Traeger Timberline 850 Problems [5 Easy Solutions]

The most common Traeger timberline 850 problems are:

• Grill not igniting.
• Temperature fluctuation.
• The grill flame is going out suddenly.
• Auger not working.
• And the induction fan not spinning.

However, in our today’s Traeger Timberline 850 troubleshooting guide. In this guide, we will explore all the possible reasons behind the above-mentioned issues and their easy solutions. So, let’s get started…

Traeger Timberline 850 Problems [5 Easy Solutions]

Traeger Timberline 850 can’t smoothly operate due to a few difficulties. Here are the common problems and their solutions:

1. Grill Not Igniting

The power is on but your Traeger Timberline isn’t igniting. We bet either your grill hopper and fire pot are empty or the hopper is filled with low-quality pellets. As a result, the grill igniter isn’t getting enough fuel and failing to ignite.

But, when there are enough good quality pellets in the hopper but the grill is not igniting, then we can assume you have probably started your grill by keeping the lid open.

Also, when your grill hot rod is defective and fails to get hot or the tip of the grill hot rod is not visible inside the firepot with 1/4″ visibility, your grill will not ignite.

Sometimes, out of your thought, the extension cord gets split and fails to supply enough power to your Traeger. Consequently, your grill doesn’t ignite.

Besides, the above-mentioned issues, don’t forget to consider the GFCI. Sometimes, an overloaded electric supply or malfunction inside your grill may trip the GFCI and doesn’t allow your grill to ignite.

Last but not least, a defective or jammed auger fails to supply the pellets to the firepot and thus prevents your grill from igniting.

Solution:

Start by ensuring enough quality pellets in the grill hopper and firepot. And make sure you always start your grill keeping the grill lid closed.

Then check whether the grill hot rod is okay or not. If you find it defective, replace it and ensure it’s getting hot. And don’t forget to keep the hot rod visible at least 1/4 inch inside the firepot.

After doing these jobs, if you find still your grill isn’t igniting, then check the extension cord and find it works fine. Also, do an investigation into the GFCI and be sure it’s not tripped.

Finally, inspect your grill auger. If you discover that it gets faulty, there is no alternative to replace it. But, when you find it gets jammed for low-quality pellets or dust, clean it.

And ensure the auger is spinning with its usual 15 seconds spinning cycle and pushing the pellets to the firepot smoothly.

However, if you don’t get the solution by trying the above instructions, then you can read our ultimate solution guide to why Traeger not igniting. You will definitely get your grill ignition issue solved.

2. Heat Fluctuation

Unusual change in the heat is the most common trouble you may encounter with your Traeger Timberline. The heat can begin to fluctuate if you cook in the cold weather and opens your grill lid frequently from your curiosity.

Apart from this, if your grill fails to get the right or enough air circulation, its temperature will begin to swing.

Also, if you use low-quality pellets and a dirty temperature probe, you will discover that your Traeger Timberline temperature is rising sometimes and then going down.

Solution:

It’s normal to rise and fall your Traeger temperature around your set temperature when you are cooking in good weather. But the fluctuation shouldn’t be more than ±25°F.

But, when you discover the unusual fluctuation, then follow the following instructions:

• Don’t place your Traeger in a colder place to cook your food. Choose and pick a place that allows you an ideal temperature.
• While cooking your foods, ensure enough grill airflow. To make it happen, don’t use a larger pan, and keep at least a 1-inch gap between the pan and grill edge. Also, avoid cooking a large number of foods at a time and ensure a 1-inch gap from the grill edge while placing the foods in the chamber.
• Don’t open the grill lid frequently. Use high-quality pellets and clean the temperature probe and firepot.

Apart from these, ensure the correct startup and shutdown of your grill because it also works behind the temperature going up and down while cooking with Traeger.

It’s also advisable that don’t change temperature frequently. Changing temperature often while cooking also causes temperature swings.

3. Induction Fan Not Spinning

The induction fan not spinning or working is another problem that holds back the grill’s proper smoke creation. Moreover, the temperature won’t rise to the mark.

However, first of all, your Traeger Timberline induction will begin to malfunction when the grill control panel gets defective. Even, if the wire from the fan to the controller becomes damaged, the induction fan won’t work as it will fail to electrical power.

Apart from these, if there is a buildup of filth and soot on and around the induction fan, it will stop working. Most importantly, if your grill induction fan gets faulty, it won’t spin.

Solution:

Follow the solutions below to solve the above issues and ensure that your grill creates smoke adequately.

When you find your grill control panel becomes dead, then there is no alternative. You have to replace the controller with a new one.

Check the orange wire coming from the induction fan to the controller and the grill power cord. If they are defective, replace them.

Finally, clean the dirt and dust nested in the fan as well as in your grill. Here cleaning the fan can be a little bit tricky. Simply spin the induction fan a couple of times and thus loosen the dirt and clean it.

And remember, to keep your grill induction fan, also the grill working fine always, don’t forget to clean the grill after every cooking session. It’s important.

4. Fire Goes Out Suddenly

The low-quality pellet is the main culprit behind the flame going out while cooking with your Traeger timberline. When you use low-quality pellets in your Traeger, they create excessive ashes in the firepot.

These excessive ashes block the air holes in the firepot and stop oxygen circulation. So, when the fire doesn’t get oxygen to burn, the fire will extinguish completely and your grill temperature will drop down automatically.

Plus, this excess amount of ash blocks the hot rod of your grill which prevents it to ignite the pellets in the firepot. Consequently, there is no way to stay the flame.

Apart from the above factors, the following can be the reasons to lead your grill in flame-out mode:

• Faulty start-up & shut down procedure.
• Dirty or carbon accumulated RTD probe.
• The augur and the induction fan aren’t functioning.
• And cold weather.

Solution:

The first and foremost advice to fix the flame-out issue is to use quality pellets. Never use old, moist, and cheap pellets if you don’t want to face the flame off-trouble while cooking foods.

When you use quality pellets, they will burn fine and won’t create extra ashes. So, there is no possibility to block the firepot and stop the airflow/oxygen flow.

Pro Tips: Here it would be wise to use Traeger’s recommended top-quality pellets. Traeger’s pellets avoid flaming up and flaming out, and most importantly bring a juicy and delicious flavor to your cooked foods.

And never store the pellets in your grill hopper. The pellets there will become wet and rot. Store the pellets in a dry place.

Here Traeger recommends using the Traeger pellet storage bin with a locking lid like the below one to store your pellets. It doesn’t allow the pellets to get moist and wet and thus keeps the pellets super safe.

Now focus on the right start-up procedure. Here you can read Traeger’s instructions to start your Timberline correctly.

Then completing the cooking job, you should follow and allow the grill to go with the whole and correct shutting down cycle. Follow the steps:

• Pull the cooked foods off the grill chamber.
• Turn the dial to the shutdown cycle or press and hold your Timberline display dial for 3 seconds. It will pop up the ” Shut Down Cycle in progress” and the cycle will run for 15-25 minutes. Then close the grill lid and the grill automatically shut off.
• Now you are good to go. After the complete shutdown cycle, you can power off your grill.

Now, it’s time to check the RTD probe. If it’s dirty and there is carbon accumulation, clean it wholly. Then check the auger and induction fan. If there is a nest of dirt and dust, clean them and make sure they spinning fine.

Finally, to avoid the flame shutdown issue, never place your Timberline in a colder area or cook your food in extremely cold weather. And don’t forget to take care of your grill and cover it when it’s winter.

In that case, you can have a Traeger insulation blanket like the below one and cover your grill. It will keep your Timberline insulated and protect it from the rough weather.

5. Auger Not Turning

When you notice the Timberline auger suddenly stops spinning, then be sure the potential cause is the jam/blockage. And the grill auger gets jammed if you use the wrong pellets, we mean the low-quality pellets.

Sometimes, a foreign object like a pin or screw may get into the auger through the hopper and stick your grill auger.

Besides, if you add pellets constantly on your Traeger, it can generate pellet blockage. And finally, the auger motor itself can get damaged.

Solution:

The easiest way of fixing the auger blockage is to clean it properly. Here watching the tutorial will help you a lot on your way to cleaning the auger jam and removing foreign objects.

Also, check if there is any cracks or broken spot in the auger motor. If there is any damage, you don’t have any alternative but to replace it. In case of replacing the auger motor, it would be wise to contact Traeger and have a new one.

Apart from these, don’t add pellets randomly. Add it when it needs.

FAQ:

Is Traeger 850 worth it?

Yes, it’s worth it. Traeger Timberline 850 slowly smokes food, and it makes food hot enough. It cooks exceptionally flavorful and juicy food, and the meat probe thermometer of Traeger links to Wi-Fi. Moreover, you can control your Traeger by pairing it with your mobile phone.

Is the Traeger Timberline 850 big enough?

Yes, it’s big enough. At once, you can quickly cook several foods on your Traeger Timberline 850. The grilling surface of it offers 850 square inches with three adjustable grills. It has enough capacity to cook six pork butts, and nine chickens.

How to reset a Traeger Timberline 850?

Press on the Traeger Timberline 850, go to the menu, select Settings, select grill, and press the grill button. If you don’t see the Traeger logo, hold the grill button. In this way, reset your Traeger Timberline 850.

Is Traeger Timberline grill good for burgers?

The Traeger Timberline Grill’s burgers is tasty. It has tasty propane, and it doesn’t have any burnt crust. The burger is evenly colored brown, and it has excellent taste. You will prefer the burger from Traeger Timberline grill.

Does the fan constantly run on the Traeger Timberline 850?

Yes! The Traeger Timberline 850’s auger and induction fan continuously run as long as the smoker is on. The fan constantly runs in the cooking session, and throughout the Traeger cooking chamber, it distributes smoke.

Conclusion

The Traeger Timberline 850 Problems may hinder your grill operation and smooth running. So, here to help you, we have figured out all the common Traeger Timberline issues and their simple solutions.

However, yet if you find any more struggles with your Traeger while cooking, you can let us know in the comment box. We will be happy to help you.