In April of 2022, Traeger launched a completely updated Timberline pellet grill series with almost no similarities to the previous Timberline models (which are still being made and are now known as Timberline Gen 1). It is quite obvious what Traeger’s intentions are with the new Timberline, they want to be the only grilling/smoking appliance you’ll need on your backyard deck or patio.
The most notable features of the new Timberline and Timberline XL are the induction cook top located on the left side of the grill, touch screen controller, new easy clean ash and grease keg (bucket), Pop And Lock P.A.L attachment accessories and storage. That’s a long list of new features and enhancements for the Timberline.
We will explain all these new features and enhancements and give our opinion on them.
| IMAGE | MODEL | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 880 sq/in Grill Space880 sq/in Grill SpaceTraeger Timberline |
| CHECK PRICE |
 | 1320 sq/in Grill Space1320 sq/in Grill SpaceTraeger Timberline XL |
| CHECK PRICE |
Table of Contents
New Traeger Timberline Models
Traeger launched two new Timberlines. The Timberline and Timberline XL. Grill size is the only real difference between these two. The Timberline offers 880 sq/inches of grilling space and the Timberline XL offers 1320 sq/inches of grilling space. If you’ve read my other pellet grill reviews, I always recommend going for the larger size grill. You never have too much grill space, it is always not enough, especially when you start smoking briskets, turkeys etc.
New Timberline Features and Enhancements
As I mentioned above, the new Timberline comes with plenty of new features and enhancements. Here are my thoughts on each key upgrade from the previous Timberline series.
Induction Cook Top
This is probably the most notable upgrade on the Timberline grill series. Adding an induction cook top shows that Traeger wants this to be the only gear you need in your backyard. Most competitors in the gas or pellet grill market that offer a side burner are usually fed by gas and use a typical gas burner with a cast top or they use Infrared. I haven’t seen any grill company offer an induction cook top on any gas or pellet grill, yet. Traeger is the first to offer this that I am aware of.
If you’re not familiar with induction cook tops, you can research it here. They are the future of cooking and have been in use for well over 10 years. I used to own an induction stove top, but after my last house move, I’m back to a gas for my indoor stove. Inductions are amazing and offer precise temperature control. They can boil water much faster than any gas or basic electric stove tops. The only downside is you may need new cookware. Induction will only work with cookware that is metallic/magnetic. Aluminum, copper and pyrex/glass will not work on induction cook tops. The cookware will need either a cast, or magnetic stainless steel bottom to work with induction. Also keep in mind the cookware bottom has to be flat to work properly, so Wok’s might be a problem.
Moving on, the induction cook top on the Timberline helps Traeger with searing. I’ve been outspoken about pellet grills not being able to reach searing temperatures. Now you can simply pan fry your steak or chops on the induction cook top. Ex. Reverse sear by smoking on low for 30-60 minutes with the pellet grill and then final sear on the induction cook top.
Traeger just made their pellet grills much more versatile. However, not everyone will want to use two different surfaces to sear their food. Yoder pellet grills are capable of searing temperatures within the pellet grilling area itself. They are still the only pellet grill that can do this extremely well.
You can use the induction cook top in so many other ways, but the main advantage is getting searing heat from your Traeger. Overall, this is a great feature to have and kudos to Traeger being the first to offer induction cook tops on backyard grills.
Touchscreen Display Controller
Traeger already had a very user friendly controller on their Pro, Ironwood and Timberline Gen 1 series grills, but that didn’t stop them from upgrading their on grill controller.
Meater Wireless Meat Probes
If you haven’t heard, Traeger purchased the Meater company back in July of 2021. This was a strategic acquisition for Traeger. Meater was a leader with accurate wireless temperature measurement devices. Now that Traeger owns the Meater company, they can incorporate their measurement devices right into the Traeger grill platform.
The new Timberline grill includes two wireless Meater temperature probes that link to the Traeger controller and WiFire App. The probes are very accurate and extremely convenient when they are free of all wiring. Great move by Traeger.
Easy Ash Cleanout and Grease Keg
Traeger remedied their shortcomings in these two areas. Companies like Camp Chef engineered an easy ash cleanout system where a removeable catch tray/cup was attached to the bottom of the fire pot. You could quickly remove this catch tray and dump the ash. With Traeger pellet grills, you would need to routinely remove the grill grates and diffuser plate to gain access to the firepot. You would need to vacuum the ash out of the firepot. Not a great design when the competition has simplified the cleanout process for years.
Thankfully Traeger designed their own easy ash cleanout in conjunction with the grease catch bucket. Traeger named it the EZ Clean Grease and Ash Keg. Both grease and ash are fed into the catch keg which is located in the center of the grill, below the cook box.
I like this new design because I am not a fan of grease buckets located on the side of the grill. I have accidentally dumped the grease bucket when installing or removing the grill cover. Grease is not easy to clean up, especially when you have the grill sitting on patio bricks or stamped concrete. This is a great improvement from Traeger and I hope to see this system incorporated into their Pro and Ironwood models.
Traeger P.A.L. Pop and Lock Grill Attachment Accessories
This is where Traeger took some inspiration from the Yoder grill company which is known for an abundant amount of grill accessories that compliment their grills. I would say Traeger was also inspired by the Polaris company and their Side By Side (SxS) Ranger/RZR utility vehicles that can accommodate a vast amount of Pop and Lock accessories. Traeger took these two ideas and made them work on their grill, offering accessories that can take your grilling experience to a new level.
The system is quite simple. Traeger added a rail to the front of the grill. The rail is the frame/support for all the accessories to be “Popped and Locked” on to.
Let’s take a look at their current P.A.L. grill accessories that are available today. I’m sure they will continue to add to this list over time.
Traeger Pop and Lock Attachments
New Traeger Timberline Warranty
Traeger typically offers 3 years of warranty on all their grills including the Gen 1 Timberline. With the new Timberline, Traeger is now offering 10 year warranty. Now the 10 years is a limited warranty and not comprehensive, but it is still a best in class warranty for the pellet grill market.
My Overall Thoughts on the New Timberline Series
Overall the grill receives many checkmarks, especially for the backyard fanatic that only wants to have one grill/smoker on their property. Traeger made a valiant effort to make the new Timberline the be all end all pellet grill/smoker so that you could sell your old gas grill and become a pellet fuel freak. The Timberline XL is massive and can smoke a lot of food for a large party or even as a small caterer. The induction side burner can be used for anything but most importantly it provides high searing temps that most pellet grills cannot achieve.
I believe the only thing holding the new Timberline and Timberline XL from becoming a massive hit is the price point. The Timberline XL rings in at $3799.99. That is not chump change. To put that into perspective, the Yoder YS640s with the competition cart is priced around $2700. The Yoder weighs an additional 200 lbs. and is made in the USA. I think Traeger will have to do some soul searching on their price point as they are priced substantially more than the other premium grill manufacturers.
Those are my current thoughts. I would like to get my hands on one to do a full review and get a better idea of what the new Timberline can do. Keep checking in and I’ll add a link to my full review.
| IMAGE | MODEL | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 880 sq/in Grill Space880 sq/in Grill SpaceTraeger Timberline |
| CHECK PRICE |
| 1320 sq/in Grill Space1320 sq/in Grill SpaceTraeger Timberline XL |
| CHECK PRICE |
