If you’re a BBQ enthusiast looking for a top-of-the-line smoker, the decision of choosing between the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline can be a daunting task. Both models are renowned for their exceptional features, durability, and superior performance, which leaves many potential buyers wondering which one to select.
With so many options available in the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and make the wrong choice. However, you’ve landed in the right place to get all the information you need to make an informed decision. In this article, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive comparison of the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline, including their unique features, advantages, and disadvantages.
Furthermore, we’ll delve into the crucial factors you need to consider before making a purchase, such as your budget, cooking preferences, and desired features. By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with all the necessary information to determine which smoker best suits your needs, whether you’re smoking brisket, pork, or any other meat. So, keep reading to find out which model will emerge victorious in the Traeger Ironwood vs Timberline showdown.
Let’s get straight to the point. After days of research, it seemed, that the Ironwood series is the winner. Why? Because you’ll get almost all the features in the Ironwood at a cheaper price than the Timberland.
Traeger ironwood vs Timberline – How ironwood still the best?
First, we’ll let you know why you should purchase the Ironwood series over the Timberland.
How is ironwood still the best?
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Front Shelf
Even though the Timberline series comes with a front shelf, that’s considered to be a joke to most consumers. Because the front shelf is so tiny that is not enough to prepare the meat before grilling or keep them on it properly.
On the other hand, although Traeger Ironwood doesn’t have any front shelf, you can add a foldable shelf at just $50 bucks. Which will not only give you enough space to prep the food but also enable you to keep it down while not necessary. -
Cooking space
The Traeger Timberline 850 comes with more space for cooking with an extra shelf. However, while the Ironwood 885 comes with only two shelves, they are more spacious than its contender. -
Grill Hook
Timberline misses out on a tiny but important feature. Ironwood comes with two hooks on the back to hold any of your grill racks. But in the case of Timberline, as you don’t get this feature, you have to put them somewhere else. -
Price and value for money
First things first. We’ve told you earlier that Price is the biggest factor that keeps Ironwood ahead. Because at the end of the day, although Timberline comes with some extra features, most of the consumers think the price gap between Traeger ironwood 885 vs timberline 850 makes the timberline exorbitant. -
Aesthetics vs practicality
If you consider from an aesthetic perspective, definitely Timberline will be on the first row with its cutting board, stainless steel inner structure, added layer of insulation in the interior.
Besides, the Ironwood series offers you value for your money. If you’re in for a detailed discussion, let’s get the ball rolling.
Ironwood vs Timberline side-by-side comparison
Next, we’ll show you a side-by-side comparison table to give you a thorough idea of the specifications.
- Primary cooking grate: 22 x 16 inches
- Secondary cooking grate: 22 x 14 inches
- Tertiary cooking grate: 22 x 9 inches
- Grill capacity: Eight Racks of Ribs
- Hopper Capacity: 24 lbs
- Maximum Temperature: 500F
- Vent:
Rear Exhaust - Weight: 213lbs
- Warranty: 3 years limited
Timberline 850 – Specification
- Primary cooking grate: 30 x 19 inches
- Secondary cooking grate: 30 x 10.5 inches
- Tertiary cooking grate: na
- Grill capacity: Seven racks of ribs
- Hopper Capacity:
20 lbs - Maximum Temperature: 500F
- Vent:
Rear Exhaust - Weight:
175 lbs - Warranty: 3 years limited
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But when it’s about day-to-day uses and cooking performance, you’ll get almost the same result from both these Traeger smoker grills. All the latest Traeger grills models use D2 Direct Drive motor technology for efficient heat distribution. That’s why considering the price gap, Ironwood remains one step ahead in practicality.
- Traeger ironwood vs Timberline – How ironwood still the best?
- Ironwood vs Timberline side-by-side comparison
- What is the Difference between Traeger ironwood vs Timberline
- What is the Similarities between the Traeger Ironwood 885 vs Timberline 850
- What is the difference between Traeger Ironwood and Timberline?
- Are the Traeger ironwood and timberline insulated?
- How To Control Traeger Ironwood 885 Temperature
- How to Cook with the Traeger Ironwood 885?
- How Durable The Traeger Ironwood 885 Construction and Assembly
- What Tech Invention Used in Traeger Ironwood 855?
- Why Should You Buy Traeger Ironwood 885?
Before we dive deep into it, you should know that both the series are from the same brand, so there will be slight differences and similarities. On top of that, the price here plays the main role in the whole game.
Here’s you’ll manifest a comparison between Traeger Timberline 850 vs Ironwood 885,
What is the Difference between Traeger ironwood vs Timberline
Cooking space
One of the most notable differences between the Timberline and Ironwood is the amount of cooking space they offer. The Timberline has the upper hand, thanks to its three grilling racks, while the Ironwood features only two. This means that the Timberline can accommodate more food, making it ideal for large gatherings.
However, if we focus solely on the primary and secondary cooking grates where most of the cooking is done, the Ironwood 885 actually offers more space than the Timberline 850. Although the Timberline can hold more grilling racks, the Ironwood provides more room on the primary and secondary grates, where the food is usually placed.
Hopper Capacity
The Timberline boasts a hopper that can hold up to 24lbs of pellets, providing users with extended burning time. In contrast, the Ironwood’s hopper has a capacity of 20lbs of pellets. According to Traeger, the smoker burns between 1 to 3 pounds of pellets per hour, contingent on the temperature setting (High, Low, or Medium). Therefore, if you fill the Timberline’s hopper to capacity, it can give you more burning time than the Ironwood.
Grill Racks and Internal insulation
The grill racks used in the timberline are made of stainless steel. On the flip side, the grill racks in the ironwood come with porcelain-coated steel. In the meantime, Timberline featured an extra layer of insulation internally although the outside materials are the same for both the pellet smokers.
You can expect a bit of enhanced heat management in the Timberline thanks to the added insulation layer. But during the cold weather, you need to put a blanket in both the smokers for better heat treatment.
Dripping pan and grease management
Timberline added a concealed internal system to collect the drippings. It comes with a pull-out mechanism, to get rid of the drippings. On the contrary, Ironwood features a bucket hanging on the side, to collect the dripping and you get to see how much drippings have been accumulated.
If your dog is a bit naughty and comes to play around with the bucket, it might be an issue but we like the bucket feature, it looks nice, to be honest. Another difference is that ironwood comes with two layers of internal stainless steel dripping pans while Timberline has only one.
Cutting board
Timberline added a cutting board upon the pellet hopper which is absent in the Ironwood. But it’s a bit gimmicky as most of the users might not be interested cut anything that high. Still, if you want to use it, that’s a bonus.
Weight
Considering the weight, Timberline is way heavier than Ironwood. It’s because of the extra layer of insulation, bigger hopper, and the front shelf. While Timberline 850 weighs 213lbs, Ironwood weighs 175lbs.
What is the Similarities between the Traeger Ironwood 885 vs Timberline 850
D2 Direct Drive with brushless motor
Previously there was a bit of a difference in the motor between the Ironwood and Timberline. But with the latest upgrade, Traeger has included the D2 Direct Drive Brushless motor in all the Timberline and Ironwood series. The motor runs with DC to ensure you a more efficient power.
Either you’re cooking in the Ironwood 885 or Timberline 850, you’ll get a similar heating capacity and consistency. The D2 control panel comes with an integrated WiFire technology that enables you to tune the heat with the Trager app right from your smartphone.
Pellet Sensor
This feature was also missing in the previous version of the Ironwood series. But now, it’s available in the Ironwood and Timberline smokers. On top of that, it comprises an alarm feature that rings the bell while the pellet comes down to the finishing line, asking you for more input.
Control Panel
The D2 control panel has been integrated into the Ironwood and Timberline series pellet smokers. It comes with start/stop, timer, super smoke, keep the warm, menu, ignite, and a knob dial for going from one option to another and select.
Plus, there’s a meat probe jack to plug in the meat probe and measure the temperature of the meat inside the smoker. The LCD screen just makes it effortless to track down the temperature, setting up timer, meat probe calibration, and lots of interesting features.
Side shelf
The stainless still side shelf comes in handy with three hanging hooks to put some of your cooking gadgets at hand. It seems sturdy as well.
Portability
Although the Ironwood and Timberline smokers are heavy in weight, they are super portable. Two bigger wheels and two smaller caster wheels make it effortless for you to pull your smoker to the deck.
FAQ About the Ironwood vs Timberline Pellet Grill
What is the difference between Traeger Ironwood and Timberline?
Are the Traeger ironwood and timberline insulated?
How To Control Traeger Ironwood 885 Temperature
Choose the right wood pellet for the job
Different types of wood pellets produce different levels of heat. Make sure to use the correct type of wood pellet for the job you are trying to accomplish.
How to Cook with the Traeger Ironwood 885?
To grill food on the Traeger Ironwood 885, place the food on the grilling rack and set the desired temperature with the internal thermostat. The food will cook evenly and quickly on the grill.
To smoke food on the Traeger Ironwood 885, fill the smoker box with wood pellets and set the internal thermostat to the desired temperature. The food will be smoked slowly and evenly using the wood pellets.
To roast food on the Traeger Ironwood 885, fill the roast box with wood pellets and set the internal thermostat to the desired temperature. The food will cook slowly and evenly using the wood pellets.
There are almost no limits to what you can cook on a Traeger Ironwood 885! You can grill, smoke, or roast any food. Pellet grills are one of the most versatile cooking methods you can use. Happy grilling!
How Durable The Traeger Ironwood 885 Construction and Assembly
The assembly of the grill is simple. It only takes a few minutes to put the grill together. All parts fit together perfectly, and there are no loose screws or parts.
The Traeger Ironwood 885 is a well-made grill that is easy to assemble and is built to last. The construction and assembly of the grill are both excellent. The grill body is made of steel and will hold up over time.
What Tech Invention Used in Traeger Ironwood 855?
The thermostat is an essential part of the grill and helps make it a top-of-the-line product. It is an essential part of the grill and ensures that your food will be cooked evenly and at the desired temperature.
The thermostat is one of the essential features of the Traeger Ironwood 855 and makes it a top-of-the-line grill. It ensures that the grill will reach the desired temperature quickly and accurately. The thermostat is an important part of the grill and helps make it a top-of-the-line product.
Why Should You Buy Traeger Ironwood 885?
The Traeger Ironwood 885 is a well-made grill that will last for years and make cooking easier than ever before. The grill has a sturdy construction, making it durable enough to last several years. The grill assembly is simple and only takes a few minutes, ensuring it won’t take up too much of your time.
The thermostat is an essential part of the grill and ensures that the desired temperature is reached quickly and accurately, ensuring your food is cooked perfectly every time. So, if you are looking for a high-quality grill that is easy to assemble and comes with a thermostat, then the Traeger Ironwood 885 is the perfect grill for you!
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Final Verdict
Concluding our extensive research after several days of evaluation, we have determined that both the Ironwood and Timberline are outstanding pellet smokers. Nonetheless, if we were to select the superior option based on value for money, our vote would be for the Ironwood series.
However, if you require ample space and frequently host gatherings with your loved ones, the Timberline would be a more suitable option. Despite their similarities and differences, when factoring in the price, the Ironwood remains ahead of the game as long as Traeger does not substantially reduce the cost of the Timberline.