How to Replace the Firepot/Hotrod assembly

[RemE]

I had startup issues, generally mine would give a "failed to ignite" error every time. It would actually ignite, but when set to 180F it would take about 20min, then error, then fire up and overshoot to about 300F before settling down. I called Traeger support and they agreed that it was probably the Hotrod igniter. They sent the whole Firepot/Hotrod as a unit, in about two weeks.

I had asked about how to install it and they said that the pot just came out with 4 thumb screws. This turned out to Not be the whole story. I removed the thumb screws but the firepot was trapped by the hotrod wires.

I couldn't find any instructions so here's the procedure I did to replace this assembly;

The new Firecup/Hotrod comes with a new two pin extension cable, and 4 new thumb screws.

1- Clean the grill and then remove the 4 thumb screws to release the firepot, you can't pull it out yet because the ignitor wires are zip tied inside the auger motor area.

2- Under the pellet hopper, remove the 4 cross head screws holding the vented bottom panel, you will need to remove the WiFi antenna.

3- Looking from the right side of the hopper, you will see the fabric insulated wires coming from the firepot, excess is coiled and zip tied to the left of the auger motor. Cut the zip tie to free the wires.

4- Now you can get the slack needed to remove the firepot assembly. Pull it out until the wire connector comes into view, disconnect the pot.

5- Take the new assembly with its new extension cable and plug it into the old extension cable. Install the new assembly while using the old extension cable to pull the new wires thru the tube and into into the auger motor bay.

6- Once the new extension wire is in the auger bay, remove the 4 screws holding the front control panel in place. Gently tilt the control panel forward to gain access to the Hotrod extension cable connector. Remove the old extension cable and connect the new extension cable connector to the control panel. Replace the front panel.

7- Coil the excess hotrod extension cable wire and zip tie. Then replace the bottom panel and antenna, you are done!

This took me about 30min to figure out and complete.

My grill ignited in 5-10min with minimal overshoot (<50F).

Edit, Just some comments on what I saw in the auger motor area, the Auger Motor, Fan, and front panel main controller are all very easy to replace from this bay. Even the power supply is just a laptop type power module clamped inside. Hat's off to Traeger to make this a very easy unit to service!

 

[MidwestSmoker]

This morning I started up my Pro 575 and got the "Igniter Disconnect Error". Investigating the issue, I found that the igniter cable was indeed disconnected. It must have happened when I cleaned out and oiled the firepot (as suggested by Slim!) last week.

It took some work to get it connected back again and I was going to post instructions for it on the forum in case someone else ran into the same issue. Then I found RemE's detailed instructions above for the Timberline which are the same as for the Pro series!

 

[peabody830]

Did all this and now my 1300 just over fills the fire pot with pellets, after 12 minutes it just pumps out smoke and then the temperature just runs up fast. Can shut it down with the shut down process. Thought I had the hot rod out to far. Changed it to less out . Fire up same deal . Didn't have any problems before the hot rod went bad

 

[RayClem]

Did you install the hot rod according to specs. There is a specific distance the hot rod is supposed to protrude into the fire pot. It is supposed to be 4-6 mm, Too much or too little might cause problems.,

 

[peabody830]

Had it out to far at first , reduced it and same thing. Had taken a picture of old one before I removed it. Believe have it right. Restart it and basically same thing. Took about the same time to light as well .

 

[Shedd]

Not sure where to post this.
My 780Pro has never given me any problems until last night. I was going put a pork tenderloin on and when I set the desired temp a message appeared, Clean Fire pot. I always vacuum it out but have never removed it. So it was clear. After trying several times, unplugging and trying over, it said, Fire Pots don’t clean themselves! I removed the fire pot but didn’t see anything wrong. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[NoGood Traeger]

Not sure where to post this.
My 780Pro has never given me any problems until last night. I was going put a pork tenderloin on and when I set the desired temp a message appeared, Clean Fire pot. I always vacuum it out but have never removed it. So it was clear. After trying several times, unplugging and trying over, it said, Fire Pots don’t clean themselves! I removed the fire pot but didn’t see anything wrong. Any suggestions? Thanks

Did you try going into settings and clearing notifications?

 

[Shedd]

Did you try going into settings and clearing notifications?

I didn’t know I could do that, I will try it this morning. Thank you!
I’ve had since new about 2 years and never had any issues so I haven’t gone any further than just setting temp and igniting it.

 

[RayClem]

The "Clean Fire Pot" message is just a reminder. It does not affect the cook, but you might have an issue if your firepot is actually filled with debris. If you use applewood, it is prone to "clinkers" and needs to be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, I just clean mine after a few cooks and before any extended cook like a pork butt, turkey, brisket, etc. I used to reset the alert message, but now just ignore it.

 

[Shedd]

The "Clean Fire Pot" message is just a reminder. It does not affect the cook, but you might have an issue if your firepot is actually filled with debris. If you use applewood, it is prone to "clinkers" and needs to be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, I just clean mine after a few cooks and before any extended cook like a pork butt, turkey, brisket, etc. I used to reset the alert message, but now just ignore it.

Actually I vacuum it out before every cook then put a half handful of pellets in the fire pot before putting the cover on and using it.

I just did what No Good suggested, I went into the menu on my controller and cleared notifications. It’s starting right up now. Thanks for the help!

 

[Like Smoke]

I clean mine after every cook, I put my protein on a rack sitting in a tinfoil pan, which I add apple cider vinegar, apple juice and water. My actual grill rack stays clean and just needs a wipe down after I'm done. I lift out the drip plate which is foil covered, and the heat baffle and do a vac of all the ash. I vac the fire pot and leave it empty. Takes very little time for me and I am ready for the next cook. I never add pellets to the clean fire-pot and it starts just fine on my next cook. Maybe adding pellets is overloading your fire pot and creating a larger fire than you think. Just a thought.

 

[RayClem]

I clean mine after every cook, I put my protein on a rack sitting in a tinfoil pan, which I add apple cider vinegar, apple juice and water. My actual grill rack stays clean and just needs a wipe down after I'm done. I lift out the drip plate which is foil covered, and the heat baffle and do a vac of all the ash. I vac the fire pot and leave it empty. Takes very little time for me and I am ready for the next cook. I never add pellets to the clean fire-pot and it starts just fine on my next cook. Maybe adding pellets is overloading your fire pot and creating a larger fire than you think. Just a thought.

Like you, I hate cleaning grease from my grill. I have a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil that I place on the bottom rack just under anything I cook on the top rack. The pan catches any drippings. When it gets dirty, I remove the foil, ball it up and toss it in the garbage and replace it with a new sheet of foil. It makes cleanup quick and easy, just the way I like it.

 

[Shedd]

I keep my drip pan covered with foil too. I spray my grate with Pam for grills and I keep a foil covered drip pan with water underneath my cooks to catch all the drippings. The next time I use it, I change the foil on my drip/water pan, wipe down my grate and re spray with Pam, then I vacuum out the interior as well as the fire pot. My buddies have had Traeger’s for years and they advise me to put about a half handful of pellets in the fire pot. I’ve never had an issue with hundreds of cooks on my Traeger until now.
Oddly after clearing the notifications this morning it fired right up without any issues. I let it run about an hour and turned it off. A couple hours ago I had another issue with lighting it. No message on the screen , just turning off. I beat on top of the hopper door with my hand mainly from frustration, tried it again and it’s up and running with a rack of baby backs. IDK. We had a lot of rain from the Tropical storm for a few days so tomorrow I’m going to empty out all my pellets and clean out the auger. Hopefully just one of those little things, I’ll see.

 

[RayClem]

I do not put a handful of pellets in the fire pot as that would require removing the grates, drip tray and flame shield to access the fire pot. However, I do Prime The Auger before igniting the grill. The auger runs for over 2 minutes, which probably half fills the fire pot without removing the various parts.

Although Traeger recommends igniting the grill with the lid closed, I always ignite mine with the lid open to prevent a buildup of hot gases. Once the thick white smoke turns to thin blue smoke I close the lid.

 

[Shedd]

I do not put a handful of pellets in the fire pot as that would require removing the grates, drip tray and flame shield to access the fire pot. However, I do Prime The Auger before igniting the grill. The auger runs for over 2 minutes, which probably half fills the fire pot without removing the various parts.

Although Traeger recommends igniting the grill with the lid closed, I always ignite mine with the lid open to prevent a buildup of hot gases. Once the thick white smoke turns to thin blue smoke I close the lid.

I wouldn’t go through the trouble of removing everything to to put pellets in the fire pot either, the reason why since I already have everything removed when vacuuming/cleaning to just go ahead and grab some from the hopper and put them in the fire pot. I don’t have to wait a couple minutes for the auger to do it. I never had any issues igniting mine with the door closed but I remember seeing on here some people have had issues.

Since the end of April until this past weekend I haven’t used my Traeger but maybe 5 times. Between a fractured foot and abnormal heat and rain then my buddies I was helping cooking for invested in a commercial smoker, I haven’t cooked much. But in the couple years I’ve owned my Traeger I’ve only emptied my hopper once and never cleaned my auger. I’ve cooked over 300 cooks on it without a hitch. I’m wondering since it’s been sitting in the humidity without using it if my pellets was moist and giving me issues. I’m going to take it all apart and clean and inspect it soon.