Are Traeger Grills Worth the Money?
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Traeger has become one of the most popular brands of grills on the market. But does that mean that Traeger is worth it?
This article will help you decide if Traeger grills are worth the money and explain why Traeger grills are so popular.
Are Traeger Grills Worth the Money?
If you want a simple outside grill option, a Traeger grill is worth it to add a wood-smoked taste to your food. Traeger has a wide range of grills, so you can find one that fits your needs.
Why Are Traeger Grills So Expensive?
Traeger grills are expensive because they use new technology and have to pay for research and development, legal, and marketing costs. While Traeger grills are fantastic, other manufacturers produce pellet grills comparable to Traeger’s and are also less expensive.
Let’s take a closer look at what goes into the Traeger grill’s price tag and some Traeger alternatives.
Technology
Traeger features the “WiFIRE” controller and the “D2 Drivetrain” power. The D2 Drivetrain is powered by a brushless DC motor and includes a single-piece auger and variable speed fan.
Controlling a DC-powered motor is far more precise than controlling an AC-powered motor. Traegers’ improved motor precision enables ultra-precise temperature control. In addition, the Turbo Temp feature makes it possible for the grill to heat up and recover from temperature losses much more quickly when the lid has been opened.
The motor’s brushless design ensures that it will last a long time.
For example, as seen on a Pit Boss, you’ll pay more for a brushless DC motor than an AC motor.
In addition to controlling the grill via your smartphone, the WiFIRE controller is a piece of cutting-edge technology. In my opinion, the WiFIRE controller’s primary benefit is that it constantly monitors the auger’s amp consumption.
As soon as the auger gets clogged with pellets, the amp draw goes up, and the controller engages reverse to free the auger.
Once again, this is not something you can find on the Pit Boss.
Research and Development
Companies must spend money on research and development to stay on top of new technologies and features. It is a long-term process that costs money, and the consumer pays for it.
Since 2015, Traeger’s development team has received 50 patents for various components of their barbecues, including pellet hopper linings, barbecue smoker front panels, grill internal chimneys, and many other innovations (here is the complete list).
Z Grills doesn’t have a workforce dedicated to generating patentable improvements to their products, and that’s not something you’ll find at a company like that.
As seen by their investment in new technology, research, and development, Traeger prioritizes enhancing its quality products.
Marketing
Traeger spends a lot of money on marketing.
Traeger must educate the market about the ease of pellet grilling and why consumers should use a pellet barbecue instead of a gas grill to achieve this objective. Traeger is going after Weber, and that’s an expensive move.
One of the goals of Traeger’s marketing strategy is to develop a loyal customer base that will keep coming back. Traeger supports a slew of celebrities on traditional social media platforms and hosts events like “Kitchen Live,” which are hard-core BBQ workshops broadcast in real-time.
Traeger employs four full-time cooks to test recipes and photograph food. You may access these recipes using the Traeger app if you’d like.
Traeger is spending a lot of money to build a devoted fan base that calls themselves #TraegerNation.
Legal
Of course, any big company has to hire a lawyer. Consumers are responsible for these costs because they are part of the cost of doing business. The corporation has experienced plenty of legal issues in the last few years.
Before being sold to venture capital and private equity, Joe Traeger started Traeger Grills as a family-owned business in the 1980s. Traeger barbecues are no longer linked with Joe Traeger.
For some reason, Pit Boss decided to hire Joe Traeger and his son, Brian Traeger, in 2019. Press releases sent by Pit Boss received favorable attention from the media. Joining Pit Boss as a consultant helped the company establish itself as a leading pellet grill producer.
Exclusive use of the Traeger name was part of the purchase price for the business. Traeger sued Dansons, the company that owns the Pit Boss brand.
However, the legal process lasted until December 2019, when Traeger claimed it was successful in its lawsuit against Danson.
Immediately following the resolution of that case, Traeger was faced with a lawsuit alleging that its wood pellets were defective.
Should You Buy a Traeger Grill?
A Traeger grill is a good choice if you want a long-lasting pellet grill that cooks at constant temperatures. There are a variety of models available, so be sure to select the one that best suits your needs.
How Much Do Traeger Grills Cost?
In terms of price, Traeger grills come in a variety of sizes and designs. There are three series of grills: the Pro Series, the Ironwood Series, and the Timberline Series.
The features and prices are ranked from lowest to highest. Here’s a list of the models in each series:
Traeger Pro Series
Traeger’s Pro Series includes both the 780 and the 575.
The only difference between the two models is the cooking space: the Traeger Pro 780 has an area of 780 square inches, while the Traeger Pro 575 has a size of 575 square inches.
The Traeger Pro is Traeger’s most popular pellet grill because of its cheap price point. One of the most recent upgrades is WiFIRE® technology, which lets you change the temperature from anywhere using an app on your phone. Traeger’s innovative D2® Drivetrain starts the pellet grill faster than before.
Last update on 2024-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Traeger Ironwood Series
The Traeger Ironwood Series 650 has 650 square inches of grilling space, and the Traeger Ironwood 885 includes 885 square inches of grilling surface.
Whereas the Ironwood Series also has WiFIRE® technology and a D2® drivetrain, there are many additional benefits once you upgrade to the Ironwood Series.
Not only is the pellet capacity somewhat more significant, but this model incorporates double side-wall insulation, making grilling in any weather easy.
Plus, a pellet sensor integrates with WiFIRE® technology to inform you when your pellets are running low. No need to continue monitoring the supply.
The Ironwood Series also has enhanced settings, like Super Smoke mode, which pours more smoke into the grill for extra flavor.
The TRU Convection® System additionally directs smoke to create a vortex to speed up the cooking time. A downdraft exhaust system keeps the smoke moving through the grill to ensure a consistent, fresh supply.
Last update on 2024-06-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Traeger Timberline Series
The Timberline Series is the top of Traeger’s barbecue products. The Traeger Timberline 850 provides 850 square inches of cooking space, while the Traeger Timberline 1300 includes 1300.
The Timberline series is the premium option, features the highest pellet hopper capacity, and comes with all of the bells and whistles listed in detail below.
Due to the Traeger Timberline’s larger grill area, three stainless-steel grill gates are included (as opposed to porcelain-coated steel like the other two models).
The Timberline series has outstanding insulation thanks to its double-walled stainless steel design. With a hidden grease pan and a stainless steel prep rack, assembling and cleaning up are a breeze.
With all these features and cooking space, you could quickly cook eight racks of ribs or six pork butts simultaneously.
The Benefits of Traeger Grills
As some of the most excellent grills available, Traegers provide plenty of advantages. Let’s look at the most important ones.
Flavor
Using a Traeger grill or pellet barbecue allows you to cook and smoke your meat simultaneously. Wood pellets serve as both fuel and flavoring.
Adding flavor to your food is a great way to improve the taste of your meal.
Versatility
Grilling, baking, and smoking are just a few available cooking methods. There are many ways to use a Traeger grill, from grilling steaks to roasting vegetables and smoking briskets.
Precise Temperature Control
Traeger also makes temperature control much more straightforward than on other grills. Digital temperature controls ensure food is cooked evenly and at the desired temperature, just like a gas grill. It is particularly critical while smoking because a low and steady temperature on the cooking surfaces is essential for success.
Convenience
One of the best things about a Traeger is that you can set it and forget it.
When it comes to cooking, you have to set the temperature, and the wood pellet grill will take care of the rest.
For example, as your food cooks, you can chat with friends or do other things, such as cleaning.
Now that some models have WiFi connectivity built-in, you can control the temperature from your phone and get alerts when the pellet supply is running low, making it even easier to keep up with maintenance.
The Drawbacks of Traeger Grills
No matter how good it is, there can never be a perfect barbecue. Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a new Traeger.
Price
Traeger grills are an investment for sure. Even though the quality is superb, if you’re not a big BBQ or smoker fan, you might not want to spend much money on something you’ll only use once in a while.
Power Source
Pellet grills need electricity to work, which is different from a gas grill or a charcoal grill with their fuel. As long as you have an easily accessible outlet at home, this may not be a problem.
If you have a limited source of electricity or want to take it camping or on the road, this grill might not be the ideal choice for you.
Wood Pellets Cost
The wood pellets can be expensive to run. While a large bag costs a modest amount to prepare a simple dinner like burgers, you could quickly go through a few of them to feed a large group of people.
In addition to the cost, you’ll have to search for pellets and place an order in advance. A local grilling shop may be able to help you out. To avoid this, you’ll need to prepare a week or more in advance and order the pellets on the internet.
Cooking Time
Wood pellet grills, such as Traeger, require longer cooking times. Setting a specific temperature and forgetting about it is helpful for consistent cooking, but the low smoking temperature means it will take longer to cook meat.
If you’re on a time crunch and need a quick supper, you may want to keep this in mind.
Grilling Temperature
The cooking surface of a Traeger grill can reach temperatures of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. But this may not be enough if you’re looking for a grill that can get hot.
A Traeger may not be ideal if you’re trying to sear a steak. Traeger grills are more like smokers than traditional grills.
A gas grill is your best bet for searing steaks.
How Long Do Traeger Grills Last?
A Traeger grill should last at least five years with proper care, cleaning, and maintenance. A Traeger can easily last for 10 to 15 years when broken parts are replaced with easy-to-find replacements.
How Long Is the Warranty on a Traeger Grill?
All Traeger grills come with a three-year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship under normal use and maintenance. Traeger will replace any part proven to be defective.
This warranty does not cover labor costs associated with determining or replacing defective parts or freight costs associated with shipping these parts.
The warranty is still valid if you use other brands of pellets, such as Pit Boss.
Traeger Alternatives
Here are some Traeger alternatives for a less expensive pellet grill.
Z Grills
Z Grills has the same original design as Traeger Grills. However, unlike the Traeger, the Z Grills don’t have all the high-tech features.
The Z Grills is a great option if you’re looking for a smoker that does the job well.
For more information, please see Z Grills vs. Traeger.
Camp Chef
Both the Camp Chef and the Traeger are excellent wood pellet grills. However, in our opinion, the Camp Chef provides better value for the money and a wider variety of choices for the cooking surface area and temperature.
For more information, please see Camp Chef vs. Traeger.
Pit Boss
Pit Boss is a grilling company founded in 1999 and produces charcoal and gas grills. However, pellet grills are its most well-known product.
Pit Boss is committed to providing products that are both simple and affordable.
Pit Boss pellet grills are a good place to start if you’re new to pellet grilling but don’t want to spend a lot of money.
For more information, please see Pit Boss vs. Traeger.
Conclusion
Is Traeger worth it? It would help if you thought about your budget and preferences.
Traeger grills are worth the money if you’re a frequent outdoor chef searching for a long-lasting solid wood pellet grill. Traeger is also a good option if you’re looking for something more advanced than a basic smoker.
However, instead of investing hundreds of dollars on a grill that you’ll only use once in a while, you could be better off saving your money and purchasing a less expensive Traeger alternative.