Section Five: Maintaining Your New Grill - Traeger BBQ07ELE Owner's Manual

SECTION FIVE: MAINTAINING
1) CREOSOTE AND GREASE: Formation and need for 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 flue exhaust of a slow burning fire. As a result, creosote
accumulates on the flue 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 flue lining, similar to the creosote, which could
be contributory to a fire.
The flue exhaust should be inspected at least twice a year to determine when a
creosote and/or grease buildup has occurred.
Also, grease drippings from the food will fall onto the Grease Drain Pan and be
channeled into the Grease Drain and then out of the Grill through the Grease Drain
Tube, to be collected in the Grease Bucket. Grease will accumulate in all of these
locations.
The Grease Drain, the Grease Drain Tube and the Grease Bucket should be
inspected at least twice a year for signs of grease buildup.
When creosote or grease has accumulated, it should be removed to reduce the risk
of fire.
Cleaning the Flue (Smoke Stack):
DANGER! Turn the Switch OFF (o) and disconnect the Power Cord.
CAUTION! Make sure that the Grill is cold before cleaning the Flue Pipe. Remove
(unscrew) the Chimney Cap Assembly from the top of the Flue Pipe. Once the
Chimney Cap Assembly has been removed, it can be cleaned with warm, soapy
water or with a biodegradable degreaser.
Scrape the creosote and grease accumulation from the inside of the vertical and
horizontal sections of the Flue Pipe, using a stiff, non-metallic tool. A wooden paint
stir stick, for example, would work for this task. Once the creosote and grease
residue has been loosened from the Flue Pipe lining, 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. Once the Flue Pipe has been cleaned, replace the Chimney Cap
Assembly.
Cleaning Grease from your Grill:
DANGER! Turn the Switch OFF (o) and disconnect the Power Cord.
CAUTION! Accumulated grease is easier to clean off when the Grill is still warm –not
hot. Be careful not to burn yourself. Gloves are recommended.
Periodically, clean the grease out of the V-shaped Grease Drain and Grease Drain
Tube. If too much grease is allowed to build up in the V-shaped Grease Drain, or is
allowed to plug the Grease Drain Tube, a grease fire could result. We recommend
cleaning these locations regularly.
YOUR NEW GRILL