Are Traeger Grills Worth It? Find out!

Are you confused about whether you should invest in a Traeger grill? After all, they are pretty expensive, and spending your precious money on a high-quality pellet grill as Traeger is a tough decision!

We will help you out, don’t worry! In this article, we will explain to you what makes Traeger grills so expensive and some of their pros and cons so that you can figure out if they are worth your money.

In short, durability, advanced machinery, WIFI technology, precise temperature control, etc., are some features that make Traeger Grills worth your money!

Moreover, we will also inform you about a few more brands of pellet grills that will cost you less in this article.

 

Are Traeger Grills Worth It?

traeger-grills

Long lifespan, superior quality, easy temperature control, wifi-controlled pellet grills, etc., are some of the features that make Traeger Grills so expensive and unique as compared to other brands. They are also excellent customer service providers.

While Traeger Grills offer many benefits, they can cost you a fortune. Even the lowest price that you can get for these grills is around $299.

Therefore, if you have a small budget, then there are alternative pellet grill brands to consider, which we will cover later in this article.

 

Current Traeger Pricing

The current models of Traeger Grills are – Pro Series 575, Pro Series 780, Ironwood 650, Ironwood 885, Timberbilne, and Timberline XL.

Now let us have a glance at their prices:

  • Traeger Grills Pro Series 575: $899
  • Traeger Grills Pro Series 780: $999

 

  • Traeger Grills Ironwood 650: $1,399
  • Traeger Grills Ironwood 885: $1,599

 

  • Traeger Grills Timberline: $3,499
  • Traeger Grills Timberline XL: $3,799

 

What Makes Traeger Grills So Expensive?

If you’re thinking about why Traeger grills are so expensive, then let us tell you that these grills come with many features that other grills don’t have. These are:

 

 Advanced Technology

technology

Traeger Grills come with advanced WiFi technology, which allows you to remotely control your grill.

The Traeger App gives complete access to your grill from beginning to end, providing you with the option of using it smoker or a real pellet grill.

This app operates with your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop and synchronizes with iOS and Android devices.

The wifi technology of Traeger grills also helps in measuring the amps used to power the auger. So if the auger gets a pellet jam, the amp will increase, and the controller will push the auger backward to break the jam!

Not just these, Traeger also provides superior speed control that works to keep your grill temperature consistent, giving you extra juicy and tender steaks!

 

 Research and Development

R&D

What makes Traeger Grills stand out from other pellet grills is that they require more than 200 different pieces that are assembled by hand. These grills are customized with superior quality parts.

In addition, Traeger Grills has invested heavily in their R&D team. This team has issued many patents for their grill racks, wifi connectivity battery systems, grill chimneys, hopper liners, and many other parts.

Furthermore, Traeger uses premium wood pellets in its grills. Since these pellets are made of natural hardwood, it costs more than other fuel options.

All these costs are calculated into the final pricing of the Traeger grills, and therefore, the customer has to pay for them.

 

 Legal Expenses

Expenses

Like every company, Traeger Grills also have some legal expenses. We will briefly tell you about it!

In the late 2000s, the founder of Traeger Grills, Joe Traeger, left the company after selling it to a private equity company.

However, he was hired by a competitor company, Dansons USA, the manufacturer of Pit Boss Grills.

Traeger Grills sued Dansons over issues pertaining to trade secrets and intellectual property in the year 2019. The next year, a case followed this lawsuit, claiming false advertising of Traeger’s pellets.

While the verdict of both the lawsuits was in Traeger’s favor, the company had to spend money on the legal proceedings.

 

 Marketing

Marketing

Traeger Grills has a big name in the market and spends a great deal of money on branding. It uses social media to connect with consumers.

For example, Traeger Grills has an active Instagram account with more than 1 million followers, where it often posts about recipes, upcoming and new products and promotions, etc.

Moreover, Traeger sponsors many celebrities through social media platforms. It also runs live stream barbecue classes for its audience to build a connection.

While these marketing strategies offer great benefits to Traeger by increasing its popularity and sales, the company covers its marketing costs for its products.

 

Alternatives Brands

Below are some alternative brands you can go for if you don’t want to invest in a Traeger grill!

 

If You Want A Cheap Pellet Grill

Some pellet grill brands don’t have all the advanced features as that of a Traeger grill but are highly functional and a lot cheaper. Such as:

 

 Z Grills

Z-Grills

Z Grills are duplicates of the original Traeger Grills but don’t have their advanced features. Such as, these grills have no WiFi control and Bluetooth connectivity like the Traeger Grills.

Z Grills are the best option for people who don’t care about big brands but want a fully functional grill. Moreover, they come with a 3-year warranty.

Regarding their price, Z Grill costs somewhere between $350-$600.

 

Pit Boss

Pit-Boss

Pit Boss grids are much cheaper than Traeger Grills and have a five-year warranty period.

You can choose from traditional Pit Boss grills like Austin XL 1000 and Classic 700 to modern grills such as the Platinum KC Combo and Platinum Lockhart, etc.

One feature that Pit Boss grills have and Traeger grills don’t is that you can do open fire grilling on a Pit Boss Grill.

However, sometimes, the paint of a Pit Boss grill can peel off. But no issues! You can fix it with high-temperature grill paint.

 

If You Want A High-Quality Pellet Grill

If you want to pay less but don’t want to comprise with the quality of your pellet grill, you can consider these brands:

 

 Grilla Grills

Grilla Grills, located in Holland, makes superior quality pellet grills that have a wide temperature range.

Their main product is the Silverbac, which is available in three versions: Pro, Alpha, and All Terrain. It comes with a four-year warranty.

Since they don’t have any retail prices and sell directly to customers, Grilla Grills are much cheaper than Traeger grills.

 

 Rec-Tec

Located in Georgia, Rec-Tec is a company that manufactures high-quality pellet grills.

Like Grilla Grills, Rec-Tec grills also sell directly to consumers, which makes them cost much lesser than Traeger grills.

These grills come equipped with a PID controller and have a four-year warranty. Moreover, Rec-Tec grills are made of superior-quality stainless steel and have a beautiful design.

 

 Green Mountain Grills

Green Mountain manufactures good quality pellet grills in different sizes – from portable pellet grills to large-sized grills.

All of these grills have a PID controller and a three-year warranty. Some models of this pellet grill, such as the “Prime” series, have WiFi connectivity but cost much lesser than Traeger grills.

 

 The Pros & Cons Of A Traeger Grill

Let’s look into a few pros and cons of Traeger Grills:

 

Pros

Here are a few pros of Traeger Grills which will help you to decide if it is worth investing in them

 

• Smokey Flavour

Smokey-Flavour

The food cooked on a Traeger Grill will have a smokey flavor even without using a real wood fire.

This grill has an electrical heating compartment in which smoke is created before filtering into the grill. As a result, your food will get a nice, smokey flavor.

 

• Precise Temperature Control

Traeger Grills come equipped with a precise temperature control device through which you can adjust the exact temperature at which you wish to prepare your food.

 

• Simple To Operate

Traeger Grill is lightweight and easy to assemble and operate. Since this grill has a digital control to adjust temperature and time, you will not have to constantly monitor it.

 

• Durable

durable

Traeger grills are made of stainless steel and have a long lifespan as compared to other pellet grills. Moreover, the seals of its doors are oil resistant, which makes them durable even in humid weather.

 

Cons

Here are a few cons of Traeger Grills:

 

 • They Are Quite Expensive

Expensive

Traeger Grills can cost you a huge sum of money! Even if you get the lowest price, it would be $299. Moreover, according to the size and features of these Grills, their price will keep increasing.

 

• Require A Power Source

Since Traeger Grills have some components that require electricity to function, you can’t take them to every location, making them a less convenient option.

So if you’re planning to take your Traeger for camping among the mountains, make sure there’s a power source!

 

• Take More Cooking Time

time

You would have to wait for a little longer while cooking your favorite hamburger on a Traeger Grill! But why!? The answer is that these grills use a lower temperature for cooking food and, therefore, increase the cooking time.

 

The Only Traeger Grill That Is Worth The Money

Now there’s some good news for you! What if we inform you that there is a Traeger Grills that comes equipped with almost all the advanced technology of modern grills but has a small price tag?

That’s right, you read it! The name of this grill is Traeger Silverton 620.

It has almost the same features and cooking space as that of Ironwood 650 but has a 40% less cost as compared to other Traeger models. Isn’t it a great deal!?

So if you have a small budget, but you want to get a Traeger, we recommend you to opt for Traeger Silverton 620.

 

FAQs

 

1. Are Traeger Grills electric?

Traeger grills are not completely electric but are wood pellet grills that cook food using the heat from wood pellets.

However, these grills comprise many components, such as a thermostat, fan, auger, etc., which require electricity to function.

For example, Traeger grills use electricity for powering the auger and feeding wood pellets to the fire. Then, a hot electric rod ignites these pellets.

 

2. How long do Traeger Grills last?

Traeger grills have a big lifespan. If you maintain it properly and clean its components regularly, your grill can last up to a minimum of 5 years.

Moreover, even if get its damaged parts are replaced, your Traeger grill will still last up to 10-15 years.

 

3. Can I make burgers on a Traeger Grill?

Yes, you can use your Traeger Grill to make delicious, smoky burgers by following these 4 simple steps:

Set your grill on smoke mode and keep the lid open for about 4-5 minutes.Then, set the temperature to 275 Degree Fahrenheit and preheat it for 10-15 minutes.

Place your patties on the grill and let them cook for about 30-45 minutes. For 4-5 minutes, sear each side of your burger.

 

4. Can I use my Traeger Grill in the rain?

Yes, Traeger Grills can function even in the rain. Just follow these tips so that you don’t damage your grill:

Ensure you close the lid of your grill when it rains. Seal your pellet hopper tightly to prevent moisture from entering it when it rains.

While cooking process, keep an eye on the grease trap to prevent it from overflowing. After you finish cooking, ensure that the metal is completely dry before covering your grill.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Traeger Grills are quite expensive, owing to their big lifespan, advanced technology, legal expenses, as well as research and development and marketing costs.

So we recommend you to opt for a Traeger Grill only if you have a big budget. Even the lowest price that you can get for this high-quality grill is around $299!

However, you can always go for the alternative brands as they won’t cost you much such as Z Grills, Pit Boss, Grills Grills, etc.

We hope you find this article helpful. Also, before going, we have a question for you! Would you still invest in a Traeger Grill? Why/why not? Let us know in the comment section below!

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