New Traeger owner question

[wishfullracer]

Hi all, new owner here. I tried my first baby backs yesterday at 250 with little success. I had a problem with tons of smoke. I know it will smoke some, but it was crazy smokey and didn’t take calm down for 2 1/2 hours. Worried about the neighbor’s putting up with it that long. Did the burn in with no problem. I used some old pellets and was wondering if that was the problem. Also, can I lower the damper to try to keep smoke down? Thank for any help.

 

[GrillMeister]

How old were the pellets? It sounds like that is your problem.

 

[wishfullracer]

Thanks for the reply. I`m embarrassed to say they are at least a year old, kept in a open bag. I`m going to purge the hopper and put new pellets in. What about lowering the damper?

 

[GrillMeister]

Thanks for the reply. I`m embarrassed to say they are at least a year old, kept in a open bag. I`m going to purge the hopper and put new pellets in. What about lowering the damper?

I'd leave the chimney cap at the same height.