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7 Tips For Understanding Costco Traeger Recalls

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Costco Traeger Recall

In 2018 Traeger issued a recall for their popular Traeger Scout and Traeger Ranger portable wood pellet grills. 

However, there are still some retailers who have these models in their overstock inventory, as well as people who own and use these recalled Traeger grills. 

The recall on the Scout and the Ranger is related to fire risks caused by grease leaking out of the drip tray. 

When it encounters the flame in the firepot it can cause a very serious grease fire. 

Both the Traeger Scout and the Ranger were designed to be portable grills. 

Though the Ranger with its 184 square inch grill grates and 8-pound wood pellet hopper is slightly larger than the 176 square inch Scout with its 4-pound hopper. 

Traeger wood pellet grills, including the Scout and Ranger, typically come with three years of warranty coverage. 

Though some of the high-end new Traeger grills like the Timberline, Pro Series, and Ironwood come with either a 7 or a 10-year limited warranty. 


What Models Do Traeger Have a Recall On?

Traeger issues a general recall on the Traeger Scout and Traeger Ranger wood pellet grills in 2018 due to fire hazards related to grease escaping the grill. 

Though there are still some people and some retailers who have these models in active service. 

If you have a Traeger Scout or a Ranger that was made in 2018 or older, you should contact Traeger’s customer service at 1-800-TRAEGER to explore your options. 


Traeger Scout

The Traeger Scout is a rare, portable wood pellet grill made to be placed on a picnic table or outdoor countertop. 

It only weighs 45-pounds and has a hopper that can hold up to 4 pounds of wood pellets. 

The Scout is rated to get up to 450-degrees and has a 176-square inch porcelain-coated grill grate. 

This is enough to grill up to six burger patties or 10 hot dogs at a time. 

It comes equipped with a meat probe and a digital control center. 

The lid also latches which lets you carry it with confidence. 


Traeger Ranger 

The Traeger Ranger is an updated version of the Scout and was also designed to be more portable than Traeger’s popular Tailgater. 

The Ranger is slightly larger than the scout, weighing 60-pounds, having an 8-pound capacity wood pellet hopper and 184 square inch grill grates. 


Why Does My Traeger Grill Keep Catching on Fire?

Grease fires and burn back incidents are the two most common causes of fire on Traeger wood pellet grills.

In the case of the Traeger Scout and the Ranger, grease fires are usually related to grease escaping the grease cup to contact the flame in the firepot. 

Burn back problems are usually related to wood fibers accumulating in the bottom of the pellet hopper and making it into the auger shaft. 

As the auger and shaft start to heat up, the fibers can smolder and potentially light on fire in the bottom of the hopper. 


How Long Is Traeger’s Warranty?

Most Traeger grills come with a three-year warranty from the date of original purchase. 

Though some of the high-end new models like the Traeger Timberline, Ironwood, and Pro Series can come with a 7 or a 10-year limited warranty. 


Final Thoughts

Traeger issued a recall on their Scout and Ranger portable wood pellet grills. 

Yet there are still some individuals who have these grills, as well as retailers who have some leftover in inventory overstock.  

The Traeger Scout and Ranger recall are due to a fire risk caused by grease leaking out of the drip tray.

If it encounters the flame in the firepot, it can lead to a very serious grease fire. 

The Traeger Ranger and Scout were originally designed to be portable wood pellet grills. 

The Ranger is the larger of the two weighing 60-pounds with a 184 square inch porcelain-coated grill grate and an 8-pound wood pellet hopper.

Most Traeger wood pellet grills come with a three-year warranty.

However, some of the newer Traeger grills, at the top of their line, like the Timberline, Pro Series, and Ironwood come with a 7 or a 10-year limited warranty.