There are few things in life more pleasurable than firing up the grill and cooking up some burgers. However, if your Traeger grill keeps turning off, there’s no way that you’ll never get those patties cooked to perfection. As your line of hungry partygoers grows, you may be wondering why your Traeger grill isn’t working as expected.
A Traeger grill may shut off or lose heat if it is too cold outside. Another reason the Traeger may shut off during cooking is the grill may be connected to an outlet that has “blown,” making it impossible for you to get power. Alternatively, your Traeger grill may have shut off due to an error code left unfixed for too long, like the HEr or LEr error codes.
Typically, a Traeger Grill will shut off for a few reasons. Some of these are:
- The Traeger is plugged into a bad power source.
- Your Traeger Grill has a bad hot rod.
- It’s too cold outside.
- The incorrect fuel is being used in your Traeger Grill.
- An error code has been left unresolved for too long.
All of these issues are fixable. However, if there is a mechanical issue wrong with your grill, then it could be covered under the standard three-year warranty. Continue reading to learn more about your problem and what measures you can take to get your barbeque back on track.
Reasons Why Your Traeger Grill Keeps Shutting Off
Before we go into further detail, you can read more about your grill by reading its user manual. Not only will this booklet give you troubleshooting options, but it may also provide insight into what practices can help you get the most out of your grill.
With that being said, here are some possible problems and solutions:
Your Grill Is Plugged into a Bad Power Source
Unlike propane and charcoal grills, some Traeger grills require an electrical power source. Electricity powers the fan, ignitor rod, auger, and thermostat. Depending on which model you bought, you might need a power outlet that supplies up to 110 volts.
You might have blown a fuse while trying to power on the grill. Before going any further, check your fuse box. If you see that you blew a fuse, try plugging your grill into another power source.
Also, you may be using an extension cord to power your grill. While you can do this (since Traeger’s power cord is only six-and-a-half feet), the electrical cord will need to be a 14-gauge.
There Is Something Wrong with Your Hot Rod
Your Traeger grill will inevitably have some wear and tear as you continue to use it. If your grill keeps shutting off, there could be something wrong with your hot rod. This component is responsible for igniting the pellets or firewood.
Before purchasing a replacement, open your grill and make sure that the heating rod is firmly connected to its ports. If not, you can buy a replacement online.
It Is Too Cold Outside
You might think that your Traeger grill is shutting off, when really, it is just too cold outside for it to maintain a burning fire. Many Traeger grills come with covers that you can use during the fall and winter. This cover is designed to keep the interior of the grill warm, even when it snows outside.
If you’re still hungering for a delicious burger as you stand there in the freezing cold, here are some options:
- Keep the grill’s lid closed while it heats up.
- Avoid using hardwood pellet fuel, as this burns quicker in colder temperatures
- Give the grill about 15 minutes to heat up.
Note: If you are grilling chicken, you could coat it in Cajun shake, which will help the meat cook faster in colder temperatures.
You Are Not Using the Proper Fuel
Traeger grills use “pellets” to heat food. Traeger recommends using its own brand of pellets for maximum efficiency, but you can use other brands if you wish.
It is not enough to fish some old pellets out of the garage and throw them in your grill. They must be stored properly to maintain sufficient heat. The pellets must:
- Be stored in a metal container (do not keep them in the bag they came in)
- Kept in a dry place
- Stored on an elevated space (do not keep them on the ground)
If you have concerns about whether a batch of pellets is usable, take one and snap it in half. If you don’t hear a “snap” sound, then it is too moist to use.
Refer to Your Traegar Grill’s Error Codes
Before your grill shuts off, it might give you an error code. The type of error code you get could give you valuable insight into the nature of your problem. The types of error codes and their meanings are as follows:
- ERR: There is something wrong with your RTD probe.
- HEr: Your grill is over 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- LEr: Your grill is less than 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Er1: Your RTD probe has a loose connection.
- Er2: Your grill has a short circuit.
Depending on the type of model you purchased, you may see other error codes than those listed here. Be sure to consult your user manual if you are unsure about what an error code means.
In Conclusion
There could be multiple reasons why your Traeger grill is shutting off. However, for the most part, these issues can be addressed with periodic maintenance. If you have any questions about troubleshooting your product, you can contact Traeger’s customer support team here.
Is your Traeger grill on but won’t heat up? Check out this article for additional troubleshooting tips!