Crazy Temperatures

[Bumpa]

I've had my Ironwood 650 since May of 2022. Recently, I'll set the temperature but the thing will heat up waaaayyyy beyond that which I have set. For example, yesterday, in preparation for smoking some baby backs at 180 degrees, the unit heated to well past 400. I ended up firing up my old New Braumfels pit smoker and smoking them over chunks of seasoned oak. (The result was quite good!) This temperature problem also occurred on the Traeger a week ago with a trip-tip when temp was set for 225. I really want to be happy with this grill as my neighbors get a little fidgety when I use the pit unit. Can someone please help me determine what I'm not doing correctly?

 

[Trae Bar IV]

Did it stay at 400 or come back down toward 180?

 

[Bumpa]

It seemed to be continuing to rise before, being on a bit of a timeline to get the ribs going, I shut it off. I will fire it up today, set it at 180 and see if it does begin to come down...

 

[Trae Bar IV]

Does your controller have the newest D2 technology?

 

[Bumpa]

I have no idea. How might I find that out?

 

[Trae Bar IV]

Does your controller look like this?

 

[Bumpa]

Here's an image of the controller on my Ironwood 650. Currently, I am unable to replicate the problem I mentioned above because the unit is (again) failing to ignite. I have cleaned the unit and ensure that there is fuel in the hopper and in the fire box. Wait! 23 minutes on, the unit is beginning to fire up. Now we'll see if it rises to but not far beyond the set temperature. (Thanks for walking through this with me...)

 

[Bumpa]

So fifteen minutes on, the temperature while set to 200, rose to 410 and now is beginning to taper off. I'm wondering: the last time we used the unit we placed it on sear ~ 450-500 degrees (to finish a try-tip) placing the unit into cool down mode immediately. Could it be that the left over fuel in the fire box has to burn away before the unit will decline to the lower temperature? If that's the case, it will help me in planning the necessary time for the next meal cooked on the unit.

 

[Bumpa]

Learning curve: Too much residual unburned fuel was causing the problem. Easy fix. Not sure about the ignition issues, however. Will continue to experiment...

 

[Shedd]

I vacuum out my 780 after every cook, especially the pot. I put a handful of pellets into it afterwards so it’s ready for the next cook. However I’ve never tried searing or cooking at high temperatures, I don’t think pellet grills are good enough for it. I sear on my Blackstone or a cast iron frying pan.

 

[Trae Bar IV]

So fifteen minutes on, the temperature while set to 200, rose to 410 and now is beginning to taper off. I'm wondering: the last time we used the unit we placed it on sear ~ 450-500 degrees (to finish a try-tip) placing the unit into cool down mode immediately. Could it be that the left over fuel in the fire box has to burn away before the unit will decline to the lower temperature? If that's the case, it will help me in planning the necessary time for the next meal cooked on the unit.

Yep, we have the same controller and software. Mine does fluctuate about 25 degrees higher, but then it settles down to the selected temp. When I tried to set mine to 500, it spiked and did an automatic cool down/shutdown. I still don't know why that happened since I keep my unit cleaned out and vacuumed after each cook.

A lot of ink has been spilled on this forum about the poor quality of the new Traegars, problems with Wifi, and inaccurate temps of the on-board thermometers. I've just learned to work with my XL and figure out it's "wonky-ness". I know they've rolled out a couple software updates that usually happen overnight if you leave your unit plugged in and on standby (which I do), all the time. They've also had some recent updates with the app.

Good luck, don't give up, and keep on smoking'!

 

[Bumpa]

Thanks, everyone. I think I've got things figured out...

 

[Bumpa]

Thanks, everyone. I think I've got things figured out...

Well, nuts! As it turns out, I didn't have everything figured out. Replaced thermo-coupler; thoroughly cleaned interior; emptied fire pot ~ none of which should have much to do with irregular temperatures ~ at the urging of customer service. Three or four failed attempts to cook on it (continued temperature issues) I am planning on smoked whole chickens (2) today. If this doesn't work out, I'll be contacting Traeger and requesting (okay, more than requesting) either a new control module or a factory pick up and full refund. Outdoor cooking is 'spozed to be fun. This ain't.

 

[Trae Bar IV]

Sorry to hear that and good luck. I’m really thinking Traeger is having a problem with there controllers!

 

[Whf95222]

I've had my Ironwood 650 since May of 2022. Recently, I'll set the temperature but the thing will heat up waaaayyyy beyond that which I have set. For example, yesterday, in preparation for smoking some baby backs at 180 degrees, the unit heated to well past 400. I ended up firing up my old New Braumfels pit smoker and smoking them over chunks of seasoned oak. (The result was quite good!) This temperature problem also occurred on the Traeger a week ago with a trip-tip when temp was set for 225. I really want to be happy with this grill as my neighbors get a little fidgety when I use the pit unit. Can someone please help me determine what I'm not doing correctly?

Good luck. I owned two pro 575 and also an iron with 650. I had horrible issues with the temperature. It went on for six months they kept telling me it was this and it was that. Nothing fix the problem. Finally I got my money back. And believe me, it was a pain in the butt. Finally I went to corporate. The gentleman I talk to there admitted there is an issue that for four years they haven’t figured out. So I bought a RecTeq. Awesome.