Frequently Asked Questions
Does my grill require electricity to operate?
The short answer is yes. Your grill must be plugged into an electrical source in order to operate. Electricity powers the controller, the auger, the igniter, and the induction fan, which are all necessary in operating the grill.
How much electricity does the grill use?
This varies depending on how long the grill has been on. For the first five minutes, the grill will use about 150 watts of electricity, during which time it is lighting the pellets. After the pellets are lit, or after about five minutes, electricity use will drop to less than 100 watts. The searing station uses 1000 watts when it is in use.
What size generator is required to operate my grill?
A 2000-watt generator is recommended for searing station-equipped models, while a 1000-watt generator is sufficient for those without a searing station.
Why does my grill keep tripping a GFCI?
If the ground-fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, keeps tripping, that most often means that the igniter rod is beginning to fail. But that’s not the only reason why a GFCI would trip — using a wet extension cord or having other high-powered appliances on the same circuit are other common reasons for GFCI tripping. If neither of those two reasons is to blame, then you may need to replace your igniter rod.
How often should I clean my grill?
Ideally, you should clean your grill grate after each use. This will help ensure that any substances spilled and/or residual grease are removed. Beyond a basic cleaning each time you use the grill, you’ll also want to vacuum out ash at least every two to three cooking sessions and deep-clean the grill two or three times each year. Change the foil on the grill’s drip tray and empty the drip bucket on an as-needed basis.
How does the searing feature work?
On the USG730 and USG890 models, you will turn the searing station on with the toggle switch on the control board, allow a few minutes for it to reach temperature, and sear your meat directly on it. Once the meat is seared to satisfaction, turn the searing station off, and continue cooking as needed.
My grill is showing ER-(1,2,3). What does this mean?
Each of those codes has a distinct meaning.
If an ER-1 code is showing, it means that your grill has overheated, most likely due to a grease fire. However, If you’ve just replaced your resistance temperature detector (also called the RTD sensor), that error may mean your RTD wire is connected to the wrong tabs.
An ER-2 code means that your grill didn’t reach the warm condition set point within 15 minutes. There are a variety of reasons why this might occur, including igniter rod failure, your grill being out of pellets, an auger jam, or the lid is open.
If your grill is showing an ER-3 code, it signifies that the grill dropped below set point temperature after it had been reached. One possible cause is a power failure, so check to ensure you have good connections with an electrical outlet or extension cord. Some other causes include running out of pellets or an auger jam.
Why will my grill not turn on?
There can be any number of reasons why your grill won’t power on. The most common reasons include a bad power outlet, the GFCI on the outlet being tripped, a break in the power cord or extension cord, or a blown fuse on the back of the controller. If you’re not certain what’s causing your particular issue, reach out to our customer service team for helping troubleshooting the problem.
Why will my grill not reach 500 degrees?
If your grill is no longer hitting the 500-degree mark, there are a few potential causes. The use of off-brand, moist, or old pellets is the most common cause, since they will not burn as intensely. But poor airflow, blocked holes in the firepot, a weak induction fan, a dirty or misplaced temperature probe, frequently opening the lid, or extremely windy or cold weather conditions can all also be to blame.
How long will it take for my grill to reach 350 degrees?
From the moment you start the grill to the moment you hit 350 degrees should take around 20 to 30 minutes. From there, you should reach max temperature by the 30- to 45-minute mark. If the day is particularly cold or windy, preheat time may be increased by up to 15 minutes.
What is the “prime” function used for?
The prime function is designed to reduce startup times when the auger is empty of pellets. Quite simply, it is a feature that allows you to start grilling faster in this situation. When pressed, the auger will feed at maximum speed. The prime button can be used when lighting your grill for the first time or when relighting after your grill has run out of fuel. Proper use of this function would be to press the “ON” button when the auger is empty and then hold the “prime” button for up to 1 minute. You should not hold down the prime button once the grill is burning, as this will negatively impact the performance of the grill, since it is designed to automatically adjust the fuel feed rate based on internal temperature. Do not hold the prime button for longer than 1 minute during startup.