Pellet Fan
Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => Traeger => Topic started by: JBsuperG on December 19, 2017, 11:04:21 AM
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I am interested in replacing my GMG JB with a Traeger Timberline. Before I do I would like to find a review that is not sponsored by Traeger.
Do we have a Pelletfan Member that has used one? I am mostly interested in how even the temps are throughout the grill. I love all the shelves built into this unit.
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I too am interested. 850 seems to be a rock star, 1300 not so much. This is after a quick search here and the interwebs. Also I got that directly from a Traeger rep in August.
Hopefully we have some PelletFans willing to give us the real scoop.
DK
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Someone should comment shortly as their were a few posts on P H shortly before its demise
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Looks to be a really nice unit! Would be curious to see it in its super smoke mode.
Years ago I started with a Traeger LiL Tex. Then sold it & moved to GMG's as seen in my signature. One of the things I miss about the Traeger is I believe it put out more than the GMG's I could put 4 Butts on the GMG JB & 4 on the LiL Tex & it just seemed to cook better, get done quicker. Not to take anything away from the GMG's.
I'm looking to move on from my GMG JB this spring. Simply because its to big for what I need. When the dealer calls & said she got her shipment in, Its gonna be a CS 450
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I have a Timberline 850 which replaced an old Traeger BBQ 100 and a Genesis gas grill. It is my main go to for everything.
Pros:
Good even heat across the whole unit. I don't have any real hot or cold spots. Although I did not test it fully against my remote probe.
It will get to 500 and stay there. but it does take time. I use grill grates for searing.
Good pellet consumption.
Works pretty well in cold weather. Did chicken at 350 when it was below freezing. Wind does not affect it too much.
I like the APP I can sit on the couch and control the unit while watching the Bears lose.
No bad temp swings, runs usually within 5 degrees. temp does drop a lot when you open it up.
I do a lot of overnight smokes with no issues yet. (knock on wood)
Cons:
Front shelf is kind of useless.
only one food probe and it seems off from my Maverick instant read. maybe 5 degrees. Not sure which one is off. I need to test.
Have to clean it a lot. like every 20 hours of use.
Grease trap set up is funky. I've had a couple grease fires when I do high heat and don't clean it first. Only a few and not major.
No direct sear design as on some other units. You would think on a total redesign they would have it.
Not made in US
Oh, Super smoke setting is questionable. I only use it for reverse sear steaks. The problem seems to be unclean burning of pellets do to the fan cycling completely off for a second or two. This can cause sooting issues. This is not an issue for me because I do long smokes at 250 anyway. Maybe this can be fixed in the future by a firmware update.
Do need to realize that it is a direct auger feed and can cause burn back into the auger tube. When I cook at high temps, I back it down in increments before starting the shutdown phase. No problems for me.
My finalists were the timberline or Blazn. Loved Memphis, but could not justify price. Timberline only won out because I saw one at a dealer by my work and put it in the SUV that day. No buyers remorse for me. Very happy with it and I love to cook on it. Ribs, Brisket, Shoulder, Turkey, burgers, steak, chops.
Please ask questions or raise any concerns and I will answer as objectively as I can. I'm not a cheerleader for Traeger. There are so many good brands out there now! When I started Traeger was the only pellet grill.
I hope this helps!
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I've read enough on it, don't buy it. At that price point get a mak.
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I have a Timberline 850 which replaced an old Traeger BBQ 100 and a Genesis gas grill. It is my main go to for everything.
Pros:
Good even heat across the whole unit. I don't have any real hot or cold spots. Although I did not test it fully against my remote probe.
It will get to 500 and stay there. but it does take time. I use grill grates for searing.
Good pellet consumption.
Works pretty well in cold weather. Did chicken at 350 when it was below freezing. Wind does not affect it too much.
I like the APP I can sit on the couch and control the unit while watching the Bears lose.
No bad temp swings, runs usually within 5 degrees. temp does drop a lot when you open it up.
I do a lot of overnight smokes with no issues yet. (knock on wood)
Cons:
Front shelf is kind of useless.
only one food probe and it seems off from my Maverick instant read. maybe 5 degrees. Not sure which one is off. I need to test.
Have to clean it a lot. like every 20 hours of use.
Grease trap set up is funky. I've had a couple grease fires when I do high heat and don't clean it first. Only a few and not major.
No direct sear design as on some other units. You would think on a total redesign they would have it.
Not made in US
Oh, Super smoke setting is questionable. I only use it for reverse sear steaks. The problem seems to be unclean burning of pellets do to the fan cycling completely off for a second or two. This can cause sooting issues. This is not an issue for me because I do long smokes at 250 anyway. Maybe this can be fixed in the future by a firmware update.
Do need to realize that it is a direct auger feed and can cause burn back into the auger tube. When I cook at high temps, I back it down in increments before starting the shutdown phase. No problems for me.
My finalists were the timberline or Blazn. Loved Memphis, but could not justify price. Timberline only won out because I saw one at a dealer by my work and put it in the SUV that day. No buyers remorse for me. Very happy with it and I love to cook on it. Ribs, Brisket, Shoulder, Turkey, burgers, steak, chops.
Please ask questions or raise any concerns and I will answer as objectively as I can. I'm not a cheerleader for Traeger. There are so many good brands out there now! When I started Traeger was the only pellet grill.
I hope this helps!
I agree with this. I have a 1300 and have had a ton of issues, but to be fair they have all pretty much been addressed with the exception of the "super smoke" mode. It is just ok and creates some soot but not as bad as it was. It has some nice features like the built in wifi controller, lid gasket, double wall construction. I think the food it puts out is on par with most other pellet cookers and not really worth the premium. I think my $900 Traeger texas put out food that was on par with what the Timberline puts out. For $2k, I don't think I would buy it again. I would go back to a Yoder.
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I have a Timberline 850 which replaced an old Traeger BBQ 100 and a Genesis gas grill. It is my main go to for everything.
Pros:
Good even heat across the whole unit. I don't have any real hot or cold spots. Although I did not test it fully against my remote probe.
It will get to 500 and stay there. but it does take time. I use grill grates for searing.
Good pellet consumption.
Works pretty well in cold weather. Did chicken at 350 when it was below freezing. Wind does not affect it too much.
I like the APP I can sit on the couch and control the unit while watching the Bears lose.
No bad temp swings, runs usually within 5 degrees. temp does drop a lot when you open it up.
I do a lot of overnight smokes with no issues yet. (knock on wood)
Cons:
Front shelf is kind of useless.
only one food probe and it seems off from my Maverick instant read. maybe 5 degrees. Not sure which one is off. I need to test.
Have to clean it a lot. like every 20 hours of use.
Grease trap set up is funky. I've had a couple grease fires when I do high heat and don't clean it first. Only a few and not major.
No direct sear design as on some other units. You would think on a total redesign they would have it.
Not made in US
Oh, Super smoke setting is questionable. I only use it for reverse sear steaks. The problem seems to be unclean burning of pellets do to the fan cycling completely off for a second or two. This can cause sooting issues. This is not an issue for me because I do long smokes at 250 anyway. Maybe this can be fixed in the future by a firmware update.
Do need to realize that it is a direct auger feed and can cause burn back into the auger tube. When I cook at high temps, I back it down in increments before starting the shutdown phase. No problems for me.
My finalists were the timberline or Blazn. Loved Memphis, but could not justify price. Timberline only won out because I saw one at a dealer by my work and put it in the SUV that day. No buyers remorse for me. Very happy with it and I love to cook on it. Ribs, Brisket, Shoulder, Turkey, burgers, steak, chops.
Please ask questions or raise any concerns and I will answer as objectively as I can. I'm not a cheerleader for Traeger. There are so many good brands out there now! When I started Traeger was the only pellet grill.
I hope this helps!
I agree with this. I have a 1300 and have had a ton of issues, but to be fair they have all pretty much been addressed with the exception of the "super smoke" mode. It is just ok and creates some soot but not as bad as it was. It has some nice features like the built in wifi controller, lid gasket, double wall construction. I think the food it puts out is on par with most other pellet cookers and not really worth the premium. I think my $900 Traeger texas put out food that was on par with what the Timberline puts out. For $2k, I don't think I would buy it again. I would go back to a Yoder.
Thanks for the input. The only other thing I wonder about is the temp comparison throughout the grill against a remote thermometer.
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I've read enough on it, don't buy it. At that price point get a mak.
does mak have 3 shelves in it and double wall construction?
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I've read enough on it, don't buy it. At that price point get a mak.
does mak have 3 shelves in it and double wall construction?
No and No. Save your $ and buy a Memphis Elite if that is what you require in a pellet grill.
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does mak have 3 shelves in it and double wall construction?
No, it has two levels, but mak has better cooking dimensions (you want 19" deep) and double wall construction isn't that big of an issue.
Mak and memphis are a league above the timberline (which will be obvious when you see them) but the timberline costs as much as a mak 1 star.
What's your budget?
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does mak have 3 shelves in it and double wall construction?
No, it has two levels, but mak has better cooking dimensions (you want 19" deep) and double wall construction isn't that big of an issue.
Mak and memphis are a league above the timberline (which will be obvious when you see them) but the timberline costs as much as a mak 1 star.
What's your budget?
The Timberline is a league above the previous Traeger lineup. We'll really need a performance test here or we're all just measuring our own units.
DK
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Traeger does not seem to be interested in a PF performance test.
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The Timberline is a league above the previous Traeger lineup. We'll really need a performance test here or we're all just measuring our own units.
DK
I think it's hard for a company to make a high end smoker when that's not been their traditional marketplace.
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I would spend about $3000.
What I like about the timberline is for that price you get...
a lot of space
3 removable shelves
wifi
double walls
gasket
the only thing it does not have that I would like is a direct flame option. If the temps are even throughout I think it would be worth it.
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I would send some private messages to those that have it and ask some more questions before you settle on it. I, personally, would get concerned when someone who owns it says that they would be looking to get rid of it or if they had to do it again wouldn't buy it.
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I would spend about $3000.
What I like about the timberline is for that price you get...
a lot of space
3 removable shelves
wifi
double walls
gasket
the only thing it does not have that I would like is a direct flame option. If the temps are even throughout I think it would be worth it.
You seem to have really bought into the marketing. If you want to buy one go ahead.
You're thinking of buying a ford which has a new model that is priced as a bmw or mercedes. Does that seem like a good idea?
a lot of space
It's not practical space, check out the dimensions
3 removable shelves
And what will you smoke on that small third shelf with probably significant temp differential?
wifi
Every high end smoker offers wifi. I don't have it as I can't understand why I'd need it.
double walls
Do you live in a very cold climate? Even then it doesn't matter much.
gasket
That's just silly. You don't need a gasket.
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Bar-B-Lew, what are your thoughts on mak vs memphis?
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This has turned into a fan boy of the grill you own thread.
JB asked for replies from people that own one.
A couple replied that did.
But he didn't ask what grill to buy.
My :2cents:
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Bar-B-Lew, what are your thoughts on mak vs memphis?
They both have some features I like over the other for different reasons and they are both about 5 years old and their newer models have different features than mine. I can tell you that in my cook the other weekend in 7.5 inches of snow, the Memphis performed much closer to set temp than the MAK did.
MAK - love new ignitor, like upper rack system which will hold more larger cuts of meat then the Memphis, like my side cold smoker chamber, 50/50 on my wifi addition, like my front shelf, like the pellet dump, don't like auger system, controller LED died on me on first controller, 2nd controller had trouble pushing buttons in cold weather
Memphis - love temp consistency and cooking in cold weather, can hold 13-14 racks of baby backs with shelf system, prefer pellet drop into fire pot, do not like ash and grease catching system
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Bar-B-Lew, what are your thoughts on mak vs memphis?
They both have some features I like over the other for different reasons and they are both about 5 years old and their newer models have different features than mine. I can tell you that in my cook the other weekend in 7.5 inches of snow, the Memphis performed much closer to set temp than the MAK did.
MAK - love new ignitor, like upper rack system which will hold more larger cuts of meat then the Memphis, like my side cold smoker chamber, 50/50 on my wifi addition, like my front shelf, like the pellet dump, don't like auger system, controller LED died on me on first controller, 2nd controller had trouble pushing buttons in cold weather
Memphis - love temp consistency and cooking in cold weather, can hold 13-14 racks of baby backs with shelf system, prefer pellet drop into fire pot, do not like ash and grease catching system
Interesting stuff! So, if you had to choose between a new 2 Star or Elite, and could only have one, which and why? Curious.
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Probably the MAK because it is more flexible and less expensive...but i reserve the right to change my mind. ;D
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Probably the MAK because it is more flexible and less expensive...but i reserve the right to change my mind. ;D
What if it was going to be your one and only cooker? Still the MAK?
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what's the deal with hijacking the Traeger Timberline thread? Start your own thread.
DK
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So, only 2 people of the 600 members on here have a Timberline and are willing to share their experiences with it?
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I have been using pellet grills for several years now. I own both a GMG DC and JB. Over the years I have modified these grills to fit my needs as best they can. I have turned out what in my opinion and the opinions of many friends and family (providing they are honest with me) some excellent bbq.
in this time I have learned what Would interest me in a future grill. This is why I asked for options of OWNERS of the Timberline their first hand experience. As I am sure there are many excellent grills owned by others. I do not need to be told what I should want, but rather first hand experience from those who own the grill I am interested in.
That said. Thank you to the two Pellet Fans who offered their first hand experience with the timberline.
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I am curious since the GMG has the largest % of ownership on those who posted on the poll here, what is it about the Timberline that you desire that the GMG does not have? Is it the double walled and the racking system of the Timberline? I don't know much about the GMG grills and was surprised that they had the largest ownership on here.
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Have you been to the ‘Traeger Timberline Owners’ Facebook page? Lots of owners/info there :)
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By me and DK117, this should be in the Traeger section..It would make an archival search easier especially to someone not familiar to P F.
Merry Christmas.
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I am curious since the GMG has the largest % of ownership on those who posted on the poll here, what is it about the Timberline that you desire that the GMG does not have? Is it the double walled and the racking system of the Timberline? I don't know much about the GMG grills and was surprised that they had the largest ownership on here.
That is a fair question. When I first bought my GMG JB they were the first to have wifi. That was what sold me. My wife and I entertain almost every weekend in the summers. We live on a River so it is not uncommon for us to be on the water all day while cooking. I regularly use the wifi on my grill and tappecue to monitor my cooks. The size of the GMG JB accommodates most of the time. However, after years of tweaking the grill it is still a little unpredictable as far as the temps go. Sometimes it is within 5* left to right, other times it can very 100* left to right even when set up the same.
I think that what interested me the most about the Timberline 1300 is the amount of space. It has height and a removable rack system that comes standard at. If it holds even temps (within 30*) throughout the chamber then I would like the grill, because it would also allow me to monitor and control my cooks while away from the grill for long periods of time.
If the Timberline 1300 offers that kind of control and features for only $2000 that is great. To get that much space in a MAK or Memphis I would have to spend twice that. If I was interested in one of those other grills for the higher price I would still be trying to find out from owners how even the temps are throughout the grills.
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By me and DK117, this should be in the Traeger section..It would make an archival search easier especially to someone not familiar to P F.
Merry Christmas.
In hind sight I will agree with this statement. I thought about putting it there, but thought that maybe not all traeger owners regularly check the traeger section.
Lesson Learned :D
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If you want it moved there now, I can do that.
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Ah, I understand why wifi and grate temps left to right are so important to you now. Hopefully, you get enough information about the Timberline to make a good decision for yourself. Let us know what you end up doing.
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If you want it moved there now, I can do that.
Thanks Kristen. Let’s do that.
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I did a 4 pound USDA Choice boneless Rib roast today At 250 for 2 hours until meat was 125, then took off and cranked the grill to 500 and put back on for 7 minutes per side. Results were perfect!
Pros: Temp was 10 degrees outside with a Northwest wind and we face North, grill was 250 consistently, and made it up to 500 and held it. Pellet consumption was not bad.
Cons: Traeger meat probe is off by 10 degrees (on the low side). I checked with a Maverick Instant probe that I trust. It read 120 while the Traeger read at 110. This needs to be corrected!
Conclusion: Outstanding Rib Roast! (Sorry no pics) Too busy getting sides together. I could not believe it would hit 500 and maintain it in these temps and wind, very happy with that. Everyone loved the meal. The APP was great, I could monitor on my phone and participate with the family. My timing for Dinner ready was spot on which is a usual joke for me. Overall, the grill performed excellent today!
Merry Christmas!
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Great to hear. I have had opposite problems with my MAK that read 10° higher temp on food probe than my Thermopen.
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The Timberline looks much better than their other models. The super smoke mode sounds just like the RecTec Xtreme Smoke mode which also turns the fan on and off at low temps. I haven’t noticed any soot.
Are you still liking the Timberline?
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I seen both sizes of the Timberlines a few days ago at a the dealer I bought my LiL Tex back in 08. I think its a VERY attractive unit! I won't find one in my yard though. The price tag is just to much. No Flame zone cooking. Like one fellow said earlier. Hard to break out in a high end market. When in the past you've been on the low side with grills that for so many years lacked technology the up grades, And questionable when it comes to reliability. My :2cents: