Traeger Ain't What It Used To Be

[Daba's BBQ]

I bought my Traeger several years ago. After about 1 year, I started having mechanical issues. First, it was the temp probe, then the firepot, then the auger, and finally, the entire board died. I cannot tell you how many of my cooks were ruined because the rig stopped working midway. I cannot tell how many times I called customer support and connected via video chat. I made so many videos, Steven Spielberg wanted to hire me!

As a member of the Traeger forums, I have seen a dramatic increase in mechanical issues with Traeger rigs, especially newer ones, posted. Based upon all of the complaints and issues, it seems that Traeger's quality is not what it used to be and is not on par with other brands on the market today.

After two years, I had enough of ruined cooks, replacing parts, and phone calls to Traeger. I sold the rig and bought a Pit Boss Pro Series. It was the best decision I ever made. The Pit Boss is a heavier gauge steel, with superior craftsmanship, the temp is rock steady throughout my cooks, and produces great food. I know what I am saying might be considered heresy on a Traeger forum, but given the increasing number of posts related to mechanical problems, I had to share my experience with the group.

 

[Slimpicker]

My 575: 4 years now, not 1 bad cook or issue. I replaced fire pot as just a maintenance thing, they were at one time real cheap on Traeger web site... Never emptied my hopper, never had a auger clog, I've gone as far as 3/4" of ash in the bottom before vacuuming.

 

[JeffOsorio]

Sorry to hear about your issues with Traeger glad the Pit Boss is working out better for you!

 

[AlanaGalvan]

I totally understand your frustration. It’s disappointing when a product doesn’t live up to expectations, especially when you invest in it for consistent cooking. It sounds like the Pit Boss is working out great for you! Thanks for sharing your experience good to know there are other solid options out there. Hopefully, Traeger steps up their game in the future!

 

[RayClem]

It will be interesting to see how you new Pit Boss performs over the next several years. Many of the parts are interchangeable between various brands, so you might not get the big change you hope for.

I have gone three years using my IW885 without a single issue other than the common temperature offset issues.

 

[midwest]

Sad to think that a Pit Boss could be considered a better product than a Traeger. Times must be changing.

 

[Propwashed]

1994 was the year I bought my first Traeger Texan , I've owned 6 more since then including my current timberland XL . Virtually all 7 grills are still working well . Why is a Pit Boss owner for many years hanging out at a traeger forum . That is equal to a Chevy Volt owner hanging out on a Tesla web site.
I've seen in my short time on this forum even a moderator has expressed his preference to Yoder grills to
traeger Grills. My question is why hangout somewhere where you don't like the product.

 

[Manannan]

My question is why hangout somewhere where you don't like the product.

One answer seems to be those with a problem with the product AND a problem with customer support. If people end up with a faulty new product or have a warranty (even non warranty) claim if it is dealt with quickly and efficiently by customer support then they will be relatively happy.

Problem product and poor customer support equates to a disaffected customer whether that disaffection is genuine or not (there seen to be a percentage of spurious disaffected customers where it is difficult to elicit genuine reasons, conversely Traeger don't always help themselves?)

Some will seek solace by hanging out on forums such as this and rubbishing the product whether the issues are self inflicted or genuine, if I had spent megabucks on an item I would want maybe 10 years out of it but conversely I would look after it carefully.

My understanding is that both Traeger manufacturing and customer support is now outsourced which will be a contributory factor, way of the world nowadays?

 

[Propwashed]

Manannan you bring up a good point . you and I spent big bucks to own our Traegers I would be a squeaky cog on overtime if i was totally ignored like what's being implied. I believe Traeger is a legit ament business that will take care of legit ament complaints. I bought a Meter block for about $200.00 . It would not activate to the internet , I let meter keep me on the phone for 2 hours giving them a chance to see if I was doing something wrong , after that they sent me a new block, It was an inconvenience but they took care of it if they didn't I would have listed on this forum dates, times and first names of the assistant that gave me the poor service and that would have been within days Not years later like a "Me Too" member listing a bunch of parts of a grill without stating the problem. I don't know about being sent off shore. my problem happened last March and I was talking to an assistant in Salt Lake City Utah.

 

[IEJoe]

I bought my Traeger several years ago. After about 1 year, I started having mechanical issues. First, it was the temp probe, then the firepot, then the auger, and finally, the entire board died. I cannot tell you how many of my cooks were ruined because the rig stopped working midway. I cannot tell how many times I called customer support and connected via video chat. I made so many videos, Steven Spielberg wanted to hire me!

As a member of the Traeger forums, I have seen a dramatic increase in mechanical issues with Traeger rigs, especially newer ones, posted. Based upon all of the complaints and issues, it seems that Traeger's quality is not what it used to be and is not on par with other brands on the market today.

After two years, I had enough of ruined cooks, replacing parts, and phone calls to Traeger. I sold the rig and bought a Pit Boss Pro Series. It was the best decision I ever made. The Pit Boss is a heavier gauge steel, with superior craftsmanship, the temp is rock steady throughout my cooks, and produces great food. I know what I am saying might be considered heresy on a Traeger forum, but given the increasing number of posts related to mechanical problems, I had to share my experience with the group.

The company I work for takes Feedback as a blessing. No better way to dial in the issues customers are seeing on the product. No need to apologize for blessing them. All in what action they take going forward.