Traeger vs. Weber Smoker

Wood-fire pellet grills have become increasingly popular in recent years. If the standard charcoal grill fails to maintain, a wood-fire pellet grill still makes it up. They’re safer, with lesser chances of a fire hazard, and they impart a more palatable taste to the food.

The original wood-fired pellet grill was first patented by Traeger, a company that has risen to gradual stardom. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t competition for Traeger. Verily, Weber’s SmokeFire series has outperformed many new pellet grills, including Traeger’s.

Traeger Grills started with one wood-pellet grill and rapidly grew into the modern company we know today. It all began when Joe Traeger became frustrated with unsafe charcoal grills.

After numerous attempts, he became the inventor of the first wood-fire grill. While the original Traeger grills had their flaws, the company came round one way or the other. And since the grill was patented, Traeger was the only manufacturer of pellet grills for over two decades.

After 30 years of operation and tough competition, Traeger has risen to global success. It now manufactures 4 series of pellet grills, including the Pro and Ironwood series. It also manufactures a variety of wood pellets with grills.

Weber Stephen Co. has by far the most extensive and intriguing in history. With its beginning in the Weber Brothers Metal Works, the modern-day company came to be in the 1950s. George Stephen Sr., a worker at the metalsmithing workshop, sought out a more secure way to grill with charcoal.

He struck a buoy in two and joined the two pieces together, giving birth to the first kettle charcoal grill. From here on, his invention gained immense popularity This was indeed a great revolution in the world of grilling.

Today, the company specializes in world-famous kettle grills, as well as gas and electric grills. Their two flagship gas grills, Spirit and Genesis, have caused quite the eruption in modern-day grilling.

Traeger is a brand that specializes solely in wood pellet grills. Its main focus is to simplify the grilling and embed remote monitoring onto their grilling systems. Over the years, Traeger has developed the WiFire technology. Through this, you can monitor the status and temperature of your grill from your smartphone.

Along with that feature, the internal mechanism of Traeger grills means you don’t have to constantly check on them. They’re founded on a “Set-It and Forget-It” principle. The way these feature works is that all of the grilling processes are automated. From moving the pellets to the hopper to igniting them, and even fanning the flame. Everything in Traeger’s grills is self-sustained.

The main idea behind Traeger’s grills is they’re safer than open-flame charcoal grills. If the grill topples over, the fire hazard risk is minimal.

Traeger also manufactures and distributes its line of all-natural hardwood pellets. These are designed to specifically work with Traeger grills, though they will suffice for many other brands too.

Weber is perhaps one of the most renowned and widely-acclaimed charcoal and gas grill brands. However, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t specialized in wood pellet grills. Currently, it only has one wood pellet grill series, the SmokeFire products.

The two grills in this series utilize a lot of Weber’s older technology, as well as some new ones. They feature the famous Flavorizer Bars, which are of stainless steel that catch falling fat and oil. These bars vaporize the fat before it reaches the burner, and dispose of the excess grease in the tray.

Apart from that, Weber has also perfected the porcelain-enameled cast-iron grates. These grates can be found in almost all of their cooking grills. Porcelain-enamel is a great choice of finish that speeds cleanup and prevents permanent damage to the grates.

Weber has also pioneered the Weber Connect technology. This is the official Weber remote monitoring app. It provides information such as cooking progress, temperature and flip and serve times.

Considering Traeger’s entry-level grill, the Ironwood 650 is a smart wood-fire pellet grill. With over 650 square inches of cooking space and direct Wi-Fi connectivity, Ironwood 650 is an all-round grilling companion.

To start with, this grill has a large cooking capacity of 650 square inches. This is enough to fit up to five rib racks or nearly eight chickens. Additionally, you get a side table for preparing your meals and marinades.

What sets the Traeger aside from most wood-fire pellet grills is the intense amount of automation. The way it works is an auger moves the pellets from the hopper to the firepot. From there, the HotRod ignites the wood, and all you need to do is set your food on the grates.

This grill also provides you with onboard controls through a digital display. There’s also an in-built meat probe that lets you check the temperature of your food. You can do this without even lifting the lid.

The Traeger Grills Ironwood 650 also features remote access through the WiFIRE app. The app provides insights such as the temperature of the grill, estimated cooking time, and recommended flipping times.

Adding to that, the Ironwood 650 has been carefully engineered to perform well in the cold weather too. It features double side-wall insulation that allows for a consistent thermal output.

It can also reach a max temperature of 500 degrees F, perfect for well-done steaks and burgers.

Traeger Grills Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Notable features:

• Good choice for large families.
• D2 controls with digital display.
• Can be remotely operated.
• Works in the winters.
• Good for high-temperature cooking.

Weber’s SmokeFire EX4 is a DC-powered wood-pellet grill for large gatherings. It’s a highly versatile grill that can perform the functions of searing, smoking, baking, and roasting. With a temperature range of 200-600 degrees F, the SmokeFire EX4 is your best grilling companion.

Beginning with the surface area, this grill offers up to 672 square inches of cooking area. What’s more? It can reach temperatures as high as 600 F, best for searing and charring steaks.

The SmokeFire EX4 utilizes one of the best construction materials we’ve ever seen. It uses plated steel cooking grates to make cleaning a whole lot easier. The lid and cook box are both porcelain-enameled, so they can survive higher temperatures.

Moreover, the Weber SmokeFire EX4 uses Weber’s signature stainless steel Flavorizer Bars. For those of you who don’t know, the Flavorizer Bars catch fat drips and grease. All the good juicy fat gets vaporized on the bar, so your burners and interior remain clean. And the excess grease gets dumped through the special grease removal system.

Accessibility is also a core feature here. Along with the onboard LCD, you also get remote access through the Weber Connect app. This app monitors temperature and cooking progress, as well as flipping alerts.

As for assembly, it’s made simpler and easier through the free BILT app. This software provides an interactive 3D model of the assembly, and many companies are upgrading to it.

However, although maintenance is low, you still need to dump out the grease and ashtray after every use. Otherwise, you risk starting a grease fire.

Weber SmokeFire Wood Fired Pellet Grill

Notable features:

• More even heat distribution.
• Highly versatile in applications.
• Porcelain-enamel finishes on the lid and cook box.
• Compatible with BILT, and Weber Connect.

While both products have their similarities, the differences can’t be denied and are recommended for larger families and gatherings. The Weber provides slightly more space, so if that difference matters to you, then go for it.

Apart from that, both grills can be operated remotely through their respective apps. However, keep in mind that Weber’s app features are more advanced technology. It’s more secure and reliable as compared to Traeger’s app and receives frequent updates as well as UI improvements.

Also, consider the fact, Weber grill features the signature Flavorizer Bars. These add taste and smoke to your food while also keeping your grill grease-free. And the fact that there are replacements available online makes them even more reliable.

But, Traeger has some trademark features too. It specializes in pellet grills and even offers wooden pellets to go with the grill. You also get a hands-free cooking experience, which most modern grills lack.

Traeger and Weber smokers have some immaculate features that every grill master loves. They’re both highly versatile, can be remotely operated, and can feed a large family. However, the differences can’t be ignored either.

Weber is a modern company, with a wide range of products to choose from. Traeger, on the other hand, makes wood-fire pellet grills only. However, since it specializes in this type of grill, you know where to look if you want a pellet grill.

Weber is a more advanced choice in terms of technology. Even the remote control apps are better and frequently updated as compared to Traeger.

In that sense, Weber is a more reliable brand, and you can bet their SmokeFire series will do you good. But as always, it’s up to you to decide which grill suits your needs better.