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Traeger auger not turning
The Traeger grill is designed to give reliable service over many years.
It is a mechanical device with many moving parts.
However, systems can fail or become jammed.
The augur which feeds wood pellets to the firebox, and the motor, which turns the augur, are the two systems most prone to fail.
If the augur does not turn, the steps below can help with troubleshooting the problem.
New Traeger grill auger not turning
A new augur assembly should function properly.
If it does not, check the wiring and switch connections of the motor, as well as the connection of the augur to the mounting.
A shear pin holds the augur in place and can be installed with an allen wrench if it is missing or needs to be tightened.
Be sure the pellets in the pellet box are dry, and able to move into and through the augur freely.
You may need to take some of the pellets out of the pellet box.
How do I fix the auger on my Traeger?
The usual cause of trouble for augurs on a Traeger grill is a pellet jam, which can prevent the augur from turning.
The heading below describes how to clear a jammed augur.
The augur can become bent or damaged if misused.
If this happens, it is not possible to repair the augur. Instead, it must be replaced.
How to clear a jammed Traeger auger?
The most common problem for an augur on a Traeger is a jam caused, usually, by damp pellets which swell up to clog the mechanism.
This is easily fixed using the process described below.
You can use the same procedure to open the augur mechanism to inspect it.
There are several steps to clear a jammed augur on a Traeger.
A youtube video by Traeger customer service provides detailed instructions, which are summarized below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoKLHw-E6BI You will need a Phillips and a regular screw driver, as well as a 7/64” allen wrench key, and a pipe wrench.
You may also want to have a set of pliers and some tool which has a flat edge on it to clean out the jam.
A hammer claw might work, but a small pry bar or putty scraper might also serve well.
You will also want to have a shop vac to clear out the debris in the firepot and hopper.
The pellet hopper is located on the right side of the Traeger.
This will need to be removed to gain access to the grill itself.
First, the controller must be removed from the door.
The controller is held on by two screws, top and bottom. Unscrew these.
There is no need to remove the controller completely by pulling out the wires.
Rather, set it gently inside the mounting hole it came out of, so that it is protected from being bumped or damaged.
Next, the hopper needs to be removed.
There are four screws which connect it to the body of the grill.
Two are in the front, and two in the back.
When the last screw is removed, be sure to provide some support to the bottom of the hopper, so that it does not fall off.
Lift it up gently and pull it out.
As you pull, the controller will be pulled through the body of the hopper and out.
It will hang by its wiring, but this shouldn’t be a problem.
The augur is now accessible and can be cleared.
The shear pin connects the augur motor to the augur shaft.
Use the pliers to hold the nut in place, and use the allen wrench to unscrew the bolt from the shaft. Take the motor off and set it aside.
A bushing covers the augur shaft.
This may be either a regular flat head or a Phillips screw.
The augur shaft should be able to turn.
Very wet pellets can hold it tightly in place.
If you are unable to turn it by hand, you will need to use the pipe wrench to turn it.
Keep turning the augur until you have pulled it out completely from the hopper.
Once the augur is out of the augur shaft, you can use your flat tool to start clearing the pellets and debris from the hopper.
Sometimes, you can use the augur to drill the debris out. Simply move it into and out of the shaft, using the point to help clear the pellets.
Clear up the debris in the fire pot and hopper with a vacuum cleaner.
Once the augur shaft and fire pot are cleaned out, reassemble everything by reversing the steps above.
Why is my Traeger auger not turning?
If the augur in the grill is not turning, the cause can be either due to the augur or due to the motor.
The most typical cause of the augur not turning is a jam.
Wet pellets can swell and clog the augur mechanism.
Other objects, like loose screws, bits of ash or debris, or odd sized pellets can also jam the augur.
The motor can stop turning due to loose wiring or a loose switch.
It can also burn out over time, or from overheating.
If the motor needs to have its wiring or switch reattached, it can be repaired.
A burned out motor will need to be replaced.
Traeger auger replacement
Traeger augur assemblies are designed to last for several years with normal use.
Occasionally an augur will wear out or become twisted.
In this case the augur will need to be replaced.
Replacing the augur is as simple as following the steps described above for clearing a jam to remove the old augur, and if necessary, the old motor.
The new augur and new motor can be installed when the grill is reassembled.
How do I know if my pellet grill auger is bad?
Open the grill and remove the augur using the steps outlined above.
Examine the augur.
If it is twisted, it needs to be replaced. Similarly, the fan and gears should be examined and listened to closely.
These parts may need to be replaced as well.
How do you test an auger motor?
The augur motor can have problems in the switch, the wiring, or in the motor itself.
Start by checking the connection of the switch and the wiring.
Nothing should be loose and everything should have a solid connection.
If the switch and wiring are functioning correctly, test the motor with a multimeter to see if it is functioning correctly.
If the motor has gone bad it may need to be replaced.
To ensure a longer life for the motor, lubricate it periodically to make sure the gears don’t grind against each other.
Also, be sure the motor is kept clean and that food, grease, and ash don’t accumulate near the motor.
The motor will also function better if it has a steady air flow to prevent it from overheating.
Final thoughts
Careful cleaning and maintenance of the augur and motor can keep them functioning correctly for many years of good cooking service.
Robert is a certified Pitmaster, with over a decade of experience in smoking the best meats you’ll ever feast upon. He also has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. When he’s not researching technical topics, he’s most likely barbecuing in his backyard.