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traeger hopper filled with pellets

How to Change the Pellets in a Traeger Grill

Learn step-by-step how to change the pellets in your old or new Traeger pellet grill and WHY it is important to do this regularly. Whether you have an Ironwood, Pro Series, or Timberline model, we have you covered.
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Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Equipment

  • Screwdriver
  • Small Shop Vac
  • Large Sealable Bucket

Instructions
 

Newer Models: Ironwood, Pro Series, Timberline Models

  • Turn off Traeger and unplug it from the outlet. Make sure it has completely cooled form the last cook.
  • Place the bucket below the hopper and Unlock and open the bottom hopper door.
    traeger ironwood 885 full hopper of wood pellets
  • Open the top of the hopper and push all the remaining pellets out the bottom and into the bucket with your hand.
  • Remove the grill grates, drip tray, and heat baffle.
  • This should allow you to see and remove many of the remaining pellets in the auger by hand.
    an empty hopper showing the auger on a traeger pellet grill
  • You can get rid of any remaining pellets by turning the Traeger back on and setting it to smoke. Within ten minutes, all remaining pellets should be circulated through the hopper and auger, and will be burned up.
  • Turn off the Traeger and unplug and let completely cool again before putting the grill back together.

Older Traeger Models

  • Turn off Traeger and unplug it from the outlet. Make sure it has completely cooled form the last cook.
  • Open the top of the hopper, unscrew and detach the pellet guard. 
  • Clear out as many pellets as you can by hand and transfer them to the bucket.
  • Use a small cleaned out handheld shop vac to suck up any remaining pellets in the hopper and auger after removing the grates, drip tray, and heat baffle.
  • You can get rid of any remaining pellets by turning the Traeger back on and setting it to smoke. Within ten minutes, all remaining pellets should be circulated through the hopper and auger, and will be burned up.
  • Turn off the Traeger and unplug and let completely cool again before putting the grill back together.
Keyword auger, change pellets, empty pellets, hopper, ironwood, pellets, pro series, replace pellets, timberline, traeger, Traeger maintenance, Wood pellets
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