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Traeger Grills - Anyone have one?

BugDoc

BugDoc

Member
Feb 6, 2007
520
8
18
Corvallis, OR
So I am in the market for a new grill/bbq. I have been doing a bit a research online and have also put a call into my aunt that has one of these. She loves it and most of what I have read online has been positive. I would be interested if anyone out there has one and what they think of it. They are a bit spendy, but all models are $100 off at the moment with a free upgrade to the digital controller which seems like a must. I have been using propane for the last 10+ years and also have a charcoal smoker for smoking ribs, pork shoulders and salmon. My current propane grill has bit the dust and a new one that is decent will run me about $500 anyway.
 
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Do you have the Big Green Egg? What are some pluses and minuses if so? I've been contemplating buying one, but am not sure if I can justify the cash for it.
 
If you are using it just at home they are nice very little work. If you do BBQ competitions using one is like cheating. We use Weber Bullets they are great. I have also heard great things about the green egg but expensive.
 
CyTom said:
Do you have the Big Green Egg? What are some pluses and minuses if so? I've been contemplating buying one, but am not sure if I can justify the cash for it.
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My Big Green Egg and I have just celebrated our second anniversary this past August. I've never been happier.

Pluses:

  • Lights fast
  • Lump Charcoal Rules!
  • Excellent temperature control
  • Can get up around 1000 degrees F for searing meat the way Ruth's Chris does
  • Ceramic construction won't singe you if you brush up against it.
  • Can be used as a smoker, oven and tandoor.
  • Design allows for moister meats, and faster results.
  • It's my favorite toy.
  • Guaranteed for life.
Minuses:

  • They cost an arm and a leg.
 
flander1649 said:
If you are using it just at home they are nice very little work. If you do BBQ competitions using one is like cheating. We use Weber Bullets they are great. I have also heard great things about the green egg but expensive.
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I don't plan on entering any BBQ competitions, but I am curious as to why you consider it cheating? Is is because the grill does all the work? I am looking for a multiple purpose unit that can do everything from smoking meats to searing steaks and burgers. I am still interested in hearing from anyone that has a Traeger and how they like it.
 
BugDoc said:
How much are one of these Big Green Eggs? I looked up their site on the web, but didn't see any prices.
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Between 350 and 700 depending on size.... Usually if a website doesn't list a price, you know it's going to be expensive!
 
I've got a Traeger and I love it!! From smoking to grilling to baking, hands down best investment I've made. I had a charcoal/wood smoker with a side pit for quite a few years. While I loved the food that came off it, I hated trying to control the temperature and adding more wood every hour or so. With the Traeger I can put a couple racks of ribs on in the morning and LEAVE and go watch my son's play football in the afternoon and come back to perfectly smoked ribs. As a grill, it does an awesome job as well, steaks, chicken burgers, etc.. I've baked pizzas ( frozen and take n bake ), biscuits, baked beans, you name it, and it's all good on there.
Their customer service is awesome. After five months I had some rust show up on the edge of the lid and all they asked for was a picture and they sent me a new lid at no cost.
You'll love your Traeger!!!
 
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BugDoc said:
So I am in the market for a new grill/bbq. I have been doing a bit a research online and have also put a call into my aunt that has one of these. She loves it and most of what I have read online has been positive. I would be interested if anyone out there has one and what they think of it. They are a bit spendy, but all models are $100 off at the moment with a free upgrade to the digital controller which seems like a must. I have been using propane for the last 10+ years and also have a charcoal smoker for smoking ribs, pork shoulders and salmon. My current propane grill has bit the dust and a new one that is decent will run me about $500 anyway.
Click to expand...

Who is having the sale? I've seen Traeger's at a local butcher-shop and have heard good things about them, they are pricey though. If I could pick one up at a reasonable price, I might give it a shot.
 
mplscyclone said:
Between 350 and 700 depending on size.... Usually if a website doesn't list a price, you know it's going to be expensive!
Click to expand...

Typically about 700 for the large size, which is the most practical, allows you to cook for the family and larger groups. You can also plan on spending about another 100 bucks to get several "not included" accessories, but they are really necessary.....kind of annoying they aren't included...but after you eat something you have cooked on the BGE, you won't regret the cost
 
Broodwich said:
My Big Green Egg and I have just celebrated our second anniversary this past August. I've never been happier.

Pluses:

  • Lights fast
  • Lump Charcoal Rules!
  • Excellent temperature control
  • Can get up around 1000 degrees F for searing meat the way Ruth's Chris does
  • Ceramic construction won't singe you if you brush up against it.
  • Can be used as a smoker, oven and tandoor.
  • Design allows for moister meats, and faster results.
  • It's my favorite toy.
  • Guaranteed for life.
Minuses:

  • They cost an arm and a leg.
Click to expand...

My egg just celebrated its 4th birthday :wink:
I would echo all of the above sentiments....and to that I would add...

  • You can cook in the dead of winter....I have grilled in below 0 temperatures....try that with a gas grill
  • They last forever...I have heard of people with ceramic cookers that are over 20 years old...the cost will cover itself in the long-run
  • Save a few bucks, and build your own stand for it...there a plenty of plans out there on the inter-tubes
Also...find someone who has one, and let them cook something for you...the results will speak volumes. I know several people who own BGEs, and everyone loves it
 
Maybe I just don't understand how the egg works, but if you use good charcoal/wood what is the difference in a $900 egg and cheapo grill/smoker...
 
cybsball20 said:
Maybe I just don't understand how the egg works, but if you use good charcoal/wood what is the difference in a $900 egg and cheapo grill/smoker...
Click to expand...

The egg is made of ~1 inch thick ceramic. It is highly insulated and retains heat very well. You burn lump charcoal on it, which is actual pieces of real wood, rather than process brickettes, with lots of filler (they burn cleaner and have much less residue)

When you are cooking with it runs very efficiently, and little heat is lost to the surrounding environment. This help keeps the food very moist when you cook (it also allows you to cook when it is below zero). Similarly, when it comes to smoking, I can get a fire going at 225, put a pork shoulder on, and smoke for over 24 hours without doing a thing, other than looking to see if my meat thermometer has reached the desired temp. At the other end of the spectrum, you can open up the grates full-bore and get it up to 1000F, and sear steaks.

In comparison to cheapo grills and smokers,
better quality and consistently good results. Also, it doesn't rust and fall apart after a couple years of use.
 
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Yes, it's true. The egg is the rolls royce of bbq's. In addition to what uro cy said, the fact it retains heat so well makes it very efficient, and its ability to maintain a consistant heat is unmatched.
 
ISUATC said:
I've got a Traeger and I love it!! From smoking to grilling to baking, hands down best investment I've made. I had a charcoal/wood smoker with a side pit for quite a few years. While I loved the food that came off it, I hated trying to control the temperature and adding more wood every hour or so. With the Traeger I can put a couple racks of ribs on in the morning and LEAVE and go watch my son's play football in the afternoon and come back to perfectly smoked ribs. As a grill, it does an awesome job as well, steaks, chicken burgers, etc.. I've baked pizzas ( frozen and take n bake ), biscuits, baked beans, you name it, and it's all good on there.
Their customer service is awesome. After five months I had some rust show up on the edge of the lid and all they asked for was a picture and they sent me a new lid at no cost.
You'll love your Traeger!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input. I have only heard rave reviews so far. Now I just have to get the wife talked into getting one. The down side for her is the lack of a side burner. We use the side burner frequently in the summer when it is hot and we don't want to heat up the house while making something in the skillet or boiling water for corn.
 
sunset said:
Who is having the sale? I've seen Traeger's at a local butcher-shop and have heard good things about them, they are pricey though. If I could pick one up at a reasonable price, I might give it a shot.
Click to expand...


I just called my local dealer and he told me about the the sale. I am looking at the Lil Tex.
 
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