GMG Auger Stuck

  • <JC>
    • #1

    Hi guys, went to fire up the GMG Daniel Boone the other day and power tripped. Odd I though. Tried a few times and the same. Took out all the pellets and they had disintegrated into rock and bound the auger. I've removed as much as I can see but still won't turn. I think the sideways rain front at weird storm last week was to blame.

    @Urban Griller, have you experienced this before?

    I was going to turn on it's side and start taking apart, but keen for advice before I get the screwdriver out!

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    • #2

    It happens, I've had the same with the traeger a couple of times.

    Do a search as the process is a little different for each cooker (unless Chris gets on here first with the answer), but basically you need to disconnect the auger from the motor, remove the motor and try to get the auger shaft out. If you can't pull it and all the pellets out in one go you need to wind the auger shaft in and out to try to break up the pellets and get them out bit by bit. Only once has one of my blockages been this bad where it's taken a bit to break them up, the others cleared pretty quickly.

    • #3

    I had to remove mine just after I got it. Its actually not that hard to do. Basically, unbolt main box, put it sideways on a chair next to unit, then you'll see where to unbolt the auger and slide it out.
    Maybe have to disconnect controller first, but can't remember now.

    • Official Post
    • #4

    Yep, the pellets break down when they get wet, then the mass swells with water and sets like concrete!

    Tap the auger tube and see if that loosens enough mas so the auger can turn.

    Otherwise, dismantle, unwind the auger and remove it. Use a section of broom stick as a reaming rod to clear the auger tube.

    • #5

    Thanks guys, great advice!

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    • #6

    And don't forget to re prime the auger tube when starting up again. Or put a handful of pellets in the firebox. So it has something to light whilst it tries to refill the auger again.

    • #7

    And don't forget to re prime the auger tube when starting up again. Or put a handful of pellets in the firebox. So it has something to light whilst it tries to refill the auger again.

    Hi mate, thanks. Unfortunately just read this after reassembling.

    Clean out was pretty easy, but didn't prime the tube or fire box. Did a test without pellets by holding my hand over the pellet sensor and auger still isn't turning despite being free.

    Should I prime and try again? Or is the auger stuffed from trying to turn when it was stuck?

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    • #8

    To ask another way, should the auger start turning during the 4 stage warm up without pellets? As it's going through all stages without turning and going to startup temperature. Fans and everything else working fine.

    @Urban Griller ?

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    • #9

    Ok! So I fixed it. Added pellets into the hopper and the firebox. Once I did that, turned on and let it aug till phase 3 of start up. Then turned off and repeated the process a few times until the auger was full. Auger is working again perfectly.

    I thought to test (without filling with pellets and it perhaps not working) I could fool the hopper sensor with my hand, but it seems it's more technical than that. Having pellets in there did the trick.

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    • #10

    Bbq is back to its best! Deboned a chicken and cubed- marinated in yoghurt, garlic, onion pulp, tomato paste, lemon juice, paprika, salt and pepper. Smoked until crispy popcorn Turkish chicken

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    • #11

    It should have started even without the hopper pellet level sensor working. It just beeps to say if its low. Doesn't stop anything.
    But whatever, its all going now.
    Just switching it on with the switch wouldn't have done anything. With it on, whan you tap the temp button, that's what starts the actual startup procedure and starts feeding the pellets in.

    • Official Post
    • #12

    It should have started even without the hopper pellet level sensor working. It just beeps to say if its low. Doesn't stop anything.
    But whatever, its all going now.
    Just switching it on with the switch wouldn't have done anything. With it on, whan you tap the temp button, that's what starts the actual startup procedure and starts feeding the pellets in.

    Yep, the sensor does nothing...I dis-connect them

    Pellets are delivered when the startup cycle starts. If you are starting with an empty auger, let it go till the display reads #1, then turn off and hit the UP button to enter startup again, this will prime the auger.