Traeger Ironwood Wood Fired Pellet Grill Review | BBQGuys Expert Overview

When we began planning for our Traeger Ironwood review, we had high hopes for this Premium-quality series from the original pellet grill manufacturers. Yet even Chef Tony, our resident grill expert, came away quite impressed after testing Traeger Ironwood pellet grills for their quality, performance, and features. Why don’t we start there, with features? There’s a thoughtful touch just about everywhere you look on Traeger Ironwood grills, but Chef Tony could go on for days (don’t worry, we limited him to just a few minutes) about the D2 Direct Drive system that powers this grill to great heights. Better yet, WiFIRE technology puts you in command of every cook through the Traeger app, which honestly feels like cheating. This premium Traeger grill charted incredibly well on our performance tests, demonstrating remarkably on-target temperatures at both high and low heat settings. In fact, Chef Tony was able to reverse-sear a steak to perfection — not exactly the kind of thing most pellet grills are known for. But then again, the Traeger Ironwood series isn’t like most other pellet grills.

Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Fired Pellet Grill Expert Overview:

Traeger Ironwood Series:

Intro: 0:00
Features: 0:33
Quality: 5:33
Performance: 6:27
Recap: 8:56

Since its founding in 1998, BBQGuys® has helped more than 850,000 customers nationwide achieve their outdoor living dreams. The company based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, offers an industry-leading selection of grills, BBQ smokers, and outdoor living products, along with expert opinions and a free outdoor kitchen design service.

Chef Tony Matassa grew up in the restaurant business, starting in his family’s New Orleans eatery before running one of his own. No wonder he has such vast knowledge of and passion for food science, which he puts to use every day as our jack-of-all-trades (and master of many). Longtime fans of the channel know Tony has been testing grills for more than 10 years, though we’re partial to his performance in our recent Grillabilities℠ series.

Featuring: Tony Matassa
Filmed/Produced by: Sean Richardson

[sdgordon]

Camp Chef Woodwind 36 are sold out. Looking for another option so came here. What are your thoughts on the Ironwood vs Weber Smokefire? I've been hearing Weber had some issues, but your review did not encounter those problems with the Gen 2.

[GeneralRock]

Not sure how much to believe since you said Super Smoke was good up to 250 when it’s actually 225.

[turnerstechtalk]

Awesome review! Really appreciate the details!

[rr-phkx]

One thing to note is that a little research will show you these are made in china not the US anymore and are very prone to fires at temps near 500. The workaround is to double up the heat baffle or put tinfoil slightly raised on the drip tray. When fats/greases hit the drip tray at high temps, they instantly ignite. Try burgers at 450-475

[jezzadenton]

...this may help when describing temperature differentials...
To describe the temperature differential it is known as "Variation" - either an average (as you described) or, with more critical situations, as a plus/minus value such as ±20 (for example 300 ±20 (set temp is 300 and the "Variation" within the chamber could be as much as 20 degrees lower or higher)
To describe the differential, as measured by your numerous thermocouples, the term "Fluctuation" should be used. Again, it is described as plus/minus and is generally a higher figure than the "Variation" - and that is used to describe the maximum differential at any one point (e.g. at the bottom, back left or top, middle). This is what you will need to know when working out the temperature on the top shelf versus the bottom shelf (and anywhere on each shelf).
Sorry for the long-winded response but I thought it would be useful...

[Rickenbacker]

I just ordered the Timberline 850. I hope they fixed all the issues with the fan, thermostat, auger, motor, WiFi et al by now. I ordered Grill Grates too hoping to get sear at 500*. Time will tell

[johncallisto]

Awesome grill reviewer right here. Noce to get the best of the best rather than garbage. Thanks

[toddtouchberry]

Do y'all carry indoor commercial smokers?

[MttNet]

Great review, would love to see a Coyote pellet grill review, really have my eye on that one.

[VinnyBully]

I have the 650, it works well as described, hi tech, very easy to use, but my only complaint is it doesnt produce much smoke, even on super smoke. So for real smoky flavor I would not buy one again.

[infinityvideoprod]

The heat deflector and drip tray are stainless FYI. Nice job though

[speedybarron]

Sign me up for the sweet steak for the barbecue bar a guys