Updated on May 30, 2025
Add an outdoor kitchen to the backyard with no build-out required with the Traeger Timberline. Here's our full review on this splurge-worthy pellet grill.
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Traeger has earned its reputation as one of the top producers of pellet grills, also known as pellet smokers, for decades. The construction of these grills is designed to last, withstanding the outdoor elements while providing an excellent cooking space. Whether you’re trying your hand at smoking brisket, grilling burgers or even baking the perfect batch of fluffy biscuits, a Traeger grill is the key to wood-fired flavor.
Our Product Testing team put 11 pellet grills to the test, with grilling expert Catherine Ward leading the charge. That test included multiple Traeger models, along with Pit Boss, Recteq, Weber and Yoder units. The Traeger Timberline impressed the team with its large grilling area, special features and easy-to-use interface.
As a grilling enthusiast, I’ve also tested the Timberline firsthand and continue to use it in my backyard. I’ve cooked everything from fresh apple crisps to pulled pork, smoked chicken drumsticks and enchiladas. Here’s what we learned about this top pellet grill (which is worth the splurge!) while testing.
A wood pellet grill known for its large cooking capacity and advanced features
The Traeger Timberline is so much more than a standard pellet grill. It’s essentially a smoker and outdoor kitchen in one. The Timberline runs on wood pellets and allows for cooking food in a temperature range of 165 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The excellent versatility makes it possible to roast, smoke, grill and even bake food using indirect heat. The grill’s design also includes a storage cabinet below with soft-closing doors, two side shelves underneath the grill, an induction cooktop and a removable cutting board top shelf. It’s an all-in-one outdoor cooking solution, without spending tens of thousands on a custom build.
On the front, there’s a touchscreen and temperature dial knob for easy control, along with WiFi and Bluetooth capability so you can connect to the Traeger app to control your cook session. Inside, there’s a cooking area of 880 square inches with three different stainless steel grates, two of which are adjustable. That’s plenty of room for most users, but Traeger also has a larger version—the Timberline XL—with the same exact features but 1,320 square inches of cooking space.
The unit is built from powder-coated steel, making it incredibly durable and weather-resistant, with four locking wheels to keep it in place.
We tested the Traeger Timberline as part of our batch pellet grill test in July 2024. Overall, the Timberline offered great performance with plenty of helpful upgrades and special features. It comes in at a high price point, but for those looking for a multi-use grill, it’s worth the splurge.
Before you can start cooking, the Timberline requires assembly. It’s important to note that this grill is incredibly large, and it arrives at your door on a wooden pallet. The directions are easy to follow, and the kit comes with an Allen wrench and screwdriver. However, the process still takes a lot of time and effort.
Once the grill is upright, it’s simple to lift the lid for the hopper and fill it with pellets. A standard 20-pound bag of wood pellets can fit in the hopper with a bit of room to spare.
The Product Testing Team cooked the same food items on each of the 11 pellet grills: salmon, corn, pork shoulder, pork chops and chicken.
First, we smoked salmon at 190 degrees for two hours, which produced beautiful filets with great moisture and smoky flavor. Next, we cooked chicken breasts at 225 degrees, yielding incredibly moist meat with a mild smoky flavor and nice bark. We slow-cooked pork shoulder at 275 degrees for nine hours, producing beautiful color and flavor.
Our pork chop test was the only flop. Searing the chops at higher temperatures, upwards of 500 degrees, was difficult, as the temperature fluctuated considerably. While the Timberline can go up to a maximum temperature of 500 degrees, it performs better at lower temperatures.
Throughout the cooking process, the Product Testing Team found the interface very easy to use. As the temperature climbs, the touchscreen switches to show smoking, grilling or searing. The app, which can control temperature, was also easy to use. We found the induction burner was a bit less intuitive, but still performed well and made for a nice bonus feature.
When it came time to clean the Timberline, there was a lot of grease in the chamber, which required plenty of scrubbing and wiping with paper towels. The Testing Team found the process required a bit more effort than desired, especially given the price point.
The Traeger Timberline comes in two sizes: the standard size and a larger version, the Timberline XL. The Timberline XL has the same exact features but 1,320 square inches of cooking space instead of 880. With the larger cooking space comes additional lower cabinet storage under the main grill cabin.
On the front of each, there’s a touchscreen and temperature dial knob for easy control, along with WiFi and Bluetooth capability so you can connect to the Traeger app to control your cook session. Each size has a side burner for searing, wireless meat thermometers, internal cook lights and temperature ranges of 165 to 500 degrees.
The Traeger Timberline impressed the Taste Recipes team with its large grilling area, special features and easy-to-use interface. After using the Timberline to cook a variety of meat, our expert product testers determined that the Timberline offers great cooking performance time after time.
While the Traeger Timberline is expensive, we recommend it for its superior performance, abundance of helpful upgrades and special features. For those looking for a multi-use grill that offers an all-in-one outdoor cooking solution, the Timberline is worth the splurge.
With an induction burner, interior lights, plenty of storage and add-on accessories, this pellet grill is your all-in-one outdoor cooking solution.
Ready to cook your first brisket or make smoked burgers for friends and family? The Traeger Timberline is available on Traeger’s website for $3,800. It can also be found at The Home Depot, BBQ Guys and Ace Hardware.
Cleaning a Traeger is important to keep it in tip-top shape. The interior of the grill requires frequent cleaning, including scrubbing the grill grates. You can do this with dish soap, but to really cut through grease, Traeger’s grill cleaner is the most helpful Traeger grilling accessory. The Timberline is also designed with an ash and grease keg, which funnels debris into a catch in the left cabinet. Empty it when full.
The Traeger Timberline (880 sq. in.) weighs 208 pounds, while the Traeger Timberline XL (1,320 sq. in.) weighs 289 pounds.
For the Timberline to run properly, it’s important to allow it to complete its shutdown cycle. Do not press “OFF” on the main power button on the front of the grill or unplug it prior to the shutdown cycle’s completion. The shutdown cycle will run for about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the previous set temperature.
According to the Traeger site, there are three ways to initiate the shutdown cycle on the Timberline:
The Taste Recipes Product Testing Team tested the Traeger Timberline, along with other Traeger grill models, including the Traeger Pro, Traeger Ironwood XL and Traeger Tailgater, with grilling expert Catherine Ward taking the lead. The pellet grill was thoroughly evaluated for ease of assembly, cooking performance, design, special features and ease of cleaning.
I am a writer specializing in food and lifestyle, with a specific passion for outdoor cooking and grilling. While I love to keep my eye on the latest food trends and kitchen gadgets, I focus on established products so I can recommend items that are worth the investment and will last, including pizza ovens, fire pits, grills and smokers. The Traeger Timberline is also a grill I have personally tested and used for two years in my backyard.
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