Traeger Timberline Xl Pellet Grill

New Meater Meat Thermometers Integration

If you are not familiar with MEATER, they are a company that makes some of the best wireless meat thermometers on the market. The new Timberline comes with two MEATER probes that can talk to the controller for easy monitoring of your foods temperature.

The smart wireless technology allows you to set alerts so you will know when your food has reached the perfect doneness temperature.

You can still use regular wire probes if you choose, but I really like the idea of using the MEATER probes.

Traeger Timberline Xl Review: Design And Features

Fully assembled, the Timberline XL weighs 289 pounds and measures 51 x 71 x 25 inches , though youll want to leave an extra 20 inches both in front of and behind the grill to allow for sufficient exhaust space and protect the surroundings from the heat.

You access the inside of the barrel-like cooking area by lifting the rounded lid. Three grates provide a total of 1,320 square inches of cooking surface . Traeger has redesigned the internal heat delivery system with stainless steel insulation it claims will allow for better regulation of the interior temperature a smart combustion system both helps keep that temperature constant and reduce flare-ups.

New on this Timberline is an updated control panel, which combines a full-color touch display, four buttons for accessing various features, and a round dial for adjusting the temperature and navigating menus a single-burner induction cooktop beneath the cooking surface, the EZ Clean Grease+Ash Keg, which collects a lot of the grease and ash produced during cooking for easy disposal later and a wraparound accessory rail.

Theres plenty of storage in the bottom cabinet, and a bin for your fuel pellets can be permanently housed on the right . A magnetic wooden cutting board for attaching to the pellet hopper lid, a slotted metal tray for cooking vegetables or fish, and two wired and one wireless temperature probe round out the accessories.

Easy Ash Cleanout And Grease Keg

Traeger remedied their shortcomings in these two areas. Companies like Camp Chef engineered an easy ash cleanout system where a removeable catch tray/cup was attached to the bottom of the fire pot. You could quickly remove this catch tray and dump the ash. With Traeger pellet grills, you would need to routinely remove the grill grates and diffuser plate to gain access to the firepot. You would need to vacuum the ash out of the firepot. Not a great design when the competition has simplified the cleanout process for years.

Thankfully Traeger designed their own easy ash cleanout in conjunction with the grease catch bucket. Traeger named it the EZ Clean Grease and Ash Keg. Both grease and ash are fed into the catch keg which is located in the center of the grill, below the cook box.

I like this new design because I am not a fan of grease buckets located on the side of the grill. I have accidentally dumped the grease bucket when installing or removing the grill cover. Grease is not easy to clean up, especially when you have the grill sitting on patio bricks or stamped concrete. This is a great improvement from Traeger and I hope to see this system incorporated into their Pro and Ironwood models.

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Our Thoughts On The New Timberline Xl

Traeger grills have been one of my favorite grills for years. I have owned several different models and they have all been great. I was really excited when Traeger announced the new Timberline XL because it is their most advanced grill yet and I love technology.

However, this grill is not for everybody and some might not get it. Here are my thoughts, if you are building a dream outdoor kitchen and have the means to spend good money on a state-of-the-art, good quality pellet smoker, man is this a good option for you.

Sure, there are other great pellet grills out there. There are many brands making everything from handmade fully stainless steel grills to competition BBQ guys making and selling their own slice of fame on a new shiny grill, and some of those grills are great. However, NONE has the technology or offers the cooking experience offered by this Traeger line.

All grills can cook, but not all of them offer a good cooking experience, and I am convinced that thats exactly what Traeger wanted to do here, offer you the ultimate outdoor cooking experience.

The New Timberline Controller

One of the biggest changes, and certainly the most impressive, is the new redesigned digital controller. The new controller takes precision temperature control to a whole new level. The all-new Timberline inherits some of the same D2 controller features found in older Traeger models but improves on auger control, variable fan speeds, and temp monitoring of the grilling area to even control flare-ups. In short, this grill is very smart.

The controller supports Traegers proven WiFire technology and, new to the Traeger XL, WIFI thermometers. You also get dual meat probes with this new grill.

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Other New Features Available In The Traeger Timberline Xl:

An Induction Cooktop: This is my favorite feature of the XL and is truly something new on a wood pellet grill. Most grills will include a propane side burner, but definitely not an induction side cook top. Induction cooking appliances are something you find in high-end kitchens and even restaurants.

Induction stoves have numerous benefits, including the ability to cook food faster, safely, and efficiently. Heat is created by an interaction between an electric magnetic coil and metal cookware. The Traeger induction system is great for searing or even making pancakes it adds a whole new level of versatility.

Wi-Fi Enabled Controller: The XL features a brand new Wi-Fi enabled controller. This controller lets you manage your grill from anywhere in the world using the Traeger app on your iPhone or Android device.

Upgraded Auger System: The auger system on the XL has been upgraded and is now made out of stainless steel. This auger system is much more durable than the auger system on the previous Timberline models and is less likely to jam.

Redesigned Hopper Lid: The hopper lid on the XL timberline grills has been redesigned to support a magnetic bamboo cutting board. This hopper can hold up to 22 pounds of pellets, which means you wont have to refill your hopper as often.

A Pellet Storage Bin: Traeger was nice enough to include a pellet storage container with the XL, but at this price range, I would expect that.

Traeger Timberline Xl Review

Traeger has long built up a name as the go-to solution for wood pellet grills, but its most recent grills take things a step further. Announced earlier this year, the Traeger Timberline and Timberline XL take the wood pellet concept and modernize it a little, giving the grills an all-new design, support for a host of new accessories, and a ton of high-tech features like Wi-Fi connectivity and even an induction cooker. Basically, theyre all-in-one outdoor kitchens.

But while these are the most high-tech wood pellet grills out there right now, theyre far from cheap. The base model Timberline starts at $3,499.99, and if you go for the larger Timeberline XL, youre looking at an eye-watering base price of $3,799.99. Thats before adding accessories, mind you.

Is paying that kind of price worth it? I checked out the Traeger Timberline XL to find out.

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Using The Traeger Timberline Xl

Actually using the grill is very simple, though likely more simple for those who dont mind learning how to use the interface. Its worth taking some time to get acquainted with the grill and how it works, but once you learn how to use it, youll easily get into a workflow.

One of my favorite things about the grill is the fact that it makes the cleaning process a whole lot easier. Thats largely thanks to the new EZ-Clean system that collects the ash and grease into a single keg that can be quickly and easily emptied. It doesnt completely eliminate the need to spend some time cleaning after each cook, but it does streamline the process, which is helpful.

Perhaps one of the coolest features about the grill is that it can be used wirelessly. Now, of course, standing at a grill is part of the whole vibe, but the ability to set the temperature and start the timer from your phone means that you can pre-heat the grill at the perfect time. Notifications about how full your pellet hopper is helps too.

The best thing about the Timberline XL is how versatile it is. It cooks evenly, and can easily handle everything from burgers, to chicken, to fish, to pretty much everything else. I also loved the addition of the induction cooker which meant that I could cook onions or other things with the meat in the grill.

My Overall Thoughts On The New Timberline Series

Overall the grill receives many checkmarks, especially for the backyard fanatic that only wants to have one grill/smoker on their property. Traeger made a valiant effort to make the new Timberline the be all end all pellet grill/smoker so that you could sell your old gas grill and become a pellet fuel freak. The Timberline XL is massive and can smoke a lot of food for a large party or even as a small caterer. The induction side burner can be used for anything but most importantly it provides high searing temps that most pellet grills cannot achieve.

I believe the only thing holding the new Timberline and Timberline XL from becoming a massive hit is the price point. The Timberline XL rings in at $3799.99. That is not chump change. To put that into perspective, the Yoder YS640s with the competition cart is priced around $2700. The Yoder weighs an additional 200 lbs. and is made in the USA. I think Traeger will have to do some soul searching on their price point as they are priced substantially more than the other premium grill manufacturers.

Those are my current thoughts. I would like to get my hands on one to do a full review and get a better idea of what the new Timberline can do. Keep checking in and Ill add a link to my full review.

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Traeger Timberline Xl Review: Setup

Our Timberline XL arrived via FedEx Freight in a shipment weighing just shy of 350 pounds and measuring 49.5 x 52.5 x 22 inches youll need at least two people to move and assemble it.

If you have a wide-open area with a solid, flat floor , that will simplify assembly, though its already pretty easy thanks to Traegers extensive printed and online instructions the company has also included all of the screws and hardware you need.

Attaching the wheels and the accessory rail were the trickiest parts for me, but even they werent too difficult.

Two people should be able to complete the assembly in two to three hours, including the onboarding process when you first turn on the grill, which connects the grill to your home Wi-Fi network and automatically seasons it.

Pal Timberline Storage Bin

Have you ever just wanted a handy bin within reach to hold all your rubs and sauces when you need them? This bin snaps on and can hold all those condiments and rubs. A hidden benefit? The perforated bottom ensures that spills wont cause every jar and bottle will be coated in sticky sauce.

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Centerpiece Of Your Outdoor Kitchen

If you are keen on building a full-fledged outdoor kitchen, Traeger has made it possible for the Timberline and Timberline XL to be the focal point seamlessly. You can purchase a kit to make the grill completely stationary. The kit replaces the casters with four leveling feet so you can ensure the Timberline is completely level regardless of any slight imperfections in the patio.

It also comes with a steel kickplate to cover the gap in the front of the grill. The kickplate does have openings to allow for airflow and ventilation.

The induction cooktop can also be removed from the main body of the Timberline and built into the countertop next to the grill.

Traeger Timberline Built-In Kit

Traeger Timberline Xl Review: Verdict

With its breadth of features and controls, all the different ways it allows you to cook, its no-fuss smoking capabilities, and its well-honed prowess at nearly every type of cooking, there is no other grill quite like the Traeger Timberline.

Whether its the best grill for you depends on how much youre willing or able to pay. This new Timberline is about twice as expensive as its predecessor, and you can buy top-quality charcoal or propane grills for $550 or less. They may not have all the bells and whistles, but is that such a terrible thing?

In another year or two, many of these same features will filter down into Traegers less expensive Ironwood and Pro lines, so waiting is another option. But if youre in the market now, and it wont torpedo your personal finances, the Timberline is a great way to grill.

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Benefits Of Woodfire Grilling With A Traeger Grill

Traeger crafted theoriginal wood-pellet grill with attention to detail, versatility and grillingperfection in mind. While gas and charcoal grills definitely have theirbenefits, many barbecue enthusiasts prefer wood-fire grilling for a number ofreasons. A perfect grilling option for at-home cooks and professionalpitmasters alike, Traeger pellet grills offer a wide array of impressivefeatures to help you master your grilling endeavors. Here are just a few of thetop benefits associated with a Traeger grill:

SignatureWood-Fired Flavor

Unlike charcoal grillsthat are fueled with briquettes or propane grills that are fueled by liquidpropane, a Traeger wood pellet grill achieves a signature wood-fired flavorwith the use of pure hardwood. Wood pellets like pecan, cherry, oak and alderimpart real wood-fired flavor into delicious meats, veggies and other grillingfood favorites. Cooking with Traeger’s 100 percent natural hardwood pelletsallows you to complement the different grilled foods you love the most. Get asweeter flavor with a fruit wood like apple, or use a bolder wood like hickoryto achieve a savory, smoky flavor.

Multipurpose BBQGrilling

Wood PelletGrilling Made Simple

Pal Timberline Roll Rack

No matter how accomplished a backyard pitmaster is, paper towels are a must. This rack can hold a roll of paper towels so you can easily clean up spills and your hands without taking up shelf space. The Roll Rack isnt just for paper towels, though. Its adjustable size allows you to put butcher paper, aluminum foil, or any other rolls you might need. If you spend a lot of time smoking big cuts of meat like briskets or pork butts, having that butcher paper or aluminum foil ready to be rolled out will make your life so much easier.

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Whats New In The Inside

A lot has changed inside the New Timberline. Open the lid and the first thing youll notice is the weight of the heavy-duty steel lid. Compared to the older Timberline series, this new lid design exposes more of the cooking chamber and completely moves out of the way giving you better access to the cooking surface but especially the two top cooking and warming racks.

In the old Timberline series, the lid was only part of the front of the main cooking compartment, meaning the sidewall of the grill was static and did not move. In the new Timberline models, the lid is practically the top half of the grill, including the side walls.

When you open this lid, the entire top half of the grill is exposed, making it easier to work around the cooking grates and giving you full access to the cooking space. The lid is also completed with a heat gasket to create a good seal when cooking and smoking foods.

The second thing youll notice is a fully redesigned and rearranged cooking chamber. The main cooking grate is made up of three different grates, adding flexibility and versatility. You can use two grates in conjunction with a griddle grate or other types of cooking surfaces. The raised side walls hold two warming and cooking racks, which can be stacked at different levels.

The cooking chamber offers full stainless steel insulation for maximum heat retention, which helps cook more efficiently and use less fuel.

Traeger Timberline Xl Review: Pricing And Availability

Two models of this grill, which went on sale late this spring, are available: the regular Timberline and the larger Timberline XL.

• Traeger Timberline: $3,499.99
• Traeger Timberline XL: $3,799.99

We reviewed the Timberline XL, which boasts 1,320 square inches of cooking area as opposed to the Timberlines 880 square inches. Our contact at Traeger insisted that size is the only difference between the two models and that their features and performance are otherwise identical.

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Traeger Timberline Xl Review: Cleaning

Although the Grease+Ash Keg does speed one aspect of cleanup, you still may have to spend a fair amount of time keeping the Timberline XL in tip-top shape.

I had to spend a lot of time chipping away at the accumulated detritus on the drip tray and scraping gunk away from the grease drain tube. . Sucking ash out of the firepot with a vacuum cleaner and removing creosote from the backsplash and the inside of the grill door are other necessary maintenance tasks.