Are you looking to replace or just get rid of the old hardwood pellets stored inside your Traeger grill auger?
Removing old pellets from your grill is really essential due to several reasons.
Today, we are going to talk about how to remove pellets from Traeger auger and why you should do it more often.
Why You Should Remove Pellets From Traeger Grill Auger?
There are quite a few reasons which makes it necessary to remove the old pellets from your Traeger auger.
Maybe, you want to change the flavour of what you cook or you might not need the grill for a week or so.
It is recommended to remove them from the grill when they are not used for more than a week or longer period.
So why is it important to remove them?
The most important reason is the moisture.
Even when the pellets are in the grill, they are likely to catch moisture.
So, it is better to remove them from the grill and store them somewhere else where it can’t be affected by the external moisture.
10 Easy Steps to Remove Pellets From Traeger Auger
Now, coming to the important part of this article which is to know the process of actually removing the old pellets from the grill.
1. Make sure to turn off the grill and remove the plug before you go to the auger part.
2. Check the back of the hopper.
If the grill has a release door, just unscrew and remove the pellets.
3. If the grill is not having any release door, remove the pellet guard and then take out the pellets.
4. These pellets can also be removed using a reliable wet-dry vacuum cleaner or with your bare hands.
In this case, I highly recommend to use Vacmaster Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner.
It will make you life easier by saving you time and energy.
Removing pellets from the auger will be much faster and comfortable experience when you use such type of wet dry vacuum cleaner.
Click Here to Get Vacmaster Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner to Quickly Remove Pellets.
5. After removing the pellets, you can clean the Grill if you like to.
Just make sure the grill is unplugged and not really hot.
6. It is equally important to make sure you have removed all the pellets before cleaning the grill.
7. Now, open the lid and scrub the top of the grill grates using a Traeger grill cleaning brush.
8. Remove the parts which are required to clean. (If you want to do deep cleaning, then some parts may require you to use a screwdriver.)
9. After cleaning top to bottom, plug in the wet dry vacuum cleaner again and vacuum out the inside of the grill, fire pot and the auger.
10. Finally, verify if everything is clean and rebuild the grill.
Start working from the bottom.
Plug the grill to the power source and make sure everything is working as usual and nothing is malfunctioning.
Recommended Articles for You:
Learn The Simple Step by Step Process to Use a Traeger Rib Rack Properly
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Do You Have to Remove Pellets From Traeger Auger?
This completely depends on how often and how long you cook in your Traeger grill.
It is okay to leave the pellets in the hopper, considering the time between every cooking is comparable lesser.
If the pellets are left for longer periods, they may catch moisture and may not be suitable for cooking later on.
Removing these pellets and storing them in a covered and dry area can help to last them longer.
High quality natural hardwood pellets can hold for a longer period.
But it is recommended to empty them if you are not going to use them for a more than a week or longer period.
Its not a big deal even if you leave the pellets between cooks.
However, if you want to ensure the quality of the pellets and quality of your grilling, then emptying them between cooks is a good idea.
How to Fill Traeger with Pellets?
Before proceeding to fill the Traeger grill with pellets, it is good idea to clean the grill if you have not cleaned it for a few weeks.
1. Open the lid and scrub the top of the grill grates using a Traeger grill brush scrub.
2. Remove the parts which are required to clean. (If you want deep cleaning, then some parts may require a screwdriver.)
3. After cleaning from top to bottom, plug in the wet dry vacuum cleaner and vacuum out the inside of the grill, fire pot and the auger.
4. Verify if everything is clean and rebuild the grill. Start working from the bottom.
5. Plug the grill to the power source, and make sure everything is working fine and nothing is damaged.
6. Now, open the hopper and lid.
Remove the tray, baffle plate and grill racks over the fire pot.
7. Then turn on with the controller dial in the Shut Down Cycle position.
Dial to smoke. You may hear the fan start up.
8. After this, you will be able to hear the auger motor rotating very slowly.
It will turn on/off periodically over the following 5 minutes.
9. Confirm whether air is blowing out from the fire pot by keeping your hands close to it.
Once you confirm that the fan is blowing, the auger is rotating slowly and the ignition rod is hot, you can proceed further.
10. Keep enough wood pellets in the hopper and close the lid.
Turn the dial to high which helps the auger to run longer.
11. After a few minutes, the wood pellets drop into the fire pot.
Set the controller to Shut Down Cycle.
After few minutes, you will have lots of smoke and fire. This means that the grill is ready.
12. Place the grill racks back on with grease tray, the baffle plate over the fire pot and close the grill lid.
13. Set the controller to high and allow the grill to run at maximum temperature.
After some time, the grill turns off itself.
14. Now, you can turn off the switch and unplug the power cable.
15. After that, open the grill lid and remove the grill racks.
Wipe them with a moist cloth.
16. Finally, you can now wait until the desired temperature is reached before starting to cook your food.
How to Know If Traeger Auger is Jammed?
There are many ways to know if the Traeger Auger is jammed.
You may find your Traeger pellet grill not working properly, or not turning on.
The temperature sensor may have failed or hot rod has burnt or the induction fan may not be working in such conditions.
The common and frustrating thing is that you have to deal with auger being jammed or auger motor failure.
It is important to know where the problem lies actually.
Motor or any other part may need to be replaced but it is recommended to check to find out the exact issue.
Remove the parts which are required to check. (Some parts may require a screwdriver too.)
Click Here to Get Quilmetal Replacement Auger Motor for Your Traeger Grill.
What are the Best Methods to Remove Pellets from Traeger Auger?
High quality pellets can hold for a longer period, but it is recommended to empty them if you are not going to use them for a longer period.
So, if you are planning to remove the pellets, this is the best way to follow.
1. Make sure to turn off the grill and remove the plug.
2. Check the back of the hopper.
If the grill has a release door, just unscrew and remove the pellets.
3. If the grill is not having any release door, remove the pellet guard and remove the pellets.
4. These pellets can be removed using a wet-dry vacuum or with your hands too.
How to Empty and Clean My Traeger Auger?
It is required to empty the grill before you can clean the grill.
Make sure to turn off the grill and remove the plug.
Check the back of the hopper. If the grill has a release door, just unscrew and remove the pellets.
If the grill is not having any release door, remove the pellet guard and remove the pellets.
These pellets can be removed using a wet-dry vacuum or your hands.
After removing the pellets, you can clean the Grill.
Just make sure the grill is unplugged and cool.
Also make sure you have removed all the pellets before cleaning the grill.
Open the lid and scrub the top of the grates using a grill brush scrub.
Remove the parts which are required to clean.
(If you require deep cleaning, then some parts may require a screwdriver to use.)
After cleaning from top to bottom, plug in the vacuum and vacuum out the inside of the grill, fire pot and the auger.
Verify if everything is clean and rebuild the grill.
Start working from the bottom.
Plug the grill to the power source, and make sure everything is working fine and nothing is damaged.
Final Thoughts
So, if you are planning to remove the pellets from your Traeger auger, the above mentioned method is the best way to follow.
When your pellets don’t ignite and don’t provide a unique flavor to your food, then it is recommended to give them a break.
It is advisable to remove the pellets when not grilling because moisture can get in when left in the hopper for a long time.
If there’s anything you need to know about your hardwood pellets, it’s about the moisture.
Depending on your location or the humidity in your home, pellets can get damp even inside the grill.
The reason may be anything, whether you want to change the flavor of what you cook or you don’t need the grill for a week.
It is recommended to remove them from the grill when they are not used for more than a week or so.
Removing pellets is important and should not be neglected.
After removing the pellets, you can clean the Grill.
Just make sure the grill is unplugged and not very hot.
References:
https://www.traeger.com/support/remove-replace-pellets
https://tips.acehardware.com/videos/how-to-clean-a-traeger/
https://www.saddlebackbbq.com/initial-start-and-burn-process-pellet-smoker
https://www.pelheat.com/traeger-auger-jam-and-replacement.html