Can't get high temps (SOLVED!!!!)

[NuggsFan]

If I put the smoke stack cover 1" above the stack, I wouldn't come near 400*. That's where it was from the factory. I put mine roughly 1/8" above the stack and haven't had a problem since. Yesterday I smoked a prime rib at three temperatures: 180, 225 and 500* to reverse sear. It shot to 500 in less than 5 minutes. It actually went up to 530* before settling back to 500. The Prime Rib came out a perfect medium rare at 130* internal temp.

For our altitude, and crisp air, I think that makes sense... I have mine about 1/2 inch above, and it maintains heat fine. I have not tried going above 450 yet, but it goes to 450 just fine

 

[nickv]

I tried lowering my smoke stack cover and it never really worked for me. ( my temps not like yours was 50-60 with 5-10mph winds). I still have to order the fire bricks but also haven’t needed my temps up over 350 recently.

PS- I thought lowering the smoke stack made it more possible for fires, am I wrong? Hope so

 

[Dzacco]

I tried lowering my smoke stack cover and it never really worked for me. ( my temps not like yours was 50-60 with 5-10mph winds). I still have to order the fire bricks but also haven’t needed my temps up over 350 recently.

PS- I thought lowering the smoke stack made it more possible for fires, am I wrong? Hope so

No fires but at 500* it did burn off some of the grease that dripped on the drain pan. Just smoke though. Before lowering the stack cover, I couldn't break 350* during the curing process.

 

[nickv]

Ok I will try it again as well and give it a go. Might have to contact customer service about all the pellets I’m burning to work this out??

 

[nickv]

Hope everything is still working out with the fire bricks. I never ended up getting them but I did contact customer service and they sent me a new RTD. After installing it I have had no problems with grill reaching 400-450 degree range. Never thought that would be the solution.

 

[Parkhouse]

Hope everything is still working out with the fire bricks. I never ended up getting them but I did contact customer service and they sent me a new RTD. After installing it I have had no problems with grill reaching 400-450 degree range. Never thought that would be the solution.

I bought no name competition blend pellets ( 40 pounds for 15$) no high temps !! Bought hickory blend pit boss pellets and made a huge difference! 435 - 450!

 

[Hot Grill]

Fire Bricks
I tried all these suggestions. Pellets, Stack, Ambient temp check, firebrick, ??
I bought new firebricks locally at Daves stove shop.
I didn't see any improvement.
Ive been fighting this problem of reaching a High temperature since New, 5 years ago.
So, I tried a little test. I thoroughly cleaned it all up again, But this time, I left Everything out and started her up. DANG!
If you want High Temp, this will do it. Crazy Hot. After shutting this blast furnace down, Its proven, She'll get HOT!
Dangerously Hot.
500+ degrees in No Time Quick.
After she cooled off, I put everything back into the grill. I thought I would share this finding with all of you.
How to proceed?
I have considered drilling some holes in that very bottom (Name?) pan over the fire pot? Hole Size? How Many?
I would not want any holes directly over the fire pot. Fire!
No Holes in the drip pan either.
Any Suggestions?

 

[RayClem]

When I did my initial burn in of my Ironwood, I got the temp up over 500 degrees. I used the Grill Expert pellets from Walmart.

I might be mistaken, but I believe Traeger dries their pellets to a slightly higher moisture content than many other brands. Also, keep your pellets in sealed bags to prevent moisture pickup. Most of the factory bags have pin holes to allow pressure relief. Once a bag is opened, I try to put the remaining pellets in Zip Lock Freezer bags.

 

[Hot Grill]

Yesterday, my Traeger was running around 430.
Before this cook, I completely vacuumed up all the ash. When I inspected the fire pot, I noticed heavy wear/pitting on the wall.
I easily pushed a hole thru the pot wall.
My fire pot has 3 factory holes on each side for a total of 6 holes.
I started her up, set on high, and she ran up to 430 without hesitation. So, coincidental, or is this part of the problem? These holes in the fire pot are for the fresh air input. That 7th (accidental) hole, may be helping. I’m not convinced yet.
My Traeger has been very inconsistent.

 

[Hot Grill]

RTD
Months ago, I spoke to Traeger about my grill being inconsistent. Traeger told me, In order to test the RTD, when you first turn it on, the temp should read the same as the outside air.
Mine did.

 

[RayClem]

RTD
Months ago, I spoke to Traeger about my grill being inconsistent. Traeger told me, In order to test the RTD, when you first turn it on, the temp should read the same as the outside air.
Mine did.

If your grill is in the sun, the temperature inside the grill can get rather warm. I cooked some brats earlier today. The air temperature was around 85 F, but the temperature inside the grill was 140 F before I ever pushed the igniter. If your grill is in complete shade, it might read air temperature.