Although gas and charcoal grills dominated the American barbecue landscape for generations, a new challenger has stepped into the ring and is pulling some of the market shares away from them.
While it’s been around for about 30 years, the pellet grill’s popularity exploded in the last decade or so. In particular, the Traeger line has proven to be a fan favorite.
But if you’re one of the thousands of first-time buyers, you may not know how to start a Traeger grill. It’s not a difficult process, but it does take some getting used to.
So to help you out, let’s take a look at how to get your shiny new grill up and running.
First Things First: Seasoning Your Grill
Before you do anything else with your grill, it’s important to season it first. This process is necessary to burn off any stray dirt, debris, or grease leftover from the manufacturing process.
To do this, you need to run your grill at maximum heat, with a full hopper of wood pellets, for about 20-30 minutes. Follow the instructions listed below on how to start your grill, only without cooking anything inside.
How to Start a Traeger Grill That’s Full of Pellets
With your grill seasoned, you’re all set to get cooking. Here’s how to light a grill for its first proper cookout.
- Fill the hopper with your preferred style of Traeger pellets.
- Plug the grill in and flip the power switch to “ON”, making sure to keep the lid open. Set the dial to “SMOKE” to get the auger turning and send the pellets towards the firepot. If this is your first use and the hopper was empty, this may to 5-7 minutes.
- When you hear your pellets going into the firepot and the grill starts producing billows of white smoke, switch the dial to your temperature of choice.
- Close the lid. By now there should be a substantial amount of smoke coming out of your grill. This means the pellets are igniting and the grill is working.
- Now we wait. Depending on the temperature you set your grill for, it can take up to 10 minutes for it to preheat.
- In the meantime, double-check that the drip pan is in place and lined with aluminum foil for easy cleanup later. You should also check that the grease bucket is hanging on the side. And be sure to wear barbecue gloves while handling these components as they will get hot.
And once you reach your desired temperature, you’re ready to cook. All you need now is the right Traeger grill recipe and you’ll be serving up delicious barbecue delights in no time.
Get the Most Out of Your Trager Pellet Grill
A Traeger smoker or grill can elevate your next outdoor get-together to the next level. So even if you’re an accomplished expert, now’s a great time to brush up on how to start a Traeger grill as we shake off the winter rust and move into prime grilling season.
But of course, you’ll need some sides and amendments to accompany your barbecue spread.
For all the inspiration you need for your next big cookout, be sure to check out our latest recipes and kitchen guides.
