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Traeger, Lily Alig/Business Insider
Wood-fired flavor is unmatched, but cooking over a live fire can be both challenging and tedious. Traeger found the ultimate solution when the brand introduced the first wood pellet grill in the 1980s. "A Traeger grill is great because it is truly easy to use, and it takes away the most common problem when dealing with any other grill — having the knowledge of managing a flame," says Stephen Chavez, Traeger owner and senior chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education.
I've been cooking on Traegers and more of the best grills for three years, getting to know the ins and outs of each model through firsthand testing and research. After countless barbecues, I think the Traeger Ironwood XL is the best Traeger gill given its temperature range and spacious two-rack design. Though it's not fueled by wood pellets, the Traeger Flatrock is another great option and provides an expansive carbon steel surface to cook everything from stir fries to smash burgers.
Best overall: Traeger Ironwood XL — See at The Home Depot
Best upgrade: Traeger Timberline — See at Traeger
Best portable: Traeger Tailgater — See at The Home Depot
Best flattop: Traeger Flatrock — See at Traeger
The Traeger Pro 575 or 780 are both excellent introductory options (earning a spot in our guide to the best pellet grills), but the Ironwood XL offers upgraded features and significantly more space for people who want to cook a lot of things at once. The large grill provides 924 square inches of cooking area with two racks to cook across both levels. The smaller Ironwood has the same additional features and 616 square inches of cook space.
When it's time to fire up the grill, there's a dial button and color display with large text that shows the temperature readout. Thanks to WiFi connectivity, once the grill is turned on, the temperature can be monitored and adjusted from the Traeger app. The two included meat probes can be used to monitor the precise temperature of the pork shoulder or brisket cooking inside. One of our favorite features is that once you lift the lid, a light shines down the length of the grill so you can easily see what you're doing.
I've personally tested this grill, along with the Timberline XL. While I love the additional space and the induction burner on the Timberline, the Ironwood edged into the best Traeger grill spot because it matches up on performance and convenience while coming in at a lower price point. Its design means plenty of space for cooking, and I loved having the side shelf and bottom for prep and storage. After dinner has been enjoyed, clean-up is simple. I use a brush on the porcelain grill grates and dump what's in the easily accessible grease and ash keg so it's ready for next time.
The Traeger Timberline is the most sophisticated in the lineup of the best Traeger grills, with more bells and whistles than any other model. It has three levels inside so there's plenty of cooking space for multiple whole chickens, several racks of ribs, or even for baking several pans of biscuits. On the Timberline XL, you'll gain an additional 440 square inches of space with all of the same features.
The Timberline has a large hopper capacity of 22 pounds, meaning you won't have to refill pellets too often. We were impressed by the dual-wall, steel construction; that ensures you won't lose too much heat while cooking, which is essential for barbecue. This grill also has WiFi connectivity and connects to the Traeger app. Add in the wireless meat probes, and you can easily track temperatures when you're cooking different things simultaneously.
We think of this grill as a plug-and-play outdoor kitchen, thanks to the side induction burner. The cooktop is compatible with just about any pot or pan, so I was sautéing peppers and onions to pair with a tri-tip smoking on the grill all at the same time.
I have personally tested this grill and love that I can use the induction burner for outdoor cooking, even if I'm not even using the grill for smoking that day. Once you pull your food off the grill, you can use the magnetic cutting board on the side for convenient slicing. The grill also has two wood shelves and a bottom cabinet for storing all of your tools and accessories, along with rubs and sauces. Read our full Traeger Timberline review to learn more.
Most Traeger models aren't exactly portable. They're designed and built for use in the backyard or on the deck, providing the experience of an outdoor kitchen. For those who want smoked flavor on the go, the Tailgater grill is the best portable grill in the Traeger lineup. It has folding legs and two wheels to make portability a bit easier.
This compact grill works just like the other best Traeger grills. Its small hopper holds eight pounds of pellets, which will last for about four hours, depending on the heat setting. While portable, a power source is also necessary. If you want a grill to take truly off the grid, the Weber Smokey Joe is affordable and durable.
The Tailgater is one of the simplest in design. It has two handles for hanging barbecue tools, but any other storage solutions, such as a front or side shelf, are sold separately. The grill can be used at temperatures up to 450° F and has a keep-warm mode so that cooked foods can hang out on the grill until you're ready to dig in. Because this isn't a model with all of Trager's upgraded features, it does need to be monitored more frequently while cooking and cleaning require a bit more work since it doesn't have the built-in grease and ash keg.
While the Traeger Flatrock doesn't run on wood pellets, it still delivers on flavor and has a spacious carbon steel cooking area — it deserves a spot on our list of the best Traeger grills. Other than fuel source, the grill is designed like the other Traeger models with a durable, powder-coated steel exterior. Powered by propane, the Flatrock has three high-powered U-shaped burners. Each burner has its own ignition and temperature control dial to maintain different cooking zones. With all three burners on high, the Flatrock cranks out impressive heat: 47,000 BTUs.
I really love being able to cook at different temperatures across the entire griddle. For an outdoor brunch, I cooked sausages at a high temperature on one side and fluffy pancakes with a lower heat on the other. Plus, I can set each burner on low and serve food right off the grill.
The Flatrock does take up a lot of space, especially with the large folding shelves out on each side. However, those come in handy for easy prep and storage while cooking. There's a built-in hook to hang your propane tank with a gauge that gives a read-out on the front of the grill so you'll always know before you run out of fuel. The grill is also equipped with Traeger's signature grease and ash keg cleaning system; the inevitable grease build-up on the flat cooktop can be scraped into the catch and dumped.
| Series | Sizes | Features | Best for |
| Ironwood | Standard (616 sq. inches), XL (934 sq. inches) | Built-in WiFi, Traeger App connectivity | Enthusiasts looking to upgrade or first-time buyers seeking features |
| Timberline | Standard (880 sq. inches), XL (1320 sq. inches) | Induction stove, multiple interior shelves, WiFi, touchscreen display, grease and ash clean-up system | Those seeking the ultimate upgrade or a full outdoor kitchen |
| Pro | 575 sq. inches, 780 sq. inches | WiFi connectivity, Traeger App connectivity | First-time pellet grill owners or those who don't need shelf space |
| Flatrock | N/A | Large griddle, durable steel construction | Traeger enthusiasts wanting another option or interested in a griddle |
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Each Traeger series has multiple sizes in the lineup. The choice depends on how you plan to use your Traeger and how much space you have.
Chavez says, "You should also consider what you will be using it to cook most often [...] If you are intending to do larger items, then I would suggest something larger. If you are intending to cook mostly burgers, chicken, or veggies for a smaller family, then get the grill that fits your lifestyle."
Shawn Niles, former Masterchef contestant, loves the ability to smoke either hot or cold on his Traeger, from making pork loin to smoked bone marrow caramel. You can use your Traeger like an oven, cooking or baking at 350 to 450 degrees. At higher temperatures, less smoke will be infused into your food. Chavez says he has even used his Traeger as an oven for a long braise when making a pot of chili or soup, which provides great texture and an extra touch of smoky flavor.
Just like any other grill, Niles recommends cleaning your Traeger right after use. "Otherwise, you'll continue to have build-up from the smoke, and that will wear down your grill over time," he says. Any quality grill cleaner can be used on a Traeger, though the brand sells its own, which is biodegradable and cuts through grease without scrubbing.
Chavez also notes that the foil drip trays in the grease and ash keg are very helpful for keeping drippings away from the bottom of the grill. "Once the tray is really dirty, just toss it out and replace it with a new one. To clean out the ashes from the bottom, we use a shop vac, and this works really well," he says.
Traeger grills are constructed with a steel body that provides great heat retention and longevity. This powder-coated steel is specifically designed for outdoor use. With proper cleaning and care, a Traeger will last between five to ten years. The Ironwood and Timberline models come with a 10-year warranty while the Traeger Flatrock comes with a five-year warranty.
