I remember the frustration of trying to get consistent results from my old grill. Flare-ups, uneven heat, and the constant struggle to maintain a low temperature for smoking were major headaches. Achieving that perfect smoky flavor felt more like luck than skill. I knew there had to be a better way, something that could make outdoor cooking less stressful and more enjoyable. Solving this problem was crucial; otherwise, dinner would continue to be a gamble, and hosting cookouts felt daunting rather than fun. Finding a reliable cooker, like a wood pellet grill, felt like the key to unlocking consistently delicious results without the fuss.
- Never use gas or charcoal again: cooking with wood just tastes better. Traeger created the original wood-pellet grill as the ultimate way to achieve wood-fired taste
- Versatile barbecue cooking: hot and fast, or low and slow, the Traeger Pro Series 34 pellet grill offers 6-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ food to juicy perfection
- Precision temperature control: The Digital Pro Controller rocks Advanced Grilling Logic, which maintains a plus /- 15 degree F temperature control to precision grilling. 450 °F Max Temp
What to Look for in a Pellet Grill
A wood pellet grill is designed to take the guesswork out of smoking and grilling, providing consistent temperatures and infusing food with authentic wood-fired flavor. Someone seeking delicious BBQ results with minimal effort, who enjoys hosting gatherings, or wants versatility beyond basic grilling would find a pellet grill appealing. However, if you primarily need intense, direct heat for searing thin steaks or cooking burgers in just a few minutes, a traditional charcoal or gas grill might still be necessary, as many pellet grills don’t excel at scorching heat. Before buying, consider the cooking area needed, the temperature range it offers (especially for low-and-slow smoking), the ease of temperature control, the build quality and durability, ease of cleaning, and added features like meat probes or Wi-Fi connectivity (though the Pro 34 is a classic model without Wi-Fi).
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Introducing the Traeger Pro 34
For years now, my go-to outdoor cooker has been the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze. Traeger pretty much invented the wood pellet grill category, promising simple operation and incredible wood-fired flavor across multiple cooking styles. When you get the Traeger Pro 34, it comes with the main grill body, legs, hoppers, grates, and includes a wired meat probe and the necessary tools for assembly. Compared to earlier models, the Pro 34 series introduced features like the Digital Pro Controller and Advanced Grilling Logic, aiming for better temperature consistency than previous iterations. This specific Traeger Pro 34 model is perfect for families and those who like to entertain, thanks to its substantial cooking area. It’s less ideal if your absolute priority is replicating the intense char and crust you get from high-temp searing on a charcoal or gas grill.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my experience:
Pros:
* Produces fantastic wood-fired flavor effortlessly.
* Incredibly versatile with its 6-in-1 cooking capabilities.
* Maintains temperatures very consistently for low-and-slow cooks.
* Large cooking area handles big batches of food.
* Simple “set it and forget it” operation.
Cons:
* Doesn’t reach extremely high searing temperatures.
* Included meat probe can sometimes be inaccurate.
* Paint finish may show wear and flaking over time.
* Assembly can sometimes reveal minor cosmetic dents or alignment issues from shipping.
Deep Dive into Performance
Effortless Wood-Fired Flavor
This is the core promise of any Traeger grill, and the Pro 34 delivers. Ditching gas and charcoal entirely means every cook gets that distinct, aromatic wood smoke infusion. The Traeger Grills Pro 34 automatically feeds hardwood pellets into a fire pot, creating smoke and heat that circulates around your food. It’s this process that gives brisket, ribs, chicken, and even baked goods a depth of flavor you simply can’t achieve with other fuel sources. It makes a huge difference in the final product; guests always comment on the delicious smoky taste.
6-in-1 Cooking Versatility
The Traeger Pro 34 isn’t just a smoker; it’s a true multi-tool for your patio. Traeger touts its 6-in-1 capability: grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ. While I lean heavily on its smoking abilities, I’ve used it for baking (like cornbread or even desserts), roasting vegetables alongside meats, braising cuts like pot roast after a good smoke, and of course, general barbecuing. This versatility means the Traeger Pro 34 can replace multiple single-purpose cookers. We’ve done everything from large pork butts and briskets for parties to weekday meals like roasted chicken or steak and vegetables. It truly expands your outdoor cooking menu far beyond just burgers and hot dogs.
Precision Temperature Control
The Digital Pro Controller with Advanced Grilling Logic is a significant feature of the Traeger Pro 34. It’s designed to maintain the set temperature within +/- 15°F. For someone used to constantly fiddling with vents and dampers on a charcoal smoker, this is a revelation. You set the temperature, the grill feeds pellets as needed, and it holds that temp remarkably well. This consistency is absolutely critical for low-and-slow smoking, where maintaining a steady temperature over many hours is key to tender, juicy meat. While the maximum temperature of 450°F is sufficient for roasting and some grilling, it’s not designed for extreme high-heat searing like some other grills, which is a noted disadvantage if that’s your primary need. Also, some users have noted that the ‘Smoke’ setting, intended for lower temperatures like 180-200°F, can sometimes hover around 235°F, which is something to be aware of if you’re aiming for ultra-low smoking temps, although it still produces good results.
Generous Cooking Capacity
With 884 square inches of cooking space, the Traeger Pro 34 offers plenty of room for cooking for a crowd. It can easily handle multiple briskets or pork butts, numerous racks of ribs, or dozens of burgers. This large capacity is a major plus when hosting family gatherings or parties. I’ve found it makes meal prep for events much simpler since I can cook everything on one device. While there are upper racks that add to the capacity, it’s worth noting that very large cuts of meat might limit the use of the top rack due to height constraints, as experienced by other users when cooking large briskets and pork butts simultaneously. But for standard cooks, the space is more than ample.
Solid and Durable Construction
The Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze features sturdy steel construction with a powder coat finish, designed to withstand the elements. The porcelain grill grates are easy to clean, and the all-terrain wheels make it reasonably easy to move around on the patio or deck. It feels substantial and well-built. However, after several years of use, I have noticed some flaking of the paint on certain areas, which is a cosmetic downside to an otherwise robust structure, even when kept covered. Also, while the packaging is generally good, there’s a possibility of receiving units with minor cosmetic dents or slight structural deformations (like a bent leg socket or a slightly misaligned auger door) potentially from manufacturing or transit, as reported by some buyers, though these often don’t impact performance.
Remarkable Ease of Use
Coming from manual smokers, the ease of using the Traeger Pro 34 was a game-changer. You literally fill the hopper with pellets, turn it on, set the temperature dial, and let it do its thing. The automatic auger feeds pellets to maintain the temperature, meaning you don’t need to constantly monitor and adjust like you would with charcoal or stick burners. This “set it and forget it” nature is incredibly convenient, especially for long smoking sessions overnight or while you’re busy doing other things. While some purists might argue that it doesn’t produce the *absolute* deepest smoke flavor possible compared to carefully tended offset smokers, the convenience and excellent results make it a fantastic option for most home cooks. It certainly produces a far superior smoke flavor than gas or electric smokers I’ve used in the past.
Pellet Efficiency
When I first got the Traeger Pro 34, I was a little concerned about how many pellets it would consume. It does use a fair amount of pellets to get up to temperature initially, which is why some users, myself included, might opt for a different grill for quick high-heat tasks like burgers or steaks where it doesn’t run long enough for the wood flavor to fully develop anyway and efficiency is lower. However, once it reaches the set temperature, especially for low-and-slow smoking around 225°F, it sips pellets quite efficiently. A large bag lasts for many hours of cooking, making the fuel cost quite reasonable compared to charcoal or propane for similar cooking times.
Included Wired Meat Probe
The Traeger Pro 34 includes a wired meat probe that plugs into the controller, allowing you to monitor the internal temperature of your food without opening the lid. This is a handy feature for keeping track of your cook’s progress, especially for large cuts of meat. However, based on my experience and user feedback, the accuracy of the included probe can sometimes be inconsistent. It’s always a good idea to verify the temperature with a reliable instant-read thermometer, especially when cooking critical items like brisket or pork butt to a specific internal temperature. I personally often rely on my own secondary probes for peace of mind.
Hear from Other Owners
After checking around online, it’s clear that many people share my positive experience with the Traeger Pro 34. Users consistently rave about how easy it is to use compared to traditional smokers and the excellent flavor it imparts. Many highlight the large cooking capacity as a major benefit for entertaining. While the results are widely praised, a few users did mention some cosmetic issues upon delivery, such as minor dents or slight alignment problems, and some noted the temperature probe wasn’t always spot-on. Overall, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive regarding its performance and convenience for achieving delicious smoked and BBQ foods.
Is This Grill Right for You?
Dealing with the inconsistency and difficulty of traditional methods can take the joy out of outdoor cooking. Achieving that perfect, smoky result shouldn’t require round-the-clock attention and endless temperature adjustments. The Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze offers a fantastic solution. Its ease of use means you can set it and forget it, its precise temperature control ensures consistent results, and its 6-in-1 versatility allows you to tackle everything from low-and-slow brisket to baked goods. If you’re looking for delicious wood-fired flavor without the hassle, this wood pellet grill is definitely worth considering. To learn more and see current pricing, Click here.
Last update on 2025-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API