Is your WiFIRE / D2 grill running too cool or not getting up to your set temperature? Did the flame go out during a cook? Let's walk through some common causes and resolutions so you can grill confidently again.
Common Causes
Several scenarios would result in a grill's flame going out or a grill not getting hot enough.
Firmware
- Check your grill's Firmware Version.
- If you have a connected grill, make sure your grill is on the latest firmware.
- Navigate to Menu > About Grill > note the firmware version.
- Compare your version to the latest version.
- If your grill is on an older firmware version, check out Firmware Updates.
Pellet Quality
- The NUMBER ONE cause of temperature issues is poor pellet quality. If you are experiencing temperature issues, always begin your troubleshooting by removing and replacing your pellets and vacuuming out any residual sawdust from the hopper and from the auger tube.
- Running out of Pellets: Running out of pellets means your flame has no fuel, so of course, your grill is not able to stay hot.
- Low-Quality Pellets: Good pellets should have a nice sheen to them, and you should hear a nice "snap" when breaking.
-
Improper Pellet Storage: It’s important to store pellets in a dry, airtight container to prevent moisture and humidity from compromising pellet quality.
- Even if you just opened a bag of pellets, you should still check the pellet quality. Moisture and humidity can still affect unopened bags of pellets when exposed to the elements (yes, even if you store them in the garage).
Incorrect Startup Procedure
- Check out our Startup Guide to make sure you're using the correct startup procedure. Additionally, proper startup process includes waiting for grill to fully preheat prior to placing food in the grill. Starting a grill incorrectly will often result in temperature issues.
Incorrect Shutdown Cycle
- Much like a home computer, shutting down your grill incorrectly can result in future problems.
Cold & Windy Weather
- Cold and windy weather naturally pull heat from the grill. Some of our smaller grills are not as insulated as our larger ones and are thus more affected by cold and windy weather.
Poor Grill Maintenance
- Pellet-fueled grills are not like your typical propane grill; they require much more frequent cleaning. Follow our maintenance instructions to make sure you're keeping your grill in optimal condition.
Poor Air Circulation
- Your Traeger relies on proper air circulation for the convection-style barrel to distribute heat properly. Make sure items inside the grill are placed at least 1" from the sides of the grill and that your drip tray liner is not blocking airflow.
Frozen or Cold Food
- Placing frozen or cold food on your grill is not bad, per se, but it can affect your grill's ability to return to your set temperature quickly after placing the food on the grill. Following proper startup, do not place frozen or cold food on the grill until the grill is fully preheated.
Part Failure
- While part failure does occur occasionally, it is the rarest culprit of a grill not getting hot enough. Traeger grill parts typically fail in a binary manner--they either work or they don't. If you feel that after going through the troubleshooting below, your parts are contributing to your temperature issues, please contact Customer Support.
If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Support.
Best Practices and Expected Behavior
See the articles listed below for more tips and tricks to getting amazing results from your Traeger grill.
- Set it & Forget It: Get Better Results by Leaving Your Grill Alone
- Treat your Traeger Pellet Grill Like an Oven