If you own a Traeger smoker, you may have recently noticed that it’s smoking more than usual.
This can be concerning, especially if you’re not sure what’s causing the smoke.
Fortunately, there are many common reasons why your Traeger might be smoking excessively and all of them can easily be rectified with some simple troubleshooting techniques.
In this article, we’ll discuss 10 of the most common causes of excessive smoker smoke from your Traeger grill so that you can get back to enjoying delicious smoked meats in no time!
Why Is My Traeger Smoking So Much (Know Reasons and Solution)
1. Not Enough Smoke Setting
One of the most common reasons why a Traeger smoker might be producing too much smoke is due to a lack of smoke settings.
If the smoke setting on the Traeger controller is too low, it can cause an overproduction of smoke from the smoker.
Increasing the smoke setting on the Traeger controller can help reduce the amount of smoke produced by the smoker.
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It is important to remember that if you increase your smoke settings, your food may cook faster than normal.
To prevent this from happening, you should always adjust your temperature accordingly when adjusting your smoke setting.
Also, it’s important to keep an eye on your food while it is cooking regardless of what type of smoker or grill you are using.
2. Too Much Fuel in the Hopper
The amount of fuel in the hopper of a Traeger can be one of the main causes behind an excessively smoky grill.
Traegers require a specific amount of fuel in order to achieve optimal performance.
If there is too little, then not enough smoke will be produced for proper cooking; if there is too much, then the smoke output could become overwhelming.
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The solution to this issue is simple: adjust the fuel level in the hopper so that it is just right. This can be done easily with a few minor adjustments.
To ensure that there is not too much wood fuel in the hopper, experiment with different amounts and take note of how much smoke and heat your Traeger produces each time you cook something.
After fine-tuning this setting, you should begin to get the optimal results from your grill.
3. Pellet Auger Not Working Properly
The pellet auger is one of the main components of a Traeger smoker.
It is responsible for transferring pellets from the hopper into the firepot, where they are burned to produce heat and smoke.
If it is not working properly, this can cause an excessive amount of smoke to be produced.
This can be caused by a number of different issues, including clogged augers, worn bearings, or misaligned augers.
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To fix this problem, it’s important to clean out any debris that may be in the system and check for worn parts or misalignments.
Besides, checking the alignment of the auger in relation to the firepot and hopper can help ensure that the system runs more efficiently and produces less smoke.
4. Excess ash buildup
Excess ash buildup is one of the common reasons why a Traeger smoker may be producing too much smoke.
This happens when there is an accumulation of ash in the firebox, blocking air vents and preventing proper fuel combustion.
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To prevent or reduce ash buildup, it’s important to regularly clean the firebox after each smoking session.
This can be done by removing any remaining pieces of charcoal or wood pellets from the grill and cleaning out the internal parts of the smoker with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner.
More, check for any blockages in the air vents, which could also lead to excessive smoke production.
5. Incorrect Temperature Control Settings
Incorrect temperature control settings may be the culprit for why your Traeger is smoking so much.
This could happen if the heat setting has been adjusted too high, resulting in the combustion of fat and oil residue left on the grill grates.
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To avoid this, always make sure to check the temperature control settings before cooking.
Moreover, you can set a lower heat setting to start with and then gradually increase it as you cook.
Also, keep in mind that it’s normal for some smoke to escape while cooking, especially when adding more wood chips to fuel your Traeger.
Lastly, be mindful of fats and oils from food dripping onto the grill grates as this causes extra smoke.
6. Problems With the Burn Pot Liner
The burn pot liner is a crucial part of the Traeger grill that helps ensure a well-regulated burn of pellets.
If it has become damaged or is not in proper condition, it can lead to excessive smoke and low temperatures.
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The fix for this issue is to replace the burn pot liner with a new one.
To do so, first disconnect the unit from power and allow it to cool completely before disassembling the burn pot liner.
Then, clean out all debris, inspect for damage, and if necessary remove any melted components before adding in a new burn pot liner.
It’s important to ensure that all components are correctly lined up and secured before turning on the power again. If done correctly, your Traeger should be smoking less and running more efficiently.
7. Obstruction of Airflow/Vent Holes
One possible cause of excessive smoking on a Traeger grill is obstruction of airflow or vent holes.
This happens when debris, such as leaves, twigs, and other material, builds up in the grill’s air intake or exhaust vents.
If the vent holes become blocked, this can restrict the flow of air and smoke and lead to an increase in the amount of smoke produced by the unit.
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To remedy this problem, it is important to periodically inspect and clean out any obstructions from all vents on your Traeger grill.
Cleaning out these blocked vents will help ensure that your Traeger has adequate airflow so that you can enjoy its delicious smoky flavor without having to deal with too much excessive smoke.
8. Low-Quality Pellets Have Been Used
One of the main reasons why your Traeger is smoking too much could be due to low quality pellets being used.
Low-quality pellets are often cheaper and contain fillers, which can cause excess smoke and reduce the flavor of the food that you are grilling.
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If you want to avoid excessive smoking from your Traeger, it’s best to invest in higher quality pellets without fillers.
You should also make sure that your pellets are kept in a dry place for optimal performance.
Regularly cleaning your Traeger grill will also help keep smoke levels down and improve flavor.
9. Improper Storage/Aging of Wood Pellets
Wood pellets are made of compressed sawdust which needs to be stored and aged properly in order to burn correctly.
Poor storage conditions can cause the wood pellets to become damp or mouldy, leading to increased smoke production when they are burned in a Traeger.
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To ensure your wood pellets don’t suffer from poor storage conditions, store them in a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and moisture sources.
Make sure the bag is tightly sealed when not in use and replace any pellets that show signs of dampness or mould.
10. Poor Maintenance/Cleaning Practices
Poor maintenance and cleaning of a Traeger smoker can cause the device to emit more smoke than usual.
This is because when a Traeger smoker isn’t properly cleaned, grease and fat build up on the inside of the smoker, causing it to produce excess smoke.
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In order to prevent this from happening, users should regularly clean their Traeger smokers by wiping down the outside with a damp cloth and using an appropriate cleaner on the grills.
Additionally, Traeger recommends that users check the heat baffle plate at least once a year for any build-up that might have accumulated over time.
Conclusion
Smoking on a Traeger grill is an issue that can be easily fixed.
Whether you need to clean the firepot, adjust your temperature setting or upgrade your pellet fuel, there are plenty of solutions available.
The key takeaway here is to always use quality hardwood pellets and check for any blockages in the burn pot before turning up the heat.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to reduce smoke production from your Traeger while still getting delicious results every time!
Do you have any other tips for reducing smoke when using a Traeger? Share them with us below!
FAQs
Are traegers supposed to smoke a lot?
No, Traegers are not meant to produce a lot of smoke. Smoke from Traegers is usually produced while starting up or when food is added.
This smoke adds flavor, but too much smoke can reduce the quality and flavor of food.
Why is pellet grill smoking so much?
Pellet grill smoking can occur due to improper temperature setting, too much fuel in the hopper, or using wet pellets.
To reduce smoke production from your pellet grill, ensure that you’re using a reliable digital thermometer and readjust the temperature setting as needed.
What does white smoke from a Traeger mean?
White smoke from a Traeger grill typically indicates that the wood pellets are too wet or old, causing them to smolder instead of burn cleanly.
This can reduce the quality and flavor of food. To prevent white smoke, use only dry fuel and make sure not to overload the hopper with pellets.
How much smoke should come out of a pellet smoker?
A pellet smoker should produce enough smoke to add flavor to food, but it shouldn’t be so much that it reduces the quality and flavor of food.
Smoke production should be monitored while using a pellet smoker, ensuring that temperature settings remain consistent throughout use.
The amount of smoke can also vary depending on the type of pellets used in the smoker.
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