To use a pellet grill, burn in a new grill, fill the hopper with dry pellets and start it the way your brand says: Pit Boss says lid open on Smoke for 10 minutes, Traeger says lid closed. Set the temperature, cook to a safe internal temperature, then run the shutdown cycle and let the fan stop before you unplug.
Your manual's start-up and shutdown steps beat any general guide.
Pellet Grill Start-Up and Shutdown by Brand
Traeger and Pit Boss disagree on the lid at start-up, so check your brand's row.
| Traeger | Pit Boss | |
|---|---|---|
| Lid at start-up | Closed | Open on Smoke for 10 min, then close |
| First burn-in, other WiFIRE grills (e.g. Ironwood) | 350°F for 20 min, then 450–500°F for 30 min | Follow your manual's first burn-off; Pit Boss's blog adds an oiled 375°F seasoning, about 15 min |
| First burn-in, Woodridge | 350°F for 15 min, then 500°F for 45 min | n/a |
| First burn-in, non-app grills | Smoke about 15 min, then High about 30 min | n/a |
| Shutdown | Hold the button, dial or knob 3 seconds; let the cycle and fan finish | Lid closed: 350°F 5–10 min, 200°F 5 min, then Off; fan runs about 15 min |
The Traeger column comes from Traeger's seasoning page; the Pit Boss column from Pit Boss's FAQ and blog. If you own a recteq, follow recteq's own burn-in, start-up and cool-down steps.
What You Need
Run it outdoors only, clear of the house, as your manual directs.
- Your grill's manual, or the maker's support page for your model
- Food-grade hardwood pellets made for cooking
- A dry, airtight container for pellets
- An instant-read or leave-in meat thermometer
- Heat-resistant gloves
- A shop vac for cold ash
Step-by-Step: How to Use a Pellet Grill
Eight steps take a new pellet grill from the box to a safe shutdown.
Step 1 of 8Burn in a new grill once
Time: about 1 hour on a non-app Traeger or a Woodridge, about 1.5 hours on other WiFIRE Traegers
Traeger's seasoning page gives the times and temperatures in the table above. If you have a Traeger Woodridge, don't wipe off the factory grease coating first; Traeger says it gives a more durable burn-in layer.
- Pit Boss: follow the first-fire steps in your manual. Pit Boss's blog also suggests oiling the grates and Flame Broiler plate with a high-heat oil, then running the grill at 375°F for about 15 minutes.
- recteq: the recteq Flagship 1600 and other recteq grills have their own burn-in steps; follow recteq's.
Step 2 of 8Fill the hopper with dry pellets
Done when: pellets reach at least the safety grate
Use food-grade hardwood pellets made for cooking, never heating pellets. Pit Boss warns that pellets that take in moisture "will not burn correctly", so only pour in dry, shiny pellets.
Step 3 of 8Prime the auger if it's new or ran empty
Done when: pellets drop into the fire pot
An empty auger means no fuel reaches the fire, so the start-up fails.
- Traeger WiFIRE: run Prime Auger from the controller.
- Traeger non-app grills: remove the grate, drip tray and heat baffle, set High for 2–5 minutes until pellets drop, run the shutdown cycle, then put the parts back.
- Pit Boss: press Prime while the igniter is still hot.
Step 4 of 8Start it with the lid where your brand says
Target: lid open on Smoke for 10 minutes (Pit Boss) or lid closed (Traeger)
On a Pit Boss, close the lid after 10 minutes and set your temperature. Pit Boss's FAQ says the open lid stops smoke overloading the barrel and helps prevent a backdraft. On a non-app Traeger, the fire is established in about 15 minutes, when the smoke thins and turns slightly blue.
Step 5 of 8Set the temperature and leave the lid shut
Target: your recipe's temperature
The controller feeds pellets to hold the set point, so keep the lid closed. Pit Boss says not to lift the lid to regulate temperature on any setting other than Smoke. For how long heating takes, see how long a pellet grill takes to heat up.
- Top end: the Traeger Pro 34 tops out at 450°F; other Traegers list 500°F max.
- Pit Boss P-setting: Pit Boss's FAQ gives a default of P-4 and warns that raising it too far can make the fire die out completely.
Step 6 of 8Cook to a safe internal temperature
Done when: the thickest part reaches USDA's safe minimum
Check with a thermometer, not the clock, using our chart of safe internal temperatures. For cook-specific times, follow how to smoke a brisket or smoke ribs. On the Pit Boss Navigator 850 and Pit Boss 150, the Flame Broiler opens the grate to direct flame for searing.
Step 7 of 8Run the shutdown cycle
Done when: the fan stops
Don't unplug or switch off at the wall mid-cycle; let the cycle run until the fire burns out and the fan stops.
- Traeger: hold the shutdown button, dial or knob for 3 seconds and let the countdown finish. Traeger gives about 25 minutes on non-connected grills.
- Pit Boss: with the lid closed, run 350°F for 5–10 minutes (10–20 minutes more after greasy food), then 200°F for 5 minutes, then Off. The fan runs about 15 minutes.
Step 8 of 8Store pellets and clear ash
Done when: pellets are sealed away and the fire pot is clear
Pit Boss advises emptying the hopper after each cook into an airtight container, such as a sealable 5-gallon bucket, to stop rot and auger jams. Pit Boss also notes pellets are extremely flammable, so store the container away from heat. Vacuum ash from the fire pot once the grill is cold; Pit Boss suggests a full clean after every 40–60 lb of pellets. Our guide to clean a pellet grill covers the rest.
Why Won't My Pellet Grill Start or Hold Temperature?
Most start-up failures come from an empty auger, an open lid or damp pellets.
The fire won't light after the hopper ran out
Sign
The igniter heats, but no fire takes hold.
Fix
- Refill the hopper.
- Prime the auger the way your brand says (Step 3).
Expect
Pellets in the fire pot and a normal start-up.
The temperature swings during the cook
Sign
The reading drops and spikes each time you check the food.
Fix
- Keep the lid closed except on Smoke.
- Check food with a leave-in probe instead of lifting the lid.
Expect
A steadier temperature because the controller isn't reacting to outside air.
Pellets won't burn right or the auger jams
Sign
The fire struggles to hold, or the auger stops feeding.
Fix
- Empty the hopper and replace any pellets that look dull or don't snap cleanly.
- Store pellets sealed and dry between cooks.
Expect
Clean feeding and an even fire. If it still runs cold, see why your pellet grill won't get hot.
Which Pellet Grill Features Make It Easier?
An app and a pellet sensor save trips outside; a Flame Broiler adds searing.
A pellet sensor shows the hopper level in the app on the Woodridge Pro and Ironwood 885; the base Woodridge has none, so you check the hopper yourself. The Pro 34 has no app. Pit Boss's Flame Broiler lets you sear over direct flame. Compare every pick in our best pellet grills.
Easiest first TraegerTraeger Woodridge★ 4.4/5
WiFIRE app control and a 24 lb hopper; check the pellet level yourself.
Best for overnight cooksTraeger Woodridge Pro★ 4.4/5
A 24 lb hopper with a pellet sensor that shows the level in the app.
Smoke and searWi-Fi control, a 30 lb hopper and a Flame Broiler lever for direct flame.
Frequently Asked Questions
01Do you leave the lid open when starting a pellet grill?
It depends on the brand: Pit Boss opens it for the first 10 minutes to stop smoke building up and a backdraft; Traeger keeps it shut. See Step 4.
02Do you need to season a new pellet grill?
Yes, once, the way your maker says. On a Traeger it takes about 1 to 1.5 hours depending on the model.
03How do you shut down a pellet grill?
Use the grill's shutdown cycle, not the power cord. Wait until the fan stops before you unplug it.
04Can you leave pellets in the hopper?
Pit Boss advises against it: empty the hopper after each cook into an airtight container, because pellets that take in moisture can rot and jam the auger.
05Do you have to prime the auger every time?
No. Prime it on a brand-new grill or after the hopper runs empty, so pellets reach the fire pot before ignition.
06Can you use heating pellets in a pellet grill?
No. Use only food-grade hardwood pellets made for cooking.
The Takeaway
A pellet grill does most of the work once it's lit, but the start and the finish are where owners go wrong. Follow your brand's lid rule at start-up and never cut the power during shutdown.
- New grill: burn it in once, per your maker.
- Pit Boss: lid open on Smoke for 10 minutes at start-up.
- Traeger: lid closed at start-up.
- Every brand: run the shutdown cycle and wait for the fan to stop.
Still choosing a cooker? Read our best pellet grills picks, browse our pellet grill reviews or compare a pellet grill vs a traditional smoker.
Written by
Tom Bricker
Consumer Research Analyst & Editor
Tom Bricker has 10+ years of grilling on every fuel type and a consumer-research background. He researches and writes SmokyHQ’s gas, portable, electric and flat-top coverage, so if you’re weighing price against how long a grill will last, his reviews compare specs, materials and warranties to show which ones look worth the money.
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