Over temp, wild fluctuations

[HaileyD]

Hi so just bought a used Pro 22, Traeger support says it's 9 years old. And when I fire it up on smoke it jumped to like 300. Traeger support says I needed a replacement RTD it has since shown up and I replaced it now when I fire it up on smoke it jumps to 250 if I switch it to 180 it fluctuates between 170 and 250° this can't be right all the research I've done says that it should only fluctuate plus or minus 25°. Is my board shot does my fan not blow enough air like I don't understand what the hell I'm doing wrong I literally had traeger support run me through in video call a full test cook and it still doesn't work properly. It will jump to 250 and then over the course of 25-35 minutes drops to 170 and then Skyrocket to 250.

Just wanted to add the p setting is set to 4, and I'm using Pit Boss charcoal hardwood pellets brand new, ive tried 3 brands, I vacuumed out the entire thing including the fire pot, chimney is 3/4" to 1" gap, I start the smoker open when smoke starts forming I close the lid. Traeger said I should let the temp get to 165 before selecting a temp and it shouldn't go above 180 on smoke but I can hit 250+

It's almost like it drops to 170 jumps to 250 slowly drops back down to 170 and then jumps to 250. Something else I just noticed when it drops to 170 and skyrockets to 250 it sounds like a flamethrower inside

 

[Like Smoke]

Your P setting is probably a little high. The attachment may help on your settings. I set mine at 3 for cooler outside temps but 2 is the standard setting. https://support.traeger.com/hc/en-us/articles/4407219721883-P-Settings. Hope this helps.

 

[HaileyD]

Thank you for the reply Traeger support actually had me change it to four from two, where I live it's currently 50 to 70° outside depending on the day. I'll try three right now cuz it's about 70° outside

 

[HaileyD]

Okay it's 70° outside right now kinda windy if that matters, P3 on smoke hit 239 before starting to drop. At 235 i set it to 180. It slowly dropped down to 190. Bounced between 190-195 for a while. Dropped to 170 then rose to 249 before again slowly starting to drop.

Cycle repeated so i switch to P2. Outside temp now about 65. Slowly dropped to 176 and rose up to 215. Dropped to 177 rose to 210. Dropped to 168 up to 240?!?!?!

So I'm at a loss I have no idea what's going on.... seemed fixed then bam!

 

[Hogan]

Hailey;
I’m relativley new (1 yr) to Traegers and have been alarmed at the volume of problems inherent in new and older equipment. A common issue raised is with the controller where I think your problem lies. Rather than extend the problem by replacing the old controller with a new Traeger unit (why did the last guy sell it?), consider going to an OEM like Smoke Daddy Inc., who are spoken about in glowing terms elsewhere in the Forum.
I’ve been in touch with them, and a replacement controller for the Pro 22, with shipping and exchange will run you around C$280.
https://smokedaddyinc.com/product/pellet-pro-exclusive-pid-controller-pellet-grill-upgrade/ . They, unlike Traeger Support, are very helpful.

 

[Like Smoke]

One other thing I noticed in your post was the smoke stack cap. My traeger recommends 1/2 in. The closer the cap is to the stack will restrict the air flow through the barrel. You don't have to worry about over pressuring the exhaust flow because it also exhausts through the grease trap tube you hang your grease bucket on. Just a thought.

 

[HaileyD]

I split a brisket in half and did the point Wednesday after your replies and tried to monitor it as best I could but over 12 hours you just can't sit out there the whole time but I did notice it only skyrockets every 5 to 10 cycles, but when it does it does it 75 to 100° over most of the time it's within 35° over. I currently have the flat on the smoker and it seems to be doing the same thing bounces 35-45 over and once in a while plus 50-70+ over. I'm going to leave it as is for the rest of this cook but I will definitely take your advice and reduce the height of the Gap in the chimney to a half inch and report back could take some time since we will be eating brisket for the next couple days LOL

It's just me and my boyfriend so half a brisket lasts us a few days. But I kind of love it that way fresh brisket today tomorrow shred some and make shredded brisket sandwiches maybe the day after make pasta and meat sauce but instead of ground beef, shredded brisket LOL always something new to try