Traeger’s latest pellet grill features improved nozzle (spring) and a touchscreen (no) TechCrunch

Traeger’s latest pellet smoker brings the welcomed improvements to a brand new value level. The corporate launched its newest Ironwood design, which provides a number of options that debuted within the costlier Timberline product line a number of months in the past. As a very long time Traeger smoker, I’m excited by these updates as they make the grill extra manageable and cleaner.

I have been utilizing the $1,999 Ironwood XL grill final week. To this point, I’ve cooked a big batch of hen legs, a number of complete chickens, and a tray of Brussels sprouts. I hope to publish a full evaluation of people who smoke within the coming weeks; I must prepare dinner a number of extra issues first. To this point, the smoker has made a very good impression, however I’ve some reservations concerning the construct high quality.

The most important innovation consists of the grease entice. A lot simpler with the brand new Ironwood and Timberline grills. On earlier Traeger fashions (and practically all opponents), the drips run down a big metallic pan and right into a slender channel that results in a bucket. This duct is usually the issue, requiring fixed consideration and frequent cleansing. Now, all the smoker’s stomach is the canal. All of the drips fall on a sloping piece of metallic that results in a big bucket in the course of the smoker. Traeger launched this redesign on high of the revised Timberline fashions a number of months in the past, and I adore it.

This design provides a major benefit. Any leftovers and drips go to the identical spot, leading to a cleaner burn. After which, when the smoker cools down, the proprietor can push the remaining scum into the bucket with out eradicating any elements of the grill. It is that straightforward. I hate cleansing my different Traeger grills. The brand new design modifications the sport.

The opposite notable change has to do with the smoker’s hood. As an alternative of getting a door in entrance of the hood, all the hood folds again. Consequently, the cap is one piece aside from a small gap for the thermometer wires. The benefit is far much less air leakage with no door. The draw back is that whenever you open the hood, the inside temperature drops in a short time – in chilly winter Michigan, I misplaced 100 levels inside in two minutes and it took about 25 minutes to get better.

General, the redesigned smoker is spectacular, however I’ve issues concerning the sturdiness of the LCD management display screen and temperature knob. The management knob is crucial to the operation of the grill and is made of cheap plastic. The gear contained in the knob is manufactured from a fair worse plastic. I’m afraid that when uncovered to the weather it will likely be uncovered to unhealthy climate and can deteriorate quickly. That key touchpoint feels glossy, and the remainder of the grille feels bombproof. As for the touchscreen, it really works poorly in excessive climate situations. Due to an in a single day ice storm, my Ironwood XL tester was coated in ice this morning, so after rapidly clearing a few of the snow and ice, I attempted the touchscreen. It did not work. The touchscreen needed to be utterly frost-free earlier than it might reply appropriately to the touch. Will it work within the rain? I am undecided and this can be a main concern for me. Who smokes within the rain and snow, you ask? I; Sure.

I’ve to stay with the smoker to provide closing impressions. So search for a evaluation within the coming weeks. However since my first cooks, I have been fascinated by the evolution of Traeger’s design. Key areas have been up to date to handle key shortcomings, and it is an excellent begin.