Let's Talk BBQ
Welcome Center => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: zzdjzz on January 23, 2013, 09:24:33 AM
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Hi I just purchased an Academy wood pellet smoker, looks like a knockoff of Traeger Texas Smoker. I paid 200 bucks for it, brand new with cover. I wasn't looking to purchase a pellet grill. I just stumbled across it and for that price took it home. I didn't realize at the time it was a knock off but after researching on here found that out. I should not have expected a Traeger grill for that price but sometimes deals are found. It looks OK and is heavy with stainless drip tray and fire box cover. I fired it up and the hot rod burnt out immediately 2 minutes into the seasoning burn. I called the variety store where I got it and the owner is sending me a new rod to replace. We'll see how it goes. I'm sure I'll have questions as I start using the grill.
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First off welcome to the forum from Southern California!
Now there was a issue with bad hot rods on that unit. Unfortunately Traeger had the same problem before. The hot rods are from a third party supplier and QA is not the best with them but then again that is what makes those grills so cheap. Good news is you are getting a replacement part at no charge.
Even though it is a knock-off you can still get excellent food from it. I have a couple pellet grills so if you have any questions there are pellet grill owners on here that can assist you.
We love seeing other people's cooks so don't forget to post pictures of what you make, techniques, and recipes. We are all here to learn from each other ;)
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Welcome neighbor!
I am near Brevard NC. And we have several others here in the area. Even a member that works for Academy Sports!
Glad you joined us!
T
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Welcome to the forum!!!
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welcome from northern cali my friend. 8)
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Welcome from another Pellet Pooper!
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Welcome from Germany!
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Welcome from NW New Jersey!
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Welcome from NW Ohio. Pam .☆´¯`•.¸¸. ི♥ྀ.
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Welcome from a new (pellet) and old (Kingsford) cooker from Southern California!!
Don't you worry about Academy!! They take care of their customers!!
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Welcome from north Alabama! New to pellet cooking but long in the tooth with infrared cookers!
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Welcome to the forum! Texas here and pooper owner also.
Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk
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Welcome from Savannah, Ga and I think that is a great deal to get into pellet cooking with new unit for 2 Bills.
Congrats.
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Welcome, from N.E. Ohio!
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Welcome from mid ALabama, we are getting more and more members from NC. I work for Academy Sports and your grill is an Outdoor Gourmet brand, that is one of Academy's private labels. Different manufacturers build grills to our specs and brand it with that name for us. Since pictures have been posted here of that grill with the Traeger thermometer in the hood I guess I can tell this. When it first came out we got an email saying there was an issue with the hood thermometer that came with it and we should get our assembler to chunk that one and get one we sell off the shelf to replace it. When I had him assemble the grill he gave me the one that came with it and it was marked Traeger. I can only guess that the factory in China that builds the same grill for Traeger just grabbed it and put it in the box. Parts seem to be interchangable on them. There were two known problems when they first came out, one was two wires reversed that would cause it not to heat properly and one was the ignitor rod that would cause it to blow fuses. We took them off the shelf until a fix could be identified. So far anyone who has gotten a defective one has been able to call customer service and get the parts to fix it or return it for your money back. BTW, when that grill first came out Academy sold it for $499, which was still a pretty good price.
Sorry for the long winded welcome.
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Welcome, I am in hills borough. I picked up an outdoor gourmet in walnut cove. Haven't used it much (I have two other pellet grills). But I like the big casters and hope to use it more.. academy's customer service is great
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Glad to have ya!! Welcome from Southern California!!
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Welcome from Morganton!! The NC Crew is growing!!
Art
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Welcome from mid ALabama, we are getting more and more members from NC. I work for Academy Sports and your grill is an Outdoor Gourmet brand, that is one of Academy's private labels. Different manufacturers build grills to our specs and brand it with that name for us. Since pictures have been posted here of that grill with the Traeger thermometer in the hood I guess I can tell this. When it first came out we got an email saying there was an issue with the hood thermometer that came with it and we should get our assembler to chunk that one and get one we sell off the shelf to replace it. When I had him assemble the grill he gave me the one that came with it and it was marked Traeger. I can only guess that the factory in China that builds the same grill for Traeger just grabbed it and put it in the box. Parts seem to be interchangable on them. There were two known problems when they first came out, one was two wires reversed that would cause it not to heat properly and one was the ignitor rod that would cause it to blow fuses. We took them off the shelf until a fix could be identified. So far anyone who has gotten a defective one has been able to call customer service and get the parts to fix it or return it for your money back. BTW, when that grill first came out Academy sold it for $499, which was still a pretty good price.
Sorry for the long winded welcome.
No problem Two Pockets. Do you know what wires were re versed?
Thanks
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Welcome from mid ALabama, we are getting more and more members from NC. I work for Academy Sports and your grill is an Outdoor Gourmet brand, that is one of Academy's private labels. Different manufacturers build grills to our specs and brand it with that name for us. Since pictures have been posted here of that grill with the Traeger thermometer in the hood I guess I can tell this. When it first came out we got an email saying there was an issue with the hood thermometer that came with it and we should get our assembler to chunk that one and get one we sell off the shelf to replace it. When I had him assemble the grill he gave me the one that came with it and it was marked Traeger. I can only guess that the factory in China that builds the same grill for Traeger just grabbed it and put it in the box. Parts seem to be interchangable on them. There were two known problems when they first came out, one was two wires reversed that would cause it not to heat properly and one was the ignitor rod that would cause it to blow fuses. We took them off the shelf until a fix could be identified. So far anyone who has gotten a defective one has been able to call customer service and get the parts to fix it or return it for your money back. BTW, when that grill first came out Academy sold it for $499, which was still a pretty good price.
Sorry for the long winded welcome.
No problem Two Pockets. Do you know what wires were re versed?
Thanks
No, I think the reversed wires were during the assembly because both the wires were the same color and only a few had that problem. Most of the problems were the bad ignitor.
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Welcome from Lincolnton!
Hub
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Welcome zzdjzz from Southern California ;)