Sometimes, being a rebel is just what it takes to become the best of the best. Case in point, Traeger pellet grills, which were the first of their kind, hitting the market back in 1987. Once known as the future of outdoor cooking, Traeger grills are now regarded by many grill gurus as the new standard, thanks to state-of-the-art features and capabilities that elevate any grill master’s game.
Today, 35 years after its debut, Traeger continues to go strong with three distinct pellet grill lines designed for serious grillers of every background looking to splurge on their craft. Follow along to find answers to questions like:
✓ Are Traeger grills worth it?
✓ What is so special about a Traeger grill?
✓ Why are pellet grills better?
———————————————————————————————————————————
In This Article:
- Why Are Traeger Grills Good?
- Traeger PRO Series Grills
- Traeger Ironwood Grill Series
- Traeger Timberline Pellet Grill Series
———————————————————————————————————————————
Before pellet grilling was a thing, the great BBQ debate was whether charcoal or gas was the superior fuel source. On one hand, grilling under wood-fed flame produces an iconic smoky flavor that many relate to true grilling.
However, not everyone is a master at taming the flame, which is why gas grills have been able to stand neck-and-neck with traditional grilling. Simply ignite the flame with an electric spark, and you get a steady flame that requires virtually no babysitting.
So, how has pellet grilling been able to compete with gas and electric grills? By merging the best of both worlds using a clever design where the grill does virtually all the work.
Why Are Traeger Grills so Good?
Traeger’s founder, Joe Traeger — who had a background in heating prior to founding his eponymous brand — revolutionized the standard BBQ grill with three important changes.
Wood Pellets
Rather than using wood chunks, which have irregularities, or charcoal, which burns quickly, Traeger grills use wood pellets that are compacted into equal-sized chunks to produce a long-lasting heat source with superior consistency. That’s one point in favor of pellets, but for many grillers, the true difference comes down to flavor. Pellets come in a variety of wood sources, and that allows grill gurus to experiment with flavors in ways charcoal or wood bricks can’t compete.
Automatic Grill Auger
To make things easier, Traeger also popularized the grill auger. This corkscrew-shaped feed automatically responds to temperatures to determine when to feed more pellets to the flame. As a result, you can set your pellet grill and walk away with little to no fear of overcooking your proteins.
Convection
The combination of steady heat and fuel feed creates an ideal environment for long and slow cooking methods — six in total, including grilling, smoking, basting, roasting, braising, and barbecuing. But to up the ante, Traeger also uses built-in fans to circulate hot air evenly throughout the cavity. In many ways, Traeger grills work just like convection ovens, which are known for being the best ovens available and what professional chefs rely on.
Exploring Traeger Grills
There are three exciting options to consider if you plan on upgrading to a Traeger pellet grill. Let’s start by exploring Traeger’s entry-level grill line, the PRO Series, followed by the next lines up, the Ironwood Series and Timberline Series, respectively.
Traeger PRO Series Grills
Grilling is all about sharing great food with good company, and limited outdoor space should never get in the way of that satisfaction. For those short on patio spaces, the PRO 575 Series grill provides everything you need to keep the party going and food tasting delicious.
Despite being easy on space, this 41” pellet grill is a beast when it comes to capacity. The two-tier grate system easily accommodates 24 burgers, up to five racks of ribs, and five whole chickens on a total of 575 square inches of grilling surface.
You can set temperatures up to 500 degrees, which is easily manageable using Traeger’s exclusive Pro D2 Direct Drive technology that responds to heat fluctuations, plus WiFIRE technology to easily manage the grill from the convenience of a smart device.
Pellet grills in this series also use D2 Direct Drive with a brushless fan. That equates to fewer parts, less maintenance, and enhanced durability.
Other perks include:
- TurboTemp: Amps up the heat after the lid has been opened
- Mobile wheels: Allow you to take the grill where the party is
- Hopper cleanout: Release the trap door for quick removal of pellets
Shop PRO 575 Series Pellet Grill
Traeger Ironwood Grill Series
Like its predecessor, the Ironwood grill series also comes with D2 Direct Drive technology, TurboTemp, all-terrain wheels — and so much more. With 650–885 square inches of grilling surface, depending on the model, this line of smart pellet grills makes easy work of hamburgers and hotdogs, but it shines when it comes to bulk BBQs. The entry model, Ironwood 650, has enough capacity to cook either eight whole chickens, five racks of ribs, or six pork butts at once on a whole new level.
Speaking of levels, a dual-position bottom grate grants even more grilling flexibility, with the ability to lower items closer to the heat source for an extra boost of smoky char. Or select the Super Smoke mode with the Downdraft Exhaust to pull smoke throughout the grill for maximum contact and flavor.
Also included are:
-
Traeger App: WiFire - Monitor your cooks, adjust grill temperatures, and access 1,600+ recipes
- D2 Controller - Features the ability to adjust temps in 5-degree increments
- Grill Insulation - Locks in heat for superior consistency, even in cold conditions
- Meat Probe - included probe lets you monitor temperatures without lifting the lid
- All-Terrain Wheels
Shop Ironwood 650 Pellet Grill
Traeger Timberline Pellet Grill Series
Up to 500 degrees of precise, slow-burning heat are at your demand when you grill on a Traeger Timberline barbecue featuring WiFIRE remote programming. This line also features the most dynamic grilling area of its kind, with three levels for cooking and a dual-position bottom grate with direct heat for savory sears. A fair warning: This grill is for the ambitious at heart and dares pitmasters to put on a full feast with enough capacity to grill up to 12 pork butts, chickens, or 15 rib racks.
We also love:
-
Downdraft Exhaust System - keeps fresh smoke flowing over food for unrivaled food-fired flavor
- Super Smoke Mode - Increases the amount of smoke with the push of a button
- TurboTemp - improves startup time and temperature recovery after lifting the lid
Shop Timberline 1300 Pellet Grill
Shop the Best Outdoor Grills at Grand Appliance & TV
Gear up for warm weather and al fresco dining with the best outdoor appliances on the market. At Grand Appliance & TV, we have a full line of grills and accessories for all your outdoor gatherings. For more grill tips, make sure to check out our deep dive into how Traeger wood pellets work, as well as our spotlights on Napoleon and Weber grills.
Discover top-performing appliances from name brands. With over 25 locations throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana, we make finding high-end appliances easy. Browse, shop, and compare in-store or online today!