GMG TREK PRIME 2.0 - User Manual

This document is the owner's manual for the Green Mountain Grills (GMG) Trek Prime™ 2.0, a wood-fired pellet grill designed for outdoor cooking. The grill operates on 12V direct current, offering precise temperature control and fuel efficiency. It features a digital controller for monitoring and adjusting cooking temperatures, and it can be controlled remotely via a local WiFi network using the GMG App.

Function Description

The GMG Trek Prime™ 2.0 is a versatile outdoor cooking appliance that uses food-safe hardwood pellets as fuel. Its primary function is to cook food through a combination of smoking, grilling, and roasting, leveraging the unique flavor profile imparted by wood pellets. The grill's design incorporates a rounded/peaked hybrid chamber for optimal heat distribution and smoke circulation, creating a 360° wood-fired cooking experience. The elevated lid provides additional height for larger cuts of meat, enhancing wood flavor infusion.

The core of the grill's operation is its 12V Direct Power system, which enables micro-adjusted variable speed control for both the combustion fan and the auger motor. This precision allows for accurate temperature maintenance, improved fuel economy, and faster startups. Pellets are fed from the hopper into a firebox by the auger, where an igniter automatically lights them. A combustion fan then supplies oxygen to sustain the fire. The Venturi-Style firebox, lined with vertical vents, creates a burn pot cyclone of airflow, ensuring maximum heat distribution and complete combustion with minimal waste. A thermal sensor inside the grill continuously sends data to the on-board computer, which adjusts air and pellet flow to maintain the set temperature.

The grill offers a wide temperature range, from 150°F (66°C) for low-and-slow smoking (up to 16 hours for a brisket) to 550°F (288°C) for high-heat searing (for steaks). This versatility allows users to prepare a variety of dishes, including pizza, bread, vegetables, casseroles, steaks, roasts, hams, chops, tenderloins, wild game, fish, and poultry.

Usage Features

The Trek Prime™ 2.0 is designed for user-friendly operation with several key features:

Digital Controller: The front-mounted digital controller displays the grill's temperature and status codes. It allows users to set and adjust the desired cooking temperature. The display can be switched between Fahrenheit and Celsius by holding the down arrow button for 4 seconds.
Food Probe Integration: The grill includes a food probe connection. When a food probe is inserted, users can press the "Food Probe Button" to read the internal temperature of their food. Pressing the button again switches the display back to the grill temperature.
WiFi Smart Control: The GMG App allows users to control and monitor their grill and internal meat temperatures remotely via their local WiFi network. This feature provides convenience and flexibility during cooking.
Easy Start-Up Cycle: The grill has a 1-2-3 start-up cycle. After plugging in and pressing the power button, the display shows "0" and begins the cycle, gradually heating up to 150°F (66°C) before allowing users to set their desired cooking temperature. It is crucial to allow the grill to reach 150°F before adjusting the temperature.
Powering Down Procedure: To power down, users press the red POWER button, which shifts the grill into "FAN" mode. The fan runs to extinguish the fire, and the auger motor may turn intermittently. Once the fan mode is complete (approximately 15 minutes), the display will show "oFF." The grill can then be unplugged.
Priming the Firebox: For initial start-up or if the auger tube runs out of pellets, the firebox needs to be primed. This involves removing grates, the grease tray, and the heat shield, then repeatedly plugging in and pressing the power button until pellets emerge from the auger tube into the firebox.
Seasoning the Grill: Before initial use, the grill should be seasoned by burning it at 350°F (177°C) for 30 minutes to remove any manufacturing residues.
Heat Shield Adjustment: The heat shield's position can be adjusted to optimize heat distribution and address temperature discrepancies across the grill surface. A centered heat shield, roughly 4.75 inches (120.65 mm) from the left inside grill wall, is recommended for even heat.
Grease Tray Installation: The grease tray must be installed with its half-moon cut-out to the left to ensure proper grease travel into the grease trough. Wrapping the tray in tin foil can facilitate easier cleanup.
Hopper Lid: The hopper lid must always be closed during operation to ensure proper airflow and prevent smoke from escaping through the hopper.
Temperature Range: The grill can be set from 150°F (66°C) to 550°F (288°C).
Cooking Tips: The manual provides general cooking guidelines, including recommended temperatures and times for various foods, emphasizing the importance of cooking meat to a safe internal temperature. It also offers advice on smoke flavor, resting meat, spritzing, and low-temperature smoking.

Maintenance Features

Regular maintenance is crucial for the safe and efficient operation of the GMG Trek Prime™ 2.0:

Regular Cleaning: The grill must be cleaned and maintained regularly. This includes cleaning the grates and grease tray, ideally after every 2-3 bags (80-100 lbs or 36-45 kgs) of pellets. A Shop-Vac can be used to remove ash and residue from the base of the grill and the firebox.
Grease Tray Cleaning: The grease tray should be cleaned consistently to prevent flammable buildup. Lining the tray with aluminum foil simplifies cleanup.
Chimney Cap Cleaning: The underside of the chimney cap should be wiped down regularly to prevent grease drips.
Firebox Ash Removal: Ash should be cleaned out of the firebox periodically. If ash covers the igniter, the grill may not light. It is not necessary to add more pellets after cleaning the firepot, as the auger will add the correct amount during the start-up cycle.
Internal Grill Cleaning: The inside of the grill can be cleaned with hot, soapy water or a grill cleaner, keeping liquids away from the auger tube and pellets. Alternatively, running the grill at 500°F (260°C) for an hour or more can bake off internal residues.
Pellet Storage: Pellets should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent them from absorbing moisture and turning into sawdust, which can obstruct the auger feed system.
Grill Protection: Using a grill cover is recommended to protect the grill from adverse weather conditions like high winds or sideways rain. Ensure the grill is completely dry before covering.
Pre-use Checks: Before each use, the grill should be checked for auger and burn pot obstructions, foreign objects inside the grill and hopper, and air blockage.
Unplugging for Maintenance: Always unplug the grill before performing any service or maintenance.
Heat Shield Installation: Ensure the heat shield is properly installed to reduce the risk of grease fires.
Troubleshooting Guide: The manual includes a comprehensive troubleshooting section to address common issues such as the grill not turning on, not reaching temperature, smoke coming from the hopper, uneven heating, ignition failures (FAL message), and auger jamming. This section provides step-by-step solutions and advice.
Modular Parts: The grill's components are modular, allowing for easier replacement if a part fails.