Traeger’s barbecue pellet grills have long been held up as the gold standard of backyard wood cookers. But how does this iteration of the brand’s Pro Series compare to its peers? Find out everything you need to know with our Traeger Pro Series 34 review.
Are you considering buying the Traeger Pro Series 34? Traeger is well known for making good quality outdoor cookware. That is one reason we never turn down a chance to take try out their products. Deciding whether a horizontal cooker is ideal for you can be difficult. Knowing what it has to offer makes it that little bit easier. In this article, we take a look at the features to look out for.
Main Features
All outdoor pellet smoker grills have certain features that make them stand out. Some of those features make the unit a better buy whilst others make it more inconvenient. Either way, you will need to look at the different features and make sure that they fit in with what you want to do and with your space. The Traeger Pro series 34, has several features. Let’s look at those.
Large cooking surface
This cooker is horizontal and has a large cooking surface. It has 884 square inch cooking capacity. This can fit a feast that can feed more than ten adults. It takes multi-tasking to a whole new level. It is a versatile cooker and is marketed as a 6 in one unit, as it allows you to smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ. Unlike older outdoor cookers, this one does more than just cook one type of meat at a time.
A large cooking space means that you can entertain more and serve food faster. You can also rest assured that it is done well. It comes with two racks, the main rack as well as an extra rack. This gives you a lot of space to cook. The main rack is 34inches by 19inches, whilst the extra rack is 34 by 7 inches.
Dual meat probes
The Traeger pro series 34, has dual meat probes, meaning that they take the meat’s temperature from different angles. You can rest assured that the meat will cook through, using the consistent temperature you have set for it.
Temperature control
It has a temperature controlling feature, which Traeger calls the Digital Pro Controller with Advanced Grilling Logic. Think about it like a form of artificial intelligence. The dial lets you set the temperature of the smoker to what you need it to be. You can do this and move on with the rest of what you need to do. Set it and go.
This feature takes 60 temperature settings every second so that it can maintain your set temperature or at least between +/-15˚F. Temperature control doesn’t mean that you cannot go very high. It simply means that where you have set it, is what it will cook at. The digital pro controller has an easy to read LED screen. It may not be that big, but it will show you the necessary numbers.
Temperature control comes in handy when you are not sure what temperatures work for what you are cooking. But with temperature control, you can follow a recipe and the set numbers, and you won’t need to rely on “experience” to know that your meat is ready.
Large capacity hopper
It has a hopper that has a capacity of 18 pounds. But what does this mean? This griller can hold up to 18 pounds of pellets. So you won’t need to replenish them constantly. This can harm the temperature consistency. But with a large hopper such as this one, you cancel out that risk.
Construction
It is a sturdy smoker made of steel and set on sturdy casters. Its durability is great for outdoor use for extended periods. The powder coat finish protects the smoker from elements that could cause corrosion. The wheels are made to withstand being wheeled over rugged terrain and also to hold up the heavy grill.
Usability
This smoker is fuelled by hardwood pellets entirely. This cuts out the traditional use of charcoal or gas. Pellets are more uniform in size, and this also makes burning more uniform, hence giving way to more even cooking. They are cleaner, less hassle, and most importantly, they infuse a smokey flavour into the food. It is a flavour that you cannot get from gas.
It is also easy to use and is versatile. These are all features that make this smoker highly usable. Also, it is easy to clean. This is a big part of the grill’s usability. The cooking grates are easy to wipe down after cooking. This is thanks to the porcelain plates, which are easy to wipe down, even after being drenched in grease.
The controlled temperature gives you consistent results, and you don’t even need to be a world-class chef to use it.
Other highlights
Versatile temperature range
You can choose to cook your food on a low setting and take more time, or you can cook it on the highest setting and do it fast. The setting that you choose needs to be according to what you are cooking. For instance, the required temperatures for baking are different from the temperatures needed for grilling.
Hopper cleanout feature
It has a hopper cleanout feature, allowing you to change the pellets when you want to without stopping the cooking process. This is an advantage when you are cooking something that will take longer than the 18 pounds of pellets will last.
Pros
- It is easy to use
- It is versatile
- It infuses the smokey flavour into food. It has two meat probes.
- It is durable
- You get a large cooking surface.
- It has a large hopper.
Cons
- It may not burn as hot as you like, especially if you will be doing more grilling. This is because it cooks using indirect heat.
- It is not wifi compatible, which is a feature you may find on many modern grills and smokers.
Final Verdict
This smoker is a great buy if you’re looking for something robust and versatile. You can cook for more people at a time and be assured the food is done correctly. Features such as temperature control, make this a possibility. We hope this review helps you decide whether or not the Traeger pro series 34 is up your alley or not. Happy cooking!
