches 350°F, run for 20 minutes.
• Set the temperature to 450° F on the dial.
• 30 minutes of running
• Press and hold the dial for 3 seconds to start the shutdown cycle.
• You’ve completed the task!

It will prompt you to season your new Traeger the first few times you use it. However, you only have to do it once, and the notification will gradually go away.

Traeger’s prices are also consistent throughout the board. So there’s no need to scour the internet for a good offer. The price will be the same as Amazon’s, Home Depot’s, and everyone else’s on their website.

So my option is the Traeger Pro Series 780 Pellet Grill, which isn’t their most costly by a long shot (click to see the current price on the Traeger website). This is part of the Pro Series collection.

With complimentary scheduled delivery, the beauty costs slightly under $1,000.

It’s Traeger’s top-of-the-line in the cheapest of their three price levels, and there’s no way you won’t adore it! This grill is a fantastic value for the money and the features it provides.