Our traeger smokes but the fan does not run consistantly?

Sounds like a part failed. Call Traegger support at 1 (800) 872-3437

Do you get an error messsage that looks like LEr? If a Traeger can't reach 125 for ten consecutive minutes, it will automatically shut down. Try starting at a higher temperature than "Smoke" if it's cold outside. Traeger also makes "blankets" to help your smoker maintain temp in cold climates, but they're quite an investment.

Yes, it is possible to use a Traeger smoker to heat something without getting a smoke flavor. One way to do this would be to use the "smoke" setting on the smoker to burn off any residual oils or flavors from previous smoking sessions, and then turn the setting to "high" or "bake" to heat the food without smoke. Another option would be to wrap the food in foil before heating it in the smoker, which can help to prevent smoke from permeating the food.
It's important to note that even if you don't use the smoke feature on the Traeger, there may be still some smoke flavor present in the food, as the wood pellets will produce some smoke when they're heated, so you may want to consider using an alternative heating source if you want to completely eliminate the smoke flavor.

Fire underneath?

That could mean that pellets in the augur have caught fire and it can work its way back to the hopper. Then you really have a problem. Are you sure the fan is running?

You should be able to hear it. The fan helps keep the heat from working its way into the augur. If it's not running, you should also be having trouble controlling the temperature.

Traeger has specific instructions on its website for testing various components including the fan and customer support can assist you with this problem.

Here's a link to the Traeger website: http://www.traegergrills.com/. I'd suggest you get in touch with them ASAP because you definitely don't want to deal with burning pellets in the hopper.

This is a common complaint about Traeger grills. Some people have resolved it with smoke pipes which contain pellets that smolder during the cooking process.

Others use different pellets than Traeger pellets but they void their warranty when they do. For me, Traeger pellets seem to put out enough smoke at the low temperatures I use (less than 200 degrees) but if I get above 200, the smoke goes sway.

When I cook pork shoulders, I try to keep the temperature at 180. In ideal conditions the Traeger will fluctuate between 160 and 200, averaging 180. If I can maintain this low-slow cooking temp-speed, I get a good smoke ring and decent smoke flavor.

If I get above 200, I lose much of the flavor but usually have a smoke ring though not as intense as at the lower temps. There are lots of conversations about this on blogs at the Traeger website and at the Pelletheads website.

Have you cleaned the ash out of the firepot? I clean mine with a shop vac after every five or six uses because the ash builds up and "insulates" the fire, keeping air from the fan reaching it so it just smolders and never really gets hot.

Make sure you are leaving it open long enough when you first turn it on. Everything in the smoke chamber needs to burn up before you begin. There also may be grease buildup in the bottom of your smoker that is catching on fire. If neither of these two possibilities work, contact Traeger support https://www.traegergrills.com/support

Remove your grill, inner shield and outer dip plate from the Traeger. Start the Traeger in smoke mode. Observe to see if the blower fan is working. Is the auger turning? Are the pellets dry? Condensation can make the pellets swell and cause plug ups.