Traeger Ranger Review
OutdoorHub Reporters 07.16.20
I have owned a Traeger Pro 575 for some time now and I have fallen in love with the wood fired cooking process. In general, cooking on any Traeger Pellet Grill is easy to learn, versatile, and efficient. The Traeger mobile app is loaded with easy-to-follow recipes that make wood-fired grilling any easy hurdle for even the most entry level person.
After falling in love with my Traeger 575, I found that there was still something missing in my life and that was portability. I decided to give the Traeger Ranger a try so I could pack my favorite recipes with me on any adventure I deemed necessary.
The Traeger Ranger comes out of the box pretty much ready to go, there is very little set involved and you can start cooking. One of my favorite things about this grill is that it comes with a cast Iron griddle along with the standard grill grate. That Griddle is awesome for things like eggs, pancakes or other items you can’t typically cook on a grill grate.
Once you take a peek at the manual the Ranger is very easy to use. Everything is operated by the digital controller using the up and down arrows along with the menu button. The Traeger Ranger has an 8lb hopper which holds enough pellets for you to do a long smoke without having to open the grill and refill. A meat probe is also included standard so you can check your temp without opening. The Ranger has a max set temp of 450 degrees, but it will drift higher, which is great for searing. There is a total cooking space of 176 sq inches, which is enough room for 1 rack of ribs, 6 burgers, 10 hotdogs or a whole chicken. Though this grill is built for portability it could easily be used as an everyday grill for a small family, if you don’t have a ton of space.
So far I have really enjoyed my time cooking on The Traeger Ranger. Overall I am extremely happy with the performance of this product. The Traeger Ranger retails at $399 and is a great choice for camping, tailgating, or everyday use. Traeger offers accessories for the Ranger to make your grilling experience more pleasant, such as the Ranger Grill Cover and Drip Tray Liner. If I could say anything negative about my experience with the Ranger it’s that it’s a bit heavy for a portable grill (around 60lbs). Also, when cooking at higher temps the handle and latches on the grill get very hot, you need to grab them with a hot pad. This is something to keep in mind for your safety or if you have small children present.
Digital Arc Controller allows you to set the temperature in 5-degree increments
- Keep Warm Mode ensures food is “hot-off-the-grill” no matter when you eat
- Advanced Grilling Logic for precise temperature performance
- Meat Probe to check temps without lifting the lid
- Cook timer lets you know when it’s time to sauce or check on food
- Baffled lid with latches for durability and safe transport
- Easy-to-clean porcelain-coated grill grates
- 184 sq. in. grilling area
- Cast iron griddle included to get that perfect sear on your steak, or cook an egg breakfast
- 8 lb. hopper can handle plenty of cook time
