The Pros, the Cons, and the Facts about the Traeger Grills Texas Elite 34-Inch Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker.
For an affordably priced entry-level wood pellet grill that offers generous cooking space, the Trager Texas Elite 34 cooks to perfection. Especially if you’re new to pellet grilling because this is an ideal grill to help you learn the ropes.
Texas Elite 34 Quick Facts
Product Name: Traeger TFB65LZB Grills Texas Elite 34-Inch Freestanding Wood Pellet Grill
Made By: Traeger Grills
Top 3 Features:
- Versatile 6-in-1 cooking – barbecue, grill, roast, smoke, bake, or braise
- Embedded Digital Elite Controller with +/- 20-degree stability
- Drain grease management system
Standout Benefits Of The Traeger Texas Elite 34 Grill
The Traeger TFB65LZB has plenty of benefits, but a good highlight to start off with is that it’s easy to clean and maintain – even more so than a traditional grill.
This is a big selling point for a lot of people because while many like to grill, rarely do people enjoy the aftermath: the cleaning. And with easy cleaning and maintenance comes more time spent with friends and family enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Other benefits of the Texas Elite 34 include…
The Temperature Holds Nicely, Even In The Winter
Grilling in colder weather can be an issue with many grills. If you’re in for year ‘round grilling, the Traeger Texas Elite Grill is a good pick for you. Temperature increments only tend to fluctuate approximately +/- 15 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter from my experience. I have to say, Traeger Grills knows how to provide an adaptable BBQ.
This grill also holds up well in the rain. It’s a toughie that is built with quality materials. Regardless, I still always recommend using the grill cover when not in use just to be on the safe side.
There’s No Need For Charcoal Or Gas As It Provides Wood Pellet Cooking
When it comes to barbecuing, we all have preferences. For one, charcoal-grilled meats may be their go-to while for another; the ease of using propane may be their personal pick.
Personally, I find wood pellet grilling more convenient and tastier than grilling with propane. Plus, wood pellets hold fewer cancer risks – according to the National Cancer Institute – than charcoal for grilling purposes. Also beneficial is that natural wood pellets is less messy and produces less ash than charcoal. That means an easier cleanup. Whew!
Use Your Grill For True Convention Cooking – No Flipping Required
Because this bad boy offers true convention cooking in addition to conductive grilling, you can cook pies, pizzas, garlic bread and veggies thoroughly without the need to flip them and ruin their composition. (However, cooking meats that you want to get good grill marks on, do, of course, flip them.)
When I got my first pellet grill back in the day, I used my oven significantly less. It was an easy decision. I now had a quality grill for convention purposes that provides an essential smoky flavor that my oven can’t.
The Traeger Texas Elite Grill Has A Large Grilling Space (646 sq. in.)
The more the cooking area, the merrier if you have the external space for it. When it comes to a large grilling space, it’s hard to beat the Texas Elite 34 at this price range. With 646 sq. in. of space, you can expect to hold up to 6 chickens, 9 racks of ribs, 32 hot dogs, or 24 burgers at a time. Not bad at all!
The size of the grilling space on this Traeger grill is especially convenient when hosting a party with large numbers of people. Great space + greater food quality = quicker output.
Using The Traeger Texas Elite Pellet Grill
When operating your Traeger Elite grill, there really isn’t much to it, and that makes it a great option for new grillers.
If you’ve never operated a wood pellet grill, read on to see how easy it is. After adding wood pellets to the hopper box, just press the ‘on’ button on your grill, and turn the dial to ‘smoke.’ Within two minutes, you’ll start to see the smoke. (You have got to love the automatic lighting feature.) After that, preheat your grill with the lid on at your desired temperature for approximately ten minutes prior to adding your food.
Overall, using the Traeger Elite Wood Pellet Grill is hassle-free. You can expect a fairly consistent and reliable temperature range while cooking. This Traeger grill holds temperature pretty well, making it highly dependable for getting the job done right.
Traeger Texas Elite Description And Features
If Traeger is already driving you wild with their Elite 34 Grill, read on to learn more about the useful qualities and ease of use of this grill. Let’s take a deeper look into the many great features it comes armed with.
The Texas Elite At A Glance
- Durable steel construction
- Easy to clean porcelain-coated cooking grates
- Digital Elite Controller with LED display
- Conductive and convection heat
- Large 18-pound capacity hopper
- Dimensions: 22” x 54” x 49”
- 150 pounds
- 36,000 BTUs of power
- 646-inch cooking area
- 4 heavy duty wheels, 2 with locking casters
6-in-1 Cooking Features
If you love cooking versatility like I do, the six in one cooking features of this wood pellet grill is an added bonus. It’s not just about barbecuing; experiment with braising, smoking, grilling, roasting, or baking too. You’re not limited to steaks, burgers or hot dogs when using this grill. Whip up some smoky mac-n-cheese or even lava cake for dessert if you wish.
Digital Elite Controller
No need to be glued to your grill for hours when using the Traeger Texas Elite 34. Thanks to its Digital Elite Controller, the Traeger Texas Elite Grill can cook independently while you take on another task around the house. This feature is neat for gatherings as the grill can automatically maintain the temperature during the cook while you are entertaining your guests.
Auto-Start System And Shut Down Cycle
With a simple press of a button, you can light your grill just like that. It’s easier, safer, and generally convenient for grillers of all experience levels. It’s hard to complain about that.
Turning off the BBQ is just as easy. After pulling off your food, your Traeger grill will go through a safety shut down cycle for the next five minutes to burn leftover pellets in the fire pot prior to completely turning off. This ensures a consistent startup for the next time you use your grill.
Grease Management System
The E-Z drain grease management system makes clean-up even easier on this Traeger grill. Through this feature, excess liquids are drained into the included grease bucket that hangs from the side of the BBQ. As for your part, just properly dispose of the grease in the bucket afterward. Tada. If only every grill had this easy cleanup feature.
18-pound hopper capacity
With a large hopper capacity, grillers can pack in enough pellets to cook for approximately 12 hours or more at a time. Imagine the convenience this would have for low-n-slow grillers. I’m glad Traeger is sticking to its roots with this one.
Who Is The Traeger Texas Elite 34 Wood Pellet Grill For?
If anyone’s best suited for this grill, it’s those who are new to the world of grilling – especially those who have never owned and/or operated a BBQ before. Seriously, this grill is that easy. With automatic startup and no need for propane or charcoal, you’ve got yourself a convenient, no-brainer grill! With that said, if you only grill, say, only once or twice a year, you’ll have no problem remembering how to operate the grill.
Because this grill is quick to clean and doesn’t need to be constantly monitored when cooking, those who prefer versatility and little maintenance will love the Traeger Elite 34 as well. Just walk away and enjoy a cold one while the grill does its job, eat and enjoy its smoky goodness when done, then opt for a quick clean – it really can be that simple.
Just wait, there’s another target audience that’s great for the Traeger Texas Elite 34 Wood Pellet Grill: those who love to serve food for large groups of people. If you often barbecue for your friends and family, you can count on this grill to provide the grilling space you require to speed up the cooking process.
Reasons To Think Twice
While the Traeger Texas Elite Pellet Grill is solid choice overall, it has its downsides like all products do.
Even though this grill isn’t super fancy or loaded with expensive high-end features, the 800 to 900 price range still calls for a decent grill cover. If you plan on protecting your grill from the elements, the free grill cover Traeger Grills includes tends to fade and peel after a few months of continuous exposure. Expect to fork out more cash to replace the grill cover – replacement isn’t cheap, either.
Another downside, the Texas Elite 34 has a maximum grill temperature of only 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Some similarly priced pellet grill models exceed that with some even reaching up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. Limitations beyond 450 degrees may be an issue for avid grillers. However, in Traeger Grills’ defense, one of their specialties are grills that cook with great low-temperature, slow-cooking capacities.
Fortunately, the cooking quality the Traeger Texas Elite 34 makes up for the cheaper grill cover, but the low-temperature range issue is still an iffy consideration for some long-time grillers.
Pros And Cons
The Good
- Affordable, quality beginner’s grill
- Hassle-free installation process
- Easy to use and read thermostat and LED display
- Favorable pellet burn rate – 2 lbs every hour cooking on high
- Great energy efficient as it only uses 110 volts of energy
- Shut down cycle
The Bad
- Made in China – Some materials may be on the cheaper side
- Some customers have reported temperature reading defects or issues reaching highest temperature capacity
Price And Warranties
Currently, the Traeger Texas Elite 34 Wood Pellet Grill is priced at $899.99 – not bad for a decent grill by a well-known brand known for their smoking and low-n-slow cooking. You definitely get the latter in the Elite 34 without having to fork up a grand or more.
While the price is moderate – but totally worth it for the convenience and space output the grill has – the warranty is a bit of a disappointment as it only guarantees three years from the date of purchase. Several grills exceed years beyond that.
Because many complain about the fact that the Elite 34 Wood Pellet Grill is made in China, thus made with some cheaper materials, a longer warranty would be very much appreciated just for peace of mind.
The Bottom Line
Overall, there isn’t much not to like on the Traeger Texas Elite 34-Inch Freestanding Wood Pellet Grill. It doesn’t hurt your pocket too much, and it’s easy to use. Best of all, setting your grill up for cooking is just as easy as cleaning it when finished.
Since I have to talk cons here too, just beware that if you hope to grill beyond 450 degrees Fahrenheit, this isn’t an ideal grill for you. The grill cover isn’t the most durable either, so don’t fret if problems arise with it. Then again, it is a grill cover. It’s not cheap, but hey, it’s not as expensive as replacing an entire BBQ.
In the end, Traeger Grills did a good job with this model. The user-friendliness, versatility, slick design, and delicious smoky foods it can produce may make it all worth it.
If a straight-forward, get-the-job-done-well grill is for you – all at a decent price range – strongly consider the Traeger Texas Elite 34 Wood Pellet grill for your first or next outdoor cooker.
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!
Love this grill, have had mine over three years
Two comments
The gears in the auger motor are plastic and slip. I got a new motor under warranty and the new motor does the same thing.
I can rarely get over 400 degrees even with a new control assembly