Traeger Turbulator Designs

From Cornburning

A Turbulator restricts the draft going through the fire tubes, or heat exchanger. This lengthens the amount of time air is in contact with the flue tubes. Additionally these are meant to cause turbulence in the air bringing more hot air molecules in contact.

Both of these actions are meant to increase efficiency in the heat exchanger.

During cleaning, turbulators need little more than cursory attention.

Their function is to break the core of hot gas that would otherwise be rocketing down the center of the fire tube

SO - save yourself some work - simply brush the loose soot into the upper chamber as you pull them and possibly peen the lower edge to remove the starch build up - ignore the rest - the holes will begin to fill with soot if left in service too long - and thats not good - keep the holes relatively clear with a quick scrape or brush stroke. Spend your energy on cleaning the fire tubes -

But it is thought that filthy turbulators only do a better job of slowing and swirling the hot products of combustion to play along the tube surface and transfer energy onto the clean fire tubes... pay attention to the vessel surface above the burn pot - slick that off with a stiff wire brush or scraper, with the upper chamber lid on to induce burn chamber draft - when the turbulators are out to further enhance draft and keep the basement clean. also brush the insulating soot from the lid and sides of the upper smoke chamber for better transfer of that wasted heat into your basement. Leave the soot on the fire chamber walls till spring shut down. Turbulators should be replaced, slightly clocked from their last position; to play hot products of combustion on a fresh purchase of the fire tube. This helps to keep the fire tubes clean and healthy not only on the inside but on the wet side also!