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Traeger Grills: What Is The Best Traeger Grill for The Money?
In the world of charcoal grills made of pellets Traeger reign supreme.
Joe Traeger invented this new style of grill back in 1986. They remain the best-selling brand of pellet grills to this day.
In this comprehensive guide, we look at the top Traeger pellet grills. We will also look at the advantages and disadvantages of each and compare them against other grills.
A brand new Traeger pellet grill can be an investment of a significant amount and it’s crucial to conduct research prior to deciding to make the plunge.
Particularly when there are a lot of manufacturers that produce top high-quality Wood pellet grills.
Best Traeger Grills [2023 Reviews]:
1. Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
This pellet grill with a large capacity is among the top Traeger grills to host big cookouts. It has 884 sq inches of cook area. Pro Series 34 Pro Series 34 can accommodate around seven racks of Ribs, eight chickens or 40 burgers at one time.
There’s no need to refill the hopper constantly regardless of the amount of food you grill. With a capacity of 18 lbs, you’ll be able to cook for hours without having to replenish the wood pellets.
Traeger Pro Series 34 Traeger Pro Series 34 features rapid and hot smoking and low and slow smoking temperatures and is highly versatile and can grill, smoke, roast bake, braise, and barbecue.
The built-in digital controller permits precise temperature control and simple grilling while keeping a 15-degree temperature range. Two meat probes can also be used to track the progress of your barbecue precisely and speedily.
The structure is robust to accommodate the weight and size of 163 lbs. The sturdy construction ensures longevity, and the solid, high-quality finish of the powder coat sawhorse chassis and porcelain grill grates, as well as wheels that are all-terrain, ensure that this grill is an investment worth it over the long term.
2. Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
The Traeger Select Elite is the perfect, no-mess, multi-purpose pellet grill. It offers 589 square feet of cook space, which can hold six huge racks of ribs, 20 burgers or five chickens in just one cooking cycle.
It comes with robust porcelain-enamelled grates, which can be used for grilling, barbecuing, baking, roasting, smoking, braising and baking.
What’s most unique about this small, portable pellet grill is the six-in-one cooking feature, which means it can barbecue, grill, smoke braise, roast, and bake using a specially-designed wood pellet used to heat the hopper.
This Tailgater is also simple to use, and has easy, variable temperature control, with the ability to rotate the dial and has a 20-degree temperature interval which can operate from 180-250F. It also features auto-start ignition.
Its gorgeous bronze-finished design with gold-coloured coating gives it a more luxurious look than it is. It comes with an ergonomic handle to make it easy for opening and secure operation.
3. Traeger Grills TFB38TCA Renegade Elite Wood Pellet Grill
Traeger Renegade Elite features 34 impressive options packed in its slim design, which makes it among the comfiest pellet grills you can make use of available.
Its notable features include the drain system designed for grease management and the cleanout door for the hopper, which makes cleaning the grill easy.
With a weight manageable at 120 lbs and a gorgeous black and red construction, it is a stunning piece of furniture.
Renegade comes with a sturdy wire front, with a food prep rack, as well as an open-fronted tool caddy rack for storing all of your tools and food items.
The digital controller is available as standard and comes with an auto-ignition mechanism. Smoke hot or cold by using this grill. It can be used in temperatures ranging from 180 – 450F.
4. Traeger Grills TFS60LZC Select Elite Pellet Grill and Smoker
The Traeger Select Elite is the perfect, no-mess, multi-purpose pellet grill and the most efficient smoker for pellets. It is equipped with 589 square feet of cook area to accommodate six large racks of Ribs, 20 burgers or five chickens during the same cook cycle. It has robust porcelain-enamelled stainless steel grates for grilling, barbecuing, baking, roasting, smoking, and braising.
The built-in digital controller allows you to ensure precise cooking temperatures in 20-degree temperature variations across the range of 180F to 450F, ideal for both hot and cold smoking. The LED display allows you to see the internal temperature of the grill quickly.
Although it is expensive, it is worth the price. The built-in shelves help store the grilling food and condiments, making it easier to clean up. The appliance also comes with locks and glide-on wheels to make it easy to move and store items.
5. Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Traeger Pro Traeger Pro is the most well-known and most popular Traeger grill. It is available in 2 sizes. The model with 575 square inches can cook five racks of ribs simultaneously or four chickens, which is enough for most people.
You can also pick between bronze or black colour.
The most significant change for 2019 is the introduction of Wi-Fi technology to the Pro line. This feature, called WiFIRE, allows you to join your grill with the Traeger app and manage it from wherever you can connect to the internet.
The temperature control is handled via its Pro D2 direct drive controller that allows you to cook anyplace between 180 and 450 degrees F.
The RTD probe measures temperature every second, to keep the same temperature within 15 degrees.
Another advantage of Direct Drive D2 technology is its turbo temperature speedy starting up, which allows you to start cooking in a short time.
The hopper weighs 18lbs and, thanks to the cleanout feature, you can quickly alter the pellet’s flavour in cooking.
In terms of efficiency, the grill can burn about 2 lbs of wood pellets in an hour when heated to high, but less than 1/2 lb in smoke mode.
Traeger offers a helpful comparison tool if you’re having difficulty selecting whether to go with the Pro 575 or the Pro 780 model.
6. Traeger Grills Ironwood 650 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Ironwood series is the latest version of the Traeger range comprising pellet grills.
Available in 885 or 650 square inches, you will get a bigger and more flexible grill than the professional series with the same price, but not the price hike you get with the Timberline series.
Even the smaller grill of 650 square inches Ironwood is well over the $$$$ threshold, so this grill is undoubtedly not a budget-friendly grill.
The design of Ironwood is like Timberland, which is more costly. Timberland. It comes with the ‘DownDraft Exhaust” and the “TRU Convection” features that were exclusive to Timberland.
Although it sounds somewhat like marketing terminology, these features are designed to aid in the circulation of fresh smoke, ensuring that smoke stays within the chamber and ensuring stable temperature.
Anything we would like to hear.
Additionally, you’ll find some useful functions that will make the grill simple to use. For instance, the keep warm feature and the ability to make personal cooking settings through the control panel’s digital display or via the app.
How Traeger Grills Work?
Where are Traeger Grills Manufactured?
According to Traeger that all grills for residential use were manufactured in China from 2008 onwards.
The commercial grills that they sell are still made within the United States.
Some have expressed their displeasure about Traeger making grills in China, but the fact is that the vast majority of the grills sold to consumers are made in China.
If the American-made brand is essential to you, then you may be interested in buying a Yoder charcoal grill even though you’ll be paying more than twice the cost.
Other Brands Worth Considering
Because of the success of Traeger’s wood-burning pellet grills, there are many other brands to pick from. Although Traeger remains the most well-known but these brands are fast on their heels.
I’ve attempted to give an overview of how each manufacturer stands up to Traeger; however, since every brand makes a variety of grills, if you require specifics, I suggest looking at particular brands’ specifications and then examining several different reviews.
Camp Chef VS Traeger
I’m a big lover of Camp Chef and their flagship Woodwind Classic, our top pellet grill available in the market for most people.
The well-known SG 24 Deluxe pellet grill is also worth looking into.
In contrast to Traeger, Camp Chef produces various grilling products for outdoor use and other kinds of grills, so they aren’t as well-known.
The possibility of buying an aerated sear container equipped with Camp Chef is excellent considering that even the top of the line Traeger cannot get hot enough to cook.
Camp Chef offers an excellent system for dumping and swapping out wood pellets.
Traeger is undoubtedly more expensive and has more features. In case WiFi is essential for you, then choose the Traeger.
Treager vs Green Mountain Grills
Green Mountain Grills (GMG for short) have gained popularity since they first launched in 2008.
Their products were way ahead of the curve in introducing WiFi as an option standard on the wood-burning grills they make. The only other brand that does not offer WiFi at this cost.
The quality of construction and the price are competitive. They’re an excellent choice for Traeger.
Much of their popularity is due to their excellent Davy Crockett grill that we named our top grill for portable use. It competes with Traeger Tailgater. Traeger Tailgater, but with the GMG, it comes with WiFi, an excellent camping feature.
If you’re not interested in the portable barbecue, these grills also have the well-known Daniel Boone model, 468 square inches of cooking space.
At a reasonable cost, Green Mountain Grills make an excellent Traeger alternative. There’s no way to offer the entire variety of sizes and features that are available.
Pit Boss VS Traeger
Pit Boss is part of the larger company known as Dansons that makes well-known Louisiana grills. Its Pit Boss line of wood pellet grills is their effort to compete with Traeger by providing exceptionally high-quality grills at a lower price.
Pit Boss sells a large assortment of grills, beginning with the entry-level Pit Boss 440 Deluxe and reaching up to Austin XL with 930 square inches of grill space.
The Pit Boss has a unique feature. Pit Boss is the method they use to cook searing. Small plates slide the open position and then shut off access to the firepit. You can find out the operation of this feature in our in-depth Review of Pit Boss’ 700FB.
On the plus side, you can reach temperatures that are as high as 500degF, which is more than 50degF than Traeger Pro.
Since 2018, Pit Boss has offered a 5-year guarantee (2 years longer than Traeger). It’s important to note that this warranty isn’t retroactive; therefore, if you purchased the grill before 2018, you’ll still have only one year of warranty.
The build quality is pretty identical to Traeger.
Z Grills VS Traeger
Z Grills are the newest rival to Traeger. Although it appears as they came out of thin air, they’ve been making grills in China for different businesses (potentially, which includes Traeger) over a couple of years.
The most significant benefit for Z Grills is the value for the cost. Z Grills 700D3 is a great value. Z Grills offers 700 square inches of cooking area and a three-year warranty and a similar build quality to Traeger, which is all at an incredibly lower cost.
There is also a smaller 450 square inches model that is similar in design.
There were reports of problems with the thermostat control unit; it’s been improved in the latest 2019 models.
Z Grills is an excellent option if you’re not worried about purchasing from a less-known company with no customer service records.
Traeger VS REC TEC
REC-TEC is a much smaller business than Traeger and is building a reputation as a top pellet grill priced at mid-range prices.
The well-known RT-700 known as “The Bull” compares positively with the Traeger IronWood.
Other things to think about when shopping for pellet grills
With the numerous models and brands to choose from, deciding on what model to purchase could be overwhelming.
However, finding the right grill comes down to taking into consideration your requirements. I find it beneficial to consider several aspects when purchasing a new grill.
Size
The Pellet grills we’ve examined in this article range between 300 and 1300 sq feet. A simple method to narrow your options is to figure out the size you’d like to get.
The bigger you go in size, the more expensive your grill will become, even though a big grill made by a low-cost brand such as Z Grills will still cost less than a premium brand such as Traeger.
If you choose to go with a smaller size, you’ll be unable to prepare enough meals to satisfy everyone in your party. If you’re too large, the grill will cost you more to run, and you’ll use up the wood chips.
It is also essential to think about the size of the pellets hopper: the bigger the hopper, the longer time to cook without refilling it.
My advice is to pick an oven that is slightly bigger than the one you think you’ll need.
Features
Certain people prefer having all the latest technologies for their grills. However, others are more inclined to put all their money into the grill focused on top-quality construction.
Think about what attributes are desirable to include and which features are not negotiable.
The most common characteristics of pellet grills are:
- Connectivity to WiFi – Do you wish to be able to manage your grill via your phone?
- Searing capabilities Searing ability Pellet grills make excellent smokers and ovens, but they are challenging to sear. A lot of manufacturers have an attachment for searing or developing creative ways to get greater temperatures.
- Portability – Do you require an easy to carry grill that is light in weight with legs that fold away? Consider if you’ll ever have to take the grill to the following location.
Price
Each of the factors we’ve discussed can impact the cost. Pellet grills feature more technology they contain and usually are more expensive than other kinds of smokers.
I suggest a minimum budget of $400. From there, you can increase the amount to $2,000 to get the biggest technologically advanced Traeger.
What are the benefits of choosing the Traeger grill?
Digital Thermostat
The majority of Traeger grills come with an electronic thermostat that helps you avoid cooking your food too long because you are aware of an optimum temperature range and that the temperature will never exceed it. This is why Traeger grills permit you to cook your food with no worry about burning the food.
Durability
Nobody is more aware than Traeger on the importance of durability when picking the best barbecue. The company makes all of their grills with the same sturdy metal. This guarantees maximum durability and allows you to utilize it for a long time to be.
Warranty
Traeger provides a three-year guarantee on all their products to ensure longevity and assure users of their equipment’s maximum quality and durability.
The majority of companies operating in the grill industry according to our experience do not offer more than a year’s warranty and Traeger is a standout with regards to this.
Usability
Another method to determine high-end grills is the user-friendliness that is a possible reason why Traeger is a favorite among grilling enthusiasts.
Traeger ensures that their grills aren’t simply easy to use by experts, but also simple to use for novices. The grills often come with an easy ignition feature which eliminates the typical anxiety of starting the barbecue.
The Traeger Grills’ Features To Think about When Buying One
Since there are a lot of options to select from, it could be difficult to come to an informed choice. But, making a choice is simple once you are aware of what you want. When you are to look to purchase a grill, bear in mind these things in your head:
Type
Traeger is the only company that makes one kind of grill that is pellet grills. Although they’ve been in the market for more than three decades, they’ve only recently gained popularity. Pellet grills make use of pea-sized wood pellets, instead of propane or natural gas, which is safe to cook with.
Although there aren’t many options for changing the grill after it’s begun A pellet grill is able to be used as an oven and grill. It is a hybrid unit. It is true that the taste of any BBQ is not quite as great as wood-fired barbecues and that is the reason why many barbecue lovers prefer pellet grills. Pellet grills add a distinctive taste to everything prepared on them.
An area for cooking
Another crucial aspect to take into consideration while shopping is the kitchen area. It is typically dependent on the size of the grill you want to make it. Be aware that the bigger you go the more costly the grill will be, so be sure to keep the number of guests you’d like to serve in your mind.
If you choose a grill that isn’t big enough it will not be able to prepare enough food for everyone in your party. A bigger grill is, however is more expensive to maintain and waste some pellets. We suggest that you select an oven that is larger than what you will need.
The capacity of the hopper
The hopper is the first place to start. It is the place where you put your wood pellets. So you should be aware of how important it is. This is why it’s crucial to look at the hopper’s capacity since it determines the amount of time you can cook your food without having to refill the hopper.
In the case of the hoppersize, larger is always more efficient. If portability is essential to you, an 8-pound hopper that is on the Traeger Tailgater will not add to the overall weight, but still performs superbly.
Elite Digital Controller
Before buying an Traeger grill, it’s important to look at the digital controller built into the grill. The majority of models have the Digital Elite Controller, which is a simple controller that allows precise temperature control, but does not have the meat probe port. However, make sure to check whether it has the grill you’re looking for. It’s on various models, including Traeger Renegade Elite. Traeger Renegade Elite.
Dimensions
It is essential to look over the measurements particularly if you are working with limited space. If you consider your measurements you will be able to be sure that the model you’re thinking about buying isn’t too big in relation to the space to grill your food in your backyard or in your kitchen.
Weight
The weight of the grill is also a crucial aspect to take into consideration. It can affect the unit’s general mobility, which is important to think about even if you don’t intend to use it for camping trips.
It is likely that you will need to move the model in your patio or around your backyard So, think about not just the weight, but whether it comes with wheels to allow for mobility.
Additional features
The various models are usually equipped with a range of options. But, having shelves on the sides and wheels, storage compartments and folding legs is always beneficial. It would be amazing to have an item that has all these options.
A few of the more expensive units come with attractive features to draw you in with some more. They are useful like a prep shelf and others, such like a magnetic bamboo cutter, appear more fun.
If you’re used to grilling with these extras, you may not notice what you don’t have. However, having more storage and work space is always a plus. If you think you’d like shelving, consider what model you’re considering has them, or if you are able to purchase shelves on their own.
Take into consideration how much it would cost to upgrade “missing” functionality later. It’s possible to buy a product that includes everything you need upfront rather than purchasing these separately later.
Certain features, obviously they aren’t available in the form of upgrades through the accessory store. For instance the hopper you receive is the one that you’re stuck with.
Therefore, ensure that it’s adequate to meet your needs right from the box. This is also true for the port for a meat temperature probe Buy it today or you’ll never get it.
See Also: Learn How to Use a Grill – Steps to Becoming a Grill Master
Wrapping it up
When you wanted to use an outdoor grill for a long time, Traeger offered the sole option.
Traeger has had to significantly improve their performance with the influx of new firms making their way into the scene.
With the introduction of the 2019 line-up of Traeger wood pellet grills, they now offer some of the latest pellet grills in terms of technological advancement.
Although indeed, they invest heavily in marketing as a large business, you’ll enjoy reasonable prices on the other brands, such as Camp Chef or Green Mountain Grills.
We recommend you browse and take a look at several different models before pulling the trigger.
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