Let's Talk BBQ

Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Pellet Grills and Smokers => Topic started by: muebe on December 03, 2011, 11:15:35 AM

Title: My Traeger Junior Mods
Post by: muebe on December 03, 2011, 11:15:35 AM
I just added a upper grill on my junior. Bought a char-broil adjustable grill. Installed mounting rods through the back of the junior and then used two metal brackets to support the front. It is easily removable and a quick mod(took 10 minutes) ;D

(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG1011.jpg) (http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG1012.jpg) (http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG1013.jpg) (http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG1014.jpg)
Title: Re: My Traeger Junior Mods
Post by: muebe on December 03, 2011, 11:34:15 AM
I also modded my Traeger with a Auberins PID controller. It took a little time to dial in the numbers with some help from the guys at the  pelletheads forum but once I got them right it is perfection.

The PID thermocouple is placed at the center of the grill...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG1457.jpg)

To start the grill you turn it on and set the temp. The PID will start the igniter rod automatically when the temp is below 150F(for starting and restarting if there is a flameout). Then turn the auger switch on for 30 seconds to add pellets to the chamber and then turn off. Once you see smoke you turn the auger switch back on and close the lid. Upper temp on display is the current temp and lower is the set temp.
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG1458.jpg)

At temp after 12 minutes...

(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG1461.jpg)

I get very tight and accurate temps now. And a consistent light blue smoke. I can keep temps from 150F all the way to over 500F. If you own a Traeger this mod is a must ;D

Title: Re: My Traeger Junior Mods
Post by: muebe on December 03, 2011, 11:36:05 AM
I also have four firebricks installed in the chamber of the Traeger. The bricks really help for leveling out the temps and for quick temp recovery. Sorry no pics of that mod.
Title: Re: My Traeger Junior Mods
Post by: muebe on December 03, 2011, 11:43:22 AM
And the smoke daddy mod. Allows for cold smoking and extra smoke while cooking. I used a union for easy removal and installation.

(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG1288.jpg)
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG1457.jpg)
Title: Re: My Traeger Junior Mods
Post by: TMB on December 03, 2011, 11:47:42 AM
Why the smoke daddy? Does the Treager not put out enough smoke?
Title: Re: My Traeger Junior Mods
Post by: muebe on December 03, 2011, 12:06:34 PM
Why the smoke daddy? Does the Treager not put out enough smoke?

There is not as much intense smoke with a pellet grill at higher temps. I can have the higher temps and still get great smoke without going into smoke mode. In smoke mode the temp is much lower(180F) range. So instead of having to pre-smoke I can go straight to cooking and still get great smoke flavor.
Title: Re: My Traeger Junior Mods
Post by: muebe on December 03, 2011, 12:06:56 PM
The hopper extender for my Traeger :)

Now I can hold 20lbs of pellets. That should cover a overnight smoke ;D

(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0899.jpg) (http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0900.jpg) (http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0901.jpg) (http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0902.jpg) (http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/IMAG0903.jpg)