Temperature sensor: check and clean

Check the grill temperature sensor

The sensor is a thermocouple (Traeger's store and support name; the manual's warranty table says RTD). Traeger support: "If your Traeger controller says 225 °F, it is 225 °F."

1. Make sure the grill is cold and unplugged.
2. Lift out the grates, drip tray and baffle so you can see the sensor: a rod about 25 mm (1 in) long on the right inside wall.
3. Leave it alone if it is clean: "Do NOT clean the Thermocouple or RTD unless there is a visual build-up" (Traeger support).
4. If it is coated, wipe it gently with a little all-natural degreaser or rubbing alcohol.
5. If it is bent, straighten it gently by hand: it usually still reads correctly (Traeger support).
6. Refit the parts and do a short preheat to check.