Ever smelled that amazing, smoky flavor wafting from a backyard grill and wished you could create it yourself? That rich, wood-fired taste is the magic of a Traeger smoker. But when you start looking, you face a wall of choices. Which model is best for your first brisket? Do you need WiFIRE technology? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the different sizes, features, and price tags.
Choosing the perfect Traeger can feel like a guessing game. You want great barbecue without wasting money on features you won’t use, or worse, getting a smoker too small for your weekend feasts. We understand the confusion! That’s why we built this guide.
Inside, we break down every popular Traeger series. You will learn exactly what each model does best, helping you match the right smoker to your cooking style and budget. Stop guessing and start smoking like a pro. Let’s dive into finding your ideal Traeger.
Top Traeger Smoker Recommendations
- 6-in-1 Versatility: The Traeger Pro 22 is the original wood pellet smoker and grill combo trusted by. Grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ. Enjoy authentic wood-fired flavor in every meal using this pellet grill built for all your outdoor cooking needs.
- Precise Temperature Control: Achieve consistent results with this electric smoker grill advanced Digital Pro Controller's advanced temperature control system. Grill hot and fast or low and slow from 180°F to 450°F within plus /- 15 degrees for unbeatable BBQ and smoking performance.
- Stable Pellet Smoker Grill Design: Constructed with powder-coated steel and porcelain-coated grill grates for durability and easy cleanup. Features a rugged sawhorse chassis, side lift bar, and large wheels for effortless movement across outdoor grills and smokers’ setup.
- Built for Outdoor BBQs and Grilling: This Traeger smoker grill offers 572 sq. in. of cooking space, fit up to 24 burgers, 5 racks of ribs, or 4 whole chickens. From hosting a cookout or meal prepping for the week, the Traeger Pro 22 can handle it all.
- Convenient Features for Grilling: Monitor internal food temps without opening the smoker grill lid using the built-in meat probe. An 18lb hopper holds enough Traeger wood pellets for long cooks, with a clean-out door for fast flavor swaps and storage prep.
- Never use gas or charcoal again: cooking with wood just tastes better. Traeger created the original wood-pellet grill as the ultimate way to achieve wood-fired taste
- Versatile barbecue cooking: hot and fast, or low and slow, the Traeger Pro Series 34 pellet grill offers 6-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ food to juicy perfection
- Precision temperature control: The Digital Pro Controller rocks Advanced Grilling Logic, which maintains a plus /- 15 degree F temperature control to precision grilling. 450 °F Max Temp
- Sturdy and durable: powerful Steel construction and durable powder coat finish, Easy to clean porcelain grill grates and all-terrain wheels
- Large cooking capacity: 884 sq. In. Cooking capacity that can accommodate 8 chickens, 7 racks of ribs or 40 burgers
- Ultimate Wood-Fired Flavor: Create unforgettable meals with the Traeger Woodridge Pro pellet smoker grill, delivering rich, natural wood-fired taste without gas or charcoal for backyard cooking, weeknight dinners, and special gatherings.
- Super Smoke Mode: Add extra wood-fired flavor at the push of a button, infusing brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and other favorites with enhanced smokiness while cooking low and slow on your Traeger pellet smoker grill.
- Spacious Cooking Capacity: 970 sq. in. cooking area fits up to 7 chickens, 9 rib racks, or 7 pork butts, giving you the space to cook full meals on your Traeger smoker grill for family events, game day parties, and holiday celebrations.
- Smart Features for Easy Grilling: WiFIRE connectivity, digital pellet sensor, and Keep Warm Mode let you monitor your outdoor smoker, track pellet levels, and keep food hot, whether you’re home or away using the Traeger app.
- Customizable and convenient: Built with a folding side shelf, EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg, and compatibility with P.A.L. and ModiFIRE Traeger grill accessories (sold separately) for extra prep space, easy cleanup, and endless cooking options.
- Enhanced Wood-Fired Flavor: Experience authentic wood-fired cooking with the Traeger Woodridge pellet smoker grill, delivering rich, natural taste and incredible results without the need for gas or charcoal in your backyard.
- Precise Temperature Control: Maintain consistent heat from 180-500°F controlled and monitored from anywhere with the Traeger App. Making it easy to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ on your Woodridge outdoor electric smoker grill for perfect meals every time.
- Versatile 6-in-1 Cooking: Grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ all on one outdoor pellet smoker, delivering incredible wood-fired flavor for weeknight dinners, backyard gatherings, and game-day parties.
- Spacious cooking capacity: 860 sq. in. of total cooking area fits up to 6 chickens, 8 rib racks, or 6 pork butts, giving you plenty of space on your Traeger pellet grill to prepare full meals for family dinners, parties, and holidays.
- Easy Cleanup and Convenience: The EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg Simplify cleanup with an easy-to-use system that collects ash and grease in one place for fast disposal, keeping your Traeger pellet grill and smoker running smoothly and ready for your next outdoor cook.
- Ultimate Wood-Fired Flavor, No Gas or Charcoal – The Traeger Tailgater 20 is a portable wood pellet grill that delivers authentic wood-fired flavor. Whether you're tailgating, camping, or cooking at home you can achieve perfection.
- Precision Temperature Control from 180-450°F – Equipped with a Digital Arc Controller, this pellet smoker offers precise temperature control, maintaining temperatures within 15°F of your set point, perfect for smoking, grilling, baking, and searing.
- Portable Design – Whether tailgating, camping, or at a picnic, the Tailgater's foldable legs make it easy to transport. With 300 sq. in. cooking space, you can prepare 12 burgers, 3 racks of ribs, or 2 whole chickens anywhere.
- 6-in-1 Versatility for All Your Cooking Needs – This portable pellet grill offers 6 cooking functions: grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ, allowing you to cook anything from low-and-slow smoked brisket to perfectly seared steaks.
- Compact and Efficient with Easy Setup – The Tailgater has an 8 lbs. pellet hopper, porcelain-coated grill grates for easy cleaning, and quick heat-up using a 120V AC power source.
- SIGNATURE BLEND WOOD FIRED FLAVOR: The flavors of hickory, maple, and cherry hardwoods combine for in our Traeger Signature Blend Hardwood Pellets for flavor that can take on just about anything you cook; From classic BBQ meats, to fish and veggies, this versatile blend gives you full-bodied flavor you'll go back to time and time again
- NOT ALL PELLETS ARE CREATED EQUAL: The best wood-fired grill on the market demands the best wood pellets on the market. Real taste doesn't just happen, it’s tied to quality materials and achieving perfect smoke; It starts with all-natural hardwood pellets made in American mills
- TRAEGER HAS SPENT YEARS DEVELOPING THE PERFECT PELLET: Our hardwood's unique compact cell structure results in a balanced, dependable burn; Traeger has spent years mastering the development of hardwood pellets that have just the right amount of moisture content—the sweet spot—to maintain a perfect burn-to-smoke ratio
- PAIRS WELL WITH EVERYTHING: Pairs especially well with Beef, Poultry, Pork, Lamb, Seafood, Baked Goods, Vegetables
- FEATURES: Made in USA, Premium Quality, All-Natural, Clean Burn, No Binders, Low Ash, 18lb Bag
- WiFIRE Technology for Remote Control: Monitor and control your electric smoker and grill from anywhere using the Traeger phone app. Adjust temps, set timers, and receive alerts with smart home connectivity for seamless outdoor grilling.
- Included Meat Probe and All-Terrain Mobility: Monitor internal food temps without lifting the lid of your Traeger smoker grill using the integrated meat probe. Durable wheels and sawhorse chassis provide stability and portability for your outdoor grilling setup.
- Precision Temperature Control: The D2 direct drivetrain digital controller and brushless motor ensure consistent heat across the cooking chamber of this pellet grill. Designed to handle low-and-slow BBQ and up to 500°F high-heat searing
- Grilling Area for Family Feasts: With 575 Sq. In. of cooking area on the Traeger Pro 575 grill up to 24 burgers, 5 racks of ribs, or 4 chickens on this versatile pellet smoker grill. Ideal for backyard gatherings, meal prep, and everyday family dinners.
- 6-in-1 Wood Pellet Smoker Versatility: Grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ all in one grill smoker combo. Enjoy premium wood-fired flavor without gas or charcoal, just fill the hopper with your favorite Traeger wood pellets.
- XL Grilling and BBQ Space: With 924 sq. in. of grilling area, this wood pellet smoker grill handles up to 12 chickens or 9 racks of ribs, built for entertaining, meal prep, and large backyard BBQs with precision and ease.
- Smart Temperature Control: WiFIRE-enabled touchscreen and Smart Combustion system maintain stable heat from 165–500°F. Control the grill remotely using the Traeger app for hassle-free smoking, grilling, or roasting.
- Unmatched Wood-Fired Flavor: Super Smoke Mode boosts real hardwood smoke output at the push of a button. This Ironwood XL electric wood pellet grill delivers bold flavor without gas or charcoal, ideal for brisket, pizza, and more.
- 6-in-1 Cooking Performance: Smoke, grill, roast, bake, braise, and BBQ with one electric smoker grill. This Traeger smoker grill combo brings true versatility to outdoor grilling, from seared burgers to slow-cooked pork shoulder.
- Simplified Cleaning System: The EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg collects drippings and ash for quick disposal. With a pellet hopper clean-out chute, swapping wood pellet flavors is mess-free and takes just seconds.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Your Traeger Smoker
Choosing the right Traeger smoker can change your backyard cooking forever. Traeger makes wood pellet grills that give food amazing smoky flavor. This guide helps you pick the best one for you.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a Traeger, look closely at these important parts. They make cooking easier and tastier.
Size Matters
Traeger grills come in different sizes. Think about how much food you cook at once. Do you feed just your family, or do you host big parties?
- Small/Portable Models: Good for balconies or camping.
- Mid-Size Models: Great for average family use.
- Large Models: Best if you smoke whole briskets or many racks of ribs often.
Temperature Control
Modern Traegers use digital controllers. This is a huge plus. You set the temperature, and the grill keeps it there automatically. Look for Wi-Fi connectivity (Traeger calls this “WiFIRE”). This lets you check and change the temperature from your phone.
Hopper Capacity
The hopper holds the wood pellets. A bigger hopper means you do not have to refill it as often, especially during long cooks like smoking a pork shoulder.
Important Materials and Construction
The build quality affects how long your Traeger lasts and how well it holds heat.
Steel Quality
Most Traeger bodies are made of steel. Higher-end models often use thicker steel or stainless steel components. Thicker steel holds heat better, which means more consistent smoking temperatures.
Grease Management
Grease management is vital for safety and cleanup. Good Traegers have an easy-to-remove grease bucket and a well-angled drip tray. Always check reviews on how easy this system is to clean.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all Traegers perform the same. A few small things make a big difference.
Insulation
Double-walled insulation improves heat retention significantly. This is very helpful if you smoke during cold weather. Less insulated models require the auger to feed more pellets to maintain temperature, using more wood.
The Auger System
The auger pushes pellets from the hopper to the fire pot. Look for reliable auger design. Jams can happen, but better-designed systems jam less often.
Ignition and Startup Time
A good hot rod igniter starts the pellets quickly. Fast startup times mean you spend less time waiting and more time cooking.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use your smoker.
Ease of Use
If you are new to smoking, stick to models with simple digital displays. Advanced users might enjoy WiFIRE features for remote monitoring.
Versatility
Traegers are not just for low-and-slow BBQ. They can grill, bake, roast, and braise too. If you want one machine to do everything, ensure it reaches higher temperatures (around 450°F or more).
Traeger Smoker Buying FAQs
Q: What is the main difference between a regular grill and a Traeger?
A: A regular grill usually uses gas or charcoal for direct heat. A Traeger uses wood pellets to create real wood smoke, which cooks your food and adds deep, smoky flavor at the same time.
Q: Do I need to buy special wood pellets for a Traeger?
A: Yes. Traegers run only on 100% hardwood fuel pellets made specifically for wood pellet grills. Oak, hickory, and cherry are popular choices.
Q: How often do I need to clean my Traeger?
A: You should empty the grease bucket after every few long cooks. A deep clean, scraping the inside and cleaning the heat baffle, is needed about two to three times per year, depending on usage.
Q: Can I use my Traeger in the rain?
A: You should always cover your Traeger when it is not in use. While they are built for the outdoors, heavy, direct rain can damage the electrical components and the hopper.
Q: Are the Wi-Fi features actually useful?
A: Many users find Wi-Fi very useful. You can monitor the internal temperature of your meat using probes connected to the grill, even when you are inside the house or away running an errand.
Q: How hot can a standard Traeger get?
A: Most standard Traeger models max out around 450°F to 500°F. This is hot enough for searing burgers or cooking chicken, but it will not get as hot as a dedicated gas grill for a hard sear.
Q: What is the “Prime Time” setting?
A: The Prime Time setting is when you first start the grill. It forces the auger to feed extra pellets to the fire pot to ensure a strong, consistent fire starts up.
Q: Do I need to use a water pan in my Traeger?
A: It is not required, but many people add a water pan, especially when smoking lean meats like chicken breast or turkey. The water adds moisture to the cooking environment, keeping the meat from drying out.
Q: How much wood flavor will I actually get?
A: Traegers provide a noticeable, authentic wood smoke flavor. It is less intense than offset stick burners but much more flavorful than using liquid smoke additives.
Q: Which Traeger series is best for beginners?
A: The Traeger Pro series is often recommended for beginners. It offers reliable digital control and Wi-Fi features without the high price tag of the premium Timberline series.