Can you use a Traeger in the Rain? The answer might surprise you.
Find out not only when it is possible to use your Traeger in the rain, but what measures you should take to ensure it is safe and does not cause any damage to your grill.
The Traeger pellet grill is a stye of grill that uses pellets to intensify the flavor of every piece of meat that is cooked using one.
Traeger grills use their 6-in-1 function to give the user lots of versatility and options for all of their barbecuing needs.
Grill, bake, smoke, roast, barbecue, and braise your meals with a strong flavor that people can only imagine getting from any other grill than a Traeger.
The brand offers many different series of grills that range in size and shape. They offer set it once technology where all you have to do is fill the hopper with pellets, plug it in, set the temperature and let the grill do all the rest of the work!
All that electric powered, smoke filled automation sounds great right?
However, what happens when you’re excited to entertain guests with your new Traeger grill when the heavens open up and a downpour begins to immediately "dampen" your plans?
Can you still use your pricey, automated Traeger grill in the rain? Will it damage the grill, its components, the pellets?
Is it made to withstand a sprinkle? A downpour? A deluge?
What are the risks to yourself and your grill and can the party still go on?
We’re here to find out so that you can know once and for all.
Can you use a Traeger grill while it’s raining?
Ok, let's get right to it...
The short answer is YES!
Plenty of Traeger users have successfully used their grill while it’s raining without any issues at all.
You should just make sure to keep an eye on how much moisture is being collected in the pellet hopper.
You see, unlike plain old wood chips, wood pellets used in pellet grills and pellet tube smokers are made of densly compressed sawdust that are basically glued together.
You should never let your wood pellets get wet, either when storing them or when they are in the hopper of your traeger grill, otherwise they could partially disintegrate, and likely reform into a big nasty ball of mushy sawdust.
Make sure you have a good tight seal on your pellet hopper so that no moisture can get into it while it is raining.
So... is that it? I can use a Traeger in the Rain?
Unfortunately, not everything is as simple as the short answer.
In fact, there are still quite a few issues you need to be aware of that can pose a threat to your dreams of using your Traeger in the rain, which we will look at below.
Potential Issues with Using your Traeger in the Rain
Wet Pellets
Not to beat a dead horse here, but we should also mention that wet pellets can seriously damage your grill if allowed to be fed through the auger.
The moist pellets can leave a gummy wet wood residue around the auger and cause complications down the road if it gets jammed up. It's not always an easy area to get to or clean out depending on the model.
Wet pellets can also sometimes prevent the Traeger grill from igniting properly, or the pellets can cause the temperature to fluctuate up and down.
If the temperature is not consistent, you might run into issues while trying to cook your food.
Finally, pellets that have absorbed a lot of moisture can be difficult to burn.
This might prevent the smoke from reaching and penetrating the food as efficiently as normal, so the flavor might be rather lackluster rather than mouthwatering.
If you don’t want to disappoint your guests, make sure to keep the pellets as dry as possible.
Rusting
Once of the only common complaints online about Traeger grills is the metal that they’re made from.
The steel is not the best quality for all of their models according to some users on Amazon and Reddit, and therefore quite a few customers have experienced their Traeger grill rusting from exposure to the rain.
Rusting is not only unflattering, but it can also quickly damage the grill and therefore make it less effective and usable.
You can prevent this by always covering the grill with a waterproof cover; however, protecting the grill while it’s in use can be a little harder.
Consider keeping your grill in a well ventilated, but shaded, covered area like under a gazebo or some other outdoor roof or awning.
This will definitely help prolong the life of your Traeger, and also keep YOU dry while are trying to cook!
Lastly, don't throw the cover back on while the grill is still wet.
Once the rain stops, give it a wipedown with a good clean cloth to prevent too much moisture from sitting on it and droplet spots from forming. Then let it continue to air dry wth the lid open for another hour or two.
Once it is thoroughly dry, go ahead and close the lid and put the cover back on.
Grease Trap
The grease trap on Traeger grills is the little metal bucket responsible for catching all of the greases that comes out of the meat while you’re cooking.
The whole point of a grease trap is to make your cleanup process much easier so that you don’t have to clean out the grease from the bowels of the grill after cooking a fatty piece of meat.
If rainwater gets into the grease trap it can cause the container to fill up quickly. If you’re not paying attention to the grease trap filling up in less time than possible, you may have a big cleanup on your hands shortly.
Even if you do notice the volume of liquid in the grease trap, you’re still going to need to empty it during the cooking process when normally you would not need to.
Although you might have avoided a messy situation, this still is inconvenient and somewhat annoying.
Electronics
Traeger grills take wood pellets from a hopper and burn them in a chamber which is ignited by a metal rod.
This rod is heated through electricity, which means that you need a constant flow of electricity going to your Traeger to ensure that you achieve the desired taste.
The rain poses an obvious threat to these mechanics.
The Traeger grills are weather-resistant; however, you still might be at risk if you’re mixing the electrics with water.
You should always ensure that you are using a grounded GFCI outlet and that any extension cords are rated for outdoor use, protected from the rain, and never sitting in standing water.
Using a Traeger Grill in the Rain - The Verdict
So can you use a Traeger in the rain?
Well, the answer is both yes and no in different respects.
Yes, plenty of Traeger users have used their grills during rainy weather without any issues whatsoever.
No, the risks of mixing rain and Traeger grills can sometimes be detrimental for your grill.
So, how do you rectify this issue? If you’re prepared to use your Traeger grill outside during a rainy day, you should make sure that your wood pellets are protected from any moisture as much as possible.
During the cooking process, make sure to keep an eye on the grease trap to avoid it overflowing.
Watch your electrical cords and use good outdoor electrical safety practices like with anything else.
Finally, once you’re finished cooking, dry the metal thoroughly before covering the grill to prevent rust from infesting your grill.
We’d also suggest that you consider purchasing an awning or gazebo to cover the grill from the rain and make grilling in different weather conditions less of a hassle.
What Food Can I Smoke on my Traeger?
Looking for some smokey inspiration?
Check out some of our other great recipes of smoked and grilled food that can easily be done on a Traeger Pellet Grill!
- Smoked Fresh Ham with Dark Rum Citrus Glaze
- Smoked Leg of Lamb with Guinness Marinade
- Smoked Lamb Chops with a Balsamic Butter Sauce
- Smoked Rack of Lamb with Garlic and Rosemary or Smoker
- Smoked and Pulled Lamb Shoulder with a Turkish Spice Rub
- Smoked Lamb Shanks
- Smoked Oysters in a Garlic White Wine Sauce
- Smoked Lobster Tails
- Smoked Scallops with Lemon Garlic Drizzle
- Smoked Bratwurst with Beer Braised Onions
- Grilled Bratwurst
- Smoked Gouda Cheese
- Perfect Grilled Hamburgers
- Smoked and Reverse Seared Ribeye Steaks
- Pellet Grilled Steak
- Pellet Grill Turkey
- Pellet Grill Turkey
- Smoked Asparagus
Trash Can Turkey - OK, technically not made on a grill but one of the funnest ways there is to cook a Turkey...at over 700 degrees in only 2 hours! You've got to check it out!
