Smoke from pellet box?

[thompsdw]

Yes, I am new to Traeger. I purchased a gently used 22 pro locally. We have only done 2 cooks. The first was steaks and I did them on low temperature (275 F) for more smoke flavor. Tonight I tried hamburgers at 375 F. After the cook I turned the grill control to shutdown and walked away for about 5 minutes. I came back to check and there was smoke coming out of the pellet storage box. . BTW - I purchased the Traeger liners, so everything should have been completely clean from the topside.

On the steak cook I cleaned the firebox and it was completely clean. I didn't clean it again because I read Traeger's manual and it said 20 hours of use. I guess that was wrong as I googled it and found a lack of airflow. The fan was running through the shutdown cycle normally. This thing was completely clean before the steak cook! What I am doing wrong? Not cleaning the box every time?

 

[RayClem]

The 22 Pro has a smokestack. Check to see that the smokestack is not partly blocked. Smoke should only come out of the pellet hopper if there is some blockage in the chimney. If there is a damper, make sure it is wide open.

 

[thompsdw]

The stack is wide open. No obstructions.

 

[RayClem]

If the smokestack is wide open, smoke should be pouring out of the smokestack rather than the pellet box. A backup of smoke into the pellet box means that something is preventing the smoke from reaching the much larger normal discharge point.

Try removing the grates, drip tray, and flame shield that covers the fire pot. Then start your grill up with the lid open so you can observe what is going on with the fire. Only after the fire is well established should you close the lid. Then see if smoke goes out the smokestack or the pellet box.

Although Traeger says to ignite the fire with the lid closed, I have never done it that way. I always leave mine open until the thick white smoke dies down and the smoke turns thin blue. Then I close the lid.

If the smoke is still coming out of the pellet box, shut the grill down and allow it to cool. Then completely remove the conical "roof" on top of the smokestack. Get a flash light and look down the tube to make sure it is clean. If the grill was not covered, a bird might have built a nest in there. Small birds like sparrows love that type of space to build a nest.

 

[thompsdw]

What about the concept of pellet dust? I saw that somewhere as a potential cause? I did have some come out of the bag, but didn't know of that as a potential issue?

 

[thompsdw]

If the smokestack is wide open, smoke should be pouring out of the smokestack rather than the pellet box. A backup of smoke into the pellet box means that something is preventing the smoke from reaching the much larger normal discharge point.

Try removing the grates, drip tray, and flame shield that covers the fire pot. Then start your grill up with the lid open so you can observe what is going on with the fire. Only after the fire is well established should you close the lid. Then see if smoke goes out the smokestack or the pellet box.

Although Traeger says to ignite the fire with the lid closed, I have never done it that way. I always leave mine open until the thick white smoke dies down and the smoke turns thin blue. Then I close the lid.

If the smoke is still coming out of the pellet box, shut the grill down and allow it to cool. Then completely remove the conical "roof" on top of the smokestack. Get a flash light and look down the tube to make sure it is clean. If the grill was not covered, a bird might have built a nest in there. Small birds like sparrows love that type of space to build a nest.

BTW - I had smoke coming out of the lid and stack.

 

[Like Smoke]

I agree with RayClem, my operators manual (BBQ 075) states the following."With the Door open, turn the Switch ON (--) and the Temperature/Dial to SMOKE. In approximately 2 minutes you will notice whitish-gray smoke coming out of the Grill
as the Pellets ignite. After assuring the Pellets have ignited, close the Door and set
the Temperature/Dial to any cooking setting desired. The Grill should be allowed to
pre-heat for approximately 10 minutes with the Door closed before placing food in
the Grill."

 

[thompsdw]

I can certainly do that, but I am not sure what that has to do with pellet box smoke at the end of the cook?