The Traeger, made simple.
The Traeger is a pellet smoker. Unlike a gas grill, it cooks with steady indirect heat and wood smoke.
How it works
A gas grill heats quickly with direct flame. The Traeger smoker feeds wood pellets into a fire pot and circulates steady indirect heat, so set the temperature, close the lid and give it time.
- 1
Check the smoker
Make sure the fire pot and grease tray are clean, the smoker is plugged in and the hopper contains hardwood pellets.
- 2
Start and preheat
Turn the smoker on, set the temperature and preheat with the lid closed. Most models take about 15 minutes. Follow any printed instructions on the controller if they differ.
- 3
Cook by temperature
Choose an official Traeger recipe, place food on the grate and keep the lid closed. Use a meat thermometer rather than relying only on time.
Choose an official Traeger recipe - 4
Use the shutdown cycle
When you are finished, start the smoker's Shutdown Cycle. Do not unplug it immediately. The fan needs time to cool the smoker and clear the fire pot.
Traeger smoker or gas grill: what changes?
Traeger smoker
Wood pellets create the heat and smoke. Set one temperature, close the lid and let the controller maintain it. It is well suited to smoking, roasting, baking and steady indirect cooking.
Gas grill
Gas burners heat the grate directly and respond quickly when you turn them up or down. They suit fast, direct grilling and need attention around hot spots and flare-ups.
Never leave the smoker unattended. Keep the lid closed during preheat and cooking, use food-safe internal temperatures, and use the Shutdown Cycle before leaving it.