Weather Effects on Grilling

Cold weather would be considered close to freezing or below, 32°F (0°C) (30°F (-1°C) or lower).

Common Effects:

• Slower ignition
• Darkening of the controller screen
  • We have seen cases of controller screens showing (---)
• Running a bit cooler than the set temperature
• Using more pellets to maintain temperature
   

Tips for Grilling in Cold/Snowy Weather

• Cook to temperature rather than by time.
• Make sure your pellets are fresh and dry. They should have a shine and be able to snap easily.
• Keep your grill clean so pellets burn more efficiently.
• Place the grill in a location out of direct wind.
• If temperatures are below freezing (32°F / 0°C), and your grill is compatible, you can try using an Insulation Blanket.

Pro Tip: If the customer's recent weather includes sitting snow followed by rain, it is possible that the power button has obtained moisture and preventing it from engaging. See Power Button Does Not Engage - Touchscreen Grills.

Traeger Grills are protected from water spray less than 60 degrees from vertical. In other words, a grill can function in the rain, but don't place a grill over a sprinkler or leave the lid open when raining.

Common Effects:

• Slower ignition times from humidity

Tips for Grilling in Rainy Weather

• Cook to temperature rather than by time.
• Make sure your firepot is free of sawdust and ash for easier ignition.

Customers may experience the following when grilling at high altitudes:

• Varied cook times from recipes

Tips for Grilling at High Altitude

• Cook to temperature rather than by time.
   

Remember that grills are large, black/dark pieces of metal that often sit in direct sunlight. During sunny and warmer days, the sun can increase the grill's internal temperature without the grill even being powered on.

You may experience the following when grilling in hot weather:

Common Effects:

• Running hotter than the set temperature
• If the ambient temperature outside is over 85°F/30°C, customers may find difficulty maintaining temperatures lower than 225°F/107°C.

Tips for Grilling in Hot Weather

• Cook to temperature rather than by time.

• Keep your grill clean, paying special attention to keep it clean from grease buildup.

• Move your grill out of direct sunlight, especially when grilling at lower temperatures.

• Consider beginning low-and-slow cooks when the grill is either not in the sun or when the sun has set and the outside temperature has cooled.

• If your grill has a P-Setting option, adjust the setting to a higher setting to reduce the speed by which the pellets feed into the firepot.
   

  
   

Common Effects:

You may experience the following when grilling in windy weather:

• A slight increase in temperature swings.
• On grills with a downdraft exhaust instead of a chimney, strong winds may extinguish the grill's flame when the wind is stronger than 30 mph and is blowing directly into the downdraft for longer than 10 minutes. Should this occur, your grill may throw one of the following errors because the flame is out.
• Fan not Detected
• Flame Out
• Flame Sensor Disconnected
• Flame Sensor Error
• High Temp Error
• Low Temp Error
• Lid Sensor Error - This is not because wind is affecting the lid sensor, but because the lid sensor is connected to the Smart Combustion Harness, which also attaches to the flame sensor.

Tips for Grilling in Windy Weather

• Cook to temperature rather than by time.
• Place your grill out of the wind's direct path. 
• If the grill has a downdraft exhaust instead of a chimney, position the grill so the exhaust is facing toward a wall or at least so the wind is not blowing directly into the downdraft exhaust.