We strive to provide you with authoritative, trustworthy, and expert advice. In doing so, the staff at bbqdropout.com performs extensive research, editing, and fact checking to every post on this webiste. If you feel that this article can improve, please feel free to reach us at staff@bbqdropout.com
Before continuing this article, I wanted to let you know that I have a YouTube channel where I showcase all sorts of video content related to BBQ. Subscribing would mean a lot to me, and I very much appreicate all the support!
If you own a Traeger grill, you know how vital it is to reach the desired temperature for various recipes. However, sometimes, your grill might not heat up past 350°F.
We went straight to the source and were able to capture our conversation with a Traeger Support agent into this blog post. Additionally, we even included screenshots of our discussion to better assist you!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss some common causes and troubleshooting steps to resolve this issue.
Screenshots from our conversation with Traeger Support:
Common Causes for Traeger Grill Not Heating Up Past 350°F:
- Pellet Quality: The quality of pellets you use can affect your grill’s heating performance. Moisture in the pellets can cause issues with heating. Traeger recommends using their pellets for optimal performance.
- Temperature Probe or RTD Sensor: To ensure accurate temperature readings, you need to check and clean the temperature probe or RTD sensor regularly. You can clean the temperature probe with the Traeger Natural cleaner and a soft cloth if it has buildup. For more information on how to check the probe, refer to this article: https://support.traeger.com/hc/en-us/articles/7486314463771-TROUBLESHOOTING-A-THERMOCOUPLE
- Grill Assembly and Obstructions: Inspect specific parts of the grill to ensure it’s properly assembled and has no obstructions affecting the heating performance. Check the drip tray, heat baffle, and chimney for any obstructions. When using foil to cover the drip tray, make sure the edges are folded against the tray. Additionally, clean and degrease the chimney interior using the Traeger Natural Cleaner or a natural degreaser.
Regular Cleaning and Maintenance for Optimal Heating Performance:
Proper cleaning and maintenance are crucial for maintaining optimal heating performance on your Traeger grill. Traeger provides an excellent guide for grill maintenance that you can find here: https://www.traeger.com/learn/spring-cleaning-your-grill-refresh
Final Thoughts:
By following the troubleshooting steps and maintaining your Traeger grill regularly, you can resolve the issue of not heating up past 350°F. Always use high-quality pellets and keep your grill clean to ensure the best cooking experience.
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.