Traeger grills have become synonymous with wood pellet grilling, offering a unique blend of smoking, grilling, and ease of use. For those looking to dive into the world of pellet grilling, or upgrade their current setup, understanding the differences between Traeger models is crucial. This guide provides a comprehensive comparison of various Traeger grills, helping you determine the perfect fit for your backyard barbecues and culinary adventures.
Traeger revolutionized outdoor cooking by introducing wood pellet grills, and their extensive lineup caters to a wide range of grilling enthusiasts. From compact portable models to expansive, feature-rich grills, Traeger offers something for everyone. But with so many options, deciding which Traeger grill to choose can be overwhelming. We’ve analyzed and compared some of Traeger’s most popular grills to simplify your decision-making process.
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Serious Eats / Russell Kilgore
Traeger grills are known for their consistent temperatures, user-friendly interfaces, and the distinct wood-fired flavor they impart to food. Assembly and cleaning are generally straightforward across the Traeger range, making them appealing to both beginners and experienced grillers. Let’s delve into a detailed comparison of specific Traeger grill models to help you choose the best one for your needs and budget.
Traeger Grill Comparison: Top Picks at a Glance
Here’s a quick comparison of our top Traeger grill selections, providing a starting point to explore further:
- Traeger Ironwood XL: Best overall Traeger grill for large families and frequent entertainers, offering a massive cooking area and advanced features.
- Traeger Ironwood Pellet Grill: Excellent balance of size and features, ideal for those seeking a versatile and user-friendly pellet grill without overwhelming dimensions.
- Traeger Timberline Pellet Grill: The ultimate outdoor cooking machine with premium features like an induction cooktop and touchscreen controls, designed for the serious griller.
- Traeger Ironwood 885: A large-capacity grill with smart features, suitable for those who prioritize grilling and less intense smoke flavor.
- Traeger Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker: A feature-rich and reasonably priced option for versatile grilling and smoking, perfect for weekend cooks.
- Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker: A more basic model within the Pro series, suitable for occasional grilling and those new to pellet grills.
- Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill: Portable and compact, great for small spaces or grilling on the go while still delivering wood-fired flavor.
- Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill and Smoker in Black: Ultra-portable tabletop grill, best for camping, tailgating, or small-batch cooking with moderate expectations.
In-Depth Traeger Grill Reviews and Comparisons
Let’s examine each Traeger grill model in detail, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal use cases to aid in your comparison.
Traeger Ironwood XL: The King of Capacity and Features
Traeger Ironwood XL at Amazon $2,000
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PHOTO: Amazon
The Traeger Ironwood XL stands out as the top choice for those who demand maximum cooking space and advanced features. Its expansive 924 square inches of cooking surface easily accommodates large quantities of food, making it ideal for big gatherings and serious BBQ enthusiasts. In tests, the Ironwood XL excelled at producing smoky ribs and pork butt with a beautiful bark, as well as flavorful chicken wings.
Best For: Large families, frequent entertainers, and anyone who regularly cooks large quantities of meat. This grill is built for those who take smoking and grilling seriously and need substantial capacity.
Challenges or Shortcomings: Its large size can be a drawback for smaller households or those with limited patio space. While excellent for low and slow cooking, it may not reach very high searing temperatures. Some users have reported occasional glitches with the app interface.
Key Specs:
- Weight: 200 pounds
- Cooking surface area: 924 square inches
- Hopper capacity: 22 pounds
- Max temp: 500°F
- Modes: Super smoker, keep warm
- Warranty: 10-year limited
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Serious Eats / Grace Kelly
Traeger Ironwood Pellet Grill: Feature-Rich Versatility
Traeger Ironwood Pellet Grill at Amazon $1,800
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PHOTO: Traeger
The standard Traeger Ironwood model offers a sweet spot between size and features. With a 616 square inch cooking area, it’s still spacious enough for most families while being more manageable than the XL. Testers praised its ease of use and cleaning, digital controls, app connectivity, and convenient features like side tables and a pull-out ash bin. Like the XL, it delivers excellent smoky flavor and browning.
Best For: Home grillers seeking a high-quality, feature-packed pellet grill that isn’t overly large. Suitable for both beginners and experienced users who appreciate ease of use and consistent results.
Challenges or Shortcomings: The primary drawback is its price, which may be prohibitive for budget-conscious buyers.
Key Specs:
- Weight: 199 pounds
- Cooking surface area: 616 square inches
- Hopper capacity: 22 pounds
- Max temp: 500°F
- Modes: Super smoker, keep warm
- Warranty: 10-year limited
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Serious Eats / Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm
Traeger Timberline Pellet Grill: The Premium Outdoor Kitchen
Traeger Timberline Pellet Grill at Home Depot $3,300
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PHOTO: Traeger
For those who want the ultimate outdoor cooking experience, the Traeger Timberline is the pinnacle. This grill is packed with premium features, including an induction cooktop, WiFi connectivity, touchscreen controls, and numerous accessories. Testers even found the assembly process enjoyable, a testament to its thoughtful design. The Timberline excels in temperature consistency and smoke distribution, producing flavorful and evenly cooked food across various tests, including grilling, smoking, and even baking pizza.
Best For: Serious grilling enthusiasts looking for a full outdoor kitchen setup. Ideal for those who want to grill, smoke, sear, simmer, and bake outdoors, and need a large cooking area for crowds.
Challenges or Shortcomings: The Timberline comes with a significant price tag and requires ample space due to its size. It may be overkill for casual grillers.
Key Specs:
- Dimensions: 59 x 51 x 25 inches
- Cooking space: 880 square inches
- Max temperature: 500°F
- Hopper capacity: 22 pounds
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Serious Eats / Russell Kilgore
Traeger Ironwood 885: Large Capacity with Subtle Smoke
Traeger Ironwood 885 at Amazon $1,500
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PHOTO: Amazon
The Traeger Ironwood 885 is a large, mid-priced option offering a generous 885 square inches of cooking space. It includes WiFi connectivity, a pellet sensor, and a digital display for easy control. While assembly is straightforward, testers noted that the Ironwood 885 is better suited for grilling and searing than intense smoking. Despite a “super smoke” function, it imparted a more subtle smoke flavor compared to other Traeger models.
Best For: Those who prefer a milder smoke flavor and need a large grilling surface. Good for users who want a versatile grill for both grilling and occasional smoking, but don’t prioritize a strong smoky taste.
Challenges or Shortcomings: May disappoint those seeking a deeply smoky flavor in their BBQ. The “super smoke” function may not deliver the intense smoke some users expect.
Key Specs:
- Dimensions: 54 x 47 x 27 inches
- Cooking space: 885 square inches
- Max temperature: 500°F
- Hopper capacity: 20 pounds
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Serious Eats / Russell Kilgore
Traeger Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker: Feature-Rich Value
Traeger Pro Series 780 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker at Amazon $1,000
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The Traeger Pro 780 offers a compelling combination of features and price. It includes WiFi, a digital controller, and TurboTemp for faster heat-up. Testers found it performed well in both grilling and smoking, producing juicy chicken wings and evenly cooked pork butt, albeit with a milder smoke flavor. Its rugged wheels also make it easy to move around.
Best For: Weekend grillers who want a versatile and reasonably priced pellet grill with smart features. Suitable for those who grill and smoke occasionally and appreciate ease of use and mobility.
Challenges or Shortcomings: Similar to the Ironwood 885, the smoke flavor is subtle. Frequent lid opening may lead to temperature drops, which could be frustrating for some users.
Key Specs:
- Dimensions: 55 x 49 x 27 inches
- Cooking space: 780 square inches
- Max temperature: 500°F
- Hopper capacity: 18 pounds
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Serious Eats / Will Dickey
Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker: Entry-Level Pellet Grilling
Traeger Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker at Amazon $700
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PHOTO: Acehardware
The Traeger Pro 34 is part of the Gen 1 Pro Series, offering a more basic pellet grilling experience. While it includes a digital temperature controller, it lacks some of the advanced features of newer models. Testers found it struggled to reach high temperatures and retain heat effectively. Smoke flavor was minimal in searing and baking tests, though it produced moderately smoky chicken wings. Overall, it was considered an “average” performer, suitable for basic grilling tasks.
Best For: Occasional backyard grillers and those new to pellet grilling who are not focused on intense smoke flavor or high-heat searing.
Challenges or Shortcomings: Heat retention and high-temperature performance are weak points. May not satisfy users looking for consistent high-heat grilling or deep smoke flavor.
Key Specs:
- Dimensions: 53 x 49 x 27 inches
- Cooking space: 884 square inches
- Max temperature: 500°F (tested lower)
- Hopper capacity: 18 pounds
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Serious Eats / Russell Kilgore
Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill: Portable Wood-Fired Flavor
Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill at Amazon $480
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PHOTO: Amazon
The Traeger Tailgater is designed for portability. Its compact size and foldable legs make it easy to transport and store, ideal for balconies, small patios, or tailgating. It features a digital controller and a keep-warm mode. Testers appreciated its ability to impart a mild smoke flavor, quick heat-up time, and good heat retention. However, searing performance was limited by its 450°F max temperature.
Best For: Small spaces, portability, tailgating, camping, and users who want wood-fired flavor on the go.
Challenges or Shortcomings: Searing performance is not ideal. Smoke flavor is mild. Not designed for heavy smoking or large quantities of food.
Key Specs:
- Dimensions: 37 x 36 x 18 inches
- Cooking space: 300 square inches
- Max temperature: 450°F
- Hopper capacity: 8 pounds
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Serious Eats / Russell Kilgore
Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill and Smoker in Black: Ultra-Portable Tabletop Grill
Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill and Smoker in Black at Amazon $432
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PHOTO: Amazon
The Traeger Ranger is Traeger’s most portable option, resembling a boxy tabletop grill. It includes digital controls and a keep-warm function. While it heats up quickly and retains heat well due to its small size, testers found it lacked smoke flavor in searing tests. It performed better in smoking chicken wings, leading some testers to recommend it for portability with moderate expectations.
Best For: Camping, tailgating, small-batch grilling, and users prioritizing extreme portability above all else.
Challenges or Shortcomings: Limited cooking space. Not ideal for long smoking sessions or feeding large groups. Smoke and searing performance are not top-tier.
Key Specs:
- Dimensions: 21 x 20 x 13 inches
- Cooking space: 176 square inches
- Max temperature: 450°F
- Hopper capacity: 8 pounds
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Serious Eats / Russell Kilgore
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Traeger Grill for You
After comparing these Traeger grill models, it’s clear that Traeger offers a diverse range to suit various needs and preferences.
For the best overall Traeger grill, the Traeger Ironwood XL stands out with its massive capacity, advanced features, and excellent performance in both grilling and smoking. If budget is less of a concern and you frequently cook for large groups, this is the top pick.
If you seek a balance of features and size, the Traeger Ironwood Pellet Grill provides a fantastic user experience and versatile performance without the extreme dimensions of the XL.
For the ultimate outdoor cooking station, the Traeger Timberline is unmatched, offering a premium grilling experience with its induction cooktop and smart features.
For those seeking value, the Traeger Pro Series 780 offers a good set of features at a more reasonable price point, suitable for regular grilling and occasional smoking.
Finally, for portability, the Traeger Tailgater and Traeger Ranger provide wood-fired flavor in compact packages, perfect for smaller spaces or grilling on the go.
Ultimately, the best Traeger grill for you depends on your individual grilling habits, budget, and space considerations. By comparing these models and considering your specific needs, you can confidently choose the Traeger grill that will elevate your BBQ game.
FAQs About Traeger Grills
How do I clean a Traeger grill?
Traeger provides a detailed cleaning guide on their website. They also offer their own grill cleaner for effective cleaning.
Where are Traeger grills manufactured?
While Traeger grills were originally made in the USA, production has moved to China.
What is the expected lifespan of a Traeger grill?
With proper maintenance, a Traeger grill can last between 5 to 10 years. Regular cleaning, emptying the drip tray, and using a grill cover can extend its lifespan.
Expert BBQ Authority
Our recommendations are based on extensive testing and analysis of pellet grills, including hands-on experience cooking over 200 pounds of chicken wings across 22 different pellet grill models as detailed in our pellet grill review. This rigorous testing ensures our comparisons are reliable and helpful in your Traeger grill selection process.
