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Nothing beats cooking a thick steak over an open fire when you’re camping in the Great Outdoors. But sporadic fire bans and the inability to transport your own firewood from home have put the kibosh on campfires in many regions. So what’s a carnivore to do? Traeger has come up with the perfect solution with the Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill and Smoker. Let’s take a look.
Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill Overview
- Digital Arc Controller
- Advanced Grilling Logic for precise temperature performance
With a footprint that makes it the perfect travel buddy, the Ranger Pellet Grill can sit on any tabletop or in the bed of your truck. It’ll produce finger-licking buffalo wings at your next tailgating party.
It’s 20 inches long, 21 inches wide, and 13 inches high and weighs 60 pounds. This sturdily built grill can handle burgers, sausages, or steaks with its “Advanced Grilling Logic” feature that keeps your food within a precise temperature range. Traeger has even built in a “Keep Warm” mode.
The grill has a cast iron griddle and can reach a maximum temperature of 450 degrees. Using the accompanying meat probe will also help you take the guesswork out of grilling. All this comes in around $700.
What Does the Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill Do?
Designed for transport, you can use this grill anywhere. But with a pellet heat source, you also get smoldering flavor added to your food, based on the types of wood pellets you burn.
The grill combines grilling and smoking. You won’t have to worry about collecting kindling at the campsite to keep it fired up, though. Traeger sells 20-pound packets of pellets for convenience.
Our Favorite Features
Traeger has created an entirely new list of features to love with their Ranger Pellet Grill. Here are just a few of our favorites.
Digital Control Panel
Traeger’s new “Digital Arc Controller” gives you more precise control over grill temperatures. With 5 degree increments and a temperature probe, grillers of every experience level can produce perfectly cooked meals. The control panel also allows you to use the grill as a warming tray, making sure the food stays warm until you’re ready to serve it.
Large Cooking Area
Although the pellet hopper impedes the grill surface a bit, you still get 184 square inches of cooking area. You’ll find plenty of room to grill steaks, cook colorful kabobs, and serve up your favorite breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
It Includes a Cast Iron Griddle
The cast iron griddle not only cooks up delicious dishes but it’s also easy to wipe down and clean. It does add to the weight of the unit, but the pounds might be worth it. Once you cook on this griddle, you may not be willing to go back to a fire pit or propane-fueled grill.
Alternatives to the Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill
You may decide that the Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill is too small to handle big cookouts or that you’d like a more stationary unit. Here are a couple of alternatives that’ll give you a great grilling experience.
Camp Chef SmokePro
- Product 1: Automatic pellet auger dispenses when needed and shuts down when done
- Product 1: Clean-out ash can makes clean up simple
You can move this grill thanks to its wheels, but it also exceeds expectations while sitting in place. With almost twice the grilling surface as the Ranger, the Camp Chef SmokePro offers pellet grilling on a larger scale. The hopper sits on the side of the grill, providing more room for cooking, and has 18 pounds of pellet capacity.
The Camp Chef SmokePro also has a digital controller. Plus, to make your life less complicated, utilize its automated pellet auger. It costs about $520.
Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett
- Features Sense-Mate, a thermal sensor which constantly monitors grill temperature
- Includes a meat probe, peaked lid for rib racks, convenience tray
You can fold down the Davy Crockett Grill by Green Mountain to help it travel with you anywhere you go. It runs on either 110v or 12v power and uses pellets to smoke your favorite foods. The curved lid hides space for cooking ribs and fowl.
Green Mountain has designed its grill with a thermal sensor to give the grill master complete control over their cook times. It comes in a bit over $300.
There’s no reason to miss out on incredible meals just because you’re traveling. RVers, amateur grillers, and tailgaters alike can produce delectable meals simmered with the smoky flavors of a campfire. Would you consider bringing one of these pellet grills along on your next outing?
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
