The problems that many people experience with Traeger grills is not lack of power.
It’s usually something they’ve overlooked. Many owners assume that their grills aren’t functioning correctly because they’re not getting enough power.
But that’s not always the case. Here are some things you should double-check when troubleshooting your Traeger grill.
So, why is my graeger grill not heating up to 450 F? This is a common question that people have when they buy barbecue grills.
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer. There are several reasons why your grill may not be heating up past 300 F.
First of all, the heating element in your grill may be broken or disconnected, preventing the grill from heating up to 450 F. Secondly, the grill may not have enough fuel.
Fourthly, the grill’s burner may be dirty or clogged with debris. Finally, the grill may be too old and need to be replaced.
It’s always a good idea to consult the instruction manual that came with your grill for troubleshooting tips.
Contents
Why Won’t My Traeger Get to 450 F?
Broken Induction Fan
The induction fan is responsible for generating air over the heat source in your BBQ to reach and maintain high temperatures of around 400-500 degrees or more.
There will be inconsistent heating when the fan is broken or not working properly, which can cause you to lose up to half of the heat you’re trying to achieve on your Traeger Grills.
One side will be higher than the other side. We’ve all experienced this during a heat wave and only notice the top side is hot and the side or bottom is just warm.
This part of your Traeger Grill is called the hot rod, and it’s designed to switch off and on to keep the temperature consistent.
Unfortunately, if it does not work this can damage your Traeger.
A broken fan or any other problem that prevents the fan from functioning properly can cause your food to cook unevenly, which defeats the purpose of having a convection style oven in the first place.
It may also become chilly for the person grilling the food.
Rusted Holes in the Firepot
This is another obstacle that causes a malfunctioning of your BBQ and can waste a lot of your time trying to get it going again.
Again, this is especially true if your barbeque is a convection style oven such as the Traeger Pro Series Pellet Grill.
Excessive ash buildup may also prevent the cooking grates from reaching the proper temperatures required for even cooking.
Examine the interior of your firebox to make sure there’s nothing obstructing the holes, and be sure to use a steel brush to clean out the holes.
Blown Fuses
Traeger grills include several fuses that can trigger if it isn’t working correctly.
These fuses are designed to protect the motor from overheating, to protect the power supply, or to trip if something has gone wrong with the components.
To check for blown fuses on your Traeger, grab a voltmeter and test the power going to your grill.
A blown fuse will usually produce a reading of no more than 3 volts for a 12-volt system, while an automotive battery will usually read between 12-14 volts.
There’s a fuse to connect it to the power source and a fuse to protect it from the motor itself, so it’s possible that both fuses could be bad.
A blown fuse is inconvenient since it prevents you from using your grill, but it’s relatively easy to replace if this is the case.
Poor-Quality Wood Pellets
The use of non-Traeger brand or off-brand wood pellets is another possible culprit when your grill isn’t heating properly.
These pellets may not burn cleanly, causing incomplete, interrupted, uneven burning or flare ups that can damage your grill and void the warranty.
It’s best to stick with the high-quality brand name wood pellets for your Traeger Grill.
It is strongly advised to use pellets made specifically for pellet grills as these are designed specifically to burn in this type of appliance and not cause issues.
Hot Rod Deterioration
The hot rod on a Traeger is a micro-thin rod made of nickel iron that rests below the fire pot and feeds the fuel into the fire pot to burn at high temperatures.
When placed under high heat for long periods, the rod can deteriorate, often due to excessive pressure or the burning fuel itself which uses up the nickel iron and replace it the back of hematite.
This can cause the hot rod to bend or melt, which needs to be replaced to avoid damage to the grill and the components attached to it.
The more you utilize the heat on your grill, the more likely you are to run into this issue as the rods aren’t designed to handle extremely high temperatures for long periods of time.
Most Traeger hot rods endure two years of service before needing replacement, so if your grill is over two years old and you have noticed issues with your heat, it may be time to replace your rod.
Inadequate Airflow Within the Grill
Once you’ve determined that the hot rod isn’t the probable cause of the issues you’re experiencing, your next step should be to check the air supply and ventilation of your grill.
Too much steam, smoke, or moisture can prevent the barbecue from reaching the desired temperature. Be sure that the air supply is unobstructed and you have good ventilation to ensure peak performance of your grill.
It is most likely due to inadequate airflow.
RTD Probe Damage
If the RTD probe in the grill is broken or disconnected, the end result is that your grill will not be able to achieve the right temperatures.
You can check for broken RTD probe leads by placing a voltmeter on the 2 wires that go to the probe and test to see if it is working. If the RTD is broken, the reading of the meter will be low.
The RTD Probe is a safety device that ensures the temperature in the firebox doesn’t exceed a safe level.
How Can I Increase the Temperature of My Traeger Grill?
You provide the greatest possible fuel for your grill, you make sure it’s clean and you have enough air flow. Yet the temperature just isn’t hot enough.
Keeping your Traeger clean is of the utmost importance if you want to achieve optimal cooking results.
That involves keeping the oil and ash as clean as possible. You can give your entire grill a quick wipe down with a cloth and a bit of kitchen degreasing cleaner.
You can do this every 1-2 times you use it as well. This keeps the grill from building up the layer of oil and ash that acts as insulation.
This insulation prevents heat from penetrating the food and can cause your food to cook unevenly, which defeats the purpose of having a BBQ in the first place.
The finest pellets will make the biggest difference when it comes to temperature and speed of cooking food, but charcoal will produce better results than wood in most cases as well.
How Do You Fix a Low Temp on a Traeger?
If you’ve been cleaning consistently and using high-quality wood pellets and still can’t achieve the right temperatures in your Traeger grill, you may have a temperature sensor issue which prevents the grill from reaching the right temperature.
You will sometimes see the word “Thermocouple” in Traeger Grill manuals and it might be broken or simply not responding to the right temperatures.
A broken thermocouple prevents the grill from achieving the correct temperature and may cause the grill to reach dangerous temperatures.
WiFire-enabled grills must be started with the lid closed so the sensor has time to warm up before it starts the process to light up the grill.
How Do You Troubleshoot a Traeger High Temperature Error?
The grill operating beyond its specified temperature can be dangerous.
This is usually caused by a grill fire that is burning too hot, causing the sensors to trip off when the temperature reaches a dangerous level.
You may resolve the issue by performing a safety inspection. Look for any burnt or melted wiring, missing or broken components or any obvious signs of damage that could cause the system to malfunction.
If you don’t correctly shut off your grill, you could risk damaging the motor and other components permanently which would create long-term safety issues for you and your family.
If you have been doing routine maintenance, such as cleaning and oiling, your barbecue should be running perfectly.
However, if you suddenly start seeing signs of damage, you should contact the manufacturer as soon as possible for replacement parts, troubleshooting tips and instructions.
How Long Does It Take a Traeger to Reach 450 Degrees Fahrenheit?
Expect to wait around 15-20 minutes before you can reduce your wood pellets to a pile of ash.
This will depend on the temperature of your grill, your pellet load, and the overall size of the unit.
You can expect to have the pellets completely burned in under 30 minutes as well – this will depend entirely on the type of wood pellets you use and the size of the grilling area.
Also Read: How to Store Traeger Pellets
Final Words
In conclusion, traeger grills are great for people who want to prepare delicious meals at home.
However, consumers should keep in mind that a traeger grill is not built for high heat grilling.
Traeger grills are designed to cook at low temperatures, such as 225-450F. Some consumers mistakenly believe that they can cook at high temperatures with traeger grills.
Furthermore, if you have a traeger grill and cannot achieve desired temperatures, you should first check the electrical components of your unit to make sure that everything is working properly.
