A pellet grill that won’t feed fuel isn’t always a dead motor — but when it is, replacing an auger motor is one of the cheapest repairs on the grill, not a reason to shop for a new one. Here’s how to tell a failed motor apart from a jam, what OEM replacement parts actually cost by brand, and what to check before buying a universal one.
Quick Answer
Turn the grill off, unplug it, and try turning the auger shaft by hand through the hopper: if it spins freely but the motor does nothing when powered, the motor has failed; if it won’t turn at all or the motor hums and strains, you have a jam, not a dead motor. A real auger motor replacement is inexpensive — $29.99 direct from Pit Boss for its 2 RPM Series motor and $57.99 direct from Traeger for its 120V auger motor, per each brand’s own parts page, with universal third-party motors running $25-45 on Amazon. On Traeger’s AC (non-WiFi) grills, an Er6 or Er7 code means exactly this: per Traeger Support, the auger has disconnected and the motor needs replacing.
Dead motor or just jammed? Diagnose it first
Most pellet grill owners assume a fuel-feed problem is a broken motor and buy a part they didn’t need. The real test takes 30 seconds: unplug the grill, open the hopper, and turn the auger shaft by hand.
| What you find | What it means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Shaft turns freely by hand, nothing happens when powered | Motor has failed | Replace the auger motor |
| Shaft won't turn by hand at all | Jammed by swollen or hardened pellets | Empty hopper, clear the jam manually — see our maintenance guide |
| Motor hums or strains, shaft barely moves | Jam straining a working motor | Clear the jam before it burns out the motor |
| Motor clicks, grinds, or squeals under load | Worn internal gears or a warped shaft | Replace the motor — noise usually means it's failing, not fixable |
| Traeger shows Er6 or Er7 (AC grills only) | Controller detects the auger has disconnected | Replace the auger motor per Traeger Support |
Running a straining motor against a jam for more than a few startup cycles is the fastest way to actually burn it out — if the shaft won’t turn by hand, clear the jam before you ever plug the grill back in.
Universal pellet grill auger motor
- 120V AC motors are the standard across nearly every residential pellet grill sold in the US.
- Match your original motor's printed RPM (1, 1.6, or 2 RPM) — the wrong speed changes how fast pellets reach the fire pot.
- A straightforward swap on most grills: four bracket screws, a drive-pin coupling, and two wire connectors.
Ordering the part now so it’s ready for the weekend cook? Amazon Fresh can have the brisket and rubs delivered the same day the motor arrives, so you’re not stuck defrosting meat with a grill still in pieces.
Real auger motor prices, by brand
| Brand | OEM part | Price | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pit Boss | Auger Motor, 2 RPM Series (SKU 70102) | $29.99 | Pit Boss 2 RPM-series pellet grills |
| Traeger | Auger Motor 120V | $57.99 | Pro 20/22/34, Texas Elite 34, Lil Tex 22, Ridgeland, Heartland, Mesa 22, Century 22, Silverton (2019), Bronson |
| Camp Chef | 2 RPM CW Auger Motor (PG24-24-OEM) | ~$79.95 | Camp Chef pellet grills using the 2 RPM CW drive |
| Universal (third-party) | 120V, 1.6-2 RPM replacement kits | $25-45 | Most Traeger/Pit Boss/Camp Chef/Oklahoma Joe's/Cuisinart grills — match RPM and voltage |
Pit Boss’s own part is the cheapest OEM option here at $29.99, direct from pitboss-grills.com. Traeger’s 120V motor runs $57.99 direct from traeger.com and only covers its AC-motor legacy lineup — newer WiFIRE-controlled grills use a different auger assembly, so confirm your exact model before ordering. Camp Chef’s OEM motor is the priciest of the three brands checked here, which is why most Camp Chef owners we’ve seen shopping this repair go with a universal aftermarket motor instead.
When it’s worth calling the manufacturer instead
Most current-generation grills carry a multi-year warranty that covers auger motors as a wear part, so check your warranty status before paying out of pocket — a motor that fails in year one or two is very likely still covered. Our best Traeger grill and best Pit Boss pellet grill guides list each current model’s warranty length if you’re not sure yours still applies. Outside warranty, a $30-80 OEM motor and a 10-step swap is almost always cheaper and faster than a service call.
FAQ
How do I know if my auger motor is dead versus jammed? Unplug the grill and turn the auger shaft by hand. Spins freely but does nothing when powered = dead motor. Won’t turn at all, or the motor hums and strains = jam, not a dead motor.
How much does a replacement cost? $29.99 direct from Pit Boss, $57.99 direct from Traeger, around $79.95 for Camp Chef’s OEM part, or $25-45 for a matched universal replacement.
What does Traeger’s Er6 or Er7 code mean? The auger has disconnected from the motor, per Traeger Support — replace the auger motor. Appears only on AC (non-WiFi) Traeger grills.
Can I install it myself? Yes — it’s a user-serviceable part on nearly every brand, typically four bracket screws, a drive-pin coupling, and two wire connectors.
Will any universal motor work on my grill? Only if the voltage and RPM match your original part. Most US residential grills run 120V at 1, 1.6, or 2 RPM — get this wrong and pellet feed rate changes, which can flare up or starve the fire.
Sources: Traeger Auger Motor 120V, Pit Boss Auger Motor - PB 2 RPM Series, Traeger Er6 & Er7 Error Codes.
Already ruled out a dead motor and think it’s just fuel or moisture? Our pellet grill maintenance guide covers auger jams, ignition failures, and every error code by brand in detail. Not sure your hopper is even sized right for how you cook? See our pellet grill hopper size guide. And for the rest of the parts worth keeping on hand, our best pellet grill accessories roundup covers the other tools and consumables that keep a grill running.