Traeger Pellet Smoker Grill flattens the smoking learning curve (and does more!)
My dad taught me to grill over thirty years ago, and I've experienced everything from taking the time to enjoy the smell of charcoal to enjoying the convenience of propane. Smoking is something I've always wanted to do, but I'm too busy to take care of a smoker for half a day. There are two really good chefs in the office and we got a Traeger Ironwood 885 Pellet Smoker Grill to see if we could get on with our routines and enjoy the smell of well prepared food.
advantage
- 6 cooking methods: smoked, grilled, grilled, broiled, broiled and braised
- WiFire lets you connect to your grill and get notifications on your phone
- really set it and forget it cooking
- outstanding flavor
- Ability to choose light or strong smoke flavor
- Excellent build quality
- Lots of useful information and recipes in the Traeger app
- Flip the box to give your kid a Traeger hut
shortcoming
- Requires a different power source than charcoal and propane grills
- Higher entry price compared to traditional grills and smokers (but worth it!)
you need strength
A very different aspect of Traeger pellet grills is the need for a power source. The controller requires power to run the auger, control screen and WiFire (for models equipped with it). If you're coming from the world of gas and charcoal grills, here's something to consider.
busy with babysitting
Before you use your grill for the first time, you'll need to season it and plan for about an hour. What's great is that the seasoning process also introduces you to the function of the grill, so it's kind of like a tutorial.
I simply don't have time to babysit the smoker, and the Traeger Ironwood 885 makes low and slow cooking super easy. Fill the hopper (holds about 20 lbs) with pellets, set the temperature or select a preset order, and let it cook. You need to let the grill come up to temperature for about 15 minutes, but from then on it's pretty automatic.
In our test setup, the particle sensor let us know if the temperature was getting cold, the WiFire sent an alert to our phone from which we could make adjustments, and the system used an auger to maintain the temperature we set. We can even go into heat mode if we can't get to the grill right after it's done. When it's all said and done, we can spend 10 hours cooking and still get a full day's work done at the shop.
Traeger Flavor
For our first test run we used Traeger's Signature Blend pellets. In standard cooking mode, you get what Traeger calls "smoky flavor." If that's what you're looking for, it's a more subtle flavor and presence, but not overpowering.
If you want a real smoky flavor, switch it to super smoke mode. It uses pellets at a slightly higher rate, but you get a more pronounced smoke flavor. Two things to note is that you can only use Super Smoke Mode at or below 225°, and it's not available on the Pro series.
In a sense, the taste of food depends on who seasons and cooks it. Still, having good equipment definitely helps. We followed several Traeger recipes and ended up with delicious pulled pork, ribs that fell off the bone, beautiful medium rare brisket (which we started sous-vide), tender sweet corn and Juicy pork tenderloin.
Can you grill on a Traeger?
You can smoke or grill on the Traeger. With temperatures up to 500°, the lower grate is where you grill and sear. But it's not over yet. Because Traegers have a heating method similar to a convection oven, you can smoke, grill, roast, bake, braise, and grill with one unit.
How long does a bag of pills last?
There are many variables that affect how quickly you can use a bag of pellets. First, stick to Traeger pellets. They are 100% hardwood with no additional adhesives. Plus, they're made in the USA, and Traeger maintains multiple factories across the country for strict quality control.
From there, you'll have to consider what temperature to cook at, the size of the grill to keep it hot, whether to use super smoke mode, etc. Each grill has an estimated use on the inside of the hopper lid. For the Traeger Ironwood 885 it is 1.6 pounds per hour.
When we smoked the ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and corn for the PTR team and their families, we spent 9 hours actively cooking between 225° and 250°, 3 hours in super smoke mode and another hour in warm mode. For our effort, we used about 14 pounds of pellets—or 1.4 pounds per hour.
According to Traeger, the average user uses about 6 bags of pellets per year. $18-$20 per bag, about $120 a year. That's about how much I spend on propane per year, so it's a deal I'm willing to make.
Traeger Ironwood 885 Features
- Downdraft exhaust and super smoke mode
- particle sensor
- Dual position smoke/sear bottom grate
- wireless technology
- D2 Grill Controller
- Double side wall interior
- Includes meat probe
- ceramic coated grille
- all terrain wheels
- locking casters
- BBQ tool hook
Switch to Traeger Pellet Smoker Grill
Why Choose Traeger Pellet Smoker Grill?
Traeger made the first wood chip grill in 1987. Just because you're the first doesn't mean you're the best once your competitors enter the game, though. When the pallet arrived with our Traeger Ironwood 885 we kept a close eye on the build quality.
First of all, the packaging is much better than I expected. We often receive damaged boxes, and Traeger uses the space in the box for a structurally more secure package. Our case arrived without any signs of abuse, but it seems like it took a lot of force to actually damage the device in transit.
do you have any kid? When you're done assembling your Traeger, flip the box over and tape the sides down, they have a cardboard compartment that can be added to your Traegerhood pieces!
I read the manual, and even with the reading time, Josh and I only took about 30 minutes to put together the grill.
With the Ironwood 885 alone, we were impressed with the steel specs and sturdiness of the build. Areas that caused some grills to bend, such as side tables, stood firm. So far, so good.
Which Traeger Pellet Smoker Grill is right for me?
Traeger offers a choice of three tier pellet smoker grills, each in a variety of sizes. If you're looking for the best pellet smoker for beginners, check out the Pro line . Starting at $799.99, it's the least expensive entry-level entry into the world of pellet grills, with Traeger's uncompromising quality and optional WiFire. The Gen 1 Pro Series grills are still on sale, starting at $599.99.
Move up a level and you'll enter the Ironwood series . The model we are reviewing is the Ironwood 885 WiFire. Starting at $1199.99, the feature list grows with flavor:
- WiFi
- super smoke mode
- TRU convection system
- particle sensor
- downdraft exhaust system
- Stainless steel side shelf with hook
Taking it a step further, Traeger's top line is the Timberline . It adds more features to the Pro and Ironwood series:
- WiFi
- super smoke mode
- TRU convection system
- particle sensor
- downdraft exhaust system
- Stainless steel side shelf with hook
- All stainless steel interior
- hidden oil pan
- Stainless steel front frame
- Magnetic Bamboo Cutting Board
important function
I'm a value person and I don't want to pay for features that don't really benefit me. If you're anything like me, here are the features and add-ons I highly recommend:
WiFi
When I first started looking at pellet smoker grills, I initially thought I could do without WiFi. On a Saturday, that might be true. But if you're a busy person, WiFire is great! Here's what I do most with my phone:
- Adjust and view temperature
- Turn Super Smoke Mode on or off (if equipped)
- View temperature probes and set targets
- View particle level (if equipped)
- set timer
- Switch to "keep warm" mode
- turn off the grill
While Traeger itself is set and forget, WiFire allows me to get on with other tasks I have to do during the day. I can use my grill as long as I have cell signal and it's totally worth it!
front frame
Multi-stage grilling and smoking requires you to do more than put food on the grill and walk away. I can do this when I'm pulling meat off and wrapping it in foil or preparing my next dish without another table next to me. If you're using the Pro or Ironwood series, adding a front folding table is a big plus.
pellet box
Hardwood pellets absorb moisture from humid air and don't burn when they do. If you don't have room to store extra pellets inside, grab a couple of Traeger pellet bins. Each stores a full bag and has an airtight lid to ensure your pellets are ready when you are.
cover
No matter which level of Traeger you get, it's not a cheap grill. To get the most out of it, keep the lid on. Traeger's canvas designs are better than most plastic canvas designs on the market. Plus, it shows that you care as much about keeping your cookware in good shape as you do about preparing quality food for friends and family.
Your unexpected maintenance skills
Even 30 miles inland in Florida, there's enough salt in the air to start rusting our grills within a year or two. It helps that Traeger uses stainless steel on some parts and powder coats the rest. Give your Traeger even more life by waxing (yes, waxing) the exterior with a premium car wax every 90 days. It won't take long and will extend the life of your grill.
Traeger Pellet Smoker Grill Recipe
The Traeger app is my new favorite video game. It's not about playing with the grill, it's about 1600+ recipes that require careful research and planning! There are videos, step-by-step instructions, and even community notes to help you. Even if you don't own a Traeger brand pellet smoker grill, you can download the app and access these recipes. They can also be found on Traeger's website.
Need some inspiration to get you started? Try the 3-2-1 BBQ Babyback Ribs or the Smoked Traeger Pulled Pork!
And much more in the app
While the recipes are great, Traegerhood in the app isn't just about them. You can find setup and maintenance tips, food prep tips, shop for Traeger grills, pellets, accessories, scrubs, sauces and more, call or chat with support, and watch tons of professionally shot video content.
Traeger Ironwood 885 Pellet Smoker Grill Prices
The Traeger Ironwood 885 we're reviewing is $1499.99. Adding the front folding shelf is another $69.99, and we also recommend adding the cover for $79.99.
the bottom line
I've been looking for a pellet smoking grill that, despite a busy schedule, gives me great results and ups my smoking game without years of experimentation. The Traeger Ironwood 885 delivered far more than I expected, making me look like a pit master with quality results and a more delicious hardwood smoke flavor. The work is done, the food is cooked, and I can enjoy a good meal with my family at the end of the day. It doesn't get any better than this.
Traeger Ironwood Grill Specifications
- Model: Traeger TFB89BLF
- Total Cooking Space: 885 sq. inches
- Overall Weight: 175 lbs.
- Pellet Hopper Capacity: 20 lbs.
- Maximum temperature: 500ºF
- Dimensions (H x D x W): 47 x 27 x 54 inches
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: $1499.99