Traeger grills are known for their ease of use, high-heat settings, and overall reliability. That being said, they can experience a few issues from time to time.
If your Traeger grill isn’t heating up, here are the most common problems:
- Hot Rod Deterioration
- Low-Quality Pellets
- Not Enough Pellets in the Grill
- Blown Fuses
- Too Much Debris in the Firepot
- Moisture in the Grill
- Broken Induction Fan
Throughout this article, we’ll explain all of the issues that could cause your Traeger grill not to heat up. We’ll also provide solutions to each of the problems to help you get your grill to its peak performance.
Hot Rod Deterioration
According to DBLDKR, a Traeger grill’s hot rod is designed to light the grill and keep it heated. The more you use the grill, the quicker the hot rod will wear down.
Most hot rods on Traeger grills last two to three years before they show signs of wear and tear. Some of the most common symptoms of a worn hot rod that needs to be replaced are low heating, slow ignition, and uneven heat distribution.
How to Fix
The good news is you can replace the hot rod to bring the Traeger grill back to its original condition.
Follow these steps:
- Turn off the electricity going to the grill
- Unscrew and remove the connected hopper
- Pull out the grate, drip pan, tray, and firepot
- Unscrew the hot rod screw and remove the hot rod
- Install the new hot rod through the side hopper hole
If you prefer a video guide, watch Traeger’s helpful tutorial:
Low-Quality Pellets
Traeger grills are some of the best, but that doesn’t mean they can work with low-end, cheap pellets. Another issue is if the pellets are stuck or overfilled; This issue prevents them from distributing the heat throughout the grill.
Make sure you’re using the pellets recommended by Traeger and similar pellet grill brands. We’ll discuss a couple of solutions below.
How to Fix
If you want to stop the heating problems caused by low-quality pellets, it’s only a matter of getting good ones.
For example, the Traeger All-Natural Wood Pellets come in multiple varieties, including their Signature Blend, Apple, Cherry, Hickory, and a few others. These pellets have a long burn time thanks to their density and high-quality ingredients. You’ll receive a 20-lb bag that lasts up to 20 hours of smoking and grilling.
Not Enough Pellets in the Grill
Traeger grills burn through pellets rather quickly. If you don’t supply enough pellets, the grill won’t stay at the desired temperature.
Not only will you not be able to keep your food heated, but you’ll be wasting the pellets since they burn without elevating the temperature.
How to Fix
If your Traeger isn’t burning hot enough, ensure it has between one to three pounds of pellets in it. Most Traeger grills have a fill line that will show you where to top them off. If you can see the bottom of the pellet pot, it’s time to add more of them.
Another way to check if there are enough pellets is to use a one-pound scoop. Check where the pellets sit and make a mark to know how many pellets it takes to fill a pound into the Traeger grill.
Blown Fuses
Traeger grills have a lot of fuses to prevent electrical hazards. For instance, there’s a fuse to connect it to the main power supply, one for the hot rod, and another for the hopper. A blown fuse is annoying because it stops the grill from heating, but thankfully, it’s quite inexpensive to replace.
Most blown fuses can be replaced by following the steps below.
How to Fix
To replace a blown fuse in your Traeger grill:
- Turn off all of the power going to the grill
- Locate the control board and unscrew it from the assembly
- Follow the wires going from the heating rod (or another fuse that’s not working) to the blown fuse
- Remove the fuse by pinching the edges, then replace it with one recommended by Traeger
To locate the blown fuse, use a multimeter on both wires going to each fuse. If they’re showing 0 volts, you’ve located the malfunctioning fuse.
Try this video for a quick guide:
Too Much Debris in the Firepot
Dream Outdoor Living explains that excess food drippings, ashes, and other debris can cause clogs. If there’s too much debris over the heating element, it won’t be able to heat the grill thoroughly.
How to Fix
Here’s how to clean the firepot in your Traeger grill:
- Remove the grill (also known as the grate) and scrub it with a stiff brush and dish soap
- Pull the drip pan out and scrub it with a sponge, warm water, and soap
- Unscrew the firepot and brush it with soap and water, but don’t soak it (the firepot can develop rust)
- Replace all of the parts once they’re completely dry
Moisture in the Grill
Moisture from morning dew, humidity, rain, or spills can cause heating issues in your Traeger grill. When water hits the electrical wires, fire pot, hopper, wood pellets, or heating element, the grill won’t heat up at all.
How to Fix
A grill cover is all you need to prevent moisture from ruining the grill. Try the Traeger Grills Full-Length Cover. It’s made with moisture-wicking fabric to repel rain, humidity, and more. Make sure you choose the correct size to fit your grill.
If your grill is soaked because it wasn’t covered, remove the grate, drip pan, and firepot. Dry all of them with a towel and dry the whole grill from end to end. You might have to replace the wood pellets if they’re wet since they won’t burn.
Broken Induction Fan
The induction fan helps with temperature regulation in a grill. If it’s broken, there will be uneven heating issues. One side will be hot, and the other will be cold. It might also get cold for a short time, followed by short spurts of heat.
How to Fix
Replace the induction fan with these steps:
- Turn off the power
- Remove the wires connected to the induction fan
- Replace it with a new fan (and a new fuse for the fan if necessary)
Traeger provides a handy video below.
Additional Grilling Resources
If you ever have grill problems in the future, our other grill troubleshooting articles may be able to help you.
- Camp Chef Pellet Grill Not Heating Up? Why and How to Fix
- Pit Boss Grill Not Heating Up? Here’s Why (and How to Fix)
- Green Mountain Grill Not Heating Up? Here’s Why (And How to Fix)
- Weber Grill Not Getting Hot? 8 Causes (+ How to Fix)
- Weber Grill Not Lighting? 5 Causes (+ How to Fix)
- Gas Grill Not Getting Hot? Here’s Why (+ How to Fix)
- Char Broil Grill Not Heating Up? Here’s Why (+ How to Fix)
- Charcoal Grill Not Getting Hot Enough? 10 Causes (+ Fixes)
- Traeger Grill Not Igniting? 5 Causes (+ How to Fix)
- Traeger Grill Not Heating Up? 7 Causes (+ How to Fix)
- Propane Grill Not Getting Hot? 6 Causes (+ How to Fix)
- Why Does My Gas Grill Smoke So Much? Top 8 Causes (+ Fixes)
- Why Is My Grill Humming, Whistling, Popping, or Clicking?
Jonah has worked for several years in the swimming pool industry installing and repairing equipment, treating pools with chemicals, and fixing damaged liners. He also has plumbing and electrical experience with air conditioning, ceiling fans, boilers, and more. When he’s not writing for Temperature Master, he’s usually writing for his own websites, LawnCareLessons.com and DIYByHand.com.