HotRod Fail, Lucky I bought a new HotRod/FirePot kit last year just for this reason

[Slimpicker]

PIC HEAVY POST:

Started grill today for Pulled Ham Smoke
Grill acting weird during "igniting" and finally climbed to 200ish and fan stopped, grill went back into "igniting" phase with start/stop fan.
I pushed Shutdown and waited till it finished.
Next "ignite" cycle, grill came to the constant "fan on" during ignite but was still only outside temp (much time had past by now)

While "ignite" was still on I opened grill and firepot was half full with no smoke or fire at all.
I vacuumed out pellets till I could see the HotRod, touched it and it didn't burn my finger, how was it gonna start a fire?

So I shut grill off, restarted, did it again and same result.

Time to change the HotRod!!!!

Disassemble, (would have been real easy if Traeger would not have zip tied the HotRod wire inside unit)

Here you can see my insulate liner I got under my Aluminum liner.

Took the Pot Body off, maybe I can reach that connection in there... NOPE

Reassemble time

I reused old screws and save the new ones for 'someday'

 

[Slimpicker]

Everything got put back and started up

Ignite went slow but finally kicked in and climbed to set temp of 260°

Time to grab my ham and get back to cooking:

COVER TIME, using a new glaze I discovered over Thanksgiving

Bumped up to 310° and waiting for it to finish

 

[Shedd]

Looking like you’re gonna have a great ending to a bad day! Looks delicious.

 

[Slimpicker]

Looking like you’re gonna have a great ending to a bad day! Looks delicious.

Indeed it was: I give you, PULLED HAM

 

[MidwestSmoker]

Nice work! I need to buy a spare hot rod for occasions like this. I already have a spare temperature probe based on your suggestion. I just found out that my local Ace Hardware stocks all these, so I can still do a store run if needed.

The zip ties make it a pain but it is still easy to change all the components. I replaced my firepot with a stainless steel one and don't have to worry about rust anymore. Like you I used the old wingnuts!

I don't see the bottom insulation in your last shots. Did you get rid of it?

 

[Shedd]

Awesome! I had an uncle that made pulled ham at Christmas when I was younger. I can taste it now. I had forgotten about it’ll, he’s been gone for years but I might have to try one.

 

[RayClem]

Nice work! I need to buy a spare hot rod for occasions like this. I already have a spare temperature probe based on your suggestion. I just found out that my local Ace Hardware stocks all these, so I can still do a store run if needed.

The zip ties make it a pain but it is still easy to change all the components. I replaced my firepot with a stainless steel one and don't have to worry about rust anymore. Like you I used the old wingnuts!

I don't see the bottom insulation in your last shots. Did you get rid of it?

Like you say, the Traeger hot rods are available at Ace Hardware should you need one in hurry. However, there are 3rd party replacements available for significantly less if you want to purchase a spare "just in case". Obviously, the hot rods fail, or Ace would not stock them.

 

[Slimpicker]

Nice work! I need to buy a spare hot rod for occasions like this. I already have a spare temperature probe based on your suggestion. I just found out that my local Ace Hardware stocks all these, so I can still do a store run if needed.

The zip ties make it a pain but it is still easy to change all the components. I replaced my firepot with a stainless steel one and don't have to worry about rust anymore. Like you I used the old wingnuts!

I don't see the bottom insulation in your last shots. Did you get rid of it?

WOW, didn't know ACE carried parts, I'll have to check mine next time I go, that would be cool indeed.
►You're right the zip only added the extra step of removing the bottom cover but it made me crawl down there!!
►You don't see the insulation because the AL liner got put back... yes I know, it doesn't look aluminum with all that dirt on it

 

[Slimpicker]

Awesome! I had an uncle that made pulled ham at Christmas when I was younger. I can taste it now. I had forgotten about it’ll, he’s been gone for years but I might have to try one.

My uncle from Wis was also the first time I had pulled ham... '95. That one was smoked in a smoke house and cooked/pulled, but this is very freaking tasty and pretty damn close to that original.

 

[Slimpicker]

Obviously, the hot rods fail, or Ace would not stock them.

I get that now, a little over 2 years for me.

 

[RayClem]

WOW, didn't know ACE carried parts, I'll have to check mine next time I go, that would be cool indeed.
►You're right the zip only added the extra step of removing the bottom cover but it made me crawl down there!!
►You don't see the insulation because the AL liner got put back... yes I know, it doesn't look aluminum with all that dirt on it

Ace Hardware is an authorized Traeger sales and service outlet. If repairs under warranty are required, Ace will service the grills, assuming there is one in your area. They carry Traeger accessories, including the Meat Church rubs, and many repair parts. If you need repairs not covered by warranty and do not feel competent to do the repairs yourself, you can arrange for a technician from Ace to do them, for a fee of course.