My Ultimate Guide to Traeger Wood-Pellet Grills! From everyday issues and mistakes to the best recipes to get you fired up and on the Traeger bandwagon.
Ultimate Guide To Traeger Grilling
Hey there, grill enthusiasts! If you’re anything like me, then the mere thought of grilling instantly brings a smile to your face. There’s just something special about the sizzle of a steak hitting a hot grill, the smoke wafting through the air, and the rewarding first bite into a piece of meat you’ve cooked perfectly. But not all grilling experiences are created equal, and that’s where Traeger grills come into play.
Traeger is more than just a grill; it’s a game-changer. These wood pellet grills bring an entirely different level of flavor and versatility to your backyard cooking. Forget about the fuss of charcoal or the sterile taste of gas; pellet grills use natural wood pellets to fuel your food, giving you that authentic, smoky flavor that makes barbecue worth celebrating.
So what’s in store for you in this ultimate guide? We’re diving deep into the world of Traeger grilling, covering everything from the history of this innovative company to the mouth-watering recipes you can whip up. Whether you’re a Traeger newbie or a seasoned pro looking to brush up on your skills, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s get fired up!
- Ultimate Guide To Traeger Grilling
- History of Traeger
- Where to buy a Traeger?
- What kind of Traeger is right for you?
- Traeger Recipe Hub
History of Traeger
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the origins of the Traeger. Believe it or not, Traeger has been revolutionizing the grilling game since 1985. Founded by Joe Traeger, the company invented the original wood-fired grill in response to the limitations of gas and charcoal options. Joe was tired of uneven cooks and lackluster flavors, and he knew there had to be a better way. That’s when the wood pellet grill was born, sparking not just a product, but a whole movement in how we approach outdoor cooking.
Wood Pellet Grilling
What makes wood pellet grilling so special?
It’s all in the pellets—natural, hardwood pellets that bring out robust, smoky flavors in your food. Unlike charcoal, which can be messy and challenging to regulate, or gas, which often lacks flavor, wood pellets offer the best of both worlds: easy temperature control and mouth-watering taste. You simply load the pellets, set your desired temperature, and let the Traeger work its magic. It’s like having a professional pitmaster in your own backyard!
Unique Features
So, what sets a Traeger grill apart from the pack? For starters, these grills come with a digital controller that lets you set precise cooking temperatures, just like you would in your oven. No more babysitting the grill to make sure it stays hot enough or cools down at the right moment. Traeger grills are designed to do more than just grill; they can smoke, bake, roast, braise, and even barbecue. Plus, the brand offers a range of sizes and styles, so whether you’re cooking for one or hosting a big party, there’s a Traeger for you.
Where to buy a Traeger?
You can buy a Traeger in a lot of different places. They sell them at Costco, and a lot of Costco members like to take advantage of those deals (and that return policy), but there are a lot of other options if you want to pick up one of these versatile grills.
In-person – you can buy them at local hardware stores and places like Wilco or other farm/feed stores. These stores have competitive deals and prices. If you are waiting for a steal, watch for specials and/or close-out sales at the end of the grilling season.
Online – buying a grill online is simple, and that’s what we did for our last purchase. You can buy them from Amazon or directly from the Traeger website too.
What kind of Traeger is right for you?
Types of Traeger Grills
Choosing the right grill can be as personal as picking out a new car or even a pet. After all, it’s a long-term investment in your culinary happiness. So, let’s get you acquainted with the main types of Traeger grills out there, so you can find your perfect match.
Portable
First up, let’s talk about the portable models, the nomads of the Traeger family. If you love camping, tailgating, or just need a grill that’s easy to move around, the portable series is for you. Models like the Traeger Ranger and Tailgater offer compact sizes without compromising on the quality Traeger is known for.
With features like a digital arc controller for precise temperature control and a ‘keep warm’ mode, these portable beauties make sure you can enjoy wood-fired flavors wherever you go. Perfect for small patios or taking the show on the road!
Pro Series
Next in line is the Pro Series, the most popular and widely used among Traeger’s offerings. These grills are versatile, reliable, and come in various sizes to fit your grilling needs. The Pro Series offers advanced grilling features, such as the WiFIRE technology, which lets you control your grill remotely via your smartphone.
Imagine adjusting your grill’s temperature while you’re inside prepping the rest of your meal—pretty cool, right? It’s an excellent choice for those who want a balance of functionality and affordability.
Ironwood Series
Are you someone who takes grilling as seriously as a pitmaster? Then the Ironwood Series might just be what you’re looking for. These grills come equipped with top-of-the-line features like double side-wall insulation for better temperature control and a Super Smoke mode that amps up the flavor profile of your food. They also offer more cooking space than the Pro Series and come with additional tech enhancements, like pellet sensors, to let you know when you’re running low.
Timberline Series
Last but not least, meet the crème de la crème of Traeger grills—the Timberline Series. These grills are the epitome of luxury grilling, with features like three tiers of stainless steel grates, a concealed pellet hopper, and even a built-in meat probe to ensure your food is cooked to perfection. The Timberline grills offer the most cooking space and are designed for those who want to leave no stone unturned in their quest for grilling greatness.
Don’t forget to check out our Pellet Grill Hub!
How big of a grill do you really need?
My advice is always to go bigger than you think you’ll need, but to stay within a reasonable budget. You might not need the top top of the line, but I’ve never thought to myself, “Self. I wish I had LESS room to make food on my grill.”
Not once.
I know not all of you have a zillion mouths to feed, but still. Bigger is definitely better in the grilling game. If you buy a small Traeger, make it your 2nd T and not your primary.
This is an absolute work horse and what we currently have on our deck. You’re going to love the WIFI controller and versatility of this grill!
How to Set Up a Traeger Grill
Setting up a new grill can be daunting, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Let’s walk through the process from the moment your shiny new Traeger arrives at your doorstep to the time you’re ready to throw on that first slab of meat.
Unboxing
First things first, make sure you’ve got a decent amount of space cleared out for the unboxing. Inside, you’ll find the grill body, legs, grates, drip tray, and various other accessories and hardware. Lay them out neatly so you can easily grab what you need during the assembly process.
Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to double-check against the inventory list in your manual to make sure all parts are accounted for before you start assembling.
Assembly
Time to roll up those sleeves! Although Traeger grills are designed for relatively straightforward assembly, it’s essential to follow the steps in the instruction manual. You’ll generally start by attaching the legs to the grill body, followed by adding the wheels. Next come the cooking grates, drip tray, and heat baffle.
Pro Tip: Having a friend to help you out can make the process go much smoother, especially when it comes to lifting and flipping the grill body.
Tools Needed: Most Traegers come with the necessary tools for assembly, but having an adjustable wrench and a Phillips screwdriver on hand can be useful.
Initial Setup
Once your grill is assembled, it’s tempting to throw some meat on and start grilling right away, but hang on a sec—there’s a bit more to be done.
- Initial Firing: Before you cook anything, you’ll want to “season” your grill, also known as the initial firing. This burns off any manufacturing residues and preps your grill for cooking.
- Temperature Control: Familiarize yourself with the digital controller or your WiFIRE app if your model has this feature. Learn how to set and adjust the temperature and how to use any special features your model may have.
- Pellet Loading: Fill the hopper with Traeger’s natural hardwood pellets. Choose the right flavor to complement the foods you’ll be grilling.
- Test Run: Before you cook your first meal, do a test run to ensure everything is working correctly. Set your grill to a mid-range temperature and let it run for a while, checking to ensure the temperature holds steady.
Basics of Operating a Traeger Grill
So, you’ve unboxed and assembled your Traeger grill, which looks great in your backyard. Now, let’s move on to the essential part: operating it. Learning the basics will ensure you get the most out of your grill, from perfect smoky flavors to ideally cooked meals.
Turning On/Off
Turning your Traeger grill on and off is as straightforward as it gets, but it’s crucial to follow the right sequence for safety and performance.
To Turn On – Follow Manufacturers Instructions!!
Some grills require the lid open during the initial fire and some are fine with the lid being closed. Refer to your model’s manual for this.
To Turn Off:
- Set the temperature dial to the “Shutdown Cycle” or “Off” position, depending on your model.
- The fan will continue running for a few minutes to burn off residual pellets and ash. Let this cycle complete before unplugging the grill.
Temperature Control
One of the best features of a Traeger grill is its precise temperature control. Most models come with a digital controller that allows you to set your desired cooking temperature easily.
- Manual Control: Use the dial or buttons on the controller to set your cooking temperature.
- WiFIRE Technology: If your model supports it, you can also control the temperature through the Traeger app on your smartphone.
Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to preheat your grill for about 10-15 minutes to ensure it reaches and maintains the set temperature.
Timer Settings
While not all Traeger models come with built-in timers, those that do provide an extra layer of convenience. Timers can be set either through the digital controller or the WiFIRE app.
- Manual Timer: If your grill has a built-in timer, simply set the desired cooking time, and the grill will alert you when it’s done.
- Smart Timer: With WiFIRE-enabled models, you can set timers remotely through the Traeger app, giving you the freedom to multitask.
Your First Cook
I always recommend something simple for your first cook. The Traeger roadshow reps and website love to recommend the Chicken Challenge, and that’s definitely a good plan. It was the thing we made first, and it immediately made us fall in love with the wood pellet grill life.
If you aren’t feeling like dealing with a whole chicken at the moment, I’d recommend checking out our Traeger Teriyaki Smoked Shrimp or the big thick bone-in Traeger Grilled Pork Chop.
These recipes are simple and really hard to screw up and are always family favorites.
Want a full-on schooling in smoking and BBQ? Go through my 25 Traeger Recipes for Beginners! It’ll introduce you to all the concepts you need to master to cook about anything on your pellet grill.
Join our Easy Traeger Recipes Facebook Group!
Must-Have Gear and Accessories
Traeger grills come with almost everything you need to get started, but you’ll quickly find yourself wanting some accessories to make things even better. Here are the ones I’d recommend getting right away.
SHELF
The first thing you have to get if your Traeger doesn’t come with one is a shelf. I LOVE my front folding shelf on my Traeger, and it was really easy to install, too.
Wireless Thermometer
Cooking over live fire means that you can really never just cook until a certain time has passed. You have to cook to temperature, instead. In order to do that and also be able to do some laundry, watch some tv, go putz around in the yard, or the millions of other things we might want to be doing that doesn’t involve babysitting the grill, a wireless thermometer with an alert when your food gets to temp is a lifesaver.
ThermoWorks is the best thermometer I’ve found. I’ve tried all the budget versions you can possibly find on Amazon and elsewhere, and none of them even come close to the ThermoWorks Smoke.
Get your wireless thermometer here!
Tips for First-Time Users
Hey there, future grill masters! If you’re a first-time Traeger user, welcome to a world of flavor you never knew existed. Even if you’re a veteran in the kitchen, grilling is its own beast. But don’t worry, I’ve got some beginner-friendly tips to ensure your first Traeger experience is a smashing success.
Preheating
You wouldn’t bake cookies in an oven that hasn’t been preheated, right? The same goes for your Traeger grill. Preheating is essential for two main reasons:
- Consistent Cooking: A properly preheated grill ensures your food cooks evenly.
- Flavor Locking: A hot grill sears the meat faster, locking in those delicious juices.
How to Preheat: Turn on your grill and set it to the desired cooking temperature. Close the lid and give it about 10-15 minutes. Once it’s reached the set temperature, you’re good to go!
Grill Maintenance
A well-maintained grill is a happy grill. Here are some basics to keep in mind:
- Cleaning: Regularly clean the grates, drip tray, and heat baffle. Most Traeger grills make this process simple, with easy-to-remove parts.
- Pellet Storage: Store your wood pellets in a cool, dry place to keep them at their best.
- Seasonal Care: If you won’t be using your grill for an extended period, it’s a good idea to empty the pellet hopper and give the grill a thorough cleaning.
Pro Tip: Traeger offers specialized cleaning tools and products designed for their grills. These can make maintenance even more straightforward.
Safety Precautions
Grilling is fun, but it’s also serious business when it comes to safety. Here are some precautions you should always take:
- Placement: Ensure your grill is placed on a flat, stable surface and away from flammable materials.
- Ventilation: Always make sure you’re grilling in a well-ventilated area.
- Fire Safety: Keep a fire extinguisher nearby just in case. Better safe than sorry!
- Kid & Pet Safety: Make sure to keep children and pets at a safe distance from the hot grill.
Common Questions For New Pellet Grillers
Can I use another brand of pellets?
Yup! You sure can. Any high-quality food-grade BBQ pellets will work in the Traeger. You don’t need to use only Traeger-branded pellets.
How to re-start your grill after it goes out because of pellets running out or funneling.
This is one of the most common problems that people have with Traegers, and it is one of the easiest to prevent.
First, make sure to top off your pellets often, especially if you are running a smaller model. Top them off at the start of every cook, and again when you are checking on your food. I monitor my pellets just like a monitor my meat.
Second, check-in on the pellets at least once an hour. Gently pat them down and level them off, and add some more pellets on the top to keep it full.
If the ship has sailed there, and your grill has an error due to funneling or running out of pellets, shut it off.
Next, you’ll need to remove your grill grates, the drip tray, and the top part of the firebox to expose the actual firebox. It will likely be filled with pellets. CAREFULLY remove all of those. There may still be some hot ones in there so use caution!
If you have a bunch of dust in the bottom of your grill, go ahead and vacuum that out too. That’s dangerous and you want to clean that periodically.
Once your firebox is free of all pellets, the dust is gone, and things are right with the world again, LEAVE YOUR GRILL apart and turn your grill onto smoke and watch it. If you truly ran out of pellets, you may have to turn it up to high to get the auger moving and pellets running through to the fire pit. Once you see pellets dropping in the fire pit, turn it back down to smoke.
I always wait until I SEE actual smoke before I put things back together, but your mileage may vary.
Can I go to the store while I am grilling something?
Nope. You are cooking with live fire. Traegers are really reliable, but you still have an actual fire burning, and probably relatively close to your house. Make sure someone is home to watch it or send someone else to the store.
Why did I get an LER error?
This means your fire went out, and the Traeger shut down. Some common causes of fires going out are when the pellets funnel and are no longer being fed into the hopper properly, there’s a clog in the feeder, your pellets are damp and/or mysterious reasons.
If your fire goes out due to tunneling, you need to follow the directions that came with your grill to restart.
Traeger Recipe Hub
Click through for recommendations for my favorite Traeger Recipes in all different categories. You’re going to find something for everyone here in this ever-expanding, all-encompassing list of the Best Traeger Recipes on the net! Or at least on this site.
See all of our NEW Traeger Recipes here!
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