The Top 5 Best Traeger Grills of 2018 – Best Traeger Pellet Smokers Reviews And Buyers Guide

The Pros, the Cons, and the Facts About the Top Traeger Wood Pellet Grill and Smokers.

John Traeger patented the original wood pellet grill in 1986.  His innovation led to the creation of a line of hardwood pellet burning smokers and grills that are known for quality and durability.  Since the expiration of the original patent in 2006, more than 25 companies have begun producing similar products.  However, Traeger remains one of the top manufacturers in the industry, and we are going to look at the top 5 best Traeger grills available in 2018.

Lastly, I put together this top 5 Traeger Grills for 2018 ratings and buyers guide to help you choose the best Traeger electric pellet grill to fit your budget and needs.  I hope it proves helpful to you.

*Note: “I included a list of my Top 5 Best Traeger Grills for a quick view option below.  Continue reading on for my reviews including pictures for each, along with my ranking system, a buying guide, and user and maintenance tips.”

Why This Guide Will Be Helpful For You

With so many pellet grills on the market, it can be a daunting task sifting through manufacturer sites and customer reviews in an attempt to select the right grill for you.

That’s where I come in.

I’ve already reviewed all of the latest machines from the top manufacturers, and can confidently say the following line up represents the best Traeger grills on the market today.

The Rating Criteria – Best Traeger Wood Pellet Grills Ratings

Our ratings are based on several factors.  First, we research the manufacturer’s statistics on the product.  We then compare our experience with the product to multiple independent customer reviews available on the internet.  The information is then provided to you in the most unbiased and useful way possible, to help you purchase the grill that fits you best.

Below are the main things we consider when rating these pellet grills.

#1 Value

What are you actually getting for your money?  You might be tempted to spend as little money as possible and get the least expensive grill at the local shop.  Be warned, however, as this usually results in a grill that is made with inferior components and will need to be replaced in just a few short seasons.  Value, in this guide, refers to money well spent on a grill that will perform well, and outlast its warranty date.

#2 Construction

If a grill feels flimsy or wobbles when you push it, chances are it is constructed of cheap materials.  A grill that has a stand made of 14 gauge or higher steel, with a cooking chamber clad in 304 stainless steel is a well made machine.  You want a grill that feels solid.

#1.) Traeger Grills Timberline 850

The Timberline 850 has a price tag of $1699.99, which may seem pretty steep.  However, You get a lot for your money.  The Timberline 850 comes equipped with the WiFIRE®  controller that connects you to the grill via your smartphone and allows you to monitor and make adjustments remotely.  That isn’t the only reason to love it, though.

When it comes to quality craftsmanship, the Traeger Timberline 850 is top of its class.  Heavy duty 16 gauge steel meets 340 stainless steel, giving you a sturdy, albeit heavy, grill.  The airtight lid gasket keeps the heat where it matters most.

Even heating is not a problem in these units.  The Timberline has double walled construction, WiFIRE®  heat controller, and the TRU Convection® system.  Between these features, you can be sure the temperature will not vary more than +/- 5°F under normal conditions, after reaching the initially set temperature.  It can smoke at as low as 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and grill at 500 degrees.  This gives it more heat than the other grills on the list, with it’s 36,000BTU’s of power.

Innovation was the name of the game with this model.  New features include the WiFIRE® controller,  TRU Convection® system, and  Downdraft Exhaust® System.  It connects to your smartphone so you can control your grill from anywhere.

The Timberline 850 is not just a high performance grill.  It also looks the part.  Standing at 48 inches tall, with an impressive 27-inch deep pill shaped barrel, and sawhorse style chassis, the Traeger Timberline 850 looks like it means business.

#3.) Traeger Grills Texas Elite 34

For those who love the value of the Lil Tex, but need more room, the Traeger Grills Texas Elite 34 is for you.  For an additional $200 dollars, you get 228 more inches of cooking space.  With the increased cooking capacity, this unit isn’t quite as cheap to run as the smaller model but still uses less fuel on average than other pellet grills the same size.

The Texas Elite 34 is made with the same high quality materials as the Lil Tex.  We are talking about cold rolled steel, upgraded sturdy legs, locking wheel casters and a bronze hood.  Of course, both units come with easy to clean porcelain coated steel grates as well.

Traeger gills have a simple auto start ignition.  With the flip of a switch, the rod in the fire pot heats up and the pellets are lit.  The heat output of this model is controlled by the Digital Elite Controller, ensuring a steady temperature within +/- 20 degrees of the set temperature.

The roomy interior of the barrel shaped cooking chamber uses natural convection provided by the side mounted chimney vent to cook more quickly and evenly than a standard grill.  Other innovations include the Digital Elite Controller and a grease drip tray that empties into a bucket on the side of the grill for easy cleaning.

The Traeger Texas Elite 34 has the same rustic profile as the Lil Tex, but larger.  The unique bronze and black metal finish, side chimney vent and sturdy straight leg design make this grill top of its class in style.

#4.) Traeger Grills Pro Series 34

The Pro Series 34 is an excellent value.  The barrel design maximizes cooking space, giving you the ability to cook large amounts of food at once on the 884 square inch cooking surface.  Priced at $999.99, the Traeger Pro Series 34 is the next step up from the Texas Elite. While the design is similar, it has several upgrades.

You’ll notice right away that the Pro Series 34 utilizes a very sturdy sawhorse style chassis.  It has 4 wheels for easy movement but locking casters so it stays where you put it.  It is constructed of cold rolled, powder coated steel for years of durability.

When it comes to even heat, the Traeger Pro Series 34 is hard to beat.  These grills use an upgraded Digital Pro controller which keeps the preset temperature within +/- 15 degrees Fahrenheit of the designated setting for precision cooking.  With 36,000 BTUs of cooking power, you can sear steaks at 450 degrees, or slow smoke at 180.

Topping the list of features on the Pro Series 34 are the dual probe meat thermometers.  Having two separate integrated thermometers allows you to grill different cuts of meat to different temperatures during the same cook.  The Pro series also has an easy clean out hopper so you can change pellet types quickly and easily.

The style of the Traeger Pro Series continues the iconic Barrel shape, with opposite side hopper and chimney vent.  While the previous models were available only in Bronze and black, the Pro Series 34 comes in your choice of classic bronze and black, or blue and black color variations. The sawhorse type legs don’t just add stability, they give this unit a style boost as well.

The Pro Series 34 is for outdoor cooks who are ready to take their wood-fired cooking skills to the next level.  Increased cooking capacity, more accurate temperature controls, and the ability to change pellet flavor on the fly are features that make this one of the 5 Best Traeger Grills of 2018.

#5.) Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Portable Pellet Grill

Priced at $449.99, it is the least expensive grill on our list of the 5 Best Traeger Grills of 2018.  Don’t let the price fool you, though.  Every inch of this unit is packed with Traeger quality.  From the pellet hopper and auger to the fire pot and Digital Elite controller.  The Traeger Tailgater is one of the best values on the market.

It is constructed from the same cold rolled steel as the larger units.  However, it’s smaller size means it weighs in at only 62 pounds.  The EZ-Fold legs pop down with 2 wheels for easy movement.  The side hopper holds 8 pounds of pellets to keep you in business all afternoon.  With 300 square inches of grill space, you can cook up 12 burgers at a time.

The Digital Elite heat controller keeps the temperature within  +/- 20 degrees Fahrenheit.  The Tailgater brings the heat with 19,500 BTUs of cooking power.  Natural airflow inside of the grill allows for convection cooking, so you can even bake a pizza, or desert right on your grill.

Because this is a Traeger grill, you can count on the 6-in-1 versatility you’ve come to expect.  This smaller unit allows you to smoke, grill, bake, roast, braise or bbq just about anywhere.  This unit is super economical, burning only 2 lbs of hardwood pellets per hour on high heat, 1 lb per hour on medium heat and a 1/2 lb per hour when smoking.

The Traeger Tailgater 20 Portable Pellet Grill is a functional little grill that also looks great.  While it doesn’t have the side chimney vent featured on the larger units it still utilizes natural airflow for convection cooking.  It is available in three color varieties, pairing your choice of bronze, blue or silver lids with powder coated black chamber and legs.

What Else Should You Know About Trager Grills Pellet Smokers

Pellet grills rely on electric ignition systems, rotating augers and internal fans to function.  That means they need a reliable source of electricity.  All of these units use a standard 110v outlet, so no special wiring is needed.  That being said, GFI outlets are always recommended for this type of outdoor appliance.  If portability is your concern, using a generator or inverter can provide all the power you need.

These units come to you partially disassembled.  While no special tools or training is required for putting them together, you will need the ability to read and follow directions precisely.  The heavier units should have 2 people available for assembly and lifting.  Again, Traeger customer support is always there if you get stuck.

Traeger Wood Pellet Grills FAQ (User Pro Tips And Product Care Guide)

These are “Easy Clean” grills.  Simply wipe the outsides down with a wet cloth to keep them shining.  The racks are porcelain coated steel, for quick and easy clean up.  Each of these units has an external grease trap that is easy to empty.  Even though wood pellets leave much less ash than charcoal, they still aren’t as clean as gas.  Simply keep a small Shop Vac handy to clean out accumulated ash in the fire pot occasionally, and you’re all set.

Pro Tip: Line The Drip Pan And Grease Catcher with aluminum foil for easier cleanup.  Just replace the foil after every few cooks and you are set.

Pro Tip: Pellets should be stored indoors or in a sealed container to avoid moisture which could cause mildew and swelling.  Likewise, you should empty any unused pellets from the hopper before storing the unit, or leaving it unused for long periods.  The pellets will become “stale” if you will if left out for too long.

Final Verdict

After the expiration of the Traeger patent on pellet grills, the market was flooded by copycats.  That doesn’t change the fact that Traeger is still the first name in pellet grills.  Because of their dedication to innovation and customer care, they remain one of the top brands in an ever growing industry.

These five grills made the list because they offer everything you need at prices that won’t break the bank.  The most expensive grill we looked at above was the Timberline 850 for $1699.99.  The Tailgater 20 drops all the way down to the modest price tag of $449.99.  While they might not be the cheapest smokers on the market, you won’t have to sell a kidney to afford them.

Have you used any of these grills?  Do you have something to add?  Leave your review in the comments below!  We always welcome your input and I would love to hear about your experiences with them.

Cheers,

Patrick

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