How often have you gone to BBQ and the food was not cooked well, or maybe it had a weird taste? What if I told you that there is something out there that will make your BBQ experience 10x better? Introducing the Traeger Renegade Elite Pellet Grill. This grill has everything that you need for a fantastic cooking experience!
Traeger has been around since 1990, and they have not stopped innovating. Today, they are one of the most prominent grill manufacturers in America.
The brand is all about making grilling and outdoor cooking simple, whether you’re a novice or a long-time backyard chef. It’s one of the few brands that offer a wide range of pellet grill options for new and experienced cooks. Traeger has a ton of different models, so you can pick one that meets your needs.
The brand is perfect for people who want a high-quality product that will last a long time and keep them cooking delicious food. These grills are built with quality materials, great designs, and all the features you need to have a unique outdoor cooking experience.
The Renegade is one of their signature models, and it does not disappoint (especially for its price). It has all the features you need to make some of the most fantastic BBQs you will ever have.
What is a pellet grill, and how does it work?
A barbeque gadget known as a pellet grill uses tiny, tightly compressed pellets as fuel. Different types of wood can be used to create these pellets. Depending on the type of wood they are constructed of, pellets burn hotter than charcoal and emit a smoky fragrance. As a result, your meat will have the right barbecue-friendly smokey flavor.
Compared to other barbecue kinds, pellet grills are easier to operate. They work well for both direct and indirect grilling. They are energy-efficient and can cook meals rapidly. Many individuals who value barbecue with exceptional flavor and in the quickest amount of time feasible use pellet grills.
Let’s examine all the characteristics that are included with this grilling apparatus:
Traeger Renegade Elite GrillĀ Specs
- 380 sq inches of cooking surface
- Precise temperature controller
- LED digital temperature readout
- Advanced grease management
- Pellet hopper clean-out for effortless pellet reloading
Sturdy build
The quality of the build is important because it indicates how durable the grill is. The more robust the grill, the better the heat insulation is, and the better your food will be cooked.
This grill has a heavy-duty steel construction, which makes it resistant to corrosion. It also has a high-quality powder coat finish. This will help prevent rusting.
Traeger Renegade is a sturdy and durable grill that will last for a very long time if you take care of it. You can use it in all types of weather without any problems because it has a tight-fitting lid and a high-quality cooker body.
Like all the pellet grills, Renegade is great at indirect cooking. This makes it perfect not only for grilling but for smoking, roasting, and baking as well. You can also use it to make some of the most delicious pizzas you will ever have!
Adjustable temperature
Another great feature is the effortlessly adjustable temperature, which allows you to set the exact desired cooking temperature. It goes from 180 degrees Fahrenheit up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s enough for any type of cooking you want to do.
You can set it and forget the grill! The temperature control will make sure your meat is cooked perfectly every time. This grill is great for smoking meats as well because you can keep the temperature low without worrying about it fluctuating.
Simple fueling and ventilation system
Traeger keeps it simple with their grills, and that’s why they are so easy to use. You just have to add the wood pellets into the hopper, then plug in your grill and let it do its magic!
Renegade Elite is easy to refuel because of the simple design of the fuel system.
This makes it very simple even when you’re grilling for a large group of people because you don’t have to worry about running out of fuel.
The airflow is adjustable, and the position of the air inlets controls how hot it gets inside the grill. You can choose different settings for when you cook something else than meat, such as bread.
Performance
A major drawback of most charcoal and wood-fueled grills is the uneven heat distribution. Many people struggle to get the temperature right, especially when cooking large pieces of meat.
The Renegade is powered by 100% all-natural wood pellets. This is what makes pellet grills so great! This makes it easy to cook with and gives your food a lot of flavors.
Firing up the Renegade pellet grill is as simple as pressing a button on the digital temperature controller. The convection blower will then distribute the heat evenly, and you will see smoke coming out of the top vent. This makes cooking on Traeger pellet grills very easy because you don’t have to worry about adjusting the temperature yourself!
The porcelain-coated grill grates improve further the heat distribution and are rust-resistant. In addition, you won’t even need to flip your meat because the pellet grill will cook it evenly throughout.
The excellent heat distribution makes it perfect for smoking different kinds of foods. You can smoke all kinds of meat, fish, and cheese if you want to! It also works great when baking things like bread, pizzas, cookies, and cakes.
Traeger Renegade pellet grill is great at indirect cooking. He can go very low if you want to smoke for a long time or use the slow cooking method to make your meat extra tender. The internal temperature will not fluctuate, so you can go away from the grill and leave it cooking while you prepare the sides.
Controlling the temperature is one of the most important features of any grill, and Renegade Elite does it very well. The digital temperature controller is also exact. The temperature can be adjusted, and you can easily see the actual ambient temperature through the digital display.
Grease management and cleaning
The Renegade pellet grill is easy to clean. It’s very simple to remove the ash pan and dump the ash from it. You won’t have to worry about getting your hands dirty or needing tools to do it.
The porcelain-enameled steel is rust-resistant, so you don’t have to think about your grill getting damaged easily. Traeger designed this pellet grill for outdoor use, so it’s perfect for any weather condition!
You will also love the “EZ-Drain” grease management system Traeger uses on their Renegade grills. All the drippings are gathered in a small bucket attached to the side of the grill.
Ease of use
Traeger grills are very easy to use because they come with high-tech digital temperature controls that make cooking more effortless than ever before.
The Renegade Elite has a built-in intelligent grill temperature sensor and a patented “Pellet Hopper” system.
The digital controls allow you to set the exact grilling temperature without any worries. You can also monitor the ambient temperature of the grill through Traeger’s innovative digital displays.
The Renegade grill comes with a magnetic tool rack that makes it easy to store all your tools safely.
In addition, the grill is very lightweight and has two heavy-duty wheels. This is perfect for those who want to move their grill around easily from place to place.
Wood Pellets as a Fuel Source
Pellet grills are very efficient. Cooking your food with wood pellets instead of charcoal, gas, or propane makes the grill more versatile! You can choose different kinds of flavors for your food.
Here’s a brief list of the basic types of woods and the meats they match well:
- Maple – Brings sweet notes and pairs well with pork, chicken, beef, or turkey.
- Alder – Goes well with poultry, pork, and lamb. It adds a light, earthy flavor.
- Oak – A classic for beef and pork
- Pecan – Pairs well with poultry and beef
- Hickory – Great for pork ribs, jerky, and fish.
- Mesquite – Ideal for steak and chicken. Works best when used indirect heat cooking method.
- Cherry – Pairs beautifully with poultry. It has a sweet, mild flavor that’s not overpowering at all!
The possibilities are endless because you can also use various wood pellets to enhance your food’s smoky flavors. You can try different wood types to see which pair best with your favorite foods!
Drawbacks
The biggest drawback of this grill is its powder coat finish. Many customers have complained about it being too thin and easy to chip. In some cases, the paint will start peeling off after a few uses at the highest temperature!
Another disadvantage that must be mentioned is the lack of a lower shelf.
Lastly, we should mention that this grill doesn’t do well in searing. This can be a deal-breaker for those who enjoy grilling at high temperatures.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Versatile, durable, portable
- High-quality materials Resistant to rust and corrosion
- Great for cooking different types of meats
- Easy temperature control Lightweight
- It has a preparation rack and magnetic tool rack
- Great for “set and forget” kind of cooking
- Effortless cleaning and advanced grease management system
- Wood pellets add a nice flavor to the food
Cons:
- Powder coat finish can chip or come off quickly at higher temperatures
- You can’t use it for high-heat searing
- No lower shelf for extra storage
Conclusion
This grill is excellent for those looking for a well-built, versatile grill that doesn’t cost a fortune. The Traeger Renegade Elite is perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike!