I bought a Traeger Junior a few years ago to try out a pellet grill/smoker, and while I've been happy with the results, there's been enough times that I couldn't fit everything I wanted to cook at once that I'm planning on getting something larger in the near future. Wanted to see if there were any recommendations other than just getting a larger Traeger.
Features I'm looking for are:
1) Larger Size - In the Junior, There's a few things I can't do that I'd like to be able to. The main one is beer can chicken, the Junior is too short inside and it won't fit. Another would be full size turkey (I was able to fit a smaller turkey after spatchcocking it, but even then it was close). This weekend I cooked 3 racks of pork ribs, and 3 racks of beef ribs, and was able to stuff it all inside, but needed to rotate things so much that it took much longer that it should have (things were stacked up so not all surfaces had the same exposure to heat/smoke.
2) Larger pellet hopper - I assume this will be standard on anything larger than the Junior (8lb hopper).
3) Easily cleanable ash pot - It would be nice if the bottom opened up to drop the ashes, do anyone do this?
4) Flame out detection - I've had a few instances where the fire went out, and the Traeger just kept the auger going, filling the firepot with pellets. Would be nice if it at least stopped the auger after a bit.
5) Sear station - One thing I don't like when I compare the Traeger to my old propane BBQ is the inability to get a super-hot grill to sear steaks. I've seen some other brands with a lever that opens up the panel above the firepot for searing. Do these work well at all?
6) Cost - All else being equal, I'd like to keep costs to a minimum. I'm able to spend some bucks if really needed though.
Things I don't really care about as much:
1) Super precise temperature control - If having this requires spending way more than something without, then I'd leave it off.
2) Wifi/App integration - I have a Thermoworks Smoke remote probe so I can monitor the temperature of both the grill and the meat remotely already.
Anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks.
Features I'm looking for are:
1) Larger Size - In the Junior, There's a few things I can't do that I'd like to be able to. The main one is beer can chicken, the Junior is too short inside and it won't fit. Another would be full size turkey (I was able to fit a smaller turkey after spatchcocking it, but even then it was close). This weekend I cooked 3 racks of pork ribs, and 3 racks of beef ribs, and was able to stuff it all inside, but needed to rotate things so much that it took much longer that it should have (things were stacked up so not all surfaces had the same exposure to heat/smoke.
2) Larger pellet hopper - I assume this will be standard on anything larger than the Junior (8lb hopper).
3) Easily cleanable ash pot - It would be nice if the bottom opened up to drop the ashes, do anyone do this?
4) Flame out detection - I've had a few instances where the fire went out, and the Traeger just kept the auger going, filling the firepot with pellets. Would be nice if it at least stopped the auger after a bit.
5) Sear station - One thing I don't like when I compare the Traeger to my old propane BBQ is the inability to get a super-hot grill to sear steaks. I've seen some other brands with a lever that opens up the panel above the firepot for searing. Do these work well at all?
6) Cost - All else being equal, I'd like to keep costs to a minimum. I'm able to spend some bucks if really needed though.
Things I don't really care about as much:
1) Super precise temperature control - If having this requires spending way more than something without, then I'd leave it off.
2) Wifi/App integration - I have a Thermoworks Smoke remote probe so I can monitor the temperature of both the grill and the meat remotely already.
Anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks.
