Traeger TFB57PUBC - User Manual

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Summary

Safety and Operational Warnings

Clearance and Usage Restrictions

Essential safety clearances for combustibles and outdoor use only.

Pellet and Fuel Guidelines

Emphasizes using only Traeger brand pellets and avoiding heating fuels.

Introduction to Your Grill

Parts Identification and Assembly Overview

Lists components and outlines the main steps for assembling the grill.

Assembly Instructions

Mounting Legs to Grill Frame

Detailed steps for attaching the leg assemblies to the main grill body.

Installing Leg Braces and Handles

Securing leg braces, door handle, and side handle to the grill frame.

Attaching Flue Pipe and Heat Baffle

Instructions for attaching the flue pipe assembly and installing the heat baffle.

Installing Grease Pan and Bucket

Steps for installing the grease drain pan and hanging the grease bucket.

Positioning the Porcelain Grill

Inserting the porcelain grill and warming shelf into the grill body.

Initial Firing and Startup Procedures

Preparing for First Use and Auger Charging

Steps to ensure the auger tube is charged with pellets before initial start-up.

Subsequent Grill Start-Up

Process for starting the grill after initial use, including smoke detection.

Manual Lighting Procedure

Method for lighting the grill with alcohol gel if automatic ignition fails.

Control Shutdown and Safety Features

Explains automatic shutdown cycle and safety alarms (low/high temp).

Operating Tips

Temperature Dial and Smoke Setting Functions

Adjusting the temperature dial, understanding smoke settings, and pellet behavior.

Digital Thermostat Control Adjustments

How to change the "P" setting for smoke control and its effects.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Precautions

Awareness of carbon monoxide hazards, symptoms, and prevention.

Grease Fire Prevention and Response

Guidelines for preventing grease fires and actions to take if one occurs.

Grill Maintenance

Creosote and Grease Buildup Management

Understanding creosote formation and the importance of cleaning grease buildup.

Cleaning Grease and Outside Surfaces

Procedures for cleaning grease from the interior, exterior, and porcelain grills.

Ash Cleaning and Firepot Maintenance

Instructions for removing ash from the firepot and interior of the grill.

Safe Ash Disposal Procedures

Proper methods for disposing of ashes in a safe, contained manner.

Frequently Asked Questions (Troubleshooting)

Grill Ignition Problems

Steps to diagnose and resolve issues preventing the grill from igniting.

Pellet Delivery Issues

Troubleshooting why pellets are not being delivered to the firepot.

Fire Extinguishing on Smoke Setting

Diagnosing and fixing issues causing the fire to go out on the smoke setting.

Auger Jam Resolution

Procedures for removing and clearing jams in the auger system.

Recommended Settings and Paint Care

Guidance on dial settings, temperature conversion, and protecting the grill's finish.

Parts Ordering Information

How to obtain replacement parts from Traeger dealers or the parts department.

Traeger Support and Contact Information

Technical Support and Sales Desk

Contact details for customer service, technical assistance, and ordering parts.

Component Diagrams

Illustrated Grill Components

Visual representation of the main grill parts with numerical identifiers.

Hopper and Burner Components Diagram

Visual breakdown of the hopper and burner assembly components.

Parts List

Detailed Grill Parts List

A comprehensive table detailing all parts, their descriptions, and part numbers.

Wiring Diagram

Digital Thermostat Control Wiring

Schematic illustrating the wiring connections for the digital thermostat control.

This document is an owner's manual for the Traeger Wood Pellet Grill, model TFB57PUBC. It provides comprehensive instructions for assembly, initial firing, subsequent start-up, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting, emphasizing safety precautions throughout.

Function Description:

The Traeger TFB57PUBC is a residential wood pellet grill-smoker designed for outdoor use. Its primary function is to cook and smoke food using wood pellets as fuel, providing a distinct "Taste the Difference" flavor. The grill features a digital thermostat control that allows users to select various cooking temperatures, including "Smoke" for smoking and adding smoke flavor, "Medium" for slow cooking, and "High" for grilling. An auger system feeds pellets from a hopper into a firepot, where a hot rod ignites them. A draft inducer fan helps maintain combustion and circulate heat. The grill is equipped with a grease drain pan and a grease bucket to manage drippings.

Important Technical Specifications:

Fuel Type: Specifically designed to use ONLY TRAEGER BRAND BBQ WOOD PELLETS. Heating fuel pellets are explicitly prohibited due to potential hazardous contaminants and additives.
Pellet Specifications: Traeger wood pellets are rated for 8500 BTU per LBS with an ash content of 2%.
Clearances:
- Minimum distance from the grill to combustibles: 12 inches.
- Minimum distance from overhead combustibles: 40 inches.
Temperature Control: Digital thermostat control with settings for Smoke (150-180°F), Medium (225-275°F), and High (350-400°F). The "Smoke" setting operates on a timed cycle (15 seconds on, 65 seconds off by default) which can be adjusted via a "P" setting (P-0 to P-5) to influence the off-time and thus the smoking temperature.
Safety Features:
- Low temperature alarm ("LEr") if the grill stays below 125°F for 10 minutes, shutting off power to internal components.
- High temperature alarm ("HEr") if the grill reaches 550°F, shutting off power to internal components.
- Automatic shutdown cycle: After cooking, setting the dial to "Shutdown Cycle" runs the draft inducer fan for ten minutes to burn off excess pellets before powering down.
Electrical: Requires an appropriate, grounded electrical outlet. Hazardous voltage is present; disconnect power cord before servicing.

Usage Features:

Assembly: The manual provides step-by-step instructions for mounting legs, leg braces, door handle, side handle, flue pipe assembly, chimney cap, heat baffle, grease drain pan, porcelain grill, warming shelf, and hanging the grease bucket. Tools supplied include a 3/16 hex key and a 7/16" - 1/2" combo wrench.
Initial Firing: A critical procedure to "charge" the auger tube with pellets. Involves removing internal components, plugging in, turning on the auger and fan, checking the hot rod, filling the hopper, running on HIGH to fill the auger, then shutting down. After reassembling, it starts on SMOKE with the door open until pellets ignite, then closes the door and sets the desired temperature.
Seasoning: Before cooking the first batch of food, the grill must be seasoned by running it on HIGH for 45 minutes with the door closed.
Subsequent Start-up: With the door open, turn the switch ON and the dial to SMOKE. Once whitish-gray smoke appears (pellets ignited, typically within 2 minutes), close the door and set the desired cooking temperature. Allow 10 minutes for pre-heating.
Manual Lighting: If the hot rod fails, the grill can be manually lit. This involves disconnecting power, removing internal components, adding 1/2 cup of pellets and 2 tablespoons of alcohol gel fire lighter to the firepot, lighting carefully, allowing to burn for 4 minutes, then reassembling and starting on SMOKE. DANGER: Never use gasoline or lighter fluid, and never squirt alcohol gel into a burning fire or hot firepot.
Temperature Adjustment: The temperature dial can be changed at any time. The grill is designed to operate with the door closed; opening it significantly lengthens cooking time.
P-Setting Adjustment: The "Smoke" setting's timed cycle can be adjusted via a switch inside a small hole on the digital control. This allows users to fine-tune the off-time of the auger, influencing the smoking temperature. Increasing the "P" number decreases smoking temperature, and vice versa. Traeger recommends not exceeding P-4.
Grease Fire Protocol: In case of a grease fire, turn the switch OFF and keep the door closed until the fire is out. If it doesn't go out, carefully remove food, keep the door closed, and lightly sprinkle baking soda. Clean the grease drain pan and tube thoroughly after the grill cools.

Maintenance Features:

Creosote and Grease Removal: Regular inspection (at least twice a year) of the flue exhaust, grease drain, grease drain tube, and grease bucket for buildup is recommended. Accumulations should be removed to reduce fire risk.
Grease Drain Pan Cleaning: Recommended to line with heavy-duty aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Foil should be changed frequently.
Grill Interior Cleaning: Remove porcelain grills, grease drain pan, and heat baffle. Wipe up grease residue with paper towels or disposable rags.
Outside Surfaces Cleaning: Use a disposable rag or cloth dampened with warm soapy water. DO NOT use oven cleaner, abrasive cleansers, or pads. Apply high-quality car wax every 90 days to cold surfaces.
Outside Storage: Use a Traeger Grill Cover to protect from rain, as wet pellets expand and can jam the auger.
Porcelain Grills Cleaning: Best cleaned while still warm with a long-handled brush after removing food.
Ash Removal: DANGER: Grill must be COLD before cleaning ash. Remove porcelain grills, grease drain pan, and heat baffle. Sweep ash from around the firepot with a whisk broom or small metal shovel. A utility-type vacuum cleaner with a metal collection canister is recommended.
Ash Disposal: Place ashes in a metal container with a tight-fitting lid on a non-combustible surface, away from all combustible materials, until thoroughly cooled before final disposal.
Auger Jam Clearing: If the auger jams, turn off power, disconnect the cord, allow to cool, remove covers to access the motor, disconnect the auger shaft, turn the auger counter-clockwise with a pipe wrench, remove and clean all pellets, ash, or foreign objects, sand the auger and tube if needed, and re-attach.
Part Replacement: Contact Traeger Dealer or Parts Department, providing name, phone number, address, model and serial number, and part identification number.