23
TRAEGER.COM
MAINTAINING YOUR GRILL
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WARNING
Fire Hazard:
Grease fires are most
frequently caused by failing to properly maintain the grill by
not cleaning the grease from the unit on a consistent basis.
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WARNING
Turn the main power switch on back of the
grill hopper OFF (
O
) and disconnect the power cord before
initiating any of the maintenance below.
1.
CLEANING YOUR TRAEGER GREASE MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM (“TGMS”):
During your cooks, grease drippings will fall onto (i)
the grease drip tray and be channeled into (ii) the
grease drain (the “Trough”) and then out of the grill
through (iii) the grease drain tube, (iv) to be collected
in the grease bucket. These four components are the
components of the Traeger® Grease Management
System (TGMS). Grease will accumulate in all of these
locations and should be regularly cleaned to reduce
the risk of fire.
How often you need to clean the TGMS depends on
the fat content of your food. Fattier foods will require
cleaning of the TGMS more often, and sometimes you
will need to clean the TGMS after every cook.
Visible pieces of food and bits of hardened grease or
other buildup indicate a need for cleaning.
All components of the TGMS should be inspected
before each use for signs of grease buildup.
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CAUTION
Accumulated grease is easier to clean
off when the grill is still warm—not hot.
Be careful
not to burn yourself. Heat-protective
gloves are
recommended.
Clean the grease out of the
V-shaped grease drain (the
“Trough”) and grease drain
tube. We recommend cleaning
these locations regularly.
Remove all grill grates,
grease drip tray, and heat
baffle. This will provide
access to the V-shaped
grease drain and grease
drain tube opening inside
the grill. Scrape the grease
accumulation from inside the V-shaped grease drain
and grease drain tube using a stiff, nonmetallic tool.
Much of the loosened grease can be pushed down
through the grease drain tube and will fall into the
grease bucket. Wipe up remaining grease residue with
paper towels or disposable rags.
Regularly clean the grease out
of the grill barrel on the interior
bottom and sides. If grease is
allowed to build up, a grease
fire could result.
Scrape the grease
accumulation from inside
the barrel using a stiff, nonmetallic tool. Much of the
loosened grease can be removed using paper towels or
disposable rags. Excessive scraped-off residue can be
cleaned using a vacuum cleaner as described in Step 4
(page 24) when cleaning the firepot of ashes.
Inspect and clean the heat baffle for any grease or
debris.
NOTE:
Traeger’s drip tray liners can help keep your grill
clean and can help reduce the risk of flare-ups.
2.
CREOSOTE REMOVAL:
When wood pellets are burned slowly, they produce tar
and other organic vapors that combine with expelled
moisture to form creosote. The creosote vapors
condense in the relatively cool exhaust vent of a slow-
burning fire. As a result, creosote accumulates on the
exhaust vent lining. When ignited, creosote makes
an extremely hot fire. Airborne grease particles will
travel through the cooking chamber, and some of this
airborne grease will accumulate on the exhaust vent
lining, similar to creosote. This could contribute to
a fire.
Periodically scrape the creosote and grease
accumulation from the inside of the vertical and
horizontal sections of the flue pipe or interior lining
using a stiff, nonmetallic tool. A wooden paint stir
stick, for example, would work for this task. Once
the creosote and grease residue has been loosened
from the interior lining and ventilation gaps in this
downdraft system, much of it can be removed with
paper towels or disposable rags. Do not spray water
or other liquid cleaners onto the inside of your grill to
remove creosote.
When creosote or grease has accumulated, it should
be removed to reduce the risk of a fire.
3.
OUTSIDE STORAGE:
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CAUTION
If the grill is stored outside, care should
be taken to ensure that water does not get into the pellet
hopper. Wood pellets expand greatly when wet and will
jam your auger. Always cover your grill when not in use
with a Traeger® Grill Cover. This custom-fit cover can be
purchased at traeger.com.
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