HOW TO START YOUR GRILL

Traeger grills have two different startup procedures. Find out which startup procedure your grill needs and how to do so successfully.

WHY IS PROPER STARTUP IMPORTANT?

Following the correct startup process is very important as it can have many different effects on a cook, even hours later. For example, grills started incorrectly may experience temperature swings, flame-outs, and many other issues. 

HOW TO START A TIMBERLINE/TIMBERLINE XL GRILL

1. Make sure all the internal grill components (heat baffle, drip tray, grill grates) are inside the grill and installed correctly. 
2. Plug in your grill and press the power button.
3. When your display screen wakes up, turn the dial to select your desired temperature. 
4. When you get to the desired temperature, press the knob. 
5. Press the display's touch screen where it says, IGNITE, and hold until the ignition sequence begins.
   
   • These models are larger grills than other WiFIRE-enabled grills, and will take longer to reach the set temperature, especially during the first few cooks.
6. Start Traegering!

HOW TO START A WIFIRE-ENABLED GRILL

WiFIRE-enabled grills include the following models: Pro 575, Pro 780, Century 885, Silverton 620, Silverton 810, Ironwood 650, Ironwood 885, Timberline 850 and Timberline 1300.

1. Make sure all the internal grill components (heat baffle, drip tray, grill grates) are inside the grill and installed correctly. 
2. Close the grill lid.
3. Plug in and turn on your grill.
4. Turn the dial to your desired temperature and press the dial.
5. Press Ignite.
   • The grill should reach the set temperature within 15 minutes. The temperature will display on the controller screen and the Traeger App.
6. Start Traegering!

HOW TO START YOUR AC GRILL

Our signature grills without WiFIRE capabilities have one of two ignition methods: open-lid and closed-lid. The grill model determines which method to use. 

DETERMINE WHICH STARTUP METHOD TO USE

1. Find the model number.
   1. Open the hopper lid.
   2. Look for the bar code sticker underneath the words Attention Serial #.
   3. The first alpha-numeric set of characters in the serial number is the model number, 
2. Check if the model number is in the Closed-Lid Startup chart below. Any model number in this chart requires a closed-lid startup. Any model number NOT on this list requires an open-lid startup.

CLOSED-LID STARTUP PROCESS

Most grills produced since 2016 require a closed-lid startup procedure to make the process more effortless. 

1. Make sure all the internal grill components (heat baffle, drip tray, grill grates) are inside the grill and installed correctly. 
2. Close the grill lid.
3. Plug in and turn on your grill.
4. Turn the temperature dial to the desired temperature.
   • After about 2 minutes, whiteish-gray smoke should come out of the chimney.
   • The grill should reach the desired temperature within 15 minutes. The current temperature will display on the controller as it preheats. For best results, wait at least 10 minutes before placing food on the grill.
5. Start Traegering!

OPEN-LID STARTUP PROCESS

If the grill requires an open-lid start-up, follow these steps:

1. When ready to cook, ensure all the internal grill components (heat baffle, drip tray, grill grates) are inside the grill.
2. Plug in and turn on your grill.
3. With the lid open, set your Traeger grill to the SMOKE setting. You will hear the fan running.
4. Wait roughly 5 minutes for the fire to ignite and establish. You will hear a difference in the fan once the flame gets rolling.
5. Wait for an additional 5-10 minutes, keeping the lid open.
6. Close the lid.
7. Set the temperature to the desired temperature. Allow the grill to preheat for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
8. Start Traegering!
   
   

COMMON STARTUP QUESTIONS

SHOULD THE FAN CYCLE ON AND OFF DURING STARTUP?

• This depends on the grill. The fan on non-WiFIRE grills should run continuously. The fan on grills that have WiFIRE does cycle on and off during startup.

MY GRILL SAYS, "PREHEAT COMPLETE," BUT THE GRILL HASN'T REACHED THE SET TEMP

• A grill sending a Preheat Complete message prematurely can be by design. The Preheating screen will go away or receive a Preheat Complete notification when one of two events occur:
  1. The grill has been preheating for at least 10 minutes after the ignition sequence ends and pre-heating has begun.
     • In this case, the preheat cycle exceeds 10 minutes because the grill is trying to reach a higher temperature. This is considered normal behavior.
  2. Many variables come into play during ignition that could prolong the preheat time, such as cold weather, grill cleanliness, grill model, etc.
• The grill is within 5°F (3°C) of the set temperature

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE GRILL TO PREHEAT?

• New Timberline grills take longer to preheat than previous D2 and AC grills
• AC and D2 grills typically preheat within 15 minutes.
  • Many variables come into play during ignition that can extend preheat time, such as weather, grill cleanliness, set temperature, grill model, etc.

WHEN DOES THE HOT ROD ACTIVATE?

• D2 GRILLS
  • The hotrod is active for five minutes once Ignite has been pressed. If the grill temperature is not rising, the hotrod will stay on (max 25 minutes) until the grill has a significant temperature rise.
  • If the controller notices the temperature goes below 120ºF/48ºC for more than 10 minutes, it will attempt to reignite, turning the hotrod back on for five minutes.
• AC GRILLS
  • The hotrod is active for 5 minutes for every ignition.
  • If the grill temperature is not above 130ºF/54ºC, the hotrod will activate. If the temperature does not rise, it will trigger a LEr, and the hotrod will turn off.

CLOSED-LID STARTUP GRILLS