My Traeger Renegade Experience
After months of debating over several propane verses charcoal grills I happen to come across the Traeger Renegade Grill Infomercial. Usually I’m not a infomercial sucker believing everything I see on all the capabilities of the believe it or not commercial. So I researched and researched. After reading the heaps and heaps of positive reviews and experience with the Traeger brand I was compelled enough to drop $835.
I was hoping to get the Renegade in before the Memorial Day holiday but unfortunately the grill did arrive until 3 days later. Never the less I was excited to get it together and started. I had a 7lbs Boston Butt all ready to get started. I got the Renegade assembled, in place and primed. Only step left was to season, per the manual instructions. About 10 minutes through the process I walked out onto my deck to see the paint dripping from the bottom of the barrel. Thinking to myself, “that’s not good!” I unplugged the grill and called Traeger Renegade Customer Service. I keep saying Traeger Renegade because I’m not 100% that the Traeger and Traeger Renegade are the same company. I would venture to guess that the name was licensed to borrow the creditability of the “Traeger” name to sell the Renegade series. I make that assumption because of the actions following my experience described doesn’t match a company that has been in business as long as “Traeger”
After a 15 minute wait on hold, I finally got a CSR on the line. I explained to him the issue. His question to me was, “what was the temperature of the the thermostat when you unplugged the grill?” I told him I wasn’t sure that I was more concerned with the melting paint and my deck getting burned down, it could’ve been 425 it could’ve been 475. The CSR’s assessment was that the paint of the barrel was defective. He asked that I email support via email with pictures. I asked what the process would be, how fast would I receive a replacement, and how I would need to box the defective grill for return. The CSR informed me that their policy was to only replace the defective part. What!? The grill has only been in my procession for less then 4 hours. “How do you know its the paint? It could be the controller the thermostat, the feeder. I didn’t pay $835 for a defective grill and have to disassemble and reassemble because you think it’s defective paint. I want the grill completely replaced,” I explained. The CSR told me he didn’t have the authority to authorize a replacement and that I would need to discuss with support. Fair enough.
So I emailed support, including all of the pictures of the bottom, front and serial number plate. Rejected email was the response. After several attempts I determined that I couldn’t send more than 1 picture at a time. Sending a picture and explanation of the issue and what I excepted to remedy the issue, FULL REPLACEMENT, I received a response asking the usual information where, when and serial number of the purchase. About 10 emails later asking for more pictures and multiple angles I get this response as a resolution:
“Thank you for that information. I have put in a replacement order for a new barrel. Unfortunately, the barrels are on a little bit of a backorder. We are estimated to get some back in stock in a couple weeks and the order will ship as soon as we have them. I also included a rub for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Are you kidding me!?
Let’s recap: 1. Spend $835 on the Traeger Renegade Grill 2. Receive Renegade grill 2 weeks later. 3. Grill over heats and paint melts off of the grill within 4 hours of taking delivery. 4. Request replacement 5. Told that they would only replace the barrel (per policy) which is 3 weeks on back order but would send me some “rub” for my inconvenience.
I requested a full refund!
After several emails I finally received a UPS notification for pick up, boxed and packed per instructions of the CSR. Two weeks after pickup, they have their defective grill and my money. I am now filing a dispute with my credit card company to reverse the charge for the $835 I paid for the Traeger Renegade grill.
End result, I did some additional research and found the Green Mountain Grill, Daniel Boone. In my opinion this is a much better grill. Construction is better, stainless steel parts verses the painted, cooking area is larger and it has wifi to control cooking and get alerts on temp, hopper and food temp from my phone or tablet. The best part, it was over $100 less expensive!
In my opinion, do yourself a favor and save lots of frustration, money and just buy the Green Mountain Grill.
