Pellets: choose, store, swap

Choose and store pellets

The manual and Traeger support.

1. Use wood pellets made for pellet grills; Traeger recommends its own. "Never use heating fuel pellets" (the manual).
2. Store the bags sealed, dry and away from heat.
3. Check them: good pellets "have a sheen and a nice snap". Dull, crumbly pellets and sawdust cause temperature swings and failed starts (Traeger support).
4. Keep the hopper lid shut and the grill covered: wet pellets swell and jam the auger (the manual).
5. Never add pellets by hand to a hot firepot (the manual).

Empty the hopper to change flavour

The manual, page 23. The clean-out door is on the back of the hopper.

1. Switch off, unplug, and let the grill cool completely.
2. Stand a clean bucket under the clean-out door: "a clean 19-litre (5-gallon) bucket works great".
3. Unscrew the clean-out door fastener and open the door.
4. Push the last pellets out with a spatula.
5. Close the door and refit the fastener.
6. Refill with the new pellets.