This post presents an in-depth Traeger Timberline pellet grill review covering the wood pellet features, specs, pros, and cons.
I have been following the wood pellet industry for decades now, and Traeger grills manufacture high-quality pellet grills that compete effectively. Since the early days of its launch, Traeger has gone from being a small niche in the wood pellet industry to being a common household name for wood pellet lovers.
Traeger Timberline series models
- Traeger Timberline 1300
- Traeger Timberline 850
Since they both have the same feature and the only difference is the size which is 130 square inches for the 1300 and 850 square inches for the 850 models.
Over the past two decades, Traeger has updated their range of wood pellet smokers with more premium products. The Traeger Timberline 850 and 1300 pellet grills are among the wood pellet grills that I happened to get my hands on and tested.
Traeger Timberline Wood Pellet Overview
Before I dive into the specs, features, pros, and cons of the Timberline 850 and 1300 model, let’s start with a quick overview.
The Traeger Timberline grills run on wood pellets, allowing BBQ enthusiasts like you and me the leisure to enjoy their favorite smoke flavors. The wood-fired Traeger grill has a modulating fan and WiFi support, delivering an incredible smoked and BBQ delicacy.
To use the Timberline 1300 or 850 wood pellet grill, load the hopper on the side, plug it in, set the temperature, and let the grill do the rest. This Traeger’s premium grill comes with a large cooking area, innovative lighting, and heating technology, but at a price.
“So let’s explore the grill’s unique features and determine whether it is worth its price!”
Design and Construction
The Traeger Timberline series is a massive grill built like a tank. The 226 pounds wood pellet grill has a matte black finish and brushed 3 tiers of stainless steel shelves on the side and front sides.
The over 4.0 feet tall and 46 inches wide for the 850 or 59 feet for the 1300 grill comes with a pill-shaped chamber offering up to 1300 or 850 square inches of grilling space.
According to Traeger, the grill’s cooking area for the 1300 model can take in 12 chickens, 15 rib racks, or 12 pork butts, making it ideal for your feast-worth meals.
The fully insulated wood pellet grill delivers unrivaled heating for faster and even cooking.
Traeger Downdraft System
The first thing I noticed was the lack of a chimney on this Traeger. The grill comes with a downdraft system. This forces the air to stay in the cooking chamber much longer before it leaves through the opening at the back bottom side of the grill.
“I believe that this does improve the time the meat gets to absorb the wood flavor and also might save on the pellet usage.”
Traeger Timberline Series Functions and controls
If you are like most barbeque enthusiasts I have met, you will ask about the grill’s functions and controls.
The Traeger brand does a fantastic job, which I found during this Timberline wood pellet grills review and I found a great video to support this statement.
WiFiRE and Traeger App
The grill comes with WiFiRE Technology, so you can set the grill, adjust the temperatures and monitor its performance as you go on with other chores. Typically, the WiFIRE feature enables you to connect the pellet grill to the free Traeger app to enjoy the ease of controlling and monitoring your grill.
The grill WiFIRE technology has a strong signal, enabling access to multiple recipes via the Traeger app. Besides, you can change the grill temperature setting, check the pellet levels, and even read the probe temperature from the comfort of your couch.
The D2 Controller
Secondly, the Timberline grill features the D2 Grill Controller. The Interface allows you to control all the grill’s electronic features. You run through the menu with the two-tune screen, a few press buttons, and a turning knob. Besides, you can use the Interface to name your grill, set the cooking temperatures and timer, or even connect the grill to WiFi via the Interface.
“Ideally, the Interface enables you to scroll and navigate the menu seamlessly. Therefore, you do not need to keep perusing the manual as you can read about the grill features via the easy-to-use and interactive Interface.”
Traeger Super Smoke Program Mode
The grill comes with Traeger’s ‘super smoke’ program. Super Smoke is Traeger’s breakthrough technology that lets you blast your food with 100% hardwood smoke.
The technology revolves around precision fan control, enabling the Timberline wood pellet grill to reach the maximum delivery of smoke at temperatures from 165 up to 225 degrees. You will find the super smoke mode through the grill’s easy-to-use Interface.
Hopper Capacity and Auger Design
The wood pellet grill features a 24lbs hopper capacity and a spiral-shaped auger for transporting pellets toward the combustion chamber for ignition. The grill features a convection fan that powerfully spreads the cooking heat for an evenly cooked meal.
“Unlike the conventional grills, the timberline does not disappoint because the auger spirals do not get stuck often when the pellets are jammed in the opening.”
Convenience and Ease of Use
Overall, the wood pellet grill delivers excellent convenience and ease of use. Firstly, it comes with a smartly designed hopper clean-out door. Therefore, you can empty unused pellets or switch to different wood pellets for richer wood pellet flavor.
In addition, the grill’s well-thought-of design makes it extremely easy to clean, even in-between cooks. The grill comes with an optional drip pan liner making it easy to clean.
Wheels
It is supported by four heavy-duty tubular legs, 3 inches in diameter, providing sturdy stability. Besides, the grill comes with a bamboo cutting board and grill tool hooks.
The grill features two fixed 7-inches rubber wheels on one end and 3-inch lockable rubber wheels on the other side.
“Therefore, the wood pellet grill is easy to roll around so long as you are on a relatively smooth surface or terrain despite its massive size.”
Pellet Sensor
Nothing is more annoying than running out of pellets in the middle of a long cooking session.
Traeger thought about this and the Traeger Timberline series comes with a sensor that lets you know when the level in the hopper gets low and you are probably going to run out of pellet soon.
- PID temperature controller
- Easy to use
- WiFIRE technology and Traeger App ensures ease of use
- Hopper pellet sensor
- Hopper cleanout
- Downdraft
- Expensive ?
- Heavy grill requiring larger storage space
- One meat probe
Traeger Timberline review – My Opinion
Traeger has been manufacturing wood pellet grills for over three decades. However, the Timberline 850 and 1300 are one of their first WiFi-connected models designed for modern customers. Built with fine precision, the grill allows you to control and monitor cooking temperatures.
While it’s an expensive grill, it delivers a stunning performance compared to many other versions of the Traeger wood pellet grills I reviewed. I think you get what you pay for and if I had to answer the question if the Traeger Timberline is worth it then I have to say YES!
“The thing that disappointed me a little was the fact that there was only one meat probe. I have seen other brands that offer multiple probes to monitor your internal meat temperature.”
However, I can recommend the Traeger Timberline pellet grills as a good bang for your bucks!
However, I have my wireless meat thermometer and I use that to monitor other meats if I have to.
Robert Chill
Robert Chill loves to cook on pellet grills and uses all types of recipes and techniques to cook some awesome food. With his experience, he is able to share many reviews, tips, and ideas on how to buy a pellet grill. You can read more about him here