New owner

[Switz]

Purchased a CostCo version Century 885 at the Traeger road show in Mesa on 4 DEC 2020. The young lady thought it might be here by New Years this year. I have looked around and ordered the Traeger Pellet level device and the front shelf based upon prior threads here.

The Traeger joins my medium size BigGreen Egg and, new this spring, six burner Weber stainless steel built in grill.

Have heard great things from Traeger user friends.

 

[Timmy]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[GrillMeister]

Welcome to the club, The Ironwood 885 - Big Green Egg Club.

I love em both!

 

[Slimpicker]

 

[Louie T]

Welcome and I too just bought my first smoker ever. I bought the Pro 575 and I’ve used it three times already. I just learned to boil water and so far I like the results!!!

 

[Timmmer]

Now all you need is a nice Blackstone flat top and you have everything you need!

 

[primeone]

Welcome to the forum @Switz - Congrats on the new Traeger!

 

[Steeleshark2]

Welcome and I too just bought my first smoker ever. I bought the Pro 575 and I’ve used it three times already. I just learned to boil water and so far I like the results!!!

Welcome and congrats on your new Traeger. I hope you enjoy your new found smoked food.

 

[Switz]

I finally got the wiring completed for the smoker grill area (both a Costco 885 Traeger and a BGE) with a work light and power outlets.

There seems to be a shortage of the Traeger pellet buckets and lids. I have flavors of pellets, but each flavor needs to be stored in it's own bucket.....

 

[GrillMeister]

I use 5 gallon buckets from Home Depot and a Gamma Seal list. Easy screw on/off and water tight. Easy Peasy!

Bucket Companion 5-gal. and 3.5-gal. Screw Top Bucket Lid in Black-LD5GRLBK006 - The Home Depot

Conclude a stunning addition to your living space with the selection of this affordably priced Bucket Companion and Screw Top Bucket Lid in Black.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Switz]

Well the initial burn in is completed. I finally got the 120Vac power to the grill area. I added the side shelf. I also ordered the pellet level device. Traeger support said it would not work, so I returned it. I looked into the pellet compartment on my Century 885 (having examined other models at the local Ace Hardware) and saw the two screws and rubber grommet used for attaching the Pellet level device. The D2 controller shows a pellet level entry under controls. So, I detached the D2 control head and saw no connection point on the controller computer board. Another member had mentioned that he had installed the pellet level device so I wonder what I am not seeing as connection. It could be that person had a different model.

 

[Slimpicker]

I just use my hands and keep the hopper full

 

[Switz]

The unknown as a new user is how long will the 20 pounds they claim of pellets in the hopper will last for a long burn that might have to go over night? I have read on this forum or the app, not sure which just now, of a 21 hour cook.

 

[John S.]

I finally got the wiring completed for the smoker grill area (both a Costco 885 Traeger and a BGE) with a work light and power outlets.

There seems to be a shortage of the Traeger pellet buckets and lids. I have flavors of pellets, but each flavor needs to be stored in it's own bucket.....

I just went to Home Depot and bought the food grade white 5 gal buckets and lids...

 

[John S.]

The unknown as a new user is how long will the 20 pounds they claim of pellets in the hopper will last for a long burn that might have to go over night? I have read on this forum or the app, not sure which just now, of a 21 hour cook.

Depends on the temp that you are running, the lower the temp the longer a pound of Pelletts will last. I did the “RemE insulation” project and now with a 50 dregee external and the grill set at 225 I am burning less that 1/2 lb/hr.

 

[Switz]

Just installed the Traeger pellet level device in my Century 885. It was at most a ten minute job. After the install and simple calibration involving an empty hopper, I could see the pellet level device on my iPhone Traeger app. This successfully refutes Traeger tech support saying it would not work.