Traeger Timberline XL vs Traeger Ironwood
Quick take: The Traeger Ironwood costs $2,199 less; the Traeger Timberline XL offers more cooking space (1,320 vs 616 sq in); the Traeger Ironwood reaches a higher max temp (NaN vs NaN°F).
| Spec | Traeger Timberline XL | Traeger Ironwood |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$3,999 | ~$1,800 |
| Rating | 4★ (318) | 4.5★ (748) |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Pellet Grill |
| Cooking Area | 1320 sq in | 616 sq in |
| Max Temp | 500°F | 500F°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Wood Pellets |
| Build Material | Powder-Coated Steel | Dual-wall insulated powder-coated steel |
| Hopper Capacity | 22 lb | 22 lbs |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | Yes |
| App control | Yes | Yes |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | Yes |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 62 x 51 x 25 in | 59 x 25 x 48 in |
| Weight | 289 lbs | 199 lbs |
| Warranty | 10 years | 10 years |
Pros & cons
Traeger Timberline XL
- ✓Fully double-wall insulated stainless construction holds temperature rock-steady even in freezing weather, making it the most consistent Traeger for winter brisket
- ✓Massive 1320 sq in over three shelves swallows multiple briskets, pork butts, and racks of ribs for catering-level cooks
- ✓The built-in induction cooktop on the side is genuinely useful for searing, finishing sauces, or making sides without a second appliance
- ✓The full-color touchscreen and refreshed app are the most polished controls Traeger has ever shipped, with helpful step-by-step guidance
- ✓Super Smoke mode plus the larger firepot produces strong, clean smoke and excellent bark on low-and-slow cooks
- ✓Pop-and-lock accessory rails and the modular shelf system make it easy to add hooks, shelves, and a roll rack
- ✓A class-leading 10-year warranty backs the big price tag and signals Traeger's confidence in the build
- ✓The downdraft exhaust and sensor suite keep heat even front-to-back and top-to-bottom across that huge cooking area
- ✗At roughly $3,800 it's brutally expensive, and many reviewers feel you're paying a heavy premium for the Traeger badge and touchscreen
- ✗It still maxes out around 500°F, so despite the price you cannot true-sear on the main grates without the side burner or GrillGrates
- ✗Even on this flagship, owners report the WiFi dropping and the app occasionally losing connection mid-cook
- ✗At 289 lbs it's extremely heavy and awkward to move, and assembly is a long two-person job
- ✗Early units shipped with firmware bugs and touchscreen glitches that required updates, frustrating early adopters
- ✗Pellet consumption is high given the size, and you'll feed it a lot of fuel on long all-day cooks
- ✗The induction burner and electronics add more failure points, and out-of-warranty repairs on a grill this complex are costly
- ✗Its sheer footprint (62 in wide) is too big for many patios and it dominates the space
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