Grill temperature not consistent

[prairieschooner]

Hi! New here, so...my pro series is 5-6+ years old. Last week I started it and it got up to temp, over 400. I opened it, put in a basket of veggies and closed the lid; the temp dropped to about 360 and just stayed there. I cooked the veggies maybe 20-25 minutes and then opened it again, stirred them and put some chicken kabobs on. Temp still stayed around 360, but after 30 minutes or so when I went to check the kabobs it was back up to 404. This is the 2nd or third time something like this had happened - temp stays down in the mid-300's for a LONG time but seems to eventually go back up. I assume I need to work on it; any suggestions on where to start? Thanks...

 

[RayClem]

I do not have a Pro series grill, but if you have used the grill for 5-6+ years with no issues, you have done well. If you continue to see issues, it's time to do some troubleshooting. Parts like the fire pot, hot rod ignitor, RTD thermocouple, auger and motor, fan and motor can go bad over time. Fortunately, these parts are available can be replaced by the user, with moderate difficulty.

Based on your description of the problem, I would suggest removing the grill grates, drip tray and flame shield from the grill while it is cool. Make sure you clean the firepot, grease chute, and smokestack thoroughly to remove any buildup. Be sure to wipe the RTD thermocouple to remove any buildup of grease and debris, but be careful not to damage it.

Then with the internal parts removed, prime the auger to add pellets to the firepot and then ignite the grill with the lid open. Listen to the auger and the fan, making note of anything that does not sound normal. Observe what is happening in the fire pot. Obviously, with the lid open, the grill cannot come up to temperature, but you can see if the auger and fan are working properly to stoke the fire..

If everything looks good, allow the grill to cool. Replace the flame shield, drip tray and grates and then try to start the grill normally.

If the grill still malfunctions, the next thing you might do is replace the RTD thermocouple. Be sure to get the right one for your grill model as there are several types.

I hope this will help. Good luck! Please come back and tell us what you find.