When your Traeger pellet grill stops holding temperature or the controller goes unresponsive, the fix is often a direct controller swap. The BAC236 Digital Elite Thermostat Control Board is Traeger's own replacement unit for a wide range of their pre-2019 lineup -- restoring precise temperature control, Smoke mode, and High mode without cutting into the grill's wiring harness.
The BAC236 is the correct Digital Elite replacement controller for Traeger grills manufactured before 2019. It plugs directly into the existing wiring harness on compatible models, making it one of the more straightforward repairs an owner can tackle without professional service.
This board manages the auger feed rate, igniter rod, and convection fan in response to the temperature probe inside the cooking chamber -- the same closed-loop system Traeger built its reputation on. A failed or drifting controller is the most common reason a Traeger grill runs too hot, too cold, or fails to ignite reliably. Swapping the board typically resolves all three symptoms.
Dial in temps from 180F for slow smoking up to 375F for roasting and baking, with discrete Smoke and High settings beyond the main range.
Low-temperature Smoke mode cycles the auger to maximize pellet smoke output -- ideal for brisket, ribs, and cold-weather cooks where smoke ring depth matters.
High mode feeds the auger at maximum rate for faster heat-up and high-heat searing applications when you need the grill up to temp quickly.
Rated 90V-240V AC, making this controller usable in standard North American outlets as well as compatible with travel and international power sources.
The BAC236 is designed to connect directly to the OEM wiring harness on all compatible Traeger models. No splicing, no adapter harnesses, no crimping. Disconnect the old board, connect the new one, and you're back to cooking.
This control board is catalogued under NBK Parts number 20174 in addition to Traeger's own BAC236 designation. If you've been searching by either number, this is the same unit.
This controller fits the following Traeger grill models manufactured up to 2019. Verify your model plate before ordering -- post-2019 Traeger grills use a different controller architecture and are not compatible with this board.
This board is designed for Traeger's Digital Elite controller platform used before 2019. Traeger's WiFIRE-enabled and D2 Direct Drive grills introduced after 2019 use a completely different controller and are NOT compatible with BAC236. Check your grill's model tag or serial number date code if you are unsure of the manufacture year.