How to properly shut down your Traeger grill. Each type of grill's shutdown cycle works a little different, so it's important to make sure you're following the correct process.
Why is Proper Shutdown Important?
The shutdown cycle is crucial to the success and high-quality grill performance of your Traeger® Grill. Shutdown cycles prevent future adverse effects and get your grill properly set up for the next cook. Always initiate a shutdown cycle after each and every cook. The shutdown cycle minimizes your risk for future adverse events like backburn.
Backburn and Grill Fires
Backburn is when the pellets in the auger ignite and begin to burn.
If you turn off your grill without using the shutdown feature, mechanical components like the auger stop functioning. Meanwhile, the fire is still burning at full force in the firepot. This can lead to a warped auger, a jammed auger, and grill fires.
Improper shutdowns can also prevent the grill from burning off the build-up of pellets in the firepot at the end of your cook. The next time you start your grill, there may be too many pellets in the firepot and cause a grill fire.
How to Shut Down a Non-WiFIRE Grill
Shutting down a non-WiFIRE grill is easy but the steps to do depend on the type of controller the grill has.
ARC Controller
**ARC Controller shutdown may vary between grill models.
The shut down cycle on a grill with a ARC controller will take around 5-15 minutes.
- Hold the middle button for 3 seconds.
- OFF will flash for several seconds and the grill will go into the shutdown cycle.
- To cancel the shutdown process, press the center button while the display is flashing, OFF.
What to Expect During Shutdown
- The screen will begin a 10-minute countdown, scrolling between COOL DN and the grill's current temperature until the grill cools down to a safe temperature.
Digital Controller
The shut down cycle on a grill with a digital controller will take around 10-15 minutes.
- Turn the controller knob to Shut Down Cycle.
- Keep the lid closed.
What to Expect During Shutdown
- The screen may flash Sdn (also looks like 5dn)
- The grill will continue to run the induction fan as it burns off any excess pellets in the firepot.
- After 10 minutes, the controller will power off and the fan will stop running. You can now power off your grill.
Digital Controller with No Shut Down Cycle Option
Turn the knob to the lowest setting with the lid closed.
Wait 10-15 minutes.
Turn off your grill.
How to Shut Down a D2 WiFIRE Grill
You can shut down a D2 grill either from the grill's controller or from the Traeger app.
- Shutdown Cycle Duration: Between 15 and 25 minutes, depending on the grill's temperature at shutdown.
Shut Down from the Grill's Controller
Keep the lid closed.
Press the standby button/dial for 3 seconds.
The grill will enter the shutdown cycle.
Once the shutdown cycle completes, the controller screen will turn off.
Shut Down from the Traeger App
Open the Traeger app.
Tap the grill banner at the bottom of the app page.
Tap the Shutdown button.
Drag the fire button down to confirm grill shutdown.
The grill will enter the shutdown cycle.
What to Expect During Shutdown
Once the shutdown cycle is complete, the grill will deliver a small number of pellets into the firepot to aid with future cooks.
Once the shutdown cycle completes, the controller screen will turn off.
How to Shut Down a Touchscreen Grill
Allow the shutdown cycle to complete for the proper operation of your grill. Do not press the main power button on the front of the grill to OFF or unplug your grill prior to completion.
- Shutdown Cycle Duration: Between 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the grill's set temp before shutdown.
To initiate a shutdown cycle, turn off your grill in one of the following three ways:
Option 1: Press and Hold the Display Dial
Press and hold the selection dial down for 3 seconds, until the screen registers and shows “SHUT DOWN CYCLE IN PROGRESS.”
Option 2: Turn the Display Dial
While setting the temperature, turn the selection dial all the way to the left and push to select SHUTDOWN.
Option 3: Use the Traeger App
Use the Traeger app to initiate the shutdown cycle on your grill from anywhere at any time.
What to Expect During Shutdown
- The induction fan will not run, as the grill is now trying to cool down. The hopper auxiliary fan, however, will run until shutdown is complete.
How to Shut Down a Woodridge Series Grill
Allow the shutdown cycle to complete entirely before powering off the grill. Do not press the main power switch on the back of the auger box to OFF or unplug your grill before the cycle completes.
- Shutdown Cycle Duration: Between 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the grill's set temp before shutdown.
After the grill completes shutdown, it will automatically enter sleep mode. The grill should be left on and in sleep mode to download any firmware updates as they are released.
- Keep the lid closed.
- Press and hold the ignite/shutdown button down for three seconds.
- Your controller will count down from three.
- When it reaches zero, the shutdown cycle will begin.
What to Expect During Shutdown
- A countdown timer will begin.
- The fan will run to assist in cooling down the grill. The fan will stop once the shutdown cycle is complete.
- Once shutdown is complete, the grill will enter standby mode until you are ready to use the grill again.
How to Shut Down a Westwood Series Grill
Allow the shutdown cycle to complete entirely before powering off the grill. Do not press the main power switch to OFF or unplug your grill before the cycle completes.
- Press and hold the ignite/shutdown button on the controller for 3 seconds.
- You will hear the fan continue to run. The fan will assist in cooling down the grill and will stop once the shutdown cycle is complete.
- You will hear the fan continue to run. The fan will assist in cooling down the grill and will stop once the shutdown cycle is complete.
- The shutdown cycle will run for approximately 15-25 minutes depending on the previous set temperature of the grill.
- Once the shutdown cycle is complete, the grill will automatically enter sleep mode. The grill should be left in sleep mode, so it is able to receive any firmware updates as they are released.