Pellet Fan
Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => Traeger => Topic started by: Chicagolandbiker on March 02, 2019, 01:44:16 AM
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Got an email today from Traeger regarding a big announcement for March 15th. Anyone have any ideas what this could be?
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I don't know for sure, but doesn't the Ides of March portend betrayal and death? :)
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I don't follow Traeger, but maybe it is their unveiling of their pits with the new motors?
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I don't follow Traeger, but maybe it is their unveiling of their pits with the new motors?
Yep...wifi that syncs to their app and brushless motors is their big announcement for all 2019 models - at least that's what I heard 3rd hand from a text a dealer sent someone I know..."game changer" was how it was phrased...haha
another example of over selling features of a grill to people who have not been around the block before
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Why do I want a brushless motor?
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The motors we all use are "shaded pole", brushless motors.. What the new Traeger motors are DC or ECM motors that are more efficient and infinitely controllable, RPM wise..We'll have to wait and see what
the sales pitch is..The cost (motor) is more and the power saving % wise is more as well. Say 30% of 30 Watts for each motor - not much of a true saving power wise.
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For several years I didn’t hold the Traeger products in very high regard. I thought that they didn’t innovate and produced boring, low-end smokers. Every competitor passed them by.
Then, Jeremy Andrus bought the company in 2017. Like a couple of other manufacturers, they’ve upped their game considerably. Now, their pits are quite nice.
BTW, I also think that several manufacturers are resting on their laurels and are rapidly falling behind the improving pits.
This reinforces my desire for continuing Bentley's performance evaluations.
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I would love to, but no one is interested...or I am despises in the industry and they choose not to...take your pick!
This reinforces my desire for continuing Bentley's performance evaluations.
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I would love to, but no one is interested...or I am despises in the industry and they choose not to...take your pick!
This reinforces my desire for continuing Bentley's performance evaluations.
I highly doubt it has to do with anyone despising you, I bet you are thought of quite highly by most. People who are familiar with pellet grills, especially manufacturers are no doubt quite aware of who you are. I wonder if it could be more of a slight fear of an unbiased opinion . Truly have no idea but it could have some credence.
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Just wanted to update this post with the big announcement. As mentioned by others new motor and wifi (D2 Direct Drive and WiFire Technology).
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I don't follow Traeger, but maybe it is their unveiling of their pits with the new motors?
Went to their web page and it now shows the whole line with comparison sheet. The new Proline and Timberline series are quite impressive. The Timberline has both the DC motor, the new WiFi controller which appears to be PID? and is double walled with stainless steel inside plus SS grills grates. They do not mention ceramic starter, or whether there is open flame adaptation. Top temp is 500 on both those series, and 450 for the lesser models. There is pellet clean out on most models. Grease pan is hidden on the Timberlines and they are $1700 and $1900 for the two sizes. No mention of outer steel coatings, or thickness gauge. Here is a performance test off of You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vzE-OVvXuE
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The Ironwood might be the best bang for the buck starting at $1199 with WiFire, D2 auger, and double walled. What don’t you get in comparison to the Timberline? A cutting board, stainless interior and grates, one more shelf, and hidden grease collection is what I see. If I were in the market, probably not worth $600 more to me for Timberline, but nice upgrades over pro models with the double walled and more space. I might think differently if I made jerky or 12 rack of ribs at a time.
Curious on their WiFi stability/reliability compared to others?
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They do not mention ceramic starter, or whether there is open flame adaptation.
There was a large Traeger display and one salesperson at my Costco last weekend. The salesman said that Traeger isn't offering a direct flame zone because they don't want grease in the bottom of their pits.
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They do not mention ceramic starter, or whether there is open flame adaptation.
There was a large Traeger display and one salesperson at my Costco last weekend. The salesman said that Traeger isn't offering a direct flame zone because they don't want grease in the bottom of their pits.
Works for me. I do just fine with my GS at 500* with GrillGrates. I've wondered about how much grease finally accumulates in the firebox area of those pits with exposed fire pit. In particular the PG500 and PG1000 and whether they are prone to grease fires?
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They do not mention ceramic starter, or whether there is open flame adaptation.
There was a large Traeger display and one salesperson at my Costco last weekend. The salesman said that Traeger isn't offering a direct flame zone because they don't want grease in the bottom of their pits.
Works for me. I do just fine with my GS at 500* with GrillGrates. I've wondered about how much grease finally accumulates in the firebox area of those pits with exposed fire pit. In particular the PG500 and PG1000 and whether they are prone to grease fires?
I would think that the PG grills are least prone to grease fires because it is so hot right over the firepot that the grease disappears. I'm sure those that have one would share their real life stories.
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I would think that the PG grills are least prone to grease fires because it is so hot right over the firepot that the grease disappears. I'm sure those that have one would share their real life stories.
I have the PG500 but have rarely grilled in zone 1. When I did, I didn't find grease in the tray below the fire pot.
I sometimes sear a roast there but that doesn't make much grease.
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I saw the product announcement video. What else is there to do when your retired and have a bad cold? The video spent a lot of time dwelling on making good food for family and friends. Features I noted on the new offerings are:
1. DC motors on both the auger and draft fan for better control. The auger motor has auto-reverse on jam. The draft fan looks like a standard computer fan from the diagrams. It reminds me of the AC one the Savannah Stoker folks are selling.
2. Fuel level sensing with out of fuel notification via text messaging.
3. Turbo mode for fast heat up.
4. Departure from a barrel shape on some models to provide a larger upper shelf. Flat sides and rounded top and bottom.
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I spent my morning in the local hardware store and they had the new Traeger pits. I got to take apart the one Ironwood they had and it was surprised to find that the sheet metal is still about 16 to 18 gauge. All the SS liners inside were just as thin. The drip tray is similar. The diffuser was strange as it is SS but very thin and is one piece of curved metal that is held in place by small extensions that fit into the bottom liner(also SS) which you have to flex slightly to fit into place.. I could not tell if the starter was ceramic and there is no comment on the posters. (the handbook was sealed in a bag.) The lid does have a thick seal at the bottom, but it did not fit flush. Did not see the Timberline but assume the materials are about the same.$1300 for this one. Will get some pic for us.
(https://i.imgur.com/dmtJzK9l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/1cBUKf9l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/m3uPtwBl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KSbudSEl.jpg)
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Thanks Okie, Nice photos..I noticed wing nuts retaining the fire pot and the material it is mounted to looks like stainless then transitions to black coated metal.. In previous models this was a one piece
housing. I am curious as to the reason(s). It surely isn't cost..In a manufacturing world, one cent can sway a decision relative to materials, labour, warranty costs, serviceability, longevity and warranty costs.
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Thanks Okie, Nice photos..I noticed wing nuts retaining the fire pot and the material it is mounted to looks like stainless then transitions to black coated metal.. In previous models this was a one piece
housing. I am curious as to the reason(s). It surely isn't cost..In a manufacturing world, one cent can sway a decision relative to materials, labour, warranty costs, serviceability, longevity and warranty costs.
Several things I do not understand: As you said the housing for the fire pot is half SS. But also, there is a large SS sheet under the firepot assembly and it curves up on both sides make a double walled bottom as well as sides. It is screwed into place. The exits for the downdraft exhaust are visible on either side of this sheet in the back. I can see ash and debris building up under the bottom of the SS. How would you get that out? By the way, I am convinced that the SS throughout the insides is about 18 gauge. You are correct, the firepot is held in by wing nuts. Fire pot is also light gauge IMO and has 8 holes.
Now I have these questions:
What keeps the heat from just going out the "downdraft" holes without going up into the chamber? Note they are below the drip pan level. Once those exits become the least point of resistance it seems to me that the air flow (or a lot of it)would just go that way without going up around the drip pan.
Why is there a thick heat seal at the bottom of the lid and not all the way around? (it also did not close well.)
Why is the deflector so flimsy? It gets the full blast from the pot.
One big positive, is that the cooking chamber is very high. Did not measure but looks to be over 10 inches.
Will be interesting to see some unbiased performance testing. ???Happy Trails to you.
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How does the Traeger Pro D2 575 look?
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I’ve looked at them a couple times. Looks like the Pro looses the double side walls, the slide out and two height main grate, side shelf, and has a slightly different controller with fewer dedicated buttons and a 450 max temp vs 500. I think the new Pros look nice with the WiFire and taller elongated barrel and wider legs (that they’ve been adding on some models for a couple years). I’m actually considering buying one myself.