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[JBsuperG]

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.

[dk117]

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

[Canadian John]

 Someone should comment shortly as their were a few posts on P H shortly before its demise

[silverbullet]

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

[tmb2735]

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!

[Vision]

I've read enough on it, don't buy it. At that price point get a mak.

[bproffer]

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.

[JBsuperG]

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.

[JBsuperG]

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?

[Bar-B-Lew]

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.

[Vision]

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?

[dk117]

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

[Kristin Meredith]

Traeger does not seem to be interested in a PF performance test.

[Vision]

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.

[JBsuperG]

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.