If you have a Traeger pellet grill, one of the most important pieces of information you need to know is how to start a Traeger grill. Whether you’re firing up a brand-new Traeger grill, you’re getting your grill out of storage, or maybe you got a used grill, you want to make sure you start it the right way.

Also, if you just got a brand-new Traeger grill, the procedure for a first-time start is different. We’ll address that later, so make sure you read to the end.

Before you start your grill

If you’re getting ready to fire up your Traeger pellet grill, whether you cooked on it last week or never have, you want to make sure it’s clean and ready to go. Start by removing the heat baffle, drip tray, and grill grates. Then clean out any leftover ash in and around the fire pot. The easiest way to do that is with a shop vac-style vacuum.

You should do this every 1-3 cooks depending on the length of the cook. If you did a 14-hour brisket smoking session, you might want to clean out the ash before firing up your grill again.

If I find that I’ve forgotten to clean the grill grates (hey, we all get in a rush to eat, right?) I’ll take a moment to get them nice and clean. For more information on how to deep clean your pellet grill, check this article out. It’s especially important to do this when you’re pulling your grill out for the start of the smoking season.

Also, you need to know what model your grill is because it’s important so you can make sure you know how to start your Traeger grill properly.

A quick rule of thumb: If your Traeger grill was made after 2016, you’ll start it with the lid closed. Some older grills will start with the lid open.

Failing to properly start your Traeger pellet grill can lead to issues mid-cook even though everything appears fine. You might encounter temperature swings or even the fire going out.

How to start a WiFire pellet grill

If your Traeger pellet grill is a Pro 575 or 780, Century 885, Silverton 620 or 810, Ironwood 650 or 885, or Timberline 850 or 1300, you’ve got a WiFire pellet grill. So, how do you start the Traeger grill? 

These models are the simplest to start. After you’ve put your grill back together from cleaning it, close the grill lid. Plug the electrical cord in and turn it on. Select your desired temperature with the dial, then press it in to lock that temperature in. Then press ignite.

Your Traeger grill should be ready to smoke or grill in about 15 minutes, depending on your selected temperature. Congratulations, you’re ready to cook.

How to start an older Traeger grill

If your Traeger grill is an older model, you need to make sure you know if you need to start your grill with the lid open or closed. Every older model doesn’t operate the same way. You need to properly identify your grill’s model. How do you do that?

There is a bar code sticker in your pellet hopper that has the words “Attention Serial #” printed on it. The first batch of characters in the serial number is your grill’s model number.

Then cross-reference that model number against Traeger’s list of closed-lid startup grills. If your grill is on this list, the start-up procedure mirrors the WiFire pellet grill procedure. Ensure you have all the grill components installed correctly and close the lid. Plug the grill in and turn it on, then select your desired temperature on the dial.

If your grill’s model number doesn’t match the list, then how do you start your Traeger grill? For the owners of an open-lid starting grill, it’s not too complicated.

Just like every other grill, you want to make sure you have all the internal components in place correctly. With the lid open, plug your grill in and turn it on. With the lid still open, set your grill to the SMOKE setting. After about five minutes, the fire should have started and there should be a difference in the sound of the fan.

Keep the lid open for another 5-10 minutes, then close the lid. Select your desired temperature and let it preheat which should take another 10-15 minutes. Then get cooking!

How to start a Traeger grill for the first time

If you have a brand-new Traeger grill, you have additional steps to start your grill for the first time. Some places refer to this as the burn-in, but Traeger calls it seasoning your grill. This helps remove any residual oils leftover from the manufacturing process.

If you have a WiFire-enabled pellet grill, you’ll have one set of startup instructions for the first start. On the plus side, you can handle the startup procedure through the Traeger app once you’ve connected your grill to WiFi.

Once you’ve put all the internal components into the grill (the heat baffle, drip tray, and grill grates,) plug your grill in and turn the switch on at the back of the grill. Then load your hopper with wood pellets.

At either the controller or through the app, you want to select the auger and then PRIME AUGER. After pellets fall into the fire pot, hit done. Select 350°F on the controller and press the knob to lock it in. Close the lid and press ignite.

Once the Traeger’s internal temperature reaches 350°F, let it run there for 20 minutes. Once the grill has run for 20 minutes, turn the temperature up to 450°F. After the grill has reached the correct temperature, leave it there for 30 minutes.

Once that cycle is complete, you are good to cook!

If you don’t have a WiFire grill, you will follow a different seasoning procedure to get your grill ready for the first time. You need to remove all the internal components so you can see the fire pot in order to prime your grill to get started. Plug your grill in and load the hopper with wood pellets.

Turn your grill on and set your grill to High or the highest temperature on the dial. Let it run until the first pellets fall into the fire pot. It can take between two and five minutes. Once that occurs, turn the grill off using the power switch on the controller.

Replace all the internal components and close the lid. Select the SMOKE setting on the controller. Wait around 15 minutes for the fire to catch and steady. You will see thin, light blue smoke, not billowing white smoke.

Turn the grill to the highest setting, whether it be High or the highest temperature, and run it for 30 minutes. Then you’re good to cook!

FAQs

Q: What does the “smoke” setting actually mean?

A: This setting is on non-WiFIRE grills. It sets the temperature to 160°F, according to Traeger. It will fluctuate as high as 180°F, though. This is to help the grill produce more smoke to enhance the flavor of whatever you’re smoking.

Q: Do you actually have to remove pellets after each use?

A: You may have heard that you need to remove your wood pellets from your grill after each use. The reasoning is that you need to keep your pellets away from any source of moisture, otherwise it will cause them to break down. Wet pellets can cause auger jams or burn badly.

Obviously, we recommend storing your pellets in airtight containers to prolong their life and protect them from moisture. Now how does that affect pellets in your grill’s hopper?

If you live in an extremely humid environment, you probably want to empty your hopper after every use. The hopper isn’t going to provide the same airtight seal as a good bucket or bin. However, it’s not a requirement. I’ve left pellets in the hopper with the cover on my grill for months and never had issues.

If you’re concerned about the humidity and moisture in your area, taking the pellets out will minimize your risk of problems.

Q: Does the fan cycle on and off during startup?

A: Just like the start-up procedure is different for different models, the answer is different here too. Traeger says that the non-WiFIRE grill’s fan will run without interruption throughout the startup process. The WiFIRE grill’s fan will cycle on and off while going through the startup.

Q: How long does it take for the grill to preheat?

A: WiFIRE grills should take around 15 minutes to preheat, especially at a higher temperature. On the non-WiFIRE grills, the whole process can take between 20-30 minutes, with the higher end being for the highest temperatures the grill can reach.

Wrapping it up

While we all wish that each Traeger pellet grill started the same way, they don’t. So it’s best to know how to start your Traeger grill, whether you’ve got a brand new model or one made pre-2016. Now you know where to look on older models so you can avoid problems while smoking ribs or brisket.

Have any questions about how to start your Traeger grill? Have you ever had any weird experiences with starting your grill? Let us know in the comments!