Frequently Asked Questions

Pre-Purchase

Getting Started

Warranty Info

Technical Support

Pre-Purchase FAQs

Below you’ll find some of the things we think you’re most likely to want to or need to know about before you purchase a Green Mountain Grill.

Where can I purchase GMG grills in New Zealand?

All the products are available for online purchase or from our network of shops nationwide. To find a dealer, click here.

Why cook with a Green Mountain pellet grill?

In today’s environment of high technology, it just makes sense to use a computer-controlled barbecue. This makes your job easier, since you will not need to tend coals or monitor the fuel level in your propane tank, and you can depend on a constant temperature whatever you set from 150°-500°.

But why pellets?

Pellets impart true wood flavor to your food. This is not a heavy, acrid, smoky taste, but one which derives from guaiacol (gweye-a-kol), the flavor molecules that get released when you burn the lignin present in all wood. Manufacturers produce charcoal briquettes by burning wood into “char”(thus its name), which burns up all the flavor molecules. So briquettes have no natural flavor. Like propane or natural gas, they just provide a heat source. And briquettes contain Borax and limestone and usually get lit with a volatile organic compound. Pellet are all natural, ours contain no additives whatsoever.

Will food burn on a pellet grill?

Food usually does not burn on a pellet grill because it cooks with indirect convection heat, rather than direct flame.

Do I have to use Green Mountain Grill pellets?

No. We recommend you start with GMG pellets not just because they’re great pellets but they’re also great value – packed in 12.7kg/28lb bags, which is 40% more than most other pellets.  Most of our customers stick with or return to the GMG range of pellets.

If using other brands, it’s worth checking their moisture, ash, and fines content.  If they’re composed of wood that burns at lower temperatures, keep an eye on the cleanliness of your firepot.  And don’t pay any attention to claims about BTUs… there are too many variables to make this meaningful (see above).

Finally, DO NOT USE HEATING or SOFTWOOD pellets.  These are not intended to be used for cooking food and may be harmful to your health.

What do GMG pellets contain and how are they made?

The flavor molecules in wood fiber guaiacol (gweye-a-kol) come from the combustion of lignin which is found almost equally in all hardwoods. We hate to destroy the myth of flavored pellets, but different species of hardwoods do not produce different flavors in food. Sorry.

How does a GMG pellet grill work?

An auger feeds pellets to a firebox where a hot rod (igniter) automatically lights them on fire. A sensor inside the cooking cavity reads the temperature ten times every second and sends this information to the on-board computer. The controller uses this data to adjust air and pellet flow to maintain the temperature you set. 

Do you offer a thermal blanket for my grill to save on pellets in the winter?

GMG make thermal blankets for all models.

Does Green Mountain offer a rotisserie attachment?

Yes, there is a rotisserie attachment available for Prime Plus Daniel Boone/Ledge and Jim Bowie/Peak models. 

What foods can you cook on a pellet grill?

A Green Mountain pellet grill allows you to cook a huge variety of foods: meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, pizza (especially pizza!), casseroles, bread, even chocolate chip cookies.

Getting Started FAQs

Below you’ll find some of the things we think you’re most likely to want to or need to know about before you get stuck in.

What temperatures do people typically cook at on GMG grills?

Smoke: 65-105C (150-220 F)

Barbecue: 107-135C (225-275 F)

Roast: 137-190C (280-375 F)

Grill: 195-245C (380-475 F)

Sear: 248-260C (480-500 F);  on the Davy Crockett/Trek, 285C (550F)

How high should I set my chimney cap?

Surprisingly, chimney cap height is crucial to your grill’s proper performance. If you choke it down too far, it creates pressure inside the grill which can result in temperature fluctuations.

The chimney on your Daniel Boone/Ledge or Jim Bowie/Peak series grill should always be open at least as much as shown in the picture on the left.  In warm weather, you should open it even further.

On the Davy Crockett/Trek model, swing it all the way open, all the time.

GMG Chimney Cap

How often should I clean my grill?

We recommend normal cleaning necessary for hygiene and appearance. A thorough cleaning inside and out about every 25 hours of grilling time will ensure the best possible results in the future.

How should I store the pellets?

We recommend clean, dry, ventilated indoor storage in the original bags or a waterproof storage container.

Do not let your pellets get damp or wet.  Ever.  Makes Gremlins seem tame (actually, they’ll degrade and at best cause temperature issues, at worst they’ll damage your auger!).

Should I use drip bucket liners in my grease bucket?

Yes, it will make it much easier to clean.

How should I turn off my grill?

Daniel Boone/Jim Bowie/Ledge/Peak:
Never just use the ON/OFF switch to turn the grill off. Instead, use the down arrow to lower the temperature to 150. Release the button and press it once again to enter “FAN” mode. The grill will power down after the “FAN” mode ends. At that time, you may use the ON/OFF switch to cut power to the grill.

Davy Crockett/Trek:
Just press the red power button at any time to turn the grill off and enter automatic FAN mode.

Can I grill in the rain?

No electrical appliance should be used anywhere near water.

How long does it take my grill to cool down?

Depending on ambient temperature, the grill can take from 15-45 minutes to cool downafter it exits FAN mode.

How many pellets will my grill use?

Good question!  And the truthful answer is: It depends.  And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

Pellet consumption is goverened by a whole range of variables including ambient temperature, the temperature you’re cooking at, wind, elevation, how often the lid gets opened and closed, and weight of meat when placed in the GMG; and, the pellets you’re using – some woods burner hotter, other less so.

But for guidance, pellet consumption can be anywhere between

Davy Crockett/Trek: 140g – 900g per hour

Daniel Boone/Ledge: 225g – 1.1kg per hour

Jim Bowie/Peak: 340g – 1.4kg per hour

If cooking regularly at colder times of year, which is when pellet consumption will be greatest, you’ll find the GMG Thermal Blanket is a great investment.

What is the proper way to install the grease bucket?

Hang the grease bucket on the hook underneath the side tray table on the right. It is worth removing the bucket before putting the cover on as it is easily disturbed when the cover is next taken off.

Warranty FAQs

Below you’ll find the warranty info you need to know about before you purchase your new Green Mountain Grill.

How long is my warranty, and what's covered?

GMG’s limited warranty is 3 years. Click here to read about the GMG warranty. Click here to register your grill.

Technical Support FAQs

You’ll find loads of information in the SUPPORT section of our website – also check out our user guides and support videos.

My grill didn't light. What happened?

Possible causes (you may see a FAL (“FAiL” abbreviation) message:

  • Too much ash in the firebox. Wait until it cools off, and clean the ash out.
  • Pellets overfilled the firebox. NEVER turn the grill off and on repeatedly, as this will fill the firebox with pellets. The igniter cannot light the pellets unless air can flow freely through the combustion chamber.
  • Combustion fan not operating. Check to make sure the fan blades turn freely and that it runs on Cycle 2 of the 0-1- 2-3 sequence. Replace if necessary.
  • Firebox is empty because auger has not fed pellets into it. Click the “Support Tab” for further diagnosis.
What's the difference between Point-to-Point, WiFi, and Server Modes?

Point-to-Point:
This is where the grill emits it’s own WiFi signal. Any device with the GMG app may connect straight to the grill. No internet connection is necessary. You must be within c. 15-23 m (50-75 ft, depending on obstructions) from the grill depending on obstructions. Basically your phone/tablet acts as a direct remote to the grill.

Wifi Mode:
Rather than the phone/tablet being connected straight to the grill, it is communicating through your home wifi network. This increases your range to anywhere within your home network.

Server Mode:
When Wifi Mode is active, you may turn on server mode. In this mode the grill is connected to GMG’s servers, thereby enabling you to stay connected to the grill while away from home. Your phone will need at least 3G coverage for this. You have full functionality as the other two modes with the exception of being able to turn on the grill for safety reasons.  An adult should be near the grill anytime it is in operation.

Although GMG is continually updating firmware and app structure, there is a possibility that your home network and or other devices may need reconfiguring or updating for full Server Mode functionality. If Server Mode is not functioning, you can always use Point-to-Point or WiFi modes.

Why won't my grill start in Server Mode?

You MUST be present (at your grill) to start it for obvious safety reasons.

How do I update the firmware on my WiFi grill's controller?
I'm using a 3rd-party device to measure the temp inside my grill, and it doesn't match the controller's temp. Why?

Food cooks by three methods:

  1. Conduction: food heats by contact with a hot surface such as the grate on the grill or a pan.
  2. Convection: hot air molecules bounce around inside the grill cavity and barrage the food.
  3. Radiation: infrared rays, if you use GMG’s open flame technology, heat the food.

The grill’s thermal sensor retrieves data from inside the grill. The computer on the control panel analyses the data and responds by adjusting the air flow inside the grill and the pellet flow into the firebox.

Here’s the crux: the data gathered by the platinum sensor can be erratic. Think about all of the things that affect this data – the cover being opened and closed, wind, cold food, grease splattering on the drip tray, humidity, altitude, and even how level the grill is (which can affect pellet flow into the firebox – gravity!).

So the computer receives all of this data, averages it over time, and provides a reasonably accurate display of the overall temperature inside your grill.

This is why an instant air temperature reading from a 3rd party product such as Maverick, does not really provide much useful information.

Your food cooks, as we’ve learned, by a combination of all three methods. The instant reading tells you only one piece of information from a tiny portion of the total space inside the grill cavity. it does not tell you the whole picture. A reading from one cubic millimeter of a cavity in which there are about 83 million cubic millimeters is not a true indication of the cavity temperature.

How close to the house can I use my grill safely?

Do NOT use your grill with less than 1 meter (c. 36”) clearance from any combustible object or surface.

Suddenly my grill is running hotter than I have it set. What's wrong?

This might happen on an extremely hot day, similar to how your car can be hotter inside that it is outside.

The grill needs to produce enough heat to keep the fire going, and rarely, on extremely hot and windy days, the inside temperature may exceed the set temperature.

Opening the lid for a few minutes at a time will normally solve this issue.

How often should I clean the ash out of my firebox?

Unfortunately, some pellets have a much higher ash content than they should. This may result in larger ash deposits in the firebox which can restrict airflow and cause temperature fluctuations and even soot if the fire gets starved for oxygen.

You should use a shop vacuum to pull the ash out of the firebox every 35-45kg (75-100 lbs) or so of pellets. You may have to do it more often if you use high ash content pellets.

Make sure your grill is cold and there are no remaining embers before cleaning the firebox.

Occasionally, I notice grease on the ground. What can I do about it?

Barbecue and drippings seem to go hand in hand, so some people invest in a grill mat or similar that they place on the ground under their grill.

If you have a persistent leak from your chimney, it’s probable that the nuts need tightening or you may need a new gasket; alternatively, seal with high temperature silicone.

Why doesn't my grill smoke more?

All pellet grills burn very cleanly after start-up.

They put off a thin blue smoke which gives the meat a perfect mild smoke flavour. Those who are used to stick burners will notice this difference. Stick burners put off a dark smoke that may impart a distinct and somewhat bitter taste to the meat. That flavour is because of the bark which may include harmful byproducts like creosote. Pellets do not contain bark.

That being said there are ways to get as much smoke flavor from your pellet grill as possible.

  1. The lower the temperature at which you smoke, the more smoke flavour you will get. Low-and-slow is the name of the game!
  2. The addition of a smoke tube or other smoke generatating material may help those who are looking for a stronger smoke flavour.
Why is there a temperature difference between the left to right of my grill?

Many factors affect the left-to-right temperatures inside any grill. Prevailing winds may cool down one quadrant of the grill. Outside air temperature may require more air infusion from the combustion fan in order to maintain the set temperature. Cold food on one side or the other may produce lower temperatures in that area.

This phenomenon would happen in any brand of pellet grill, in spite of what others’  marketing departments would have you believe.

Fortunately, Green Mountain has a solution in its moveable diffuser.

  • in most cases, centering the underside “V” over the firebox will provide satisfactory results from side to side.
  • if you move the heat shield (diffuser) to the left, the temperature on the right will increase, and vice-versa.
  • Some people still feel more comfortable using instant readings from an instrument such as a Maverick than with the computer’s averages. If you wish to adjust your grill’s temperature to match your Maverick (or similar) move the diffuser to the left (makes the Maverick’s display’s reading hotter) or to the right (makes it cooler). These are small changes to get it dialed in. Pushing the heat shield left a very small amount from center will direct the flame away from the thermal sensor causing it to read less heat. When it reads lower it will raise the temp of the grill overall. Making it more accurate to what the grill is reading.
  • Make small changes of about 5mm (1/8”) only.
How long should it take my grill to reach 260c (500f)?

Ambient temperature plays a role, but it should reach the maximum temperature within 15-30 minutes.

My auger is jamming.

Is your grill and hopper lid both closed? If they are and the auger is still not feeding pellets, please read on. Take a look at the little white fan (Black if made before 2009) attached to the end of the auger motor. Is that fan moving as you have a desired temperature set higher than the current temperature showing on the control board? Can you hear the motor running? If you answered yes to both of these questions, see if you can spin the white fan a few rotations. Sometimes a pellet may “bridge” and cause a bind inside the auger. 

How do I replace my control board?
  1. It is important to unplug the unit before you start looking over any parts.
  2. Unscrew the 2 tiny Philips head screws on the front control panel (shown in picture) and pull the control panel out towards you. You may let the panel hang.
  3. Carefully remove all plugs from the back of the control panel.
  4. Carefully detach the large main plug and free the control board from the grill.
  5. Attach the new control board by reversing the steps above.

GMG Control Board

My combustion fan does not seem to work correctly.
  1. It is important to unplug the unit before you start looking over any parts.
  2. Using your finger, flick the fan to be sure that it spins freely and does not appear to have any visible damage.
  3. The blue wires located inside the white sheathe shown here, operate the combustion fan. Check to be sure those connections are secure and are not melted or burned.
  4. If there is no visible damage to the combustion fan or wires, please call technical support at 1-800-603-3398. If your combustion fan or wiring appears to be damaged, Simply go to buy part (if your grill is under warranty, you will just need to put in your serial number) and order a new combustion fan.

REPLACEMENT

  1. While the grill in unplugged, use wire cutters to cut the white nylon zip tie that holds combustion fan wires in place.
  2. Pull apart the in-line connectors to disconnect combustion fan.
  3. Remove the 4 screws attaching the combustion fan assembly to grill.
  4. Install the new fan and follow instructions in reverse order.

    

How do I correctly install my chimney?

To install chimney you will need a 10mm wrench or socket. Tighten chimney securely to the side of the grill. Make sure that the white gasket goes between the chimney and the grill itself. (See Picture)

My unit is displaying an 'OUL' code.
  1. It is important to unplug the unit before you start looking over any parts.
  2. Unscrew the 2 tiny Philips head screws on the front control panel (shown in picture) and pull the control panel out towards you. You may let the panel hang.
  3. Using a can of computer cleaner thoroughly blow off the back of the control board.
  4. Reattach control board and test the unit.

IF THIS HASN’T SOLVED YOUR ISSUE YOU WILL NEED TO CHECK THE WIRING FOR THE COMBUSTION FAN.

  1. Locate the combustion fan under the back side of the bottom of the grill.
  2. The blue wires located inside the white sheathe shown here, operate the combustion fan. Check to be sure those connections are secure and are not melted or burned (shown in picture).
  3. If the wiring or the fan itself is damaged you will need a new one. Simply go to buy part (if your grill is under warranty, you will just need to put in your serial number) and order a new combustion fan.

IF ALL WIRING TO THE COMBUSTION FAN LOOKS CORRECT YOU WILL NEED TO CHECK THE WIRING TO THE HOPPER FAN.

  1. Look up under the hopper and locate the 2 black wires attached to the hopper fan. These wires connect with 2 blue wires (see picture), using in-line connectors. Ensure that those connections do not appear to be damaged in any way.
  2. If wiring is damaged, please contact us.

GMG Control Board

Remove the two phillips screws.

The blue wires located inside the white sheathe shown here, operate the combustion fan.

Check to be sure those connections are secure and are not melted or burned.

My grill displays "NoFd".
  1. Make sure meat probe is securely inserted into control board with no kinks in the wire.
  2. If this doesn’t resolve the “NoFd” code you grill will require a new meat probe. Simply go to buy part (if your grill is under warranty, you will just need to put in your serial number) and order a new meat probe.
My grill is making a clicking noise.

AT TIMES, THE GREY WIRE UNDERNEATH WILL SHIFT IN SHIPPING FROM YOUR DEALER’S LOCATION OR EVEN AROUND YOUR OUTSIDE AREA

Take a look underneath your grill for the grey wire and simply move it away from your auger fan blade. This will end the clicking noise.