Hot Rod Keeps Failing

[WateratPat]

Hi All,
I am just curious if anyone else has had problems with their hot rod. I have a PRO 22 and the first hot rod gave out after one week bought brand new at my local Ace hardware. The second lasted about 3 months and unfortunately it always seems to happen on the weekend when planning a big cookout. Traeger support has always replaced the item for free as they have a 3 year warranty but I am starting to lose confidence in the grill. I always do the proper shutdown sequence is there something else I need to be doing???

 

[TF_Member6575]

I am having similar issues. My Pro22 is 6 months old and it takes long time to get hot. Never gets to 375, forget about high.

 

[WateratPat]

So do you think it is just the Pro22 model? I know it is the budget model but they should not be defective.

 

[WateratPat]

Got it all fixed up last night and switched out to Pit Boss pellets on the recommendation of another thread. Worked and tasted much better. Still can't believe Traeger uses Alder and Oak plus flavored soy oil to get apple pellets. Like a bad joke.

 

[TF_Member6575]

Got it all fixed up last night and switched out to Pit Boss pellets on the recommendation of another thread. Worked and tasted much better. Still can't believe Traeger uses Alder and Oak plus flavored soy oil to get apple pellets. Like a bad joke.

Yikes, apple is a nasty recipe

 

[TF_Member6575]

Yikes, apple is a nasty recipe

Is there any other must know knowledge about the pellets?

 

[WateratPat]

My hot rod failed again yesterday for the fourth time. I appears I have a lemon of a bbq.

 

[Slimpicker]

My hot rod failed again yesterday for the fourth time. I appears I have a lemon of a bbq.

How do you know it's the rod and not your controller itself?

 

[WateratPat]

I call Traeger support each time and they make me go through video support and the controller and fan work fine. No ignition. I replace the hot rod and it will work for 3-10 bbqs then fail.

 

[Slimpicker]

I call Traeger support each time and they make me go through video support and the controller and fan work fine. No ignition. I replace the hot rod and it will work for 3-10 bbqs then fail.

And they never considered the controller is shorting out your hot rod??

 

[Murphy's Law]

I agree with Slim. Sounds like you have something upstream that is causing the problem.

 

[WateratPat]

Thanks for your input. So this time I got a new controller and a hot rod and so far after 2 grills everything is working fine. Funny I had to tell Traeger to send me the controller as there was no helpful advice unlike on this forum. Thank you.