Traeger Grills

Does anybody use a Traeger that is willing to share some first hand experience of owning one? My father in law and brother in law both have the Tex model. I'm looking to pull the trigger on the Little Tex from Costco. They are selling it for $499 (usually $699) with Teflon cover and some accessories (including upgraded digital temp module on the hopper). Review online are mixed on the quality since they stating outsourcing to China in 2007. From my limited experience using my in laws it worked very well, but I'd like some feedback from some of you that have owned one as well.
Thanks!
Paul

I have the older USA made Traeger. The China made grills are lighter and not the same build quality of the USA made grills.
With that said most of the outer brands the grills are made in China and are about the same quality.
 I would say the Costco has the best deal on a pellet grill. Pull the trigger and you will be happy.


Have you checked out http://pelletheads.com/index.php

willbd

I've had a Traeger for several years now.  Its a well made unit (I have a Tex) but...it also has a few flaws which need to be resolved.  First is the bushings in the motors, they get dry and have to be lubed with grease every year.  A white corrosion forms on the motor stator and must be cleaned yearly.  I have had to replace the digital control and may need to do so again this year.  The potentiometer that controls the temp gets crunchy.  The model I have has steel screws which rust over time and it makes it difficult to remove them for a thorough maintenance of the feed screw.  Traeger had complaints about and has since gone to stainless screws.  If I leave the cover on it over the winter, even though it it on a covered deck, it molds up badly.  Since this is the only pellet BBQ/Grill I've owned I have nothing to compare it to for ease of maintenance but it is really a good unit as long as one uses good dry pellets. 

Although I do not personally own one, my dad has owned a Lil Tex for well over 5 years.  The thing works like a champ and for many things I prefer to cook it on a Traeger vs a gas grill (I've even cooked a Papa Murphy's Pizza on it and it was pretty good!).  The model you mentioned at Costco is a great deal and the digital temp is way better and easier to cook with than the basic 3 position switch.  With that being said I have heard that their grills aren't as well built as they use to be and even more that their wood pellets have "fillers" in them. 

One thing to keep in mind is the Costco Traeger roadshow travels from warehouse to warehouse and has had that model for that price for quite a while (not guaranteeing that won't change).  So if you finally decide to get one and your local Costco doesn't have it, you can ask a supervisor or manager to see where the roadshow is and/or when it's coming back to that location.  However, I might suggest that if you are not in a hurry the sportsman show is only a few weeks away and I have seen Traeger and a few other wood pellet grills there before so you could do a side by side comparison.  Regardless of which grill you go with I do recommend you research and purchase higher quality pellets because that will make a huge difference (I will try to remember what pellets he researched and purchased).

Good luck! Let us know what you decide!

Regarding pellets, do not use regular heating type pellets as they contain pitch and other possibly harmful substances.  I've tried just about every brand of pellet on the market and they all seem to work about the same as long as they are DRY.  Pellets stored in a garden shed, carport, or other unheated structure open to the weather will draw moisture and not produce heat like they should. I find I prefer to buy fresh bags of pellets as needed, that way I am assured they will produce consistent heat and smoke.  You can't beat a pellet smoker like a Traeger, my wife and I have cooked and smoked just about everything possible in ours and we love it.  Good luck!     

I have had my Traeger grill for almost a year.  I use only Traeger pellets and store them in plastic tubs that seal tight.  Each tub is labeled.  This works great and the pellets are easy to store and they stay dry.

CBY loves the Traeger grill and will never go back to charcoal or gas.

Well, update time. I pulled the trigger on the Lil Tex. I've used the heck out of it since. Chicken, ribs, Papa Murphy's, salmon, and pork shoulder all taste phenomenal. Well worth the money.

Good job!  It all looks great and you can't beat the taste. 

Get some tri tip on there. Olive oil salt and pepper is all you need.

One other thing to try.  Get a BBQ pan, the type with all the holes, and put your favorite vegies in the Traeger too. Spritz them with olive oil  and season with sea salt and cracked pepper.  Ummmmmm...da good kine!

Congrats on your Traeger - bought the larger Tex at Costco in Tigard, year ago January - LOVE it!

My two tricks which keeps getting everyone to ask how I prepare/season most of my smoked meats - Coat meat entirely in yellow mustard, then throw the no salt seasoning on it, it's B-E-A-Utiful!

I know, Yellow mustard <-- really, Yes, really! Especially on anything pork! Same goes for my Tri Tips and briskets.

As for the China outsourcing, I was concerned with that too... considered MAK Grills out of Dallas Oregon or the Big Green Egg... but when it came down to it, I couldn't resist Costco's offer at the time. Later I learned, the neighbor of a great fishing buddy of mine works for Traeger (customer service is still in Wilsonville, OR) and thus, getting pellets anytime for a GREAT price, is well... priceless. Furthermore, from the review I read, though the product is made in China, knowing the customer service was still here, and folks raved about them going the extra mile to ensure their customer's happiness, combine with Costco's return anything, whenever policy - I have zero doubt in my purchase.

Needless to say, my inner circle of fishing buddies, combined we now own 4 traegers (thankfully, I don't have to be the only host anymore  )

One more thing I meant to mention: I log each of my smokes/cooks on the traeger (meat, seasoning, temp, duration, etc)... this makes it nice for going back and nailing something which turned out so delicious, or changing something you wish was slightly better than the last time you smoked/cooked.

I've had my Lil Tex for about three years now. No serious issues, although the lighter gauge steels used in the China-built models will likely flake and wear out sooner than later. That reminds me that I need to fire it up and smoke a batch of Atomic Buffalo Turds (Lil Smokie in a bed of seasoned cream cheese in a jalapeno wrapped in bacon).

Great tips everyone. Thank you.
I have started a BBQ log as suggested. I find it helpful especially if I nailed a particular meat and want to repeat that same cook.