Why Buy Cookshack Pellet Grills:
Pit Boss Rancher Xl Wood
If youre looking to feed a crowd, the Rancher XL has 1,004 square inches of cooking space. And the hopper holds up to 31 pounds of pellets, meaning it can cook up to 52 burgers at once.
Like most Pit Boss wood-pellet grills, the Rancher XL comes equipped with a sliding plate on the bottom that allows you to easily switch between smoking and open flame grilling. Although the temperature controls are not very precise, the grill can reach 500 degrees.
The amount of space the Rancher XL provides makes this low-cost grill excellent for a large party.
Why Do Users Choose Traeger Products
Users of Traeger grills are very connected with the brand. If you are one of those, you know why. Traeger grill brings superior taste, ease of use, and excellent results every time you want to prepare food.
They claim that these grills bring unrivaled wood-fired flavor to the table, and no matter which grill you select, with its 6-in-1 ability, you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ the ingredients you love.
Traeger grills are compact and portable and have features that will help you prepare your meal and do it quickly and securely. Thanks to their precision temperature control and a simple start-up you get grilling quicker, with no flare-ups.
Their latest technology lets you monitor and control your grill from anywhere using the Traeger app. You don’t need to babysit the grill, meaning you can focus on flavor rather than tending to the fire. Their do-it-all versatility allows you to cook hot and fast or low and slow.
Read More:How Do I Get More Smoke From My Traeger?
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Use Wood Pellets From Trusted Brands
So as long as wood pellets from a trusted brand are being used inside of a Pit Boss pellet grill then the pellet grill should operate normally.
Make sure not to use heating pellets or any low-quality wood pellets that have plastics or a lot of sawdust in the bag. Other contaminants will cause issues for the pellet grill and shorten the lifespan of the grill.
Traeger Pellet Grills/smokers Faq
My general pellet grill/smoker FAQ page offers answers to a wide range of topics about pellet grills/smokers and the pellets they use. However, this page is specifically a Traeger focused FAQ page, discussing questions about what features/capabilities the current range of Traeger pellet grills/smokers offer. For instance, which Traeger grills come with features such as WiFi, direct-flame access, twin-wall insulated construction, stainless steel, pellet dump etc. Ill also provide links to articles Ive produced on specific Traeger models and my comparison/vs articles. I hope I can teach you something new, enjoy!
The current Traeger range includes 6 main models, with the larger Pro, Ironwood and Timberline models available in different sizes: Images Traegergrills.com
Disclaimer: Hey! By the way any links on this page that lead to products on Amazon or other sites are affiliate links and I earn a commission if you make a purchase.
Whats The Cheapest Traeger Pellet Grill?
Currently, the cheapest Traeger pellet grill for just under $300 is the Scout which is a small tabletop pellet grill. The Scout is intended to be a camping/portable pellet grill, as such it has limited cooking space . The Scout also does not feature Traegers latest D2 Direct Drive systems or WiFire found on more modern Traeger pellet grills.
Whats The Most Expensive Traeger Pellet Grill?
Whats The Smallest Traeger Pellet Grill?
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Winner: Traeger Tailgator 20
Unless space is severely limited and/or you just must have a tabletop unit, if you want a true Traeger Grill experience in a portable model, do yourself a favor and choose the Traeger Tailgater 20 Grill. Theres nothing wrong with the Traeger Scout and Ranger models, but they dont compare to the experience of the Traeger Tailgater 20.
Why is the Traeger Tailgater 20 the best Traeger Portable Grill?
From game days to getaways, bring wood-fired flavor everywhere with the new Tailgater 20. Featuring a compact, portable design, its prime for balconies, tailgating or anywhere else you want to take 6-in-1 versatility and superior taste. And now it comes armed with Traegers Digital Arc controller for more precise, consistent temperatures and a Keep Warm Mode that keeps food fresh until chow time.
That means that with the Traeger Tailgater 20 you can enjoy all the benefits of that true wood-pellet grilling experience AND take it with you! With foldable legs and a total weight around 60 lbs, the Traeger Tailgator 20 is easy to transport. But dont let its light weight fool you, this is a real Traeger grill that uses a hopper for wood pellets and the hopper is big enough to hold 8 lbs of wood pellets so you can still cook for 5-6 hours without refilling.
Traeger Tailgator 20 Features
Other features of the Traeger Tailgater 20 include:
Traeger Tailgater 20 Grilling Capacity
Heres what you can fit on a Traeger Tailgator 20
Traeger Tailgator 20 Video Review
Pit Boss 700fb Wood Pellet Grill
The 700FB was one of Pit Boss top selling grills but its become a little outdated now with the release of the Sportsman and Navigator range.
Like its name suggests the Pit Boss 700FB has 700 sq inches of cooking surface. To get the same space on a Traeger you would be looking at the Traeger Pro 780 which is double the price.
While you do give up a bit in features like WiFi connectivity, the price difference alone makes the 700FB a very tempting buy in the mid to large sized pellet smoker range.
This grill does have plenty of options for cooking hot though. Its able to hit 600°F and youve also got the flame broiler system where you use a slide-plate to get direct flame grilling.
You get a standard digital controller so the temperature will fluctuate a little more. The control unit isnt as nice as the Sportsman and there are no side or front shelves.
Otherwise, the features of this grill are all fairly similar to those we discussed in our Pit Boss 440 review above.
You dont see many companies selling vertical pellet smokers.
Maybe its because people like the old school cool look of the drum shaped design.
We think thats a shame because the vertical design lets you fit a lot more cooking real estate into a smaller foot print.
If you want to go down the vertical smoker path, Pit Boss offer their 3 series, 5 series and 7 series.
There isnt really a Traeger alternative to the Pit Boss Vertical smokers.
You might also see these referred to as Copperhead Pellet Smokers
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Other Traeger Grills To Consider
The four grills shown above are the most popular Traegers on the market today. However, there are many more models available, and some of them may be worth purchasing if you can get them at a low price.
Traeger Renegade Elite This grill is somewhat larger than the Bronson and considerably smaller than the more recent Pro 575. Its a wonderful small grill, but its currently only slightly less expensive than the more modern Pro 575. The wire front prep rack and tool caddy rack are nice features worth considering if you can get them on sale.
Costco occasionally has some other models available, so its worth looking into that as well.
Best Traeger Timberline Grill
Winner: Traeger Timberline 1300 The Beast
The Traeger Timberline Series Grills is not for the faint of heart these are the mack daddy Traeger Grills for home cooks with only the Commercial Line offering larger sizes. There are currently two Timberline sizes: Traeger Timberline 850 and Traeger Timberline 1300. Again the only difference is the grilling space: 850 square inches or 1300 square inches. Youre going to be approaching $2000 for the Timberline but if youre reading this and considering a Timberline, Im assuming budget is not really an issue for you and therefore Im assuming youll want the best of the best thats the Timberline 1300.
Traeger Timberline Video
Traeger Timberline Features
The Traeger Timberline grills are Traegers premier outdoor cooking solution. Youll get all the best features of the Pro Series AND all of the following too
- Timberline D2® Controller
- Three tiers of stainless steel grates
- Double-wall stainless steel interior
- Concealed Grease Management System
Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline Grills
Heres a great video review by Embers Outdoor Living on the differences between the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline Grills
Heres a quick summary of the differences between the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline grills
Traeger Timberline 850 and 1300 Grilling Capacity
Heres a look at what you can cook on the Traeger Timberline grills.
Traeger Timberline 850 & 1300 Current Prices
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Camp Chef Vs Traeger Overall Winner
When it comes to the overall winner, its an extremely close call to us.
But based on all of the factors we outlined above, we have to give the slight edge to Traeger.
Traeger is the OG and is still the leader in our mind at delivering pellet grills that create superior flavor on your food.
If you like the bells and whistles that come on Camp Chef products namely the pizza oven, flat top grill, and sidekick burner attachments, then Camp Chef is still an excellent choice.
So all of this is to say that Camp Chef grills are still a fantastic choice but when it comes to the nuts and bolts, Traeger just still performs a little better.
So take all of this with a grain of salt! At the end of the day, you should do the research and figure out which brand between Camp Chef vs Traeger is best for you personally.
In order to help you do that, weve compiled some grill reviews for both brands so you can see from both brands in a product by product comparison.
Winner: Traeger Ironwood 885
The Traeger Ironwood Series Grills currently come in two sizes The Ironwood 650 and Ironwood 885. As with the Pro 575 and 780 the only difference is grilling space. As with the Pro recommendation, were suggesting you go with the Ironwood 885 so you dont regret the lack of space later.
Traeger Ironwood vs Traeger Pro Series
The Traeger Ironwood series is a newer line than the Traeger Pro line and the Ironwood models offer a couple more features that may or may not be important to you. Heres a video comparison of the Traeger Ironwood 650 and Ironwood 885 vs Traeger Pro 575 and Pro 780
The quick summary is the Traeger Ironwood has all the best features of the Treager Pro AND also includes double side-walled insulation, a free side-shelf, an adjustable lower grill grate, a slightly larger hopper, Traegers Downdraft Exhaust System, and the Tru Convection option.
Traeger threads on Reddit and other forums about the Ironwood vs the Pro are somewhat mixed, however the majority of people who have actually purchased the Traeger Ironwood seem to be really happy with it especially as the Downdraft Exhaust and Tru Convection seem to provide more smoke in the chamber longer for more smoke flavor.
Traeger Ironwood Video
Ironwood 650 vs Ironwood 885 Cooking Capacity
Heres what you can cook on the Traeger Ironwood 650 vs 885 models
Traeger Ironwood 650 & 885 Current Prices
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Joe Traeger Hired By Rival Dansons In 2018
Joe Traeger visited Dansons’ facility in Phoenix, Arizona to talk with president Jeff Thiessen about a charity in August 2018.
Dansons is a barbecue grill manufacturer started in 1999 by Dan Thiessen and his two sons. Among the brands of grills they manufacture are Louisiana Grills and Pit Boss, both of which make wood pellet grills.
In an interview with Patio & Hearth Products Report, Dansons president Jeff Thiessen said that meeting led to job offers to Joe and Brian Traeger.
The lawsuit alleges Joe Traeger reached out to Traeger Grills about jobs for he and Brian Traeger in September 2018.
The terms were unreasonable and unacceptable to Traeger Grills, the lawsuit states.
In 2018, Joe and Brian Traeger went to work for Dansons Joe in product development and Brian as a divisional sales manager and Dansons used photos of Joe and Brian Traeger and the Traeger barn in Mt. Angel in its announcement of the hiring and subsequent marketing material dated Sept. 21, 2018.
Joe and Brian Traeger were hired in 2018 based on their personal talent, passion and experience in the grilling industry, Dansons president Jeff Thiessen said in a statement. They brought fresh ideas and concepts that we were happy to engage, and they have become a valued part of the Dansons family.
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Who Makes The Best Pellet Grill
Top Rated Pellet Grills & Smokers Traeger Ironwood Wi-Fi Pellet Grill. Traeger Pro 780 Wi-Fi Pellet Grill with WiFIRE. Coyote 36-Inch Pellet Grill. Cookshack Fast Eddys BBQ Pellet Smoker. Traeger Timberline 1300 Wi-Fi Wood Pellet Grill. Weber SmokeFire EX6 Gen 2 Wi-Fi Enabled Pellet Grill. Traeger Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill.
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Verdict: Are Traeger Grills Made In The Usa
No, Traeger Grills are no longer made in the USA they are manufactured in China. Traeger made the switch to international manufacturing after the sale of the company in 2006.
This is certainly disappointing news. Its not uncommon that larger companies change manufacturing to cut costs after a large acquisition, which often times comes at the expense of quality. Whats worse is that they dont list where their grills are manufactured anywhere on their website. The most transparent companies will list the country of origin next to the rest of the details for each product. We had to do a little secret shopping to find out for ourselves.
Do Camp Chef Pellet Grills Go On Sale
Camp Chef pellet grills are undoubtedly one of the best products on the market when it comes to grilling. But, there is also no denying that these grills also come with a pretty hefty price tag. So, do they ever go on sale?
Yes, Camp Chef does run sales for their pellet grills. However, these sales are often hard to spot as they do not happen all that often.
Unlike other companies who run sales regularly throughout the year, Camp Chef instead only reduces the cost of their products on big sale days. In particular, the best time of the year to pick up a Camp Chef pellet grill in the sale is on Labor Day weekend.
So, yes, Camp Chef pellet grills do go on sale. But, remember, these grills are insanely popular. So, if you want to pick one up at a good price, you will need to act quickly.
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Who Owns Traeger Grills
Traeger Pellet Grills LLC owns the popular line of Traeger grills. They make a range of grills and offer pellets, sauces, rubs, shakes, and grilling accessories.
“Fuel your hunger for wood-fired flavor with Traeger” is a slogan that the company uses to describe the power their products have.
Traeger invented the Original Wood-Fired Grill over 30 years ago in Mt. Angel, Oregon. They continue to lead the industry as the world’s top-selling wood-fired grill, perfected by decades of mastering the craft of wood-fired cooking.
Users claim to love a Traeger grill because it transformed the way they cook. Constant innovation of their grills and smokers creates consistent results every single time.
The owner of the company, Joe Traeger, and sons Brian and Mark, sold Traeger Industries’ assets in 2006. From 2014 onwards, the company belonged to Jeremy Andrus and a private equity firm called Trilantic Capital Partners .
In 2015, the company moved its headquarters to Salt Lake City, Utah and closed all Oregon operations in 2016.
“I will always do what I can to help others, but when I retire, I want to be a dad and a husband. I want a house and a dog in the yard. I want to have barbecues.”
Whats The Best Traeger Grill Final Verdict
Like I said early on, the Best Traeger Grill is the one thats right for YOU. Weve given you four great options to choose from and hopefully helped you narrow down your choice to 1 or 2 best Traeger models that youll be happy with. That said, were not going to totally cop out on you without giving you are Best Overall Traeger Grill choice or in this case choices
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Arent Traeger Grills Made In The Usa
Traeger, the longest and most established pellet grill brand were originally manufactured in Oregon and were produced in the USA up until 2006 when the Traeger family sold the company. In 2006 the patent that Traeger had on the design of pellet grills/smokers since 1986 ran out, then more makes/brands of pellet grills started to enter the market. Traeger felt they had to move manufacturing abroad to expand the company to make it viable while still offering a product at a price their customers are happy to pay. Hence, today Traeger pellet grills are made in China.
While Traeger is still an American company who design their pellet grills in the USA they are manufactured abroad: Image Traegergrills.com
