A Traeger Pellet Box is an electric smoker that uses wood pellets as fuel. It’s a pretty simple device: you fill the box with wood pellets, plug it in and press a button to get started.
The heat from those burning pellets will cook whatever food you put inside of it (usually meat).
The main problem with these units is that they can sometimes overheat, causing smoke to come out of the vents at the bottom of your unit.
This isn’t necessarily harmful but it does mean that something needs fixing before you continue using your Traeger Pellet Box again!
Common Causes of Smoke
There are a few common causes of smoke, and the first thing to do is check the burn pot. If it’s dirty or full of ash, you’ll need to clean it out before continuing.
Next up is pellet type: make sure you’re using the right kind of pellets for your Traeger Pellet Grill or Smoker.
The manufacturer recommends using only their brand (or another brand they’ve tested) in order to ensure proper airflow through the grill/smoker and avoid any blockages in your system.
If none of these things solve your problem, then there may be something wrong with how your pellets are flowing into the firebox this could happen if there’s too much ash buildup inside or around where they enter from outside sources such as wind blowing them around when opening doors/windows nearby; insects getting stuck inside.
Cleaning the Burn Pot
The burn pot is where your pellets are burned. It can become clogged with ash and other debris, which could prevent the pellet box from working properly.
To clean it, you’ll need to remove the ash pan from its housing and then remove all of the ashes from inside.
Afterward, place some water in a bowl large enough for an entire bag of Traeger Charcoal Briquettes (about 1/2 gallon).
Add a few drops of soap or detergent to this mixture enough so that it looks like milk and stir well until it dissolves completely.
Place this mixture into your Traeger BBQ’s Burn Pot and fill up until half full with more charcoal briquettes so they can soak up any remaining liquid left behind after cleaning out all previous ash build-up in there before adding them back onto their respective racks above each chamber’s heating element once again after doing so!
Using the Correct Pellet Type
The type of pellets you use can have a big impact on your Traeger’s performance. The following is a list of the most common types, along with their pros and cons:
- Hardwood pellets – Hardwood is the most popular choice for its flavor and consistency. It burns hotter than other types, but it also creates more ash so you’ll need to clean out your grill more often if you go this route.
- Mesquite – Mesquite has been used for centuries by Native Americans as an ingredient in cooking meat over open fires because it adds such a unique flavor profile to whatever food you’re preparing! If you like smoky flavors then this might be just what your palate needs!
- Hickory – Hickory has been shown in studies to contain higher levels of antioxidants than any other type of wood available today and that includes maple syrup! But there are two downsides: firstly hickory burns very hot which means less time spent cooking; secondly because hickory burns so hot sometimes it can cause flare-ups inside your Traeger which may result in charring some pieces before they’re fully cooked through.
Unblocking the Pellet Flow
If you’re having trouble with your pellet flow, there are several things that can cause it. The most common culprits include:
- Clogged auger
- Damaged hopper bin (the part where you load pellets)
- A buildup of ash in the firebox or burn pot
If your Traeger pellet smoker is smoking and it’s not because of any of these issues, try these steps to unblock the flow:
Maintenance Tips
Clean the Burn Pot regularly. The burn pot is the part of your smoker where wood pellets are burned, so it’s important to keep it clean.
You can use a dry cloth or brush to wipe away ash buildup on the bottom of your smoker, then empty out any remaining ashes into an ash bucket when you’re done.
If you have a pellet hopper with a door that opens and closes automatically, this process will be much easier because you won’t have to manually open and close it every time you want access inside just make sure there aren’t any hot embers left behind before closing!
Use pellets made specifically for Traeger smokers in order to avoid problems like smoking or poor performance due to improper fuel quality or moisture content levels being too high (or low).
Pellets made by other companies may not burn efficiently enough within certain temperatures ranges required by Traegers’ built-in thermometers; they might also contain more moisture than normal which could cause them not only fail but also cause damage over time if used improperly!
Make sure there isn’t any blockage preventing airflow into or out from around where wood pellets go into their respective hoppers located inside each unit itself.”
Troubleshooting
If your Traeger Pellet Box is smoking, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem.
- Check the temperature setting. If it’s set too high, the pellets will burn too quickly and cause smoke.
- Make sure there are no clogs or obstructions in the auger or hopper (the part where you put in wood chips). This can also cause problems with airflow through these areas and lead to smoke coming out of your smoker.
- Check all connections between components for example, make sure that nothing has come loose on either end of an electrical cord or hose attachment point like this one: [insert image here]If none of these steps work for you and your pellet smoker continues to smoke even after following them all thoroughly, then contact Traeger customer service at 1-800-872-3437 Monday through Friday from 8am until 5pm CST for further assistance.
Table Summary
| Possible Reasons for Traeger Pellet Box Smoking |
|---|
| Excessive heat inside the pellet box |
| Poor airflow within the pellet box |
| Excessive pellets in the hopper |
| Low-quality or wet pellets |
| Ignition issues |
| Build-up of ash or debris in the firepot |
| Damaged or clogged auger |
| Incorrect temperature settings |
| Faulty controller or wiring |
Conclusion
- The Traeger pellet box is a great tool for smoking food, but it can also be frustrating to use.
- If your Traeger pellet box is smoking, there are several possible causes:
- The temperature of your grill may be too high or low. Check the temperature gauge on your grill and make sure that it’s set at 225 F (107 C). If it isn’t, adjust accordingly.
- There could be debris in your smoker, such as wood chips or ashes from previous uses. Remove these items before using again!