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Clearing an Auger Jam in a WiFIRE-Enabled Grill

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What's in This Article?

The article explains the "auger jam" error on WiFIRE grills, caused by a large current draw from a jammed auger, often due to wet pellets. It stops pellet feeding and initiates shutdown. Users can clear jams using the "CLEAR AUGER" function or manually by removing and cleaning the auger. Specific steps vary by grill model, with safety cautions about the auger's potential injury risk.

What Does the App Show when this Message Occurs?

Auger jam app alert.png

What Does the Grill Do when this Message Occurs?

  • The auger stops turning and feeding pellets.
  • The grill's fire will go out.
  • The grill begins a shutdown cycle.

What Causes the Error/Notification?

The grill detects a large current draw on the auger motor, indicating the auger is jammed.

Most auger jams are caused by wet or compromised pellets.

Sawdust-in-Hopper.png
Sawdust in your hopper or auger can cause auger jams, fires, failure to ignite
Auger-jam-clearing-timberline.gif
Timberline Grill performing the 'Clear Auger' command (not actual auger speed)
Important Safety Considerations: The auger is very capable of causing injury. It can easily cut through a human finger. Please Proceed with caution.
Clearing an Auger Jam on a D2 WiFIRE Grill
Link Controller (1).png
 

 

Applicable Grills

Clear an Auger Jam Using the 'CLEAR AUGER' Function

Before Using 'CLEAR AUGER'

  1. Empty your hopper, cleaning out debris, dust and swollen pellets.
    In nearly all cases where the CLEAR AUGER function will need to be used, the entire hopper will need to be cleaned out (Most common cause: swollen pellets due to excess moisture).

  2. Clean your firepot.
    It is important that when using this function, the Firepot is cleaned properly before and after.

WiFIRE-enabled grills have a feature called CLEAR AUGER, accessed by navigating on your controller to MENU > AUGER > CLEAR AUGER.

NOTE: When the user runs CLEAR AUGER, the auger turns backward at full speed for ten seconds, pauses for one second, turns forwards for twelve seconds, pauses for one second, and repeats until the user cancels the operation from the menu.
  • If CLEAR AUGER doesn't successfully clear a jam, proceed to How to Clear an Auger Jam Manually below.

How to Clear an Auger Jam Manually

1. Remove the Auger

  • Remove the lower panel underneath the hopper. This allows access to Auger Motor.
  • Remove the 4 bolts holding the Auger Motor to the grill frame.
  • Loosen the small screw that locates the Auger bushing.
  • Pull Auger, Motor, and Bushing out of the grill.
  • Clean any debris from Auger.

2. Reinstall the Auger

  • Put Bushing, Auger, and Motor back into the grill.
  • Tighten the small screw that locates the Auger bushing.
  • Re-install the 4 bolts holding the Auger Motor to the grill frame.

  • Re-install panel underneath the hopper.

     

NOTE: If the bushing is not lined up with the bushing retention screw, the auger gets jammed/pinched in the bushing and won't turn.
Resolving an Auger Jam on a Touchscreen WiFIRE Grill
yos controller.png
 

gen2-0014_auger_jam_detected.jpeg

 

Applicable Grills

Steps

  1. Check your grill's firmware to make sure it's on the latest version.
  2. Ensure the grill is cool and finished with its shutdown cycle.
  3. Run a SELF-TEST to ensure there are no disconnects. Follow the steps below:
    1. On the controller display, go to MENU>MAINTENANCE & CARE>SELF-TEST. The test should take about 10 seconds to complete.
      1. If the auger test does not fail, you're good to go!
      2. If the auger test fails, proceed to the next step.
  4. Empty the hopper to inspect the auger visually.
    1. If the auger appears to be jammed by pellets or foreign objects, unplug the grill and safely clear the auger.
  5. Remove the hopper service panel (on the right side of the hopper) using a manual impact driver.
    • Ensure the grill is unplugged

Important: Before removing the hopper service panel, check your grill’s manufacturer date.

 serial_number-location

June 2023 (2306) or after:

  • Proceed to remove service panel.

Before June 2023 (2305):

  • Removing the service panel on grills manufactured before June 2023 should be done using a manual impact driver to prevent the possibility of stripped screws. If you do not have an impact driver on hand, please contact Traeger Customer Support.
  1. Disconnect and remove auger motor
    1. Disconnect the 4-wire Molex connector from the motor.
    2. Remove the four Phillips-head screws holding the motor in place.
    3. Pull the auger motor away from the grill.
  2. Remove the Phillips-head screw to the right of the screw that holds the bracket in place.
  3. Grip the end of the auger and pull it out of the auger tube.
  4. Ensure the auger tube is clear and free of obstruction.
  5. Reassemble auger and motor components.
  6. Re-run the SELF-TEST.

 

How to Clear an Auger Jam on a Woodridge WiFIRE Grill
mx controller.png
 

 

Applicable Grills

 

Steps

 

While the Woodridge Series grill does not have a "Prime Auger" function, there is a way to clear any pellets from the auger tube or fill the auger with pellets after running out of them.

  1. Make sure the grill is idle and cool.

  2. Remove grill grates, drip tray, and heat baffle.
    Clearing Auger Step 1.png

  3. Make sure the firepot is not full of pellets.

  4. With the grill in idle (display showing ---F), press and hold both ignite/shutdown button and the selection dial.
    Clearing Auger Step 3.png

  5. The auger will begin to move, and the screen will display the auger moving animation.

  6. If you are moving fresh pellets to the firepot, continue holding the ignite/shutdown button and the selection dial until pellets begin to fall into the firepot, then release both buttons.

  7. If you are clearing pellets from the auger tube, continue holding both buttons until all pellets have exited, then release both buttons.

If the jam is not cleared, proceed with the following steps:

  1. Empty the pellets from the hopper.
    Empty pellets.png
  2. Using a shop vac, vacuum out the hopper and the fire pot.
  3. Ensuring the grill is unplugged, jostle the auger by hand form the firepot side to try to loosen the jam.
  4. Run the manual auger prime function again.
  5. If auger is still jammed, contact customer support.
How to Clear an Auger Jam on a Westwood Series Grill

While Westwood series grills do not have a "Prime Auger" function, this is a way to clear any pellets from the auger tube or fill the auger with pellets after running out of them.

  1. Make sure the grill is idle and not cooking. 
  2. Ensure the grill grates, drip tray, and heat baffle are properly placed inside the grill.
    Internal Components.png
  3. Press the main power switch located on the back of the hopper to the ON position.
  4. Ensure the grill is in standby mode by checking for a white LED underneath the grey outline flame and ---F displayed on the screen.
    Ignite_Shutdown Button.png
  5. Press and hold the ignite/shutdown button to initiate the auger filling process. Hold the ignite/shutdown button until the animation stops (about 2 minutes).
    Auger priming.png
  6. Once the auger has been filled, check the firepot and remove any pellets that fell in. Ensure the firepot is clean and empty. 
  7. Refill the hopper with fresh pellets.
  8. Ignite the grill.
  9. If auger is still jammed, contact customer support.

 

 

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