Traeger Ironwood vs Traeger Woodridge Elite
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Quick take: The Traeger Woodridge Elite offers more cooking space (970 vs 616 sq in).
| Spec | Traeger Ironwood | Traeger Woodridge Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$1,800 | ~$1,800 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (748) | 4.4★ (99) |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Pellet Grill |
| Cooking Area | 616 sq in | 970 sq in |
| Max Temp | 500°F | 500°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Wood Pellets |
| Build Material | Dual-wall insulated powder-coated steel | Powder-Coated Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | 22 lbs | 24 lb |
| Burners | — | 1 |
| WiFi / App | Yes | Yes |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | No |
| Side burner | No | Yes |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | No | No |
| Dimensions | 59 x 25 x 48 in | — |
| Weight | 199 lbs | 221 lbs |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
Pros & cons
Traeger Ironwood
- ✓Exceptional temp stability from dual-wall insulation and Smart Combustion
- ✓EZ-Clean grease/ash keg is the easiest cleanup system in the pellet category
- ✓Full-color touchscreen and refined WiFIRE app experience
- ✓Pellet sensor and two included probes cover long cooks unattended
- ✓10-year warranty doubles most rivals
- ✓Quieter, more efficient combustion than the old Ironwood 885
- ✓P.A.L. rail and ModiFIRE grate ecosystem add real utility
- ✗$1,800 is a big premium over the Woodridge Pro for less cooking space
- ✗500F max still can't produce a hard sear
- ✗616 sq in is a downgrade from the 885 it replaced
- ✗Smoke flavor is mild unless you run low temps with Super Smoke
- ✗Occasional WiFIRE dropouts and startup overshoot reported by owners
Traeger Woodridge Elite
- ✓Side burner is a genuine cast-iron gas burner, not a pellet sear zone — it will hold skillet-searing heat a pellet firepot cannot
- ✓970 sq in across two racks fits several pork butts or around nine racks of ribs
- ✓24 lb hopper is large enough for an unattended overnight cook
- ✓Enclosed cabinet keeps pellet bags and tools dry, which the open-leg Woodridge and Woodridge Pro do not
- ✓10-year warranty, the longest Traeger writes
- ✓Super Smoke mode and a digital pellet sensor are both included, unlike the base Woodridge
- ✗Same price as the Ironwood, which has the better controller, touchscreen and sealed chamber — the choice is burner versus electronics
- ✗500°F chamber ceiling still will not sear on the main grates; that is what the side burner is for
- ✗At 221 lbs it is a fixed-position grill, not one you reposition on a whim
- ✗Side burner needs its own 1 lb propane cylinder or an adapter hose — the grill itself is electric
- ✗Second cooking rack is fixed height, limiting clearance for a tall turkey or standing rib roast