New Ironwood 885. About to return it.

[Azwoodshack]

So we’ve had a little Traeger Junior we bought from Costco a few years ago. We use it almost every day, making our oven useless now. We decided with how much we use if let’s just spend the money and get a bigger one, our main issue was always size after realizing how much we use it. So , $1500 later (waited on buying myself a new big bandsaw I want for this thing) - we get the Ironwood 885. So disappointed. Had it on for over 8 hours now at 225. Have yet to see any smoke. The only smoke I saw was for a second during the seasoning steps. Small 8 pound pork shoulder taking forever to even hit 160 to wrap in tinfoil. In Arizona so it’s hot out. Never see smoke coming out of the downdraft. Takes FOREVER to “ignite” and then awhile to preheat. What I do see is heat/smoke staining everywhere else. Can’t connect to WiFire and the router is maybe 8-10 yards away. I’m ready to return this hunk of crap less than 24 hours into owning. What is everyone else’s experience. Here’s some photos too, looks like smoke exiting everywhere but the downdraft exit.

 

[dsmero]

So we’ve had a little Traeger Junior we bought from Costco a few years ago. We use it almost every day, making our oven useless now. We decided with how much we use if let’s just spend the money and get a bigger one, our main issue was always size after realizing how much we use it. So , $1500 later (waited on buying myself a new big bandsaw I want for this thing) - we get the Ironwood 885. So disappointed. Had it on for over 8 hours now at 225. Have yet to see any smoke. The only smoke I saw was for a second during the seasoning steps. Small 8 pound pork shoulder taking forever to even hit 160 to wrap in tinfoil. In Arizona so it’s hot out. Never see smoke coming out of the downdraft. Takes FOREVER to “ignite” and then awhile to preheat. What I do see is heat/smoke staining everywhere else. Can’t connect to WiFire and the router is maybe 8-10 yards away. I’m ready to return this hunk of crap less than 24 hours into owning. What is everyone else’s experience. Here’s some photos too, looks like smoke exiting everywhere but the downdraft exit.

Yeah that stain on the door would bother me enough into returning it - especially on day one. Like many others on the site, I was skeptical of not seeing much smoke either but it's there. The lower the temp, the more smoke. Sometimes I'll even go under 200 with super smoke and you'll definitely see it. You'll also get more smoke out of mesquite or oak than any of the fruit woods. I also put a gasket on my lid so there is absolutely no smoke leakage. Traeger should have done this but a roll was $10.

Regarding the wifi. You'll want your Traeger to connect to the 2.4ghz spectrum. In most routers you can separate the 2.4 and 5ghz. I named my 2.4ghz HomeIoT and my 5ghz is Home for everything else. Putting the grill in and out of demo mode will reset it and has helped others. But you will need your routers and grill as close as possible with no antenna for the grill unless you have a Timberline.

 

[Coug86]

I have been a Traeger guy for 10 years. Just stepped from the BBQ070 to the Ironwood 885 this week. So far I have not experienced what you have. My Wifire took a couple attempts but is now running great. I have not done any long cooks yet, just some chicken, ribeyes and a pork roast. All delicious! I intend on doing a shoulder this weekend. I pre bought a roll of gasket because of the info I have read on here, but have not had a need to put it on yet. Sorry you are having issues.

 

[tmelch27]

It does take a while to start, and it sometimes goes into a cold warning and I have to cycle power and strart over again. My lastest issues had the cold start and then after resetting the temp went to 585 when it was set for 325. Wifire I have given up on. Where do you purchase the gaskets?

 

[dunawayfamily]

It does take a while to start, and it sometimes goes into a cold warning and I have to cycle power and strart over again. My lastest issues had the cold start and then after resetting the temp went to 585 when it was set for 325. Wifire I have given up on. Where do you purchase the gaskets?

Based on a LOT of interactions I have had with folks on the various Traeger-related FB Groups, here are the 2 primary "write-ups" I have done to assist with getting WiFIRE running:


First step in troubleshooting issues with WiFIRE: One thing to verify on your end is the need to use separate network names (SSIDs) for the 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wireless frequencies - depending on what WiFi Router/Access Point you use, as well as what mobile device you are using to run the app on, it may be a requirement ... when the network names are the same, and if your mobile device supports 5GHz, the mobile device will by default attach to the 5GHz frequency, while the Grill is connected on the 2.4GHz frequency, resulting in no connection between the App and the Grill ... giving one of the wireless network frequencies a different name allows you to "force" the mobile device to attach to the 2.4GHz network and successfully connect ...

I call my IOT-based device Wireless Networks idIOT & idIOT 5GHz to support this specific scenario

Additional troubleshooting scenarios listed here: https://www.traegergrills.com/support/wifire-troubleshooting

WiFIRE Troubleshooting Wizard: http://wizard.web.traegergrills.io/wifire/welcome

-------------------------

Android-based App Device users | Failed / Hung Setup of WiFIRE | Airplane Mode Workaround

ISSUE: Multiple people have reported that the initial setup of WiFIRE will fail/hang before completion ... this is due to the App device defaulting back to the "preferred" 5GHz Wireless Network after handing off the necessary 2.4GHz Wireless Network information to the Grill (Network Name (SSID), Encryption Type, Password). The App Device MUST reconnect back to the 2.4GHz Home Wireless Network in order for the setup process to successfully complete.

WORKAROUND: The best way to eliminate the failed/hung setup state for WiFIRE is to first put your App Device into Airplane Mode, then manually turn Wi-Fi back on, then "forget" the 5GHz Wi-Fi network, then connect to the 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network and start the setup process from the beginning ... this eliminates any potential issues with regards to the App Device reconnecting back to the wrong (i.e. 5GHz) Home Wi-Fi Network during the setup process ... once the setup process has successfully completed, you can take the App Device out of Airplane Mode, and reconnect to the 5GHz Wireless network on your App Device (if desired) ...

 

[jp9724]

It does take a while to start, and it sometimes goes into a cold warning and I have to cycle power and strart over again. My lastest issues had the cold start and then after resetting the temp went to 585 when it was set for 325. Wifire I have given up on. Where do you purchase the gaskets?

this is what i got for my Ironwood 885, and worked like a charm!
Amazon

 

[dsmero]

I used LavaLock. Probably only used a 1/3 of it. I got it off eBay for $12. I didn't have any heat or smoke loss issues as some others on this form. Just did it as more of a preventive thing and to make sure I'm getting 100% of the grills potential.

https://www.amazon.com/LavaLock-Performance-gasket-smoker-STICK/dp/B01F9FE60K/ref=sxts_b2b_sx_reorder?cv_ct_cx=lavalock&dchild=1&keywords=lavalock&pd_rd_i=B01F9FE60K&pd_rd_r=56c46443-36b5-47f5-8dc7-346b1ab89808&pd_rd_w=UQlbJ&pd_rd_wg=ZFF0S&pf_rd_p=c8578112-5367-4af9-b0d7-8ea3833d7167&pf_rd_r=AJHZ4PDETFA5WTR62S3G&qid=1588955349&sr=1-1-f5ebfd8e-82c1-4b4e-97d5-2aa47aa18b69