Woodridge Controller inoperative

[Mike678]

I purchased the Grill a month ago. Controller was defective and after a week, I received another from Traeger. Smoked two briskets and this morning I power on the grill and the controller won't illuminate. Looking at the back of the controller, there is a red led illuminated. Is there a corrective action available?

 

[Francis Ramey]

That red led, is letting you know that the grill is powered up.
Do you use the Trager App.

 

[Mike678]

That red led, is letting you know that the grill is powered up.
Do you use the Trager App.

Traegar is sending a new controller. App did not connect.

 

[Francis Ramey]

Traegar is sending a new controller. App did not connect.

I had issuse with Apple not connecting.
Come to find out, the internet provider is use broadcasts at 5 ghz. Traeger only works wih 2.4 ghz.
Created a guest account , weninto my internet settings, set up a 2.4 ghz network.
Now connecting everytime.
The offshore customer service is clueless. I had spent 15 hrs in a month when I first got my Woodridge and it wouldn't connect

 

[Mike678]

Received the controller today. Installed and again, defective. Controller illuminates, but the dial to adjust temperature does not work correctly. I can adjust the temp up and down, and if I pull the button out I can set the desired temperature and ignite. But if you touch the dial again, the grill goes into the 15 min shutdown.

The previous controller (the second from Traegar) worked fine for two weeks before it refused to come on--that dial worked as advertised. The original controller had a dial problem too. Three bad controllers in a row! Quality and/or design challenges in the Woodrige line of controllers? Frustrating!

 

[M.Wong]

and if I pull the button out I can set the desired temperature and ignite

I have an Ironwood 885 so I'm not familiar with the Woodridge, but you mean dial the desired temperature, then push the button, right?

(I don't see "pull" the button anywhere in the manual?)

Just a thought, I could be wrong... or do you mean you have to pull the button out to make it adjust at all?

 

[Mike678]

The dial on this controller allows me to dial a desired temp, but when I "push" on the dial to set the temp prior to pushing the ignite button nothing happens. The selected temp indicator should turn Red, but it doesn't. When I select a temp and pull the dial out, the temp indicator does turn Red. But if I touch the dial again, the grill goes into shutdown.

The previous controller worked fine for a week. I had no problem setting a temp, adjusting temps and so forth. The dial assembly on this controller is defective. Similar to the first controller.

 

[M.Wong]

Ugh... That sounds so frustrating! Wish I had more ideas for you, keep us posted.

 

[Francis Ramey]

Does anyone use a stand alone thermometer to get a ambiant air temp inside the closed grill?
If so would you post a picture please?

 

[Like Smoke]

In answer to Francis Ramey's question, YES. I have an older model that is not WIFI. I use a ThermPro digital remote. It has two probes, one I put in the protien and one that uses a clip to mount it next to the protien, that reads out the actual temp at the grill level. (probe not touching the grill). Due to the Traeger thermal couple inaccuracy and location this has worked well for me and should work well for a WIFI model. I adjust the controller up or down to achieve the temp I want and disregard the temp readout on the Traeger controller. Sorry I don't ave any pics, not very good at transferring them to the forum.

 

[summit1986]

The dial on this controller allows me to dial a desired temp, but when I "push" on the dial to set the temp prior to pushing the ignite button nothing happens. The selected temp indicator should turn Red, but it doesn't. When I select a temp and pull the dial out, the temp indicator does turn Red. But if I touch the dial again, the grill goes into shutdown.

The previous controller worked fine for a week. I had no problem setting a temp, adjusting temps and so forth. The dial assembly on this controller is defective. Similar to the first controller.

I've been going back and forth with Traeger for 5 weeks now with the same issue. First controller worked for the burn in but wouldn't turn on for my first cook. Second and third (yes, third) controllers each had the knob issue where the button doesn't push. Best way to explain it is that the button doesn't have any sort of tactile feel or "click" when you push it in, like it won't rebound when you release pressure.

My fourth warrantied controller should be here next Wednesday. If this doesn't solve the problem, I'm going to try and return this to Home Depot and get a different brand.

 

[Francis Ramey]

How easy is it to remove e, replace controller?
Can you provide pictures or a video?

 

[summit1986]

How easy is it to remove e, replace controller?
Can you provide pictures or a video?

Very easy. https://support.traeger.com/hc/en-u...-Replacing-a-Woodridge-Series-Controller-Knob

I have the Pro Plus, but all of the different Woodridge models are covered here, just scroll down to what you need.