Help! Looking to Purchase.. reading too much

[DJDDay]

The Pro 780 and Ironwood have the same controller minus super smoke, so any temp issue on one will also be present on the other.

And you will have a temp issue! You will find that most here use a 3rd party external thermometer such as FireBird 2 or ink Bird (more on that in other threads).

I think we're getting our "temperature issue" topics mixed up. Are you saying the issue is with Traeger's built-in meat thermometer probe? Or is the issue the lack of double-walled insulation on the Pro 575/780 (hence keeping stable temperatures in the cook chamber)? If the latter, I don't seem to find any issues when I'm cooking with outside temps above freezing. It's when it drops below freezing that I need to throw a blanket on the barrel.

If you're talking about the prior, yeah - totally agree. I own a ThermoWorks Signals which blows anything Traeger offers out of the water - Meater included. I can't believe Traeger had years ahead of the competition when it comes to WiFi controlled anything, yet their thermometers lack basic history tracking and notes. I can pull up a cook from 3 Thanksgivings ago on my Signals and see the entire history as well as notes from the cook. Very helpful at predicting dinners! Lol!

 

[YYCRed]

Thanks.. this helps. I always like having honest opinions based on actual experience. End of the Day I will probably end up with the 780 over the 575 just for a bit extra space and all the wheels

I want to take advantage of the Holiday deals. I need to physically look at them again to pick the size I need/want

I have seen this many times in my use of this forum: you *may* come to regret buying a smaller grill at times. You may not need the extra space often, but if you need it once and don't have it? That sucks.

 

[drich]

Interesting.. What was your issue with the Pro 575? what other ones did you try?

I like the idea of the walls of the Ironwood, but it is out of my price range.. even the Pro 780 will be a stretch. as I would also be looking at the cover and shelf.. The Silverton offers those with it, however it seems the front shelf, from what I read, with the Silverton is shallower than the added shelf for the others (that might be incorrect)

I had a Little Tex, Little Tex Elite, Pro 22, & the Pro 575. I used all of them successfully except the 575. When Ace delivered it and set it up the temperatures were all over the board bu 30-40 degrees so I refuse to take delivery. We waited 4-5 months months and went back to Ace to see if the problem with the 575 had been resolved but while there my wife ask which Treager had the least complaints. It was the Ironwood. Hope that helps. I am normally Charlie cheap but glad I spent the extra $$

 

[DJDDay]

had a Little Tex, Little Tex Elite, Pro 22, & the Pro 575. I used all of them successfully except the 575. When Ace delivered it and set it up the temperatures were all over the board bu 30-40 degrees so I refuse to take delivery.

Sounds like you got a bum unit. My buddy's Pro 575 temps fine (just as my 780 does).

 

[jdebuhr]

I have seen this many times in my use of this forum: you *may* come to regret buying a smaller grill at times. You may not need the extra space often, but if you need it once and don't have it? That sucks.

yes. I run out of Grill space with my Weber I currently have. so that is a struggle but looking at the units might help decide.


So I have to admit, this is going to be a gift to me, but I get to pick it. Originally it was just going to be a shiny new Weber grill to replace my 17 year old Weber. then it was offered: why not buy a cheaper Weber, the $599 Genesis II with no cabinet ( instead of the 3 burner with side burner) and get a smoker grill. that has then lead me here: I have a basic dollar amount to spend.. the Pro 780 is $849 and the Weber is $599..

Thinking now, I could get new Burners, I have an igniter and get new racks and Flavor bars for my Weber, and it should last a few more years. then spend more on a smoker/accessories, I just don't know.. the adding of the smoker puts this on a whole new level.

 

[drich]

Sounds like you got a bum unit. My buddy's Pro 575 temps fine (just as my 780 does).

I bet Traeger has corrected the problem. It is a very popular grill so it should be good. Their Customer Service is excellent so if you have a problem they will get it corrected for.

 

[DJDDay]

Thinking now, I could get new Burners, I have an igniter and get new racks and Flavor bars for my Weber, and it should last a few more years.

With the amount of money you'll be in to do this, just to string it along for a few more years when it is NOTHING like a pellet grill, why waste money that you could put towards an actual Pro 780?

 

[Shedd]

yes. I run out of Grill space with my Weber I currently have. so that is a struggle but looking at the units might help decide.


So I have to admit, this is going to be a gift to me, but I get to pick it. Originally it was just going to be a shiny new Weber grill to replace my 17 year old Weber. then it was offered: why not buy a cheaper Weber, the $599 Genesis II with no cabinet ( instead of the 3 burner with side burner) and get a smoker grill. that has then lead me here: I have a basic dollar amount to spend.. the Pro 780 is $849 and the Weber is $599..

Thinking now, I could get new Burners, I have an igniter and get new racks and Flavor bars for my Weber, and it should last a few more years. then spend more on a smoker/accessories, I just don't know.. the adding of the smoker puts this on a whole new level.

In my opinion it’s what you would use the most. I have a Webber Genesis, a Blackstone griddle, a green egg and recently was given a new 780 Pro. I use my Webber and my Blackstone a lot more than the smokers. I know the Traeger is also a grill but my Webber out cooks the Traeger on the grill side of it. Quicker, easier and virtually no cleaning required (compared to Traeger) then I got the Blackstone griddle that truly sears and can cook so much more. I grew up smoking meats and I absolutely love it, but I eat more non smoked foods. Again my opinion, but don’t put a smoker at the top of your cooking needs if you’re on a budget. Much less expensive smoker options available.
From my experience with my 780, I don’t rely on the controller to be accurate, it’s not. I use my other temperature devices to give me not only the correct meat probe temp but t monitor the ambient temperature too then I can make my adjustments with my iPhone to the Traeger app. I believe from what I’ve read here most others do the same.

 

[jdebuhr]

With the amount of money you'll be in to do this, just to string it along for a few more years when it is NOTHING like a pellet grill, why waste money that you could put towards an actual Pro 780?

Your not following. If the Weber parts are less than a new Weber, then that is more to go towards the Traeger and accessories...

 

[DJDDay]

Your not following. If the Weber parts are less than a new Weber, then that is more to go towards the Traeger and accessories...

I'm afraid you're not following, as that is exactly what I just said to you.

 

[jdebuhr]

I'm afraid you're not following, as that is exactly what I just said to you.

With the amount of money you'll be in to do this, just to string it along for a few more years when it is NOTHING like a pellet grill, why waste money that you could put towards an actual Pro 780?

Cause if I do maintenance of the old grill there is more money for the Pro 780, then it is not a stretch. my original plan is a new Weber and Smoker. I just don't know how much I will use the smoker until I have it and get used to it.. either way all good here

I just need to decide and make the purchase

 

[MidwestSmoker]

I also vote for Pro 780. I have the Pro 575 which I am very happy with, just wish it was bigger.

Weber gas grills last forever! I finally got rid of my old one and got a new one after some 25 years. I was going to replace the parts but then Lowe's was running a sale and decided on a new one instead.

The combination of Traeger for the low and slow cooking and the Weber for the high temperature grilling is absolutely the best. This weekend I cooked a thick steak for about an hour at 170 on the Traeger, until it reached an internal temperature of 125. Then seared it on the Weber for a perfect finish.

 

[jdebuhr]

I also vote for Pro 780. I have the Pro 575 which I am very happy with, just wish it was bigger.

Weber gas grills last forever! I finally got rid of my old one and got a new one after some 25 years. I was going to replace the parts but then Lowe's was running a sale and decided on a new one instead.

The combination of Traeger for the low and slow cooking and the Weber for the high temperature grilling is absolutely the best. This weekend I cooked a thick steak for about an hour at 170 on the Traeger, until it reached an internal temperature of 125. Then seared it on the Weber for a perfect finish.

yeah leaning towards the 780. Also going to buy a new set of burners and grates for my Weber, then it should last another 8 years

 

[RayClem]

This past spring, I purchased an Ironwood 885. I looked at all the models, including those at Costco. The Ironwood seemed to be better built than many of the others. I have been using it for 7 months with no issues other than the RTD thermocouple used for monitoring the cook temperature. Inaccurate reading is common for all the grills. I added an analog thermometer to the lid and also use a 3rd party digital thermometer to monitor both the internal meat temperature as well as the cook temperature. Once you learn how your controller/thermocouple system functions, you just set the controller to give the cook temperature you desire. In my case, I need to set my controller 5 degrees high at 225F, 25 degrees high at 300F, and 50 degrees high at 400F, but every grill is going to be different.

If you have the space and your budget will allow, I recommend getting the larger size grills. I am only cooking for my wife and I, but I still like cooking on the IW885. Typically, I cook on the top rack and place a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil on the bottom rack to catch the drippings. That makes cleanup after the cook a lot easier. There are times when cooking both protein and vegetables at the same time, I do need to use both racks.

 

[jdebuhr]

A friend has the IW 885, said it might be a bit big (family of 4). That is the same size primary as the Pro 780. So again, I need to get back into the store and physically look at them again.. the IW 885 is about $550 more, Is the $550 worth the double wall, Super smoke and Sensor? Down draft vs Chimney is the only other thing..

RayClem, I see you are in the Chicago Suburbs like me, have you used it in the cold weather we had around thanksgiving? how did it handle the cold for keeping temperature?