Traeger Tailgater - Tunneling/crater

[TF_Guest]

I'm having an issue with the hopper on my tailgater. When I fill up the hopper I have to make sure to check on it because the pellets will crater right above where the auger is but the rest won't feed down. This starves the auger and I have to start over. This basically limits the capacity of that box to a couple hours.

Is there anything I can do to resolve this?

 

[Jayhawkwx]

I have the same issue with the Pro 34. However, I stir the pellets every hour or two. Problem solved. I never leave the Traeger unattended for more than 2 hours.

 

[RayClem]

Such tunneling is common. My Ironwood has a pellet sensor to alert me when the pellet level gets low over the auger.

You can purchase a can of food grade silicone spray and apply a light coating to the sides of the hopper. That should help some, but it won't eliminate the issue completely.

Some have constructed a hopper extension to add a second hopper on top of the primary hopper to provide greater capacity. I have not done this as I never do unattended cooks. I start with a full hopper and check the level every couple of hours, topping it off as needed.