How Well Does a Traeger Sear, Really?

[Seed]

Hello,

Im used to cooking steaks pretty hot with about a 600 degree sear on a ceramic. It's really one of the only reasons I keep a ceramic around cause I use the Traeger so much for smokes and such. I'm curious though, the sear is really good with iron grates on a KJ; can the sear really be that good on a 500 degree Traeger? It's more of an oven temp deal then a bottom fire direct heat so i'm curious what your experiences are. I have some grill grates as well. Pictures would help.

C

 

[Smokey Black]

Porc grates hit and miss, throw a cast iron grate or a grillgrat on and yes. My 12.5 cast iron grate on top of the cermaic grate at 500.

 

[Steevo]

I have the new Ironwood 650, and although it gets pretty hot, I still like the sear from my Weber Genesis better, so most reverse sears go from my Traeger to the Weber for searing.

 

[Seed]

Porc grates hit and miss, throw a cast iron grate or a grillgrat on and yes. My 12.5 cast iron grate on top of the cermaic grate at 500.

That coloring looks pretty good. Nice browning.

 

[Joshnic]

My ironwood 650 sears perfect!!!!

 

[BigJohnBBQ]

My Timberline doesn’t compare to my bge.
For searing. I’ve heard grill grates can make a difference but I just use the other rool

 

[GrillMeister]

My Timberline doesn’t compare to my bge.
For searing. I’ve heard grill grates can make a difference but I just use the other rool

I hear ya. Tried it in my Ironwood 885 with a cast iron griddle. Doesn't hold a candle to my BGE.

Did some bone in ribeye's (over 2 lbs each) over the weekend, smoke bath in the Ironwood for about 80 minutes at 220, then seared 2 minutes a side on the egg at thermonuclear temps. See video below.

 

[Seed]

I hear ya. Tried it in my Ironwood 885 with a cast iron griddle. Doesn't hold a candle to my BGE.

Did some bone in ribeye's (over 2 lbs each) over the weekend, smoke bath in the Ironwood for about 80 minutes at 220, then seared 2 minutes a side on the egg at thermonuclear temps. See video below.

View attachment 547

That's a sear! I just dont think the Traegers or any pellet "oven" can do it like a KJ or BGE.

 

[GrillMeister]

My Timberline doesn’t compare to my bge.
For searing. I’ve heard grill grates can make a difference but I just use the other rool

They certainly can. The 16.25" Sear Station fits the Ironwood perfectly in the middle.

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