Traeger Timberline 1300 Wood Pellet Grill
The Timberline represents the latest and greatest from Traeger, and its got a price point to match.
When the Timberline series was launched back in 2017 it used to have a few more unique features. This year some of these have made their way down to the cheaper Traeger models so its not quite as impressive as it used to be.
But there are still some notable improvements. As well as offering an absolutely whopping 1300 square inches of cooking space, the Timberline is the only Traeger model to include a pellet sensor.
Traeger Timberline 1300 Specifications:
| Weight | 238 Lbs |
This handy feature monitors your pellet consumption and lets you check on your phone so you dont have to worry about pellets running out.
While this shouldnt happen too often, especially if you remember to fill the 24lb hopper.
Its still really handy that you dont have to worry about running out mid-cook and restarting everything.
You get three removable grill grates that can be positioned for searing or smoking.
Overall Fit And Finish
The Camp Chef SG24 does not disappoint when it comes to fit and finish. The unit feels sturdy, reassuring, and gives off the feel of quality and reliability. The black aesthetic is courtesy of an all-metal construction with every surface treated with anti-corrosive agents. The reassuring feel of weight and heft is present in all component parts and the unit is well-insulated to keep the heat in. It is not the best fit and finish but better than other entry level pellet grills.
Other Things To Consider When Choosing A Grill
PORTABILITY: If you frequently go car camping, on picnics, or tailgating, do you want a grill you can take with you? Perhaps youd like to stash your grill in a shed when youre not using it. Some grills are easy to wheel from one corner of the patio to another, while others are unwieldy. Consider how portable or permanent you need a grill to be.
ACCESSORIES:
Side shelves connected to your grill can be very handy. However, if you need a grill with a small footprint because you dont have a lot of room, you can always use small folding tables if your grill doesnt come with any side shelves.
A chimney is an invaluable way to get a charcoal fire going quickly. A grill chimney is a metal cylinder with a handle. You fill it with charcoal, then put scrunched-up paper in the cavity beneath. After lighting the paper on fire the concentrated heat and flames ignite the charcoal. Once the charcoal is covered with white ash , you dump out the coals in the pit of the grill. No flammable liquids or cheater sticks required!
Lighting fluid and self-lighting charcoal are made with petrochemicals, and when they burn, they smell like petrochemicals. Food cooked over them tastes like chemicals. We dont recommend them. So, spend about $20 on a chimney and you wont need to worry.
Sally Vargas
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How To Avoid Overcooking Steak
The trick to not overcooking is to harness the power;of indirect heat, pausing the cooking process before they are fully done.
Ensure you take;them off the heat a bit before they reach the desired doneness as measured by internal temperature.;
Then let the grilled meat rest for around 10 minutes the indirect heat trapped in the meat will;continue to cook the steak gently as is;rests. This time will also let the juices flow throughout the steak so its super juicy.;
Once you remove your steak from the grill, let it sit on;a plate or cutting board for 10 minutes to continue cooking and so you dont lose any of the juices.
Easy To Use Controller
The digital controller is a breeze to use, even if you operate the unit in direct sunlight. The large digital display is easy to read from the distance and the control scheme is simple to use. You have a large central knob that controls ignition, heat and smoke levels along with a master power switch. Connectors for the included dual meat probes are also located on the front control panel.
I found the control know a little touchy to control but you get used to it. The large control knob acts as an enter button and also is used to scroll through the menu options. You can also use the Camp Chef Connect App to manage a lot of these functions which I find easier to use.
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Other Factors To Consider When Buying A Pellet Grill
With so many models and brands available, deciding which model to buy can be intimidating.
But finding the best grill is all about weighing up your needs. I find it helpful to think about a few different factors when buying a new grill.
Size
The Pellet grills weve looked at in this guide range from 300 1300 square ft. An easy way to narrow your search down is to work out how big you want to go.
Generally the larger you go, the more expensive the grill will get. Although a large grill from a budget brand like Z Grills will still cost less than a more premium brand like Traeger.
If you go too small you wont be able to cook enough food to feed all your guests. But if you go too big your grill will cost more to run and youll waste some wood pellets.
You also need to think about size of the pellet hopper. The larger the hopper the more cooking time you get without re-filing it.
My recommendation is to choose a grill slightly larger than you think youll need.
Features
Some people like to have all the latest tech on their grills, while others prefer to invest all their budget in a grill that focuses on superior build quality.
Have a think about which features are nice to have, and which are non-negotiable.
Some common features on pellet grills include:
Price
Every factor weve talked about contributes to the price. Pellet grills have more tech in them, and generally cost more than other types of smoker.
Best Gas Grill Under $500
Weber Spirit II Propane Grill at a Glance
- Fuel: Propane or Natural Gas
- Cook Area:424 sq inch main, 105 sq inch indirect rack
- Burners: Three 10,000 BTU burners
- Side Tables: 2, one folds down
- Other: Weber iGrill compatible
The Weber Spirit II brings features and functionality into a compact gas grill to a reasonable price point.
Reversible cast iron cooking grates provide one thin side for cooking delicate food and a wider side for larger foods.
Strapped to the side, the propane tank hangs on a weight-based fuel gauge which takes the guesswork out of monitoring fuel.
The majority of the cart is stainless steel, and features 2 side tables complete with 6 tool hooks. One of the tables fold down, allowing you to customize your set up and save on space.
Under the grill hangs an easily accessible grease trap over a slotted painted stainless steel rack.
At the front of the grill is a slot to fit a Weber iGrill smart thermometer unit and the lid accommodates the wire for the probe.
If you need to feed large groups of people and are space-conscious, the Weber Spirit II balances space, accessories, and ease of use.
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How We Picked The Best Gas Grill
We had three firm criteria that our main contenders had to meet:
Finally, we restricted our search to grills that burn propane from refillable tanks, the most common fuel by far, but you should note that most grills can also run on natural gasthough converting to natural gas isnt cheap or simple.1
We didnt fret much over two other factors that grill-makers spend a lot of time talking about: total Btu count and the grates material. First, the total Btu count on three-burner grills tends to vary between 30,000 and 40,000, and the industry is making a strong push toward more is better. But our research and reporting convinced us that at least as important as the total output was whether those Btus were applied efficiently, steadily, and evenly across the grates. We decided to reserve judgment until our tests.
We knew we would be looking at intangibles, too, such as how well the grills were packed, if the instructions were clear, and if assembly was reasonably straightforward. And, of course, we would consider the biggest intangible of all: the grills ability to perform in our tests.
But those judgments would have to wait until we got our hands on the contenders. So after weeks of research, reporting, and discussion, we settled on four gas grills to test in our main $400 to $700 category, and two grills around the $200 mark to test as budget options.
What We’re Testing Next
Monument 4-Burner Propane Gas Grill : This brand offers fairly large-sized propane grills at a very fair price, but we haven’t tried one yet.;
Napoleon Rogue 425 : Like all of our picks, we keep our high-end recommendations in check, too. Right now we’re still happy with the Broil King Regal S590, but it’s a natural gas grill. Napoleon boasts excellent ratings around the web, and we’re currently looking into testing it. And while it’s not a natural gas grill, there’s a conversion available should you want to tap into your home’s natural gas line.
Nexgrill Deluxe 6-Burner Propane Gas Grill : This grill enjoys a good reputation with consumers as a midsized grill with a side burner, and seeing as how our Cuisinart pick goes in and out of stock sporadically, we’re looking into testing this one, which is slightly pricier, as a potential replacement.
Otto Wilde OFB Grill : Insider Reviews’ Owen Burke loves the Otto Wilde OFB grill, which is basically a miniature salamander, hotel, overhead, or restaurant grill. While the price is a little overkill for most, if you’re big on searing steaks and making pizzas , the Otto Wilde may be a good choice. We’re looking forward to testing it alongside traditional grills. In the meantime, read our full review of the Otto Wilde OFB here.
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Best Grills In : Gas Charcoal And Pellet Compared
The best grills will be able to sear any recipe, be it meat or veg, to perfection. You should be able to rely on it summer after summer, and it just be convenient to use, easy to clean and versatile in its design. You dont have to spend the big bucks to get a good grill either. Prices can range anywhere from $100 to over $1,000, so its good practice to first consider your budget.;
Even if you know how much you want to spend, picking out the right grill can be a challenge. Theres the type of grill to consider as well as the array of features available. Thats why weve scoured the market to find the best grills. Whether youre looking for gas, electric, charcoal or pellet, weve found the winners. Here are the best grills.;
Kamado Joe Classic 18
Best Kamado grill
Reasons to avoid
Cooks who love to try new things, and want to expand their repertoire beyond the basics, will love a kamado grill. The best of the bunch is the Kamado Joe Classic 18-inch KJ23RHC. This ceramic baby is heavy and will set you back a big chunk of change, but it will reward you with unparalleled control over the heat.;
That way you can cook an artisanal pizza in mere minutes, smoke a pork butt for hours, as well as grill everything in between. What you dont get is a lot of room to load on the burgers so you should expect to cook about 8 to 10 at once.
Instead of briquettes, youll need to stock up on lump hardwood charcoal. It can be hard to find, but it lights easily and burns slowly. Plus unlike other models, this kamado comes with a wheeled stand and has side tables for resting your basting sauce and a cold one. When its time to clean up, all you have to do is slide out the ash drawer and dispose of the ashes. Safely of course.
Reasons to avoid
The Cuisinart Deluxe Four Burner Gas Grill is a great looking grill that offers even heating whether you cook directly over the burners or indirectly with only some of the burners lit. On this model, theres a very unique feature: a glass window that lets you check on your food without lifting the hood and losing precious heat.
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Grill Buying Guide: How To Buy A Grill To Fit Your Needs
Nothing says outdoor get-together like grilled meats and vegetables. But if your grilling experience is filled with more flare-ups, rust and frustration than fun, you should invest in a new grill.
Instead of purchasing strictly on price or recommendations, select a grill that matches your style. Are you into convenience and speed? Or do you grill leisurely and try to maximize the smoky flavor? Selecting a grill goes beyond choosing gas or charcoal. Our grill buying guide will point out key features that can help influence your purchasing decision and fit your needs.
To begin, use the following questions to help navigate through the key components of buying a grill. Find in-depth information on the topics listed below by simply clicking on any of the following links:
What is the difference between gas grilling & charcoal grilling?
When it comes to the epic battle of gas grilling versus charcoal grilling, the bottom line is: grilling is grilling no matter what fuel source you use. Both involve the radiant transfer of heat from the fuel source to the cooking grid. Drippings come off of the food, land on the heat source and sizzle and smoke. The smoke rising into your food creates barbecue flavor.
What types of cooking grates are available & how do they differ?
What size grill do I need?
Which fuel type is best: natural gas or liquid propane?
What color & design options are available?
How does grill design impact cooking performance?
What Is The Best Gas Grill For Under $500
The best grill for under $500 also happens to be our top pick overall: The Weber Spirit II E-310.
Youll be able to read our full take on it below, but in short, we think it’s a great all-around grill that boasts the features of more expensive options, just at a way better price. Plus, it’s compatible with smart devices. How cool!
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Traeger Timberline Fully Loaded Like No Other
The Timberline is the top-of-the-line, fully-loaded Traeger model. The 1300 is by far the largest of the Traeger grills and an absolute behemoth. It has a larger cooking capacity than 2 Pro 575s combined, handling 12 chickens or 15 racks of ribs or 12 pork butts.
Because the Timberline is very similar to the Ironwood Series, its actually easier to just describe the differences and additions, rather than go over all of the features again.
So, along with everything listed above about the Ironwood, the Timberline has the following:
Fully Insulated Grill Interior with Gasket
In addition to the double sidewall panels of the Ironwood, the Timberlinefeatures an aluminized steel double-wall back panel and grill door for even more insulation. It also comes with a gasket that runs around the edges of the grill door, which helps keep heat in.
Stainless-Steel Grill Grates;
Unlike the non-stick coated porcelain grill grates on the Pro Series and Ironwood, the Timberlinecomes with stainless-steel grill grates. On the one hand, this is a good thing because stainless-steel grates are much more durable than the porcelain ones. Steel is also a better conductor of heat, meaning they get hotter than porcelain grates, which allows for better searing capabilities. However, they are also more prone to having food stick to them. Therefore, you may need to oil your grill before placing food down, depending on what youre cooking.
Taller Barrel
Internal Grease Management System
When To Replace Your Grill
Most grills come with two different kinds of warranty. One for labor, which can range anywhere from zero coverage to two years, and another much longer warranty for parts. That coverage often lasts for the entire lifetime of the product, and includes all the essential pieces like burner, cooking grids, and exterior housing. But how long your grill lasts also depends on how well you take care of it.;
If the cost of repairs are more than 50 percent of the price of a new grill, its time to consider buying a replacement. Rust or cracks in the firebox are an indication that your grill is not worth keeping. If you find cracks in the gas hose and regulator then you will have a gas leak, so you should at least replace those parts, if not the entire grill.
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Upgrade Grill Pick: Weber Genesis Ii E
*At the time of publishing, the price was $780.
The Weber Genesis II E-310 gas grill is also an exceptional performer, and it offers several clever, life-improving design elements that we love. The grates are about 20 percent bigger, too, but overall the Genesis II takes up barely more area than the Spirit II, so theres no appreciable trade-off between the two if your patio space is tight. Essentially, the decision comes down to how youll use your grill: If you often cook for crowds, the Genesis II is worth the extra couple hundred dollars.
Performance-wise, we found the two Weber models nearly identical, with the Spirit just slightly edging the Genesis II on burger-searing performance. And that gap would probably close with a bit more time to learn the Genesis IIs finer points. In terms of materials, the two are almost twins, offering heavy cast-aluminum fireboxes and porcelain-coated cast-iron grates. The Genesis II, however, features a frame made of welded rails, while the Spirit II is made of folded metal . Theyre both sturdy enough, but the Genesis II is appreciably stiffer and more solid-feeling. And we like that it has casters: Its easier to swivel into a corner for storage than the casterless Spirit.
Moving the tank to the outside also frees up space below the grill, which Weber fills with a generous and sturdy storage shelf. Thats a nice feature; you can keep trays, grill tools, or even a small cooler there.
