Just got a Traeger - any words of wisdom?

[ellymae]

Big Al brought home a Traeger Lil' Tex - any words of wisdom?

 

[pops6927]

There are several articles on pellet supplies for your smoker, as low as 50¢/lb. - and a new 'pellet owners' group just opened too.. check them out!

 

[iebbqman]

Save for the upgrade! Just kidding, you enjoy it. I recommend covering the drip pan with foil, it will make cleaning that pan easier. It is the shiny metal one you see through the grill. Get a shop vac to clean it out. I have one just for my grills. Also plan on wanting to cook everything on it. Have fun.

 

[eats]

I've had my L'il Tex Elite for three months now. Wish I would have discovered it about 3 gas grills ago.

One word of caution, in med to long smokes the auger pulls the pellets from the bottom ofthe pellet box. Because of the design of the box sometimes the pellets don't slide into the auger as they should and suddenly you see your thermo rapidly losing temp and you'll have to redistribute the pellets in the box to get them to fall back into the auger.

The reason I came on the forum this morning is to find an accessory you can put in the pellet box that corrects this issue.

Other from that me, my family and guests couldn't be happier!

 

[oldschoolbbq]

PATIENCE...

 

[veryolddog]

Enjoy!

 

[fwismoker]

Turn out some great Q!   Some Traeger owners want more smoke flavors and add a smoke generator especially at high temps...let us know how she works!  

 

[ellymae]

Thanks guys - it's working well so far. I like a subtle smoke flavor, so it works out great for me.

 

[kathrynn]

congrats Ellie Mae......I have gotten to play with one of those.  Easy....and yes subtle flavors!

Kat

 

[twhman]

For EATS - Regarding the hopper, Pellet Grill Accessories Shop sells an insert that look like it would help the problem with pellets hanging up and not falling into the auger:

http://shop.pelletgrillaccessories.com/product.sc?productId=173&categoryId=8

You may want to take a look at this.

Twhman

 

[eats]

Thank you kindly, Twhman. Already purchased and installed!

 

[stewro]

I seem to be having more and more of a problem with dust/ash ending up throughout my Traeger esp on long cooks;  Anybody recommend a different type of pellets (non-Traeger) that might produce less dust/ash?

I think I read someone recommending A-maze-n pellets as better pellets than Traeger.  Will they work well with a Traeger?

Stewart

 

[ellymae]

I got this advice from someone I trust...
"I use BBQrs Delight. They are a good balance between heat, flavor and low ash."

I will give them a try.

 

[geerock]

I used several brands of pellets and got little flavor and lots of ash. Went to BBQ DELITE and never looked back.

 

[bluto]

Agreed, BBQ'rs Delight are great, I've had good luck with LumberJack brand as well.

 

[meldo-q]

Has anybody had issues running other pellets through the system on their traeger. I just purchased a junior elite, I plan on doing some long smokes with it but dont wanna have a brisket full of ash. Its very tempting to switch pellets just to be safe.

 

[pellet ted]

Just as others have recommended, BBQer Delight.

Ted

Beavercreek,Ohio

 

[poisonboy58]

As a newbie here I was a little concerned with using "OTHER THAN TRAEGER" pellets and voiding the warrantee. I haven't yet (the Trager Police might be listening) but I am worried when I do this Rib roast this Thanksgiving. I'll post qview and ash bowl when I'm done. 

 

[drifterdon]

Just enjoy it.

I'm trying not to get all hung up on pellets. I can't tell the difference myself.

 

[smoke and choke]

I use other than Traeger pellets and they work just fine as long as the are made of mostly hard wood. Flavor is just as good and I don't see any degradation in the fire pot. Just be sure you are using food grade pellets. I have a Santa Maria grill, a stick burner with a side box, and the Traeger. Each one has its usefulness but the Traeger is just so darn easy to use. Welcome to the forum and pellet smoking.