The pros, the cons, and the facts about the Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker.
In the market for a beast of a grill?
Turn your attention to Traeger Grills Pro Series 34, a behemoth of a BBQ that’s all about stability, durability, and control.
But dropping nearly four figures on a smoker means that it better be worth the money. The good news is, Traeger is one of the brands that won’t cause you to feel sticker shock or buyer’s remorse. A Traeger is an investment, but the Pro 34 is even more so.
This is the grill you buy when you want something that lasts.
From its ease of use to its digital temperature controller, the Pro 34 is all about making five-star food as effortlessly as possible.
Product Quick Facts
Product Name: Traeger Pro Series 34-Inch Freestanding Wood Pellet Grill
Made By: Traeger Grills
Top 3 Features:
- Digital temperature controller
- Dual probe thermometer
- Large 18-pound capacity hopper
Standout Benefits Of The Traeger Pro Series 34
With the sheer number of pellet smokers on the market, picking out the right one is overwhelming.
You need something that captures your attention and fulfills your needs from the start. The Traeger Pro Series grill lives up to its name—it’s as professional as it gets. It’s also foolproof.
Even if you’ve never grilled with wood pellets before, there’s no way to screw up on this one. As long as you bring the meat and the pellets, you can leave almost everything else up to the Pro 34.
Additional benefits the Pro 34 brings are…
Versatile Cooking Methods
Typically, a preference for propane, charcoal, or wood is a subjective one.
I have no trouble saying pellet grills are superior to natural gas or charcoal in many ways, however.
Don’t @ me.
Hear me out, instead.
Pellet grills have a versatility that you don’t find elsewhere. You can grill whenever you want, you can smoke whenever the mood strikes, but you also have the option to bake on the Pro 34.
You can braise short ribs.
You can roast your entire Thanksgiving turkey.
Throw a duck or a goose on there, even.
Get freaky. Experiment.
Twice The Cooking Potential
Trying to time different proteins on the grill can be a PITA.
You always end up burning something. If by some miracle, your surf and turf ends up coming off at the same time, it’s probably only because you hovered over the BBQ, trapped because you don’t want shoe-leather steak or chewy shrimp.
The Pro 34 gives you the opportunity to cook two different cuts at the same time. It doesn’t matter if they have different done temperatures.
Just make use of the grill’s dual probe temperature thermometer. You can get creative with your meal planning, but you don’t have to be obsessive about timing.
Easy Cleaning
I hate changing out pellets in hoppers on most brands. Most manufacturers haven’t yet caught onto the fact that it’s a royal pain.
The Traeger Pro 34 has a hopper clean-out—hallelujah right!
Not only does this improve your ability to clean out the ashes, but it also gives you the chance to remove any leftover pellets and save them for later.
This is not only convenient it is downright smart.
As a result, you can switch out flavors whenever you want. Just because your hopper is half full of apple wood pellets, that doesn’t mean you have to burn them until they’re gone. Simply remove them, store em, and replace them with mesquite or maple.
Using The Traeger Pro 34 Grill
Operating the Traeger Pro Series 34 pellet grill is as easy as filling the hopper, flipping on the grill, and setting your temperature.
The Pro 34 utilizes an automatic start system that begins as soon as you turn on the grill. At that point, the auger sends pellets down into the fire pot as needed, which receives oxygen from the draft induction fan.
The pellets ignite courtesy of an igniter rod that instantly begins to heat up until it sets the wood pellets to smoldering. Within four minutes, you can hear the sizzle.
Traeger Grills Pro Series Description And Features
The Pro series contains ample features that put this line ahead of the competition.
Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 is a winner in a series of winners. From its durability to its precision cooking abilities, it does what you want without a lot of guesswork.
The question is whether or not the features are worth the price, so let’s take a look.
The Pro 34 At A Glance
- Sawhorse Cart Style for a stable construction
- Cold rolled, powder coated steel construction
- Digital Pro controller
- Dual probe meat thermometers
- Large 18-pound capacity hopper
- Dimensions: 53” wide by 27” deep by 49” tall
- 136 pounds
- Porcelain-coated cooking grates
- 34 x 19-inch main cooking rack
- 34 x 7-inch secondary cooking rack
- 36,000 BTUs
Precise Temperature Control
One of the most popular features of the Traeger Grills Pro series is its Digital Pro controller.
The LED panel, rendered in bright blue, is conveniently located on the hopper. Setting the temperature is simple, and thanks to an RTD probe—resistance temperature detector—the grill works to maintain your set temperature within 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
The RTD probe captures 60 temperature readings every minute to ensure steady temperature control. As a result, you can confidently cook at any temperature between 180 degrees and 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ample Cooking Space
How much can you make on 884 square inches of grilling space?
As it happens, you can make a full meal.
In keeping with the size of the Pro 34, you have more than enough space to tackle any hunk of meat, no matter how large. More to the point, you aren’t limited in how many quests you can invite over.
You don’t have to wait for the steaks to finish before you grill your lobster or throw on some sausages.
The 34 even includes a second rack perfect for indirect heat cooking, which sits higher above the fire pot.
Cost-Efficient Smoking
One of the features I love best about the Traeger Pro 34 grill is its efficiency.
It’s both cost-effective and eco-friendly because the pellets burn so slowly. That saves money over time because you aren’t burning through pellets unnecessarily, whether you grill at high heat or smoke at a low temperature.
At high heat, you’ll only go through two pounds of pellets in an hour. At medium heat, it’s just one pound of pellets. At low heat, you’ll barely burn through half a pound of wood pellets in an hour.
Slow-smoking overnight is no problem, and you won’t even have to run out and fill up the hopper.
Effortless Maneuvering
Some grill masters shy away from large, bulky grills because they’re a pain to move. Portability is a matter of ease, after all.
Fortunately, in spite of the Pro 34’s size, moving it from place to place isn’t difficult.
The design of the grill is a proprietary one that adds to its stability and encourages even weight distribution.
This is important for those times you need to move the unit from one area of the patio to another or to roll it into the shed for storage.
The legs are thick, which adds to the grill’s maneuverability. The wheels are enormous, as well, and they’re all-terrain, so not only will the grill roll effortlessly through your backyard or over the patio, but it will also do so silently.
Who Was The Pro Series 34 Made For?
Are you serious about grilling?
Do you love the flavor of wood-smoked meat?
Do you use your grill more than once or twice a week?
If so, the Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 is the right investment, not to mention the correct fit. It’s okay if you’re a newbie at smoking or using wood pellets. Regardless of its size, this is still a terrific grill for beginners.
However, you have to work with it. Just like any new grill, you have to be willing to learn how it burns.
You don’t want to spend big money on something with which you can’t form a relationship after all. A grill is just a tool, more or less, but you have to trust it all the same.
Reasons To Think Twice
Skip this one if you’re intimidated by power or if you aren’t interested in taking advantage of its smoking capabilities.
Users have universal love for the Traeger Pro 34 grill, to the point where you’re hard pressed to find negative reviews.
That being said, if you’re not will to spend a little time learning to manage the temperatures, you might want to give this a pass. Consider a model from Memphis Grills like the Memphis Advantage Pellet Grill for exact temperature precision that doesn’t require any guesswork. It will cost you though.
Figuring out the temperature sweet spot and learning the ins and outs of the digital controller will take a few goes. Only consider buying the Pro 34 if you’re willing to put in that kind of effort.
Also, you may not be satisfied with the secondary grate, either, as it’s on the smaller side. Think about it as a supplemental rack.
Pros And Cons
The pros and cons for the Traeger Pro 34 grill are still widely uneven on the positive side.
Traeger Grills has a well-earned reputation, and they consistently offer features that pit masters love.
The temperature control, dual probe reader, and large hopper speak in the grill’s favor. Issues with maintaining a steady temperature and a small secondary cooking space are the biggest complaints.
The Good
- Excellent value for the price
- Large grilling space
- Dual probe meat thermometers
- Convenient grease management system
- Large 18-pound hopper
- Easy hopper clean-out
The Bad
- Temp can fluctuate between +/- 15 degrees of setting
- Small secondary grill grate
- Max temp is only 450 degrees F.
Prices And Warranties
With an MSRP value of $999.99, the Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 seems like a hefty purchase.
However, as mentioned, this is a quality investment for the price. When you grill a lot, you need a BBQ that can withstand the workload. That’s what you get here.
You also get the benefit of the Traeger name. That comes with excellent customer service and an exceptional warranty.
Your Traeger Pro Series 34 comes with a 3-year warranty that covers both the quality and the materials. It also handles replacement parts, but as always, it’s your responsibility to maintain your grill correctly, otherwise, the warranty is void.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 is dependable, durable, and sturdy.
From its thick wide set legs and large wheels to its sawhorse shape and powder-coated steel, it isn’t a delicate grill.
You don’t run the risk of wearing it out and it isn’t going to fall apart if it gets stuck in the rain on a summer afternoon.
The ability to braise, bake, and roast in addition to grilling and smoking is a huge boon, and once you’re able to cook completely different proteins at the same time, you’ll wonder why you ever did without it.
If your looking for a large capacity, workhorse of a grill from the biggest name in the pellet grill industry, the Traeger Pro 34 is a good choice that provides excellent value for the price.
That’s my story and I am sticking to it!
Have you used this grill? Do you have something to add? Leave your review in the comments! We always welcome your input and I would love to hear about your experiences with it.
Cheers,
Patrick
At The Grilling Life, I am committed to researching and writing thoughtful, informative and editorially independent reviews of the best products for your outdoor cooking needs. If you like what I do, you can support me through my chosen links, which earn me a commission. This allows me to continue sharing with you my love for all things barbecue. Your support is truly appreciated.
A backyard warrior, certified carnivore, lover of good whiskey, self-proclaimed grill master and I’m Living The Grilling Life!
I have a passion for cooking with live fire and smoke, no matter the weather. I’m a real person just like you, who loves outdoor cooking and BBQ. Food, fun, and time spent with family and friends are what it’s all about! It is my mission to take my passion and knowledge for outdoor cooking and all things BBQ and share this expertise in techniques and grilling equipment with you. In other words, Living The Grilling Life!
I’ve had this grill 2.5 years & am disappointed. The grill has never gotten above 308 degrees, and that was with nothing cooking. I’ve tried most recommendations offered & nothing has worked.
Hi Manual, have you tried working with the Traeger support team? What you are seeing is not normal and something is not right. I have used this grill several times and had no problems reaching higher temperatures. I suggest reaching out to Traeger support to see what they can do for you. Let me know what you find out.