For those who own a Traeger pellet grill

[TMB]

I had issues with my Traeger hopper that I use for the SRG pellet pooper.  Seems the temp would not go above 250 no mater what the setting (I use the standard 3 way controller)

I timed my auger to see where the issue was and found a bad controller.   Here is the rotation speed and timed amount for this controller per Traeger. 

  The auger should make one revolution in 36 seconds. On the smoke setting the auger should run 1 minute on and 3 minutes off. Medium it should run 2 minutes on and 2 minutes off and high the auger should not stop.

Posted incase someone may need this info.    It was very helpful to me

[HighOnSmoke]

Thanks Tommy! I switched my controller but still have the 3 way for a back up. Great info to know!

[jjjonz]

Salesman from Traeger has been aggravating me to death to buy a Traeger.....after much reviews I don't think I'm interested ....thanks Tommy. Hope your legbone is doing better.

[Hub]

This is a fairly common ailment for the old "3-speed" controllers.  Easily fixed by upgrading to one of the newer Traeger or Ortech controllers or, better even yet, a Savannah Stoker.

Note to jjjonz:  The new Traegers are worth the price but if you can find an older American made one either NOS or gently used, you'll have one of the best cooker bargains in the world.  Basic pellet cookery at a minimum price.  Don't jump in without knowing what you want, though -- read my Pellet 101 articles in my section if you haven't already.

Hub

[Jaxon]

Seems like Traeger used to be THE premier pellet cooker...are they made offshore now?

[jjjonz]

This is a fairly common ailment for the old "3-speed" controllers.  Easily fixed by upgrading to one of the newer Traeger or Ortech controllers or, better even yet, a Savannah Stoker.

Note to jjjonz:  The new Traegers are worth the price but if you can find an older American made one either NOS or gently used, you'll have one of the best cooker bargains in the world.  Basic pellet cookery at a minimum price.  Don't jump in without knowing what you want, though -- read my Pellet 101 articles in my section if you haven't already.

Hub

Thanks HUB for the info....

[CDN Smoker]

I hope I'm not speaking badly but when I first started out I was killing my cooks with the 3 way controller but not in a good way. When I upgraded my Traeger my cooks changed.

[TMB]

One thing to remember is the basic 3 way controler is all I need cause the SRG chamber keeps the meat from drying out so temps are not that big of a deal.

 My temps run 225-235 on "smoke"  265-285 "med"  450+ on "High"  so it's just right and no need for the temp sensor

[LostArrow]

Salesman from Traeger has been aggravating me to death to buy a Traeger.....after much reviews I don't think I'm interested ....thanks Tommy. Hope your legbone is doing better.

L
Let's be honest ... You're a Weber man!
Buy a WSM it's the easiest smoker on the market!

[teesquare]

Salesman from Traeger has been aggravating me to death to buy a Traeger.....after much reviews I don't think I'm interested ....thanks Tommy. Hope your legbone is doing better.

L
Let's be honest ... You're a Weber man!
Buy a WSM it's the easiest smoker on the market!

It is a different smoke and different flavor. I love both charcoal and pellets. Sometimes I prefer one, sometimes the other.

[muebe]

The controllers that are used by Traeger are not exactly state of the art. They have a low fail rate but do fail. But they are not super expensive, easily obtainable, and simple to install. And Traeger is always good about parts replacement during their warranty period and even after.

The Traeger units are not bad units but not of the quality that the old American made units are. But honestly there are not a lot of things made in the US any more. They are a good entry level pellet grill and get the job done. I believe that Rec-Tec is made offshore and people are happy with those units.

I started out with a Traeger. That little unit sold me in pellet cooking. I would have never purchased a Memphis if it was not for Traeger so in a way Hearthland should thank Traeger for allowing me to experience pellet cooking.

[Hub]

Seems like Traeger used to be THE premier pellet cooker...are they made offshore now?

Made in China now.  "Old" technology but can still be a good value.  Memphis, MAK, Yoder, Rec-Tec, Fast Eddy, etc. are higher tech with much more accurate controllers.  BUT -=- it's the cook not the cooker that produces the groceries 

I own a Memphis Advantage which is deadly accurate, well insulated, and efficiently laid out for space utilization.  Love it.  I also own a new old stock American made Traeger Texas which is built like a brick outhouse but has a 225 "out of controller" that provides me some entertainment from time to time.  Love it, too!  Both cookers have their place in my arsenal and I have my favorite ways to use both.

I also have a Pit Barrel Cooker, a Weber Performer and a little Weber gasser.  One can never have enough cooking machines 

Hub

[jjjonz]

Salesman from Traeger has been aggravating me to death to buy a Traeger.....after much reviews I don't think I'm interested ....thanks Tommy. Hope your legbone is doing better.

L
Let's be honest ... You're a Weber man!
Buy a WSM it's the easiest smoker on the market!

You are pretty much right LA.....had a Double chef that cooked like the wsm....had to sell it to make space for the Performer...I would probably have to sell the Performer to make space for the pellet grill.....I would come closer of giving away a grand young'un than doing that.....lol

[branson]

I started out with a Traeger lil tex elite but got tired of the little issues that plague Chinese quality.(or lack of)  I learned a lot about good food & did a lot of research and then bought a Grid Iron made in America from Blaz'n Grill Works. I really enjoy cooking when the grill works perfect everytime.