Time to get serious about a new smoker.

[Coach McGuirk]

Quick questions...

Should my traeger have come with a therm that fits into the top right corner of the lid?

And why do they come with am extra fuse? Is that an extra?

I have extra washers, bolt, and a fuse.

I had all that extra stuff. There should be a therm on the bottom left hand side almost against the wall of the drum. No it shouldn't have come with the lid therm and don't bother getting one.

[TripletDaddy]

the tinfoil method works really well. I just gave my baby a nice bath and tune up. Busted out the shop vac and was amazed by how much soot and wood dust has amassed inside over such a short period of time. I wonder how much that affects temps if you arent cleaning out the hot pot every few uses?

Traeger recommends slapping on a coat of car wax to the outside every once in awhile. I think I am going to try that at some point. I have a box filled with Sticky Bumps in my garage. I wonder if that would work?

[Coach McGuirk]

the tinfoil method works really well. I just gave my baby a nice bath and tune up. Busted out the shop vac and was amazed by how much soot and wood dust has amassed inside over such a short period of time. I wonder how much that affects temps if you arent cleaning out the hot pot every few uses?

Traeger recommends slapping on a coat of car wax to the outside every once in awhile. I think I am going to try that at some point. I have a box filled with Sticky Bumps in my garage. I wonder if that would work?

I have been shop vacuuming out the drum and pot after each use, lots of soot each time. Yesterday, I took all the removables out to the car wash and scrubbed them down and then used some Goo Gone grill cleaner on the inside of the drum to clean out some grease. I then did a re burn @ 450˚ for an hour to clean out anything left behind. All sparkly and ready for today.

[CJF]

I have been shop vacuuming out the drum and pot after each use, lots of soot each time. Yesterday, I took all the removables out to the car wash and scrubbed them down and then used some Goo Gone grill cleaner on the inside of the drum to clean out some grease. I then did a re burn @ 450˚ for an hour to clean out anything left behind. All sparkly and ready for today.

Car wash is a great idea. I'm going to have to try that.

[FMCoug]

the tinfoil method works really well. I just gave my baby a nice bath and tune up. Busted out the shop vac and was amazed by how much soot and wood dust has amassed inside over such a short period of time. I wonder how much that affects temps if you arent cleaning out the hot pot every few uses?

Traeger recommends slapping on a coat of car wax to the outside every once in awhile. I think I am going to try that at some point. I have a box filled with Sticky Bumps in my garage. I wonder if that would work?

I'd be more concerned about a grease fire than temp issues. I think these should definitely be cleaned up on a regular basis. I just cleaned mine the other day when I put the fire bricks in and was amazed at how much grease build up there was on the tray made for that purpose.

[fusnik]

How fast does the auger move? It's like snails pace over here kinda freakkng me out.

[Coach McGuirk]

How fast does the auger move? It's like snails pace over here kinda freakkng me out.

Auger speed is based on what Temp you have it at. @225 it is probably moving pretty slowly.

[FN Phat]

Make sure that you never have an obstruction at the auger. I had to repair my dads that sheared the retaining bolt that connects the auger to the motor. We never found the obstruction (I was using a dry vac as I was removing the auger).

[fusnik]

Thanks for all the help.

Now these things off smoke, don't smoke much, right?

Mine is seasoned, the auger finally started dropping pellets and fired right up.

It's cooling now so I can add foil to he plate.

How do you know the fire is going when you start?

That plate covers the pot, is there a window somewhere or do they always just start?

[FMCoug]

Thanks for all the help.

Now these things off smoke, don't smoke much, right?

Mine is seasoned, the auger finally started dropping pellets and fired right up.

It's cooling now so I can add foil to he plate.

How do you know the fire is going when you start?

That plate covers the pot, is there a window somewhere or do they always just start?

The higher the temp, the less smoke. The smoke setting really just equals "low"

The fire just starts. You'll see smoke when it's going.

Mine has never not started.

[Jeff Lebowski]

how do you guys clean your porcelain grill? I have read that you can just use a piece of tinfoil and the char comes right off. Has that been your experience?

The secret is to always give a good rub down with your brush right after taking the food off while it is still hot. Keeps it very clean. No need to mess with tinfoil.

[TripletDaddy]

The secret is to always give a good rub down with your brush right after taking the food off while it is still hot. Keeps it very clean. No need to mess with tinfoil.

What brush do you use? I didn't think you could use a metal brush on a porcelain grill.

[Jeff Lebowski]

What brush do you use? I didn't think you could use a metal brush on a porcelain grill.

Metal brush. Works just fine. In fact, I started using this "always clean right after cooking" tip after seeing it on a YouTube video made by none other than Mr Traeger himself.

I went out and looked very closely at my grill tonight. Looks as good as new.

[Coach McGuirk]

Orem Costco has the traeger special this weekend, just an FYI.

[Joe Public]

They had some BGE knock-off at the Costco in Orem. Some black version with a Japanese name. $500 or so with a stand and wooden racks. I was tempted.

Komado. I looked at those too.

Dang I need to get to Costco and see if they have any Komados or BGEs. In the Costco Connection mag the other month they had a little thing about the Komado but I have yet to see them here in VA.

I picked up the Costco kamado cooker (it's this one) and will assemble it this weekend. It was $549.99 and looks to be about the size of the large BGE. It includes the side tables, the nest, and a cover. It also includes the Costco satisfaction guarantee, so I figured why not?