Traeger Timberline XL Grill review: A big investment, but worth it if you want a full outdoor kitchen

The Traeger Timberline XL offers peak outdoor cooking; we smoked meat, caramelized onions, and even baked scones. Here why we love this grill.

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Cooking in the backyard is one of my favorite things. I spend a lot of time cooking outside, using my outdoor pizza oven and grilling on cast iron over my Solo Stove. Previously, I used the Traeger Ironwood to make everything from brisket and pulled pork to pumpkin pie, but when the Timberline model came out, I had to experience the new features.

Compared to the Ironwood model, the Timberline XL has a touchscreen with Wi-Fi connectivity, along with a better design to make cleaning simpler. There is plenty of room in the grill for cooking meat, vegetables, and baked goods, along with the new addition of an induction cooktop on the side, which helps to create the ultimate backyard kitchen.

Assembly

Because of its size and weight, the Timberline XL is shipped using FedEx freight and arrives in a large box on a wooden palette. Upon arrival, the grill is almost fully assembled, but several accessories need to be slotted in. The wheels need to be attached, along with bolting on the accessory rails and the front lid handle and placing the heat shield, drip tray, and grill grates inside. It took me less than one hour to set it up.  

How it works

Instead of charcoal or gas, Traeger uses compressed wood pellets. The grill itself uses electricity to power the auger, which moves pellets from the hopper to the fire. The heat and smoke are then circulated throughout the grill, similar to a convection oven.

Because of the fuel source, the heat is indirect and never actually comes in contact with food, making it possible to cook outside without having to always be present at the grill. There are safety features built in that prompt a shutdown mode if temperature issues are detected. 

WiFi connectivity

The seasoning process cycles the hardwood pellets through the grill to prime it for cooking and automatically runs a system check. During the 60 minute cycle, you can pair your smartphone with the grill. The Traeger app allows users to set the grill's temperature and monitor the cooking process. You'll get a notification if the hopper is low on pellets or the grill temperature gets too hot and there's the risk of a fire. 

Smoking

Cooking at lower temperatures yields tender and flavorful meat. Traegers are great smokers, and this one comes with two wireless meat thermometers. The Timberline's downdraft exhaust and indirect heat allow you to cook everything from brisket to tri-tips low and slow. The grill can reach 500 degrees, so you can also use it for searing meats at a higher temperature.

I loved using the MEATER thermometers that came with the Timberline. The wireless probes are inserted into cuts of meat, and the goal cooking temperature is set on the grill's touch screen or through the Traeger app. I could pay attention to other things, waiting for the app to notify me once the meat reached the set internal temperature. 

Capacity

I loved cooking for a crowd on the Timberline, which easily fits trays of vegetables and meats. Peppers, onions, and even carrots are made that much better with a smokey flavor. The Timberline is large enough to help feed a crowd, with adjustable shelves to move items around as necessary. With the large cooking area, I can make big batches of kabobs and smoked sweet potatoes to eat throughout the week. 

Cleaning

Grilling meat or veggies isn't a neat process, but the Timberline has an ash and grease ket positioned right underneath the grill grates. A drip tray catches drippings and funnels them into a grease and ash keg, along with ashes from the burned pellets. The keg has a disposable liner which is located inside the front cabinet, so it can easily be swapped out once it's full. 

This design is new for Traeger and only included on the Timberline model. It makes it much simpler to remove the ash from the grill without having to clean out a separate section.

Induction burner

The Timberline is the first Traeger to include an induction cooktop. It can be controlled from the grill's touchscreen or the phone app, and it will even tell you if the pan you're using is induction-compatible. (Check out our guide to the best induction cookware, or pick up a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet.) The cooktop is great to use for messy items such as making a big batch of caramelized onions or cooking bacon outside. It can also be used to simmer sauces to brush over meats or sear steaks using the higher heat turbo mode. 

More great pellet grills

We extensively tested the best pellet grills and smokers. The Timberline XL is our favorite if you're looking to splurge, but it's a serious investment in size and cost. Here are some alternatives:

• Best overall: Traeger Pro 575 — See at Ace Hardware
  This hands-off smoker runs on wood pellets and has a temperature dial, making it easier to use for wood-fired flavor than charcoal grills.
• Best budget: Z Grills Pioneer 450B — See at Amazon
  Z Grills' Pioneer 450B does its job and keeps impressively steady temperatures compared with other entry-level pellet smokers.

The bottom line

Traeger's dedication to making outdoor cooking an easy and enjoyable experience peaks with the design of the Timberline XL. The grill makes it simple for pit masters and grill newbies to create delicious, smoke-flavored meals. It's bulky and expensive, but the enhanced capabilities and clever features make it a worthwhile investment.