Big Green Egg vs Traeger: Which is the Best for You?

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblr

Grilling makes summer evenings so much better, but it can also make summer dinner prep hellish if you don’t have the right grill. Big Green Egg and Traeger are two of the most popular brands in grills today. If you’re thinking about buying a grill, it’s likely that you’ve heard of these products and are curious to know more about them.

But with so many features, options, and accessories available to each brand, choosing between the two can be confusing and difficult. Which grill should you buy? Are there any significant differences between Big Green Egg and Traeger?

Let’s find out!

Big Green Egg History

Kamado grills are a style of ceramic charcoal grill that originated in Japan. While several companies manufacture kamados, one of them is Big Green Egg, which has been making kamados since 1974.

The brand was created by a group of people passionate about cooking who sought to create a grill that would allow them to cook with more precision than traditional grills. Today, Big Green Egg continues to be an innovator in kamado technology.

Its most popular product is its 2XL Big Green Egg, which can reach temperatures up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit.

What’s more? Green Egg grills are completely analog, meaning they have no digital elements. While that may seem like a disadvantage, it’s actually one of their biggest selling points.

The grill is entirely manual, which means you can control every aspect of your cooking process and make sure that your food comes out exactly how you want it to. It also makes them easier to maintain than other grills since there aren’t any electronics or computers that could break down.

Traeger History

Pellet grills are designed by Traeger, a company founded in 1985. Traeger began as a small company making wood pellet grillers for home use. Still, it has since grown into an international brand and is now one of America’s leading gas grill manufacturers.

The name Traeger comes from its founder, Joe Traeger, who was inspired to start his business after he tried cooking on a wood pellet grill made by his father-in-law.

The project started in 1970 when there was an oil crisis in the U.S. Joe wanted to find a more efficient way to cook meat than by using charcoal or propane gas grills. After some research, he found that pellet grilling would be a better alternative as it is more energy-efficient and produces less smoke compared to charcoal or propane gas grilling.

During his research, Joe also learned about food safety issues associated with cooking with charcoal and propane gas grills. He realized that using these traditional methods for cooking required him to use gloves or utensils made from silicone because they can get extremely hot during cooking.

Thus, after realizing all these problems associated with traditional grilling methods, Joe decided to create a grill that used wood pellets instead of charcoal or propane gas so that people could enjoy barbecue without worrying about their health or safety.

What is the Difference Between Big Green Egg and Traeger?

There are many differences between Big Green Egg and Traeger. Of course, both grills have their pros and cons, but they also have some different features that make them unique from each other. Let’s look at what makes these two grills stand out from one another.

1. Construction

Traeger is made of steel, which makes it very durable. On the other hand, Big Green Egg is constructed from ceramic. While both grills are pretty durable and can last for a long time, we have to admit that ceramic is more likely to crack or break than steel.

However, if you take good care of your grill, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t last you a lifetime.

2. Special Technology

Traeger uses WiFIRE internet-connected grilling control, which allows you to grill from anywhere in your home. This feature is pretty neat, but it’s not available on all models. With this feature, you can cook a meal without being at home and have it ready for when you get back.

On top of that, if you’re not satisfied with how your food tastes or looks, there’s an app that will allow you to change some settings and make adjustments as needed. On another note, Big Green Egg uses Proprietary high thermal conductivity ceramic insulation technology.

Although these two technologies are very different, they both help keep heat inside of their respective grills so that you can use them more efficiently.

3. Venting

Traeger has an automatic via variable speed fan that helps to regulate temperature and airflow. This feature is handy because it allows you to control how much heat is being produced inside your grill. Big Green Egg uses a manual dampener at the bottom of the grill, which also helps to regulate temperature and airflow.

The only difference between these two features is that with Big Green Egg, you have more control over what’s happening in your grill.

4. Warranty

Traeger offers a 3-year warranty for its grills. This is a pretty good deal because you won’t have to worry about paying for repairs or replacements for at least three years. On another note, Big Green Egg also offers a 1-year warranty but only on certain models.

5. Fuel

Traeger uses hardwood pellets as fuel. This is a pretty good choice because it’s not only very convenient, but it also allows you to control how much smoke and ash are being produced inside of your grill. On another note, Big Green Egg uses charcoal which means that you can’t really control how much smoke and ash are being produced inside your grill.

However, some people prefer charcoal over pellets because they believe charcoal produces better flavor than pellets.

Big Green Egg vs Traeger: Which is Better?

Want to know which option is better? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for.

1. Affordability

First, let’s share the sad news. Both grills are expensive options. Therefore, look elsewhere if you’re looking for a grill that won’t break your bank account. However, if you’re willing to spend some money on a grill that will last you years and years and can cook almost anything, then both options are good choices.

So which one should you choose based on the affordability? Well, in my opinion, Traeger wins because it has many affordable options, such as the Ironwood 650 (around $1,199). In addition, they also have deals throughout the year where you can get free shipping or extra accessories with your purchase.

2. Design

The design of both grills is different. However, I think that in terms of aesthetics, Big Green Egg wins because it looks more like a grill and less like a spaceship. If you’re looking for something that will look great on your patio or deck, go with Big Green Egg.

On top of that, they also have many color options, so you can choose one that matches your decor.

3. Construction

Traeger is made using high-quality steel that can withstand heat and can last for years. In addition, they have porcelain-coated grates that prevent food from sticking to them. On top of that, they also have a grease management system to help with cleanup after cooking.

Related: How to Clean Traeger Grease Trap

However, if you’re looking for something more durable and portable, go with Big Green Egg because it’s constructed from ceramic, one of the most durable materials out there.

4. Weight

If you’re looking for a grill that you’ll use to move around your backyard, then go with Big Green Egg because it’s lighter than a Traeger. In addition, it also has handles on both sides so you can easily lift it and transport it from one place to another.

However, if you want something easy to store in your garage or basement, go with Traeger because they are very compact.

5. Temperature Control

Traeger wins in temperature control because they have a built-in thermometer that allows you to see how hot your grill is. In addition, they also have an LED display that shows you what temperature you’re cooking at.

6. Storage

Traeger wins when it comes to storage because they have a shelf where you can put your food, and they also have hooks where you can hang your grilling tools. In addition, they also have a grease management system that makes cleaning up after cooking easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Light Big Green Egg Without Starter?

You only need to drizzle some cooking oil on a newspaper or paper towel that is highly twisted. Place it at one end of your charcoal grate. Light it and wait until you see flames coming out from it.

How To Light Big Green Egg With Electric Starter?

Employing an electric charcoal starter is pretty straightforward. You need to make sure that you have a power source near your grill. It’s best to use a heavy-duty extension cord and plug it into a grounded outlet that’s near your grill.

If you don’t have access to electricity, you can also light your coals using matches or a lighter. But it would be easier if you use an electric starter instead.

How To Cool Down Big Green Egg?

There are faster ways to cool down your grill than just waiting for it to get cold.

Here are a few options:

  • Closing the vents. You may want to close down your vents so that you can reduce airflow and help cool down your grill. Don’t block all of them, though, as you will want to leave at least one vent open for oxygen flow. If you are using charcoal, it would be best to leave a vent open on both sides so that air can still flow freely.
  • Using a pot of water. This method is not only effective but also very simple to do. You need to fill up a pot with water and place it on top of your grill’s cooking grate. The steam that comes out will help cool down your grill quickly. You don’t leave any holes open for air to escape, as you will want all of its heat trapped inside. You can even add ice cubes if you want to speed things up a bit more!

How To Cook On Big Green Egg?

Grilling chops, steaks, burgers, etc., is straightforward. The first step is to prepare your ingredients, making sure they are evenly cut and mixed with spices. If you are grilling meat or fish, it’s also a good idea to marinate them beforehand so that they can absorb flavors better.

It would help if you also planned out how much meat you’ll need so that everything will be cooked thoroughly when you put them on your grill. Remember to have a food thermometer with you as well! It’s crucial for ensuring food safety.

How To Make Pizza On Big Green Egg?

When cooking pizza on a grill, it’s essential to make sure that you have all your ingredients ready. It would help if you also preheated your grill before putting in your pizza. This will help ensure that everything is cooked evenly and thoroughly.

The next step is to put down some foil on top of your grill’s cooking grate. Make sure that you leave enough space for air to flow through! After that, you can put down your pizza dough onto your grill’s cooking grate.

Then, add sauce, cheese, and other toppings as you normally would when making a pizza. Now it’s time to close up your vents so the heat won’t escape quickly from your grill. Keep an eye on how well-cooked each side of your pizza is.

How To Lower Temp On Big Green Egg?

To lower the temperature on Big Green Egg, close the dual-function metal top and bottom vents altogether. This will force heat to stay inside your grill and allow it to cook food at a lower temperature. Another option is closing the draft door, which will enable you to control airflow by adjusting air intake and output.

Conclusion

The battle of the grills was a pretty close one. Both brands have pros and cons, but it really comes down to what you’re looking for in a grill. If you’re looking for something that will last a long time and is easy to use and clean, we recommend going with a Traeger grill.

However, if you want something that is versatile and can cook just about anything you want on it (and won’t break your bank), then we suggest getting a Big Green Egg grill.

Bobby Johnson

When he's not writing about barbecue, you can find Bobby smoking meat for friends and family. He's been a backyard pitmaster for roughly half his life, and has worked with nearly every cut of meat. Not everyone has a hands-on guide to teach them BBQ, but that's what Bobby hopes to do with Electric Smoker HQ. He wants to help people create amazing food that they can be proud of.