Green Mountain and Traeger Pellet Grills offer flavorful grilling experience with a standard grill and smoker construction and are affordable alternative to more expensive brands. With rising competition and unmatched variety of BBQ grills in the market, the decision on what grill to buy can become quite challenging.
Choosing established brands and adhering to customer feedback and reviews is what smart shoppers do. Thus, we have compiled a detailed review to provide a comparison between these two well-known brands; Green Mountain and Traeger Wood Pellet Grills.
The Best Green Mountain & Traeger Pellet Grills
By analyzing their various BBQ grill models we have accounted for features, benefits, value and customer feedback to help you determine the best grill that suits your needs and budget
. We have selected nine best must-have Green Mountain and Traeger grills for your backyard and patio available for purchase in 2023; out of them, seven are Traeger Pellet Grills and two are Green Mountain Grills.
An in-depth review of each pellet grill discusses their benefits as well as drawbacks to make the selection and purchase process easier for you.
Traeger Grills Lil Tex Elite 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Traeger Lil Tex Elite has a 418 sq. Inch cooking surface that is perfect for hosting a premium BBQ grill and smoked dinner for a fairly large sized family gathering. It is constructed with high-quality steel and a powder coat finish that make it amongst the most reliable grills available for sale today. The Traeger Lil Tex Elite is perfect if you are restricted for space but want a smoker that delivers flavorful meats and vegetables as promised.
Although this model is a little more expensive than other models listed, its high-quality construction, long-term durability, and well-renowned brand name deserve a higher worth. Its non-stick porcelain grill gates also make it easy to clean and ready to be used the next time around.
If you have the budget, few small grills can offer the quality and flavor that the Traeger Lil Tex Elite can deliver.
Pros:
- High-quality, durable construction
- Great taste and flavor from 100% all natural wood pellets
- Able to retain heat and smoke even in winter
- In-built digital controller for temperature regulation
- Easy to clean and use
- Premium quality design and finish
Cons:
- No sear or flame broil option
- On the expensive side
Traeger TEXAS ELITE 34, Black and Bronze
The Traeger Texas Elite 34 provides a large-sized grill that easily entertains huge dinner parties and family gatherings. With its large grilling space of 600+ square inches incorporated with an easy to use digital controller ensures every guest enjoys delicious American style BBQ.
Traeger grills and smokers are appreciated for their great quality as they rarely disappoint in terms of performance and durability. Heavy-duty steel is used to build this grill that is made for lesser heat loss and better control of the temperature during cooking procedures. These features help provide the best cooking results.
The Traeger Texas Elite 34 is around double the price of many other grills and smokers, but it does offer twice the results and is highly recommended for more seasoned BBQ lovers.
Pros:
- Luxury bronze finish
- Large size grilling surface
- Digital Elite Controller with LED display
- Wider legs for improved stability
- Easy maintenance and cleaning
- Easy to assemble, install and use
- No propane, charcoal or gas needed
- Amazon’s Choice for “Traeger grills and smokers”
- Powerful performance
Cons:
- On the expensive side for grills
- No sear or fire broil option
Traeger Grills TFB38TCA Renegade Elite Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Traeger Renegade is one of the best Traeger grills in the market. It is a black and red BBQ grill that offers a unique almost rebellion feel to it that helps it stand out from the crowd. Along with its looks it also quite durable and practical producing great tasting food every time you cook.
The Traeger Renegade is the ideal grill and smoker that comes with a built-in rack and shelf and a 380 sq. Inch cooking surface. It is perfect for serving well-cooked food for medium-sized families.
Its key components include a digital control center that keeps the temperature balanced while cooking. If you are planning to cook some smoked ribs, grilled steak, and baked potatoes, this is the perfect grill for you.
Pros:
- Cool black and red design
- Built-in rack and shelf
- Comes with a cookbook with amazing recipes
- Easy to assemble and use
- Durable and long-lasting construction
- Accurate digital temperature control
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons:
- No sear or fire broil feature
- Tad more expensive than other models
Traeger Grills Bronson 20 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
The Traeger Bronson 20 Wood Pellet grill is smaller in size and lightweight which makes it highly convenient for camping, tailgating, and remote outdoor adventures.
If you are planning to set a BBQ and smoker up on a small patio or deck, the Traeger is a great option to consider as it provides a high-quality grill and smoker that can fit in a relatively small space thanks to its compact design.
Although it lacks some of the premium features that are present in other models, it makes this up by being a much more durable and practical unit.
Its high-quality steel construction is accompanied with heavy-duty components to make it a long-lasting product that provides outstanding cooking results. Don’t doubt its size; it will amaze you with its big punch of taste and flavor. If you are looking for a smart grill that packs a punch the Traeger Bronson might just be the ideal choice.
Pros:
- Compact design
- 6-in-1 Versatility
- Durable and reliable construction
- Awarded Amazon’s Choice for “Traeger grill.”
- Easy assembling and usage
- Easy to clean non-stick porcelain grill
Cons:
- Small-size
- No sear or flame broil feature
Traeger TFS60LZC Select Elite Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
The Traeger Select Elite is the perfect grill if you are looking for something that is more top-of-the-line and can accommodate cooking for larger gatherings.
This grill has a compact and aesthetic modern design that comes with practical features such as added storage space and prep shelves that help make cooking fun and easy. Its enclosed cabinet and bronze finish make it stand out and get noticed. The Traeger Elite is sure to get you some amazing compliments on your next gathering.
It has several features that make it more special than other grills, including a heavy-duty steel construction, non-stick porcelain grill grates, and stainless-steel prep-shelves. For such a large unit it is also fairly easy to clean and maintain thanks to a well-thought-out design and construction.
Paying a premium isn’t so bad when you get a premium, reliable and ultra-cool product in return.
Pros:
- Enclosed bottom storage space
- Stainless steel prep side shelves
- Glide wheels and locking casters for increased mobility and stability
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Large-size grilling area
- Digital Elite Controller
- Heavy-duty design and construction
Cons:
- No sear or flame broil option
- Premium product. Premium price
Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill – WIFI enabled
The Davy Crockett is a portable grill that comes with a digital WiFi controller that helps you control the temperature with your iOS or Android mobile application. This amazing feature allows you to sit back and relax knowing your food is being cooked just right.
The Davy Crockett also includes a meat probe, a peaked lid for stand-up chicken/large fowl, rib racks and a convenience tray with utensil hooks for added convenience and practicality. The grill also has a Sense-mate which is a thermal sensor used to monitor grill temperature and runs perfectly on a 12V or 120AC output.
This small grill is ideal if you are looking for a smart, modern and stylish grill that can fit in a small patio and is also durable enough to take along for camping, tailgating and picnicking. The Davy Crockett is lightweight, has foldable legs and is extremely practical and convenient for traveling and camping.
Pros:
- Digital control center
- WiFi enabled controller
- Sense-mate available
- Small size easy for traveling
- Convenient for small space
- Great value for money
- Easy to clean and maintain
Cons:
- Smaller size for large gatherings
GMG 2018 Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Grill/Smoker
The GMG 2018 Green Mountain grill has a brand new design that has been modified to ensure customer satisfaction by providing a unique grilling experience. It is a portable grill that has a single grease tray for easy cleaning and maintenance. A suitable option if you are planning to pack a light grill that is convenient for tailgating and camping in the summer.
Its Server Mode allows you to connect to your grill remotely through a GMG Server Mode that helps you to control and monitor your grill while engaging in other activities. It also includes a Sense-Mate, that monitors grill temperature and alerts you when needed.
It is designed to be handled easily in various weather conditions and comes with a Pellethead Durable All Weather Cover for added protection against the elements. An affordable portable grill that offers great flavor and good heat retention.
Pros:
- Portable and convenient
- Server Mode available to remotely monitor and control grill
- Easy to carry in your car
- All weather cover for protection
- Durable and practical
Cons:
- Small-size
- Some issues with the auger motor
Rec Tec vs. Green Mountain vs. Traeger
After reading through this in-depth analysis, you must be wondering “Which one is the best for me?”, Green Mountain or Traeger? Well before we answer that we need to look at one other new player in the BBQ Grill marketplace; Rec Tec.
Traeger has dominated the high-end BBQ grill market for a long time now but new competitors such as Rec Tec and Green Mountain are looking to muster their way in to gain a little market share.
Rec Tec and Green Mountain are relatively new companies with select models available for sale. With significant success already are they a match to take on the mighty Traeger? Well, the more affordable pricing and unique features certainly make Rec Tec and Green Mountain more enticing grills based on value alone for BBQ lovers still learning the ropes. However, in terms of quality, durability, and warranty the Traeger still stands in a league of its own.
When it comes down to it a Rec Tec vs Traeger vs Green Mountain could all be ideal choices for you depending on your needs and preferences. To make the process easier for you to decide which one would suit you the best, we suggest you consider factors such as durability, size, value, features, warranty, and benefits before making a purchase.
Size
Traeger, Green Mountain, and Rec Tec all have grills and smokers available in various sizes. However, Traeger definitely has an edge when it comes to size alone thanks to the many different models available that allow customers to choose the best size for their needs.
the relatively new Rec Tec and Green Mountain grills come in smaller sizes and are targeted towards a more outdoorsy target audience. If you are hosting a gathering for small to medium-sized families, a grill with 300 to 400 sq. Inches of cooking space is good enough to prepare a meal for a group of 6-8 people at a time.
However, if you need a grill to host parties and plan to invite a larger audience then you need a grill that offers at least 600 sq.Inches of cooking space. Traeger grills and smokers offer more variety for larger grills and are definitely the better choice for customers looking for a large-sized premium grill.
Material Used
High-quality, durable steel is used by all three manufacturers in an attempt to retain heat for quality cooking. However, the grade of steel and molding process used can have an impact on the level of quality and durability of the final product.
Also, internal components like the auger motor, wheels, and grill grates, that are often overlooked can greatly impact the performance of the grill and the cooking experience.
In terms of quality of materials used Traeger wins again for its well-renowned highly durable grills that are solidly constructed and can weather the elements much better than the competition.
Cooking Features
Here is where the new guys on the block start to land some blows on the old dependable Traeger. Although, Traeger is a leader in the BBQ grill space some of their more recent models seem a little out of touch for today’s modern BBQ enthusiast.
Brands like Green Mountain and Rec Tec are capitalizing on this by adding new modern features that make Barbecuing a lot more fun and easy. Features such as Sense Mat and WiFi enabled functions that allow users to monitor the grill remotely through your smartphone is super cool and definitely targeted towards a younger audience. This option is not available in Traeger Grills.
On the other hand, Traeger Grills offer a lot more when it comes to natural flavors and old-school cooking techniques that truly bring out that American authentic BBQ flavor we all crave.
Value
Rec Tec and Green Mountain both have Traeger beat on price. Traeger grills are generally much heavier, and made for larger gathering; thus they tend to be more expensive. However, they do also offer much more in terms of durability and reliability.
In terms of affordability and price alone the Rec Tec and Green Mountain are good purchases as they offer excellent functionality and are great little grills for camping and smaller patios.
Hopper Size
As Traeger grills have larger sizes, they also have the space to store a larger number of wood pallets inside the smoker and grill. Green Mountain and Rec Tec lack these options.
The Best Pit Boss & Traeger Pellet Grills & Smokers
This detailed review of the best grills and smoker options is aimed to ease purchase decisions for the coming summer season. The selection process for grills can often get confusing, and since grills are generally expensive, knowing what to purchase and when can make all the difference to a fun-filled summer ahead.
There are many other factors to be considered like your budget, cooking preferences, and grill size requirements. Both manufacturers offer great quality products that are built-to-last and will not disappoint. If you are in the market for something more modern and stylish that is lightweight and perfect for RV and camping trips the Green Mountain grill might just be a perfect choice.
Choosing a grill that best suits your needs is what is important when making a well-informed buying decision. This guide includes reviews for genuine Green Mountain and Traeger products that are sold by reliable suppliers that are certified by regulatory bodies.