If you’re in the market for a portable pellet grill, the Traeger Tailgater might be worth considering. This compact grill is designed to be taken on the go, making it perfect for tailgating, camping, and other outdoor adventures. But is it worth the investment? In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Traeger Tailgater and help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.
Design and Features
The Traeger Tailgater is designed to be lightweight and portable, with folding legs that make it easy to transport. It features a digital controller that allows you to set and maintain the temperature, as well as a porcelain-coated grill grates that are easy to clean. With a cooking surface of 300 square inches, it’s large enough to cook for a small group of people. But how does it perform when it comes to cooking?
Key Takeaways
- The Traeger Tailgater is a portable pellet grill that’s perfect for tailgating and camping.
- It features a digital controller and porcelain-coated grill grates for easy temperature control and cleaning.
- While it may not be the best option for large groups, it’s a great choice for smaller gatherings and outdoor adventures.
Design and Features
The Traeger Tailgater is a compact and portable pellet grill that is perfect for tailgating, camping, or any outdoor adventure. This grill has a sturdy build and is designed to be lightweight and easy to transport. Here are some of the key features of the Traeger Tailgater:
Build and Portability
The Traeger Tailgater is built with high-quality materials and is designed to be both durable and lightweight. It has foldable legs that make it easy to move around and store. The grill also comes with wheels that make it easy to transport. The aluminum construction of the grill makes it lightweight and easy to move around.
Control and Efficiency
The Traeger Tailgater has a digital arc controller that makes it easy to set and maintain the temperature of your grill. The temperature sensor ensures that the grill maintains a consistent temperature, which is essential for cooking your food to perfection. The grill is also designed to be efficient and uses pellets to provide a steady source of heat.
Cooking Capabilities
The Traeger Tailgater has a temperature range of 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is perfect for smoking, grilling, and BBQ. It has 300 square inches of cooking space, which is enough to cook up to 12 burgers at a time. The grill also has a pellet hopper with a capacity of 8 pounds, which provides enough fuel for hours of cooking.
Additional Features
The Traeger Tailgater comes with a variety of additional features that make it easy to use and maintain. It has a grease drip tray that makes cleaning up after cooking a breeze. It also has a keep warm mode that keeps your food warm until you are ready to serve it. The grill also comes with a meat probe that allows you to monitor the internal temperature of your food.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 36 x 37 x 18 inches
- Weight: 62 pounds
- Hopper Capacity: 8 pounds
- Cooking Space: 300 square inches
Warranty
The Traeger Tailgater comes with a 3-year warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty gives you peace of mind knowing that your grill is backed by a reputable company.
Performance and Use
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRs9pajWBO4&embed=true
When it comes to performance, the Traeger Tailgater pellet grill is an excellent choice for those who want a versatile and easy-to-use smoker. Here are some of the key features that make it a great option for smoking, grilling, and more.
Ease of Use
One of the biggest benefits of the Traeger Tailgater is its ease of use. With just a few simple steps, you can set the temperature, add your pellets, and start smoking or grilling. The digital controller makes it easy to adjust the temperature to your desired setting, and the hopper can hold up to 8 pounds of pellets, so you can smoke or grill for hours without having to refill.
Versatility
The Traeger Tailgater is also a versatile smoker grill, allowing you to smoke, grill, bake, braise, and more. Whether you want to smoke a brisket, grill a steak, or bake a pizza, this smoker grill can handle it all. Plus, with its compact size, it’s easy to take on the go, making it perfect for tailgating, camping, and more.
Cooking Performance
When it comes to cooking performance, the Traeger Tailgater delivers consistent temperature control, which is essential for achieving the perfect smoky flavor. The hardwood pellets provide a rich, smoky flavor that is hard to beat, and the grill grates are designed to distribute heat evenly, so you can achieve a perfect sear on your meats.
Fuel Efficiency
The Traeger Tailgater is also fuel-efficient, using only the amount of pellets needed to maintain the desired temperature. This means you won’t have to worry about wasting pellets or running out of fuel in the middle of a smoke or grill session. Plus, the pellets are made from 100% pure hardwood, which means they are free from fillers and additives that can affect the flavor of your food.
Overall, the Traeger Tailgater is an excellent choice for those who want a versatile and easy-to-use smoker grill that delivers consistent temperature control and a rich, smoky flavor. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced pitmaster, this portable pellet grill is sure to impress.
Food Preparation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJPWBhOo5O4&embed=true
The Traeger Tailgater is a versatile smoker grill that can cook a wide variety of foods, from burgers to racks of ribs, brisket, and pork shoulder. In this section, we’ll cover some of the basics of food preparation, including meat cooking and seasoning.
Meat Cooking
The Traeger Tailgater is a pellet smoker that uses wood pellets to create smoke, which infuses your food with a smoky flavor. To cook meat on the Traeger Tailgater, you’ll need to set the temperature to the desired level and wait for the smoker to heat up. Once the smoker is up to temperature, you can place your meat on the grill and let it cook.
For burgers, you can expect to cook them for about 10-12 minutes per side at a temperature of 400°F. For ribs, you’ll want to cook them for 3-4 hours at a temperature of 225°F. For brisket, you’ll want to cook it for 12-16 hours at a temperature of 225°F. For pork shoulder, you’ll want to cook it for 10-12 hours at a temperature of 225°F.
Seasoning and Flavor
The Traeger Tailgater is great for adding a smoky flavor to your food, but you can also enhance the flavor with seasoning. Before cooking your meat, you can season it with your favorite spices and herbs. For burgers, you can use a simple seasoning of salt and pepper. For ribs, you can use a dry rub that includes paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder. For brisket, you can use a rub that includes salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. For pork shoulder, you can use a rub that includes salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and brown sugar.
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In conclusion, the Traeger Tailgater is a versatile smoker grill that can cook a wide variety of foods. To get the best results, you’ll want to pay attention to the temperature and cook time for each type of meat. Additionally, you can enhance the flavor of your food with seasoning and herbs.
Conclusion and Purchase
Now that you’ve read our review of the Traeger Tailgater, you might be wondering if it’s worth purchasing. In our opinion, the Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill is an excellent portable grill for those who enjoy outdoor cooking. It’s perfect for camping trips, tailgating events, and backyard barbecues.
If you’re looking for a portable smoker that’s easy to use and produces delicious, flavorful food, then the Traeger Tailgater 20 is an excellent choice. It’s compact, lightweight, and easy to transport, making it an ideal option for those who love to cook on the go.
When it comes to value, the Traeger Tailgater is a bit on the expensive side, but it’s well worth the investment if you’re serious about outdoor cooking. With its durable construction and high-quality components, this portable wood pellet grill is built to last.
Overall, we highly recommend the Traeger Tailgater for anyone who’s in the market for a portable grill or smoker. It’s a versatile, reliable, and easy-to-use option that’s sure to impress even the most discerning outdoor cooking enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the specs of the Traeger Tailgater TFB30KLF?
The Traeger Tailgater TFB30KLF is a compact pellet grill with a cooking area of 300 square inches. It features a Digital Elite Controller for precise temperature control, and it weighs around 62 pounds. The grill is designed for portability and is equipped with EZ-Fold Legs for easy transport.
How much wattage does the Traeger Tailgater use?
The Traeger Tailgater operates on 300 watts of power, providing consistent and even heat distribution for grilling, smoking, and barbecuing.
What accessories are available for the Traeger Tailgater?
Accessories for the Traeger Tailgater include a variety of custom-fit covers, grill racks, and portable folding shelves. Additionally, there are options for adding a front shelf or a bottom shelf to enhance the functionality of the grill.
Is there a manual available for the Traeger Tailgater?
Yes, Traeger provides a comprehensive manual for the Tailgater grill, offering detailed instructions on assembly, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
What is the Traeger Ranger and how does it compare to the Tailgater?
The Traeger Ranger is another portable pellet grill model, similar to the Tailgater. The main difference lies in their size and cooking capacity. While the Tailgater offers a larger cooking area, the Ranger is more compact and designed for ultra-portability.
What is the maximum turkey size that can fit in the Traeger Tailgater?
The Traeger Tailgater can accommodate a turkey of up to 20 pounds, making it suitable for cooking larger cuts of meat and poultry while maintaining its portability and convenience for outdoor use.
