Grease Channel Rusted

[Billy1947]

The grease channel on my Pro 575 is rusted through on one side. What are my options?

 

[RayClem]

My solution to your problem is what I have been doing all along. I never let grease get anywhere near the grease channel or grease bucket. I use a baking tray lined with aluminum foil underneath my cook to catch any drippings. When the foil gets too nasty, I ball it up, throw it in the garbage and reline the baking tray with new foil. That is a lot easier than trying to clean the drip tray, grease chute and grease bucket.

 

[Billy1947]

Thanks for the information.

 

[RayClem]

When I replied to the original post, I did so as my solution is probably the simplest and cheapest. However, I am surprised that others have not chimed in. Another options might be purchasing a piece of angle iron from the local hardware store and cutting it to the same length as the existing grease channel. You would then have to drill holes in the angle iron immediately above the grease chute to allow the grease to flow through the chute into the bucket.

If you have welding/braising skills, you could attach the angle iron to the existing grease channel. Using an adhesive such as high temp silicone might also work, but I am not certain you would ever get the grease channel clean enough for the silicone to adhere.

Another possible solution would be to clean the corroded metal as best you can and then try a high heat epoxy putty. JB Weld High Heat epoxy should be good up to 450F.

 

[Billy1947]

Brilliant minds think alike. After talking to Traeger and learning that my grill is out of warranty, I thought of the same idea. I have a 4 foot length of angle iron in the shop. I think the JB Weld High Temperature should do the trick.

Thanks for reaffirming the idea. I’ve had the 575 since 2019 and this is literally the first issue that I have had.

 

[RayClem]

I hope the angle iron idea works. But you still might want to consider my drip pan idea. It really helps with clean-up.

Yeah, after five years, a carbon steel grill is going to start rusting. Thinner pieces of metal can rust through.

It's too bad the grills are not made of stainless, but that would make them a lot more expensive.

 

[Enve46]

My 575 has done the same thing except much worse. I never left grease in there and clean my grill regularly, always covered etc… Really surprised my Traeger rusted quicker than a cheap char broil grill I had years ago.

 

[Slimpicker]

A greasy grease channel means NO RUST, grease is oil, my grease channel in my 575 never gets cleaned. Maybe wiped out every now and then but mine isn't rusty.

I use a baking tray lined with aluminum foil underneath my cook to catch any drippings. When the foil gets too nasty, I ball it up, throw it in the garbage and reline the baking tray with new foil. That is a lot easier than trying to clean the drip tray, grease chute and grease bucket.

Yeah I do too, but once a year I throw a half full grease bucket away too, I have no problems with rust the way this thread started. I have a nice black smoke coating all over everything, my drip pan is mostly BLACK with grease, only surface rust where the (ironically enough) foil sits and condensation occurs.

 

[Enve46]

A greasy grease channel means NO RUST, grease is oil, my grease channel in my 575 never gets cleaned. Maybe wiped out every now and then but mine isn't rusty.


Yeah I do too, but once a year I throw a half full grease bucket away too, I have no problems with rust the way this thread started. I have a nice black smoke coating all over everything, my drip pan is mostly BLACK with grease, only surface rust where the (ironically enough) foil sits and condensation occurs.

Traeger sent me a new grill since mine was still under warranty. I’ll be taking your advice here although I should clarify anytime I’ve cooked something with a lot of drippings I used tinfoil to help funnel them into the bucket. Sounds like you you do this too? When I say grease I don’t really mean the thick type you may be referring to. I don’t cook a ton of large portion meats as it’s usually just me and the kids eating meat, wife is vegetarian- ya I know… That said I’ll be adjusting my methods here. But traeger has earned my business moving forward.