Traeger Help

[BC_Outdoors]

Finally getting ready to bite the bullet and buy a pellet smoker/bbq. Any advice would be appreciated to aid me in my purchase. I think I want a 4’ or bigger. But maybe some of you can help me decide. Any do’s or don’ts will help. Thanks.

That’s a tough call. It’s more of a preference thing. I love my Traeger but I kinda wish I got a green mountain smoker.

 

[pk_]

don’t neglect cleaning out the ash unless you enjoy tearing things apart and fixing them.

 

[Huntindog45]

i love my camp chef, i get that 40% off from expert voice so it was a far more economical way to go (i think it was half the cost of a traeger) and it has been awesome. i am using it so much now that i am working from home through the coronavirus.

 

[Huntindog45]

Recently went through the Traeger/GMG/Camp Chef debate and settled on a Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 with a sear box. I've had it about a month and have made chicken breast, steaks, ribs, pulled pork, hamburgers, ham, and pizza so far. Haven't had any regrets up to this point. The sear box is a game changer and was the deciding factor for me.

yah my one regret is i did not get the sear box. i am going to purchase it as an add on.

 

[Huntindog45]

I love my Traeger. I haven't used my propane grill since I bought it last spring. I have the Pro 780 which seems to be quite reliable and efficient. I don't have any other brand experiences to base any bias off of.

This one allows me to cook a large turkey easily, two large pizzas if desired and fits my dutch oven inside with room for ribs, wings and pork shoulder at the same time.

PIZZA. before i purchase my grill i had never even thought of the idea of making a pizza in it. now i do it all the time. it is phenomenal

 

[silasbowhunter]

My traegar is alright. Works well, just a few things I’d like to change. For almost any of these pellet grills I’d recommend a thermal blanket of some sort and lots of tin foil. Enjoy


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[Zoso5150]

I keep waiting for my Traeger to die so I can buy a ”better“ pellet grill but it just wont. its a love/hate relationship.

Best advice I’d wished I’d known -> If your starting rod (hot rod) ever needs to be replaced make sure you only let about 1/4” of it stick out into the pot/dont let it stick out very far or they just burn up right away.

Be prepared to do some maintenance on it here and there. Mine is 8.5 years old; replaced the hot rod many times, paint looks terrible (dont store outside if u can or at least cover it), baffle plate warped on the initail burn-in, coating has chilled of the grill all over, replaced the rusted out pot a year or so ago. That said, it keeps on trukin’ and we use it a decent amount except for in Winter.

 

[Zoso5150]

Oh, and a cheap welding blanket from Harbor Freight works well to keep the heat in for smokes and saves you on pellets.

 

[KineKilla]

Traeger told me they do not and don't plan to make insulating blankets for mine. They spewed some BS about it being built to handle cold better already. I don't think there is a cold weather scenario where a little more thermal insulation would be a bad thing.

Experienced my first "Failed to Ignite" error yesterday. It did ignite on my second try but it set my time back a bit while I dinked around with it.

 

[kickemall]

After having mine for awhile now I will say I miss having a gas grill to throw burgers or steaks on and be done in 15 minutes. You have to plan a lot better with Traeger type smoker grill. Another thing, its nice to have a gas grill if the power goes out because your not going to use a Traeger without it. I'm not sure I'd do the Traeger thing again.

 

[Alegault]

I like my treager. Don’t have experience with other brands. I would get the cold smoke attachment for it- you’ll want it to do salmon/cheese probably.

Only negative I have is you have to vacuum the fire pot out like every other use or you get temp swings/trouble maintaining low heat.

 

[Jetboy]

I’ve had my Traeger pro 780 for a year and love it.


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[Harveyb]

Love my traeger. Over 15 yrs old now. Use it multiple times weekly year round. Have replaced 2 hot rods and a fan. Does have some rust. Not the greatest for searing but super for doing whole chickens, ribs and game roasts. Great way to grill salmon steaks. A much better grill than the GMG that my mother had. It was a POS.

 

[psirus7]

If you can get on promotive for a discount, the Camp Chef Woodwind is fantastic for the $$$. Easy cleanup and the 900 deg sear box is awesome. The main smoker easily reaches 500 deg with a blanket in the winter. I did have some temperature "hunting" at low temps when it was brand-new, but it has settled with use.

 

[Mosster47]

I just saw a Weber pellet grill yesterday and it was built like a tank like everything they make. It was $1,200 for the 36" model. That might be a really solid option.

 

[Anozira]

I bought a Camp Chef ZG almost 3 years ago. The only thing I have done is added the sear box and a front shelf. I use the hell out of it and cook ~1-2 meals a week on it. When/ if it dies I am going to replace it with the Camp chef SW model from sportsman warehouse.

 

[MWBaker5]

Have had a Traeger for three years. Compared to older versions friends have, quality seems to have decreased. Will look at other brands when time to buy again.