Updated on May 29, 2025
I tried the all-new Traeger Woodridge Pro, a user-friendly pellet grill that offers several of Traeger’s advanced grilling features at an accessible price.
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Pellet grills are great because they combine wood-fired flavor with the convenience of a gas grill. They’re perfect for low-and-slow smoking that makes meat fall-off-the-bone tender. Traeger, a household name in the grilling space, has introduced several different lines of pellet grills. Some of the brand’s most iconic models, like the Ironwood and Timberline, are pretty pricey.
This year, however, we were intrigued to see Traeger launch the Woodridge Series, designed to provide the brand’s signature, high-quality grilling experience at more accessible price points. Like the other Traeger grill series, the Woodridge Series includes three new grill models: the Woodridge (base model), Woodridge Pro (mid-tier model) and Woodridge Elite (premium model).
As a grilling enthusiast and Kansas City native, I am serious about barbecuing and smoking meats. As a product tester, I’ve reviewed numerous grills and outdoor cooking gadgets. When I got word of the new Woodridge Series, I was eager to find out if the grill would really offer a superior grilling experience at an affordable price. Here’s how my experience with the Woodridge Pro went.
Traeger's new grill offers the brand's latest technology at a more affordable price.
The Traeger Woodridge Pro is part of Traeger’s Woodridge lineup. Designed for backyards, decks and patios, it represents a step up from the base model Woodridge, which is slightly smaller and has fewer features. The grill is constructed from black, powder-coated steel for impressive durability. Like most other Traeger models, it includes two stationary legs and two legs equipped with large rolling casters, allowing for easy movement as needed.
The hopper is located on the right side of the grill and can hold up to 24 pounds of wood pellets. The temperature control and ignition screen is on the hopper’s front. Once ignited, it can reach 500 degrees. With 970 square inches of cooking space and two tiers, there’s plenty of space for serving up ‘cue to a crowd.
The Woodridge Pro is equipped with WiFIRE technology and a digital pellet sensor. These capabilities allow you to track your cooking and monitor your pellet levels from afar using the Traeger App. The Woodridge Pro also includes a folding side shelf for extra prep space, a super smoke mode and several other standout features to enhance your outdoor cooking experience.
I set up and tested the new Traeger Woodridge Pro in my backyard. Here’s how it went.
The Woodridge Pro was delivered to my home on a pallet. I requested that the pallet be placed near the garage, as it was raining during delivery. I unloaded the pallet once sunny weather prevailed and we had time to build the grill. The delivery was heavy, so I convinced a few family members to help me open the box and carry the individual pieces to the backyard for assembly.
Assembling the grill took about an hour and a half, with two to three people working on it at a time. Everyone involved (my partner, brother and I) agreed that assembly was relatively easy. The box includes the tools necessary for assembly, and the instructions were very clear and easy to follow. Although several pieces and steps were involved, the instruction manual featured detailed pictures and written descriptions with large fonts and symbols.
To test the new pellet grill, we first connected to WiFire via Bluetooth to pair it with the Traeger App. Next, we seasoned the grill, which is essential before cooking. Properly seasoning your grill ensures it is primed for cooking and free of any factory residue.
To season the grill, we plugged it in, filled it with pellets and switched it on. Then, we set it to 350 degrees. Once the grill got up to 350 degrees, we let it run for 15 minutes. This produced quite a bit of smoke and ash, which is normal when first firing up the grill. After 15 minutes, we raised the temperature to 500 degrees and let it run for another 45 minutes to ensure it was properly seasoned.
The instructions note that getting up to seasoning temperature for the first time may take up to an hour, but it took us less than half an hour. After the 45 minutes were up, we initiated the shutdown cycle, which included a countdown timer indicating that the grill was shutting down and cooling.
Editor’s Note: You should familiarize yourself with the assembly guide and owner’s manual before operating your Traeger to avoid any potential dangers or hazards that may arise from misuse.
The next day, we used the Woodridge Pro to cook what pellet grills do best: ribs and pork shoulder. (Truthfully, if you’re looking for a grill to cook things like thin steaks, smash burgers, and lamb chops, you’ll likely want to go the gas grill route to achieve a high-temp sear or opt for one of the Traeger models with a side burner, such as the Woodridge Elite.)
We smoked a pork shoulder for about six hours, first at 300 degrees for two hours, then at 285 degrees for the next two hours, and finally raising it back to 300 degrees for the last two hours. We could have left it on for much longer at a lower temperature, but time was of the essence since we were expecting guests that afternoon.
We spritzed the pork shoulder with apple juice every hour to keep it moist and wrapped it for the final two hours of cooking to enhance moisture, flavor and tenderness. Our efforts yielded super-juicy pulled pork with a nice red smoke ring. Although the pork might have been even more tender if cooked more slowly, it was still very easy to shred and received several compliments from our guests.
Next, we cooked three racks of ribs for four hours, starting at 285 degrees for the first two hours and then increasing to 300 degrees for the last two hours. We usually prefer the 3-2-1 method for smoking ribs, but again, time was limited, and we wanted to see how the new pellet grill performed under pressure.
That said, we still wrapped the ribs in apple juice for the last two hours of cooking, which helped steam and soften them. Of course, we let all the meat rest before serving, and the ribs were a fan favorite in our house. They were smoky and tender enough to pull from the bone easily, and a knife went through them like warm butter.
Later that evening, we used the Woodridge Pro to grill some brats at 350 degrees (about as hot as I’d ever cook something with a pellet grill). The brats got a nice char and were perfectly juicy.
One of the best features of the new Woodridge Pro is its compatibility with the Traeger App, which is efficient, user-friendly and easy to look at. The Traeger App allowed my partner to fire up the grill remotely from the comfort of his pillow at 6 a.m. If you’ve ever rolled out of bed early to go outside and fire up the smoker to ensure the barbecue is ready for company on time, you know how luxurious it is to complete that step from bed without even sliding on your slippers.
The app also allows you to control the grill’s temperature, set timers, view the actual and adjust the target temperature of the meat probe, check pellet levels, select modes like Super Smoke and Keep Warm, shut down the grill and more. You can even order more pellets directly from the app if you’re running low—talk about convenience.
While I found the app’s simplified interface stress-free, it may leave more seasoned pros wanting a bit more. The app essentially brings the controls from the front of the grill to the palm of your hand. While convenient, it doesn’t include additional features like the ability to pre-set a cook schedule or set the grill to respond to probe readings automatically. The app also doesn’t track the grill’s temperature history or record usage.
If you’re wondering how Traeger’s technology compares to other pellet grill brands, Wes Wright, Founder and CEO of CookOut News, says, “Traeger is almost like Apple or Peloton of the pellet grill space. Their tech is arguably better than Recteq’s [for instance], both in terms of the tech on the grill itself and execution on their mobile app.”
The shutdown process is crucial for keeping your Traeger grill operating at its best. Simply press and hold the ignition/shutdown button to start the cycle. As noted, a timer will begin, and you’ll hear the fan running. Once the shutdown cycle is complete, the grill will enter standby mode until your next use.
Before each cook, you should remove any buildup from the drip tray or replace the drip tray liner. You’ll also want to ensure the EZ-Clean Grease and Ash Keg is empty and has a new liner.
After each cook (and once the shutdown cycle is complete), remove any food left behind on the grates while they are still warm. Use a grill brush to scrape food particles and buildup into the EZ-Clean Grease and Ash Keg.
Depending on usage and daily maintenance, you’ll want to vacuum ash out of the firepot and scrape creosote from the backsplash and back of the grill lid every month or so. You’ll also want to wipe down the grill cavity and clean out the grease drain chute.
Traeger’s Ironwood, Woodridge and Pro 34 series are its three most affordable options, with the Ironwood line being the priciest of the bunch and the Pro 34 the least expensive. The Traeger Ironwood and Woodridge Pro share much of the same technology, including WiFIRE connectivity and app compatibility, Super Smoke modes and integrated pellet sensors. The Woodridge grills run a bit larger than the Ironwood grills, but the Ironwood line features an intuitive touchscreen display and includes two wired meat probes, while the Woodridge grills come with only one.
The Traeger Pro 34 is priced lower than the other two grills; however, it lacks WiFIRE connectivity and is not compatible with the Traeger App. Additionally, the Pro 34 is missing features like Super Smoke mode, built-in prep space and the EZ-Clean Grease and Ash Keg. It also isn’t compatible with the PAL Rail or ModiFIRE accessories that can take your Traeger grilling experience to the next level.
All three grill series provide a versatile temperature range, a convenient hopper clean-out and two tiers of grates.
So far, my partner and I are big fans of the Traeger Woodridge Pro. It’s easy to assemble, use and clean, and it delivers even, consistent results. I appreciate that the controls and app are streamlined for hassle-free grilling. While some expert grillers might want more features from the Traeger App, I found its simple interface manageable and easy to use from the first cook. I also appreciate that Traeger has introduced the budget-friendly Woodridge Series, which includes many of the same technological features as the more expensive Ironwood and Timberline grills.
An innovative, budget-friendly pellet grill from a brand you trust
The base model of the Woodridge Pellet Grill retails for about $900, the Woodridge Pro (reviewed here) is priced at around $1,150 and the Woodridge Elite is available for $1,800. You can purchase the Woodridge Pro and other models directly from Traeger, as well as at Home Depot, BBQ Guys, and Ace Hardware.
The details for cleaning your Traeger grill may vary by model, but the basics remain the same. Before cleaning your grill, ensure it is completely cool. The standard cleaning process includes spraying the grates with an all-natural degreaser or cleaner, removing old foil or drip tray liners and emptying the pellets from the hopper.
Occasionally, you’ll want to vacuum the inside the grill, firepot and hopper to ensure your Traeger is operating at its best. If your grill has a chimney, be sure to clean its inside as well. Spraying both the inside and outside of the grill with an all-natural degreaser or cleaner is a good idea. You can also use a homemade mixture of diluted dish soap, water and vinegar.
A grill cover can also extend the lifespan of your Traeger by protecting it from the elements.
Each Traeger model varies slightly, but essentially, all you need to do is plug in a Traeger, turn it on, select a temperature, and press the ignite button. Traeger grills are quite easy to start.
Download and install the Traeger App. Then, pair your grill to the app via Bluetooth by pressing the menu button on the front of your grill and selecting the WiFi grill icon from the menu bar. After that, you can click on the grill icon in the app and select the plus sign in the right corner to add your grill. Your grill must be powered on to connect to WiFi.
The assembly guide included with your grill provides detailed instructions for connecting your specific Traeger to WiFi.
Choosing the right Traeger grill depends on your budget, the number of people you typically cook for, whether you want a portable option and the specific features you desire (e.g., WiFi compatibility).
The Pro 34 is great if you’re on a tight budget and don’t need any bells and whistles on your smoker, while the Timberline series is worth considering if you’re ready to invest in an upscale smoker that packs the punch of a mini outdoor kitchen. The Woodridge series represents a solid middle-of-the-road option, featuring advanced technology and large cooking capacities at a reasonable price. If you’re seeking something portable, look at the Tailgater and Ranger.
Growing up in Kansas City, grilling at home was synonymous with smoking meat, especially barbecue brisket, pulled pork and ribs, so I spent countless hours around pellet smokers. I also have experience writing about Kansas City restaurants and barbecue pits and interviewing some of the country’s most skilled pitmasters.
As a shopping editor at Taste of Home, I’ve worked closely with our Product Testing Team to evaluate Traeger grills and the leading pellet grill models from Pit Boss, Recteq, Weber and Yoder. I have personally tested the Traeger Woodridge Pro in my backyard.
I also chatted with Wes Wright, Founder and CEO of CookOut News, about pellet grills. CookOut News is the largest trade publication in the live-fire cooking industry. Wright is very familiar with pellet grills from Traeger and other brands.
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