Traeger Tailgater Pro Review

The world of grilling has seen numerous innovations and changes over the past few decades. Traeger has established itself as a company of pioneers, and thus earned its rightful place among the heavy-weights in the industry. The manufacturer is famous for the invention of the portable griddle.

Impressive, indeed. But their biggest contribution to the world of cooking is the invention of the pellet grill. Many other manufacturers are indebted to Traeger, as they rely on its pattern.

The pellet grill market is still a small one. Aside from Traeger, there are only a couple of other worthy manufacturers. It’s a fairly new invention, after all.

Over 80% of all pellet grills in America are made by Traeger. The manufacturer is very good at keeping the competition at bay. They do so by producing easy to use, durable, high-quality setups.

The heyday of pellet smokers is yet to come. Pellet smokers are expensive and are yet to be perfected. Undoubtedly, the traeger tailgater blue is a step closer to the ultimate pellet grill.

The features it possesses make it stand out among the competition. So what puts the Tailgater Pro at an advantage?

Why Get It?

Ease of Use

Traeger’s grills are famous for their intricate design and simple navigation. Now, pellet grills are inherently simple to use, but this manufacturer has taken things to a whole new level of simplicity. The “set-it-and-forget-it” feature is truly an invaluable asset, one of the key selling points of this smoker.

Be you a beginner or a pro, the process is effortless. The Pro does most of the work for you. All you need to do is set the temperatures via the digital controller.

Feel free to kick back and relax while you wait for your food to be done. It’s a great solution for those who don’t like to “get their hands dirty” and are all about the delicious results.

The automated auger is part of the reason why this model is so easy to use. It feeds the pellets into the firebox at an automated rate. The temperature sensor dictates the number of pellets being fed.

Optimal heat is guaranteed. Unlike with other kinds of grills, with the Pro, the weather conditions are not much of a factor. A sudden gust of wind or a drop of temperature won’t interfere with the smoking process.

The Taste

The Pro is aptly named, as it turns you in an exquisite chef without you having to go through a lengthy, painstaking process. You’ll go from amateur to expert in a day.

Be its smoked chicken wings, trout, sausages, ribs, corned beef, or briskets – the dish will turn out great. It’s so easy it almost feels like cheating. It’s versatile as well. You can use it to smoke, roast, braise, bake, and grill.

Pellet smokers impart a distinctive, smoky flavor to the food. There’s nothing like it. No gasser can compete with the Pro in that regard.

There are dozens of pellet flavors out there. Hickory and applewood are only some of the more popular. It’s you to decide which one you like the most.

Certain kinds of pellets go with certain foods.  Cherry and Oak go excellent with fish, while mesquite and maple are preferred for wild game.

Capacity

The Pro is not an extra larger backyard grill, but it’s big enough to feed an average American family in a single cookout. However, considering it’s a portable model, its 300 square-inch cooking area comes much appreciated.  It’s a great asset to have at any campsite or tailgate party.

There’s enough room to simultaneously smoke eighteen hotdogs, twelve burgers, three rib racks, and two chickens. The capacity of the hopper is 10 pounds. It’s more than enough when you are tailgating.

Portability and Construction

A proper portable smoker is a rare find. The whole setup weighs approximately 70 pounds and four foldable legs, two of which feature castor wheels. The model is made of heavy duty steel so you can expect it to last you for the years to come.

Cleaning

The cleanup won’t take much of your time. The excess juice gets drained into the drip tray while the ash accumulates in its own special collector. All that’s left for you is to empty the container.

Testimonials

The simplicity alone makes the Tailgater worth purchase. The lack of flare-ups is a huge advantage and its something that shouldn’t be taken for granted. The Tailgater Pro is an excellent choice for those who do not like to be too involved in the cooking process but prefer to have fun elsewhere while they are waiting for the food to be done.

What to Watch Out For

A Piece of Advice

Cover

Pellet grills are a big investment. They rely on sophisticated high-end technology to deliver the best results. The digital components are the essence of smokers.

Humidity and bad weather are no friends of theirs. The construction is sturdy and can take a beating, but it’s best to get a cover. It doesn’t cost much, but it’s a great way of protecting your investments.

Verdict

Expectations are high whenever Traeger releases a new model. Everybody expects a lot from the company that is a pioneer in the world of grillings. They haven’t disappointed with the Traeger Tailgater Pro.

It has everything you’d want to see in a portable model. Considering all of the conveniences it offers, the price is more than fair. The model could use a few more extra features, but it’s a negligible drawback.

Its ingenious technology performs exceptionally well and the robust construction ensures a long lifespan of the product. One wouldn’t expect anything less from the inventors of pellet grills.