The ambient temperature on your grill will help to cook the meat evenly. You will never get the juicy, soft, and delicious rib if your grill goes through temperature issues.
Your Z Grill will not be an exception from that. Defective temperature sensors, firepot filled with ash, and loose temperature sensor connections are responsible for Z Grills’ temperature problems.
If you want to cook the meat evenly, you should address those problems and fix those issues immediately. And this Z grill troubleshooting guide will help to break down the temperature puzzles.
Table of Contents
- 7 Common Z Grills Temperature Problems & Their Solutions
- 1. Z Grill Temperature Keeps Rising
- Solution:
- 2. Z Grill Not Getting Hot Enough
- 3. Temperature As Different From The Dial Setting
- 4. Temperature Is Jumping Around Rapidly
- 5. Unexpected Grill Temperature Is Displayed
- 6. Defective Temperature Sensor
- 7. It Takes So Long For The Temperature To Drop
- How Do I Reset My Z Grill
- FAQ:
- Do Z grills have temperature probes?
- Why does my pellet grill temperature fluctuate?
- How long does it take the Z grill to heat up?
7 Common Z Grills Temperature Problems & Their Solutions
Temperature problems of your Z grills will be the obstruction to cooking the meat evenly. So, it’s indispensable to detect temperature issues and solve them. And this chapter will help you to do so.
1. Z Grill Temperature Keeps Rising
Due to the following reasons, the temperature of your Z grill will keep rising above the current setting and as a result, your grill won’t smoke your food perfectly.
- During the grill startup process, you need to drop a lot of wood pellets into the firepot. It creates a large fire, and the temperature will go up quickly.
- If you leave the lid open for an extended time, it will increase the temperature as you need to add a lot of wood pellets. Because of this, it will create a large fire.
- A fire-out is responsible for excessive heat output.
Solution:
Keep the lid open until the temperature drops down to the desired temperature setting. You should open the lid several times to bring the temperature down. Therefore, never try to add extra wood pellets into the firepot. Also, use fresh and dry pellets.
2. Z Grill Not Getting Hot Enough
If your Z grill is not getting hot enough or reaching the desired temperature level, check out the fire pot for ash. A thick bed of ash can put out the fire.
Therefore, low-quality wood pellets or soft pellets have low heat output. You can’t expect high heat output from this type of fuel. On top of this, wet or moist wood pellets also provide low heat output.
Solution:
Ensure there are no wood pellets in the firepot. Then, check the wood quality. We recommend you use dry, fresh, hardwood wood pellets to get better heat output.
If you can figure out there is no problem with the fuel, we bet it is the problem with the grill. In this case, call customer service for help.
3. Temperature As Different From The Dial Setting
The temperature you see on display is not the same one you set on the dial. Using no fresh and dry pellets will be the culprit behind this issue.
Due to this, the temperature will be off by 50 degrees. Therefore, a firepot filled with ash can also be the source of the Grill temperature issue.
Solution:
Close the lid of this grill and run the Z grill for 10-15 minutes to check whether the temperature stabilizes or not.
If the temperature fluctuates, inspect the firepot to ensure there is no ash. Then, fill the hopper with fresh and dry wood pellets.
4. Temperature Is Jumping Around Rapidly
A loose temperature sensor connection is the caveat when you see the temperature on display rising rapidly.
If the wire connection between the grill and the controller on Z Grill 700 is loose, it will display inaccurate temperature reading.
Solution:
If you own the 700 models, ensure you tighten the cable connection between the grill and the controller. To fasten the wire connection, detach the grill from the power. Then, use a screwdriver to pull out the two screws on the front of the controller.
Now, you can find two skinny white sensor wires. They should be fastened securely into the blue or green terminal block. If they are loose, tighten them up. If this step doesn’t work for you, contact Z Grill customer service for help.
5. Unexpected Grill Temperature Is Displayed
Environmental factors can influence the grill temperature. Operating the grill in the middle of a day of summer, windy conditions, and high outdoor temperatures will never allow you to gain the ambient temperature.
Due to these reasons, the display of your grill will show an inaccurate temperature.
Solution:
Never try to grill in the middle of a sunny day. Keep your grill in a shaded area. To reduce the inside grill temperature, open the lid.
Then, start your grill in 40 minutes, and the grill will give you the temperature you need for grilling or cooking.
6. Defective Temperature Sensor
If the temperature of your Grill will keep rising towards the max temp setting, we bet the temperature sensor of the grill gets defective.
You can check whether the temp sensor is okay or not by putting another temperature probe in the grill near the grill temperature probe.
Solution:
Replacing the temperature probe with a new one will be an easy fix to this grill issue. If you don’t know how to replace the temp probe, call the Z grill support team.
7. It Takes So Long For The Temperature To Drop
It will take up to an hour to lower the grill temperature. Indeed, you should wait for a long time to drop the temperature level on your Z grill.
Solution:
Make sure you add wood pellets to the firepot periodically. It will prevent the fire from putting down completely.
The best method to reduce the temperature is to set the dial to the Shut Down Cycle. When you find the temperature drops down, turn the dial to your desired temp setting.
How Do I Reset My Z Grill
Follow the below steps to reset your Z grill.
- Set the control dial to Shut Down Sequence.
- Now, turn the power button to the Off position once the ten minutes sequence will be over.
- Fill the hopper with pellets.
- Lastly, turn on your grill as normal, which automatically resets every setting.
FAQ:
Do Z grills have temperature probes?
Yes, Z grills have temperature probes. They help you to monitor the internal temperature of the cooked food to gain the perfect doneness.
Why does my pellet grill temperature fluctuate?
The temperature of your grill will fluctuate for several reasons. For example, outdoor temperature, humidity, air circulation, and pellet quality can impact on fluctuating the grill temperature.
How long does it take the Z grill to heat up?
Z grill takes 10-15 minutes to heat up. So, ignite the grill, shut down the lid, and wait this amount of time to let your grill heat up.
Conclusion
We break down six troubleshooting steps to fix the Z grills’ temperature problems. So, follow each step until you can solve the temperature issues and gain the ambient cooking temperature.
However, you can reach out to the Z grill support team if any of the methods fail to fix the grill temperature issues.
Hello
I can’t the temperature to go above 350 degrees. Zgrill 1000 series
Need advice please.
Thank you
Hi Manny
The reasons behind the temperature rising and going above 350 are:
1. During the grill startup process, you need to drop a lot of wood pellets into the firepot. It creates a large fire, and the temperature will go up quickly.
2. If you leave the lid open for an extended time, it will increase the temperature as you need to add a lot of wood pellets. Because of this, it will create a large fire.
3. A fire-out is responsible for excessive heat output.
4. Faulty temperature sensor.
Keep the lid open until the temperature drops down to the desired temperature setting. You should open the lid several times to bring the temperature down. Therefore, never try to add extra wood pellets into the firepot. Also, use fresh and dry pellets. Plus, make sure that the temperature sensor is okay.
Thanks
I have a pellet grill model zpg 450 apro. I a code le -it is not burning up the pellets just packing more pellet in the pot. So it is not heating . I changed the heat Sensor still not working.
Hi Buddy
There are some common reasons why pellets don’t burn in the burn pot. One is ash built up in the bottom of the burn pot that covers the heat rod igniter and stops a clean-burning of the pellets. Plus, Moist and poor quality pellets, High-speed wind around the pellet grill, and interruption of power supply are also could be the culprit behind the issue.
Check all these above reasons and try to trace out which one or more culprits is behind the issue to fix it.
If it doesn’t work, take help from the Z Grill support team.
Thanks.
Temperature settings on z grill 180 to 225 etc. if I wanted
200 could I set dial in between 180 – 225?
Hi Tony
Yes, you can set the dial at your desired temperature between 180-225.
Thanks
I have a 700 model Z Grill. Last weekend I had the dial set on Smoke for three hours then set it at 225 degrees. About every 30 seconds pellets were being added to the firepot automatically. This has never happened before and the temperature reading was 200. I opened the grill up to flames below the drip pan. I purchased this smoker just over a year.
Thanks for your time,
Greg
Hi Greg
Generally, the temperature you see on display is not the same you set on the dial may happen due to the use of no fresh & dry pellets, or a firepot filled with ash can also be the reason behind the Grill temperature issue.
And the grill is feeding the pellet faster due to the flame in the firepot that may burn slowly or go out. This flame go-out or slow-burning issue can happen due to damp or poor-quality pellets that produce more dust.
So, to solve the issue, clean the firepot and use quality pellets.
Hopefully, you will get the solution.
Wish you all the best.
I set the temp to 180 and the temperature keeps climbing. Fire pot has been cleaned and I am using new fresh pellets but still having the temperature climbing issue
Hi Shadrick
Due to the following reasons, the temperature of your Z grill will keep rising above the current setting:
1. During the grill startup process, you need to drop a lot of wood pellets into the firepot. It creates a large fire, and the temperature will go up quickly.
2. If you leave the lid open for an extended time, it will increase the temperature as you need to add a lot of wood pellets. Because of this, it will create a large fire.
3. A fire-out is responsible for excessive heat output.
Solution:
As you are using fresh pellets & have cleaned the firepot, now keep the lid open until the temperature drops down to the desired temperature setting. You should open the lid several times to bring the temperature down. Therefore, never try to add extra wood pellets into the firepot. Also, use fresh and dry pellets.
Hopefully, you will get the solution.
Wish you all the best.
Just bought a z grill and I was noticing a lot of smoke and heat seeping out of the front of the grill where the door is. There is a big gap and I feel like a lot of heat is getting out. Also it says it’s at 450 but when I’m trying to grill on it everything takes a very long time and I don’t get a good sear. What is the problem here?
Hi Xander
It’s normal to leak some more smoke at a new smoker than an old one. In fact, an old smoker produces a carbon layer through several uses which works as a seal to prevent the leakage of smoke.
However, after a few uses, the issue may be solved by itself. But excessive leakage is not a normal issue.
Well, as your grill is a new one, it would be wise to contact the Z Grill customer support center or your local Z Grill dealer to solve the issue.
Wish you a happy grilling!
i have a zpg 700 d temp keeps climbing set it to smoke setting still goes over 400 I
just clean it
Hi Jim
To solve the issue, follow our instructions in Z Grill Temperature Keeps Rising section in the article.
Hopefully, you will get the solution.
Wish you all the best.
I just purchased my first pellet grill which once it is running it’s great. When I plug in the grill and push the start button the grill display doesn’t turn on for at least a couple of minutes. I have tried holding the start button down and have to push the button repeatedly before it goes on. Is this normal?
Hi Christiane
To solve the issue, contact the Z Grill customer support center as your grill is a new one.
Have a great day.
Just cooked for the first time of my Z Grill 450B. I set the temperature to 225 degrees. The screen consistently showed that the grill was holding 225, but the food was cooking slower than expected. I put an oven thermometer in the grill grate right next to the temp probe, and it always read about 50 degrees Fahrenheit below what the display was showing. I had to set the grill to 300 in order to achieve an actual temp of 225. Any advice?
Hi Larry
The temperature you see on display is not the same you set on the dial. Using no fresh and dry pellets is the culprit behind this issue. Plus, a firepot filled with ash can also be the source of the Grill temperature issue.
To solve the issue, close the lid of your grill and run the Z grill for 10-15 minutes to check whether the temperature stabilizes or not. If the temperature fluctuates,you should inspect the firepot to ensure there is no ash.
Well, as you have cooked for the first time & are facing the issue, the firepot filled with ash may not be the culprit. Nevertheless, just check the firepot & clean it to avoid the issue again. Then, fill the hopper with fresh and dry wood pellets.
Hopefully, your problem will be solved.
Wish you a happy grilling with best of luck.