Ironwood 885 Zero Smoke Flavor

[BaconGawd]

I recently purchased an Ironwood 885 because of Traeger's reputation and I needed the space for larger cooks. After multiple cooks, multiple different types of meat, and multiple approaches; I am convinced that this grill is 100% trash.

I've spoken with Traeger support multiple times and I have:
1) Tried different pellets (Pro, Signature, Hickory, Mesquite)
2) Tried cooking at super low temps (165, 185, 225)
3) Tried "Super Smoke" (BTW, this is total BS. Super Smoke just turns up and down the fan in rapid cycles which doesn't seem do to anything.)
4) Tried cooking on the top rack

The brisket, chicken, hog, fatback, all come out tasting like they were cooked in an oven. No/Zero smoke flavor at all. It is super embarrassing because I'm serving people this meat. I have to explain to them that I don't know why it doesn't taste like smoke at all. Then have to listen to the same "Did you try 1-4?"

The only thing I have left is to try a smoke tube, but that suggestion tells me this grill is garbage. I can put a smoke tube in a kettle grill and I didn't need to spend 1700 to do that.

My neighbor and I dialed in his Traeger Pro Series by using grill seal tape on the lid and completely closing his smoke stack. I cannot do this with the Ironwood because it has a massive slit along the back.

Has anyone been able to get ANY smoke flavor off the Ironwood 885 w/o a smoke tube? Please Please Please Please Help me....

 

[RayClem]

There are dozens of other threads on this topic. Did you attempt to read any of them before posting?

In case you did not realize it, this forum is not an official Traeger support site. The members here are simply those who own pellet grills and share what they have learned for the benefit of other forum members.

If you want maximum smoke flavor, get an offset smoker. If you want the convenience of an appliance that tends the fire for you, then a Traeger or other pellet grill work., but do not expect the same level of smoke flavor you will get from an offset smoker burning sticks of wood.

There is no ideal cooking appliance for every application. That is why many forum members own a combination of pellet grills, offset smokers, gas grills, charcoal grills, gas fired flat top griddles, and Sous Vide circulators. Each of those devices has things they do well and things they do less well. When planning a cook, backyard chefs will use whichever devices or combination thereof will get the job done best.

I came from the gas grill experience where the only smoke flavor was provided when I used a smoker box. I am more than satisfied with the smoke flavor from my Ironwood. Those who are used to offset smokers area often dissatisfied with the level of smoke flavor. A couple of inexpensive smoke tubes will help bridge that gap. Be sure to use wood chips or a combination of chips and pellets in the tubes as pellets do not generate as much smoke as chips due to lower moisture levels.

A few Traeger owners who want the smoke flavor of an offset smoker while retaining the convenience of a pellet grill will modify their grills to add a smoke generating unit such as the Smoke Daddy. That adds an offset smoker chamber to their pellet grill. You can do a "cold" smoke using only the fire in the smoke generator.

Summer in the deep south can get rather hot. That makes it difficult to run low temperatures in the Traeger, especially if your grill is in direct sunlight. I live in Chicagoland and have measured temperatures as high as 150F in my grill before ever igniting the firepot. Trying to operate the grill at a temperature under 200F is nearly impossible under those conditions. You will get more smoke flavor when cooking after sundown when the heat is coming from burning pellets rather than the sun.

 

[BaconGawd]

I have read. I have seen. I've spoken with Traeger and I'm looking for solutions. This device is called a smoker vs a grill. My neighbor has the traeger with the smoke stack and we were able to put a restrictor plate on it and seal the door with gasket tape. That's solved his problem.

I'm looking for somebody that has been able to get some good smoke flavor out of the 885. Traeger continues to claim that you should be able to smoke meat on an 885.

 

[RayClem]

The Traeger is neither a pellet smoker nor a pellet grill, although it does have some capabilities as a smoker and some as a grill. The "best" description of the Traeger is a pellet burning convection oven.

 

[Murphy's Law]

I believe Traeger calls it "wood fired flavor". It is not a smoker. That should have been evident when you had to modify your buddy's grill in such a way that it shouldn't be modified. Your solution to "more smoke flavor" is to buy a $12 smoke tube and carry on (i.e. consider the tube a modification just like you had to modify the other grill) or take your grill back and get something else other than a pellet grill (although I heard that more expensive pellet grills such as Yoder product slightly more smoke.

Pellets burn very efficiently which is why you aren't getting lots of smoke.

 

[GrillMeister]

I use smoke tube filled with Hickory chips and Bear Mountain Hickory pellets. It puts out plenty of smoke in my IW885.

 

[Mojavejim]

There are dozens of other threads on this topic. Did you attempt to read any of them before posting?

In case you did not realize it, this forum is not an official Traeger support site. The members here are simply those who own pellet grills and share what they have learned for the benefit of other forum members.

If you want maximum smoke flavor, get an offset smoker. If you want the convenience of an appliance that tends the fire for you, then a Traeger or other pellet grill work., but do not expect the same level of smoke flavor you will get from an offset smoker burning sticks of wood.

There is no ideal cooking appliance for every application. That is why many forum members own a combination of pellet grills, offset smokers, gas grills, charcoal grills, gas fired flat top griddles, and Sous Vide circulators. Each of those devices has things they do well and things they do less well. When planning a cook, backyard chefs will use whichever devices or combination thereof will get the job done best.

I came from the gas grill experience where the only smoke flavor was provided when I used a smoker box. I am more than satisfied with the smoke flavor from my Ironwood. Those who are used to offset smokers area often dissatisfied with the level of smoke flavor. A couple of inexpensive smoke tubes will help bridge that gap. Be sure to use wood chips or a combination of chips and pellets in the tubes as pellets do not generate as much smoke as chips due to lower moisture levels.

A few Traeger owners who want the smoke flavor of an offset smoker while retaining the convenience of a pellet grill will modify their grills to add a smoke generating unit such as the Smoke Daddy. That adds an offset smoker chamber to their pellet grill. You can do a "cold" smoke using only the fire in the smoke generator.

Summer in the deep south can get rather hot. That makes it difficult to run low temperatures in the Traeger, especially if your grill is in direct sunlight. I live in Chicagoland and have measured temperatures as high as 150F in my grill before ever igniting the firepot. Trying to operate the grill at a temperature under 200F is nearly impossible under those conditions. You will get more smoke flavor when cooking after sundown when the heat is coming from burning pellets rather than the sun.

My 12 year old Traeger, which I luckily still have, produces a better flavored result than this 885 piece of junk.

 

[CMTiger]

If any of you that find your Traeger embarrassing would like I can take it off of your hands? I will not charge much and your guests want have to suffer from the food you serve them off of it ever again. Just let me know.

 

[Mojavejim]

If any of you that find your Traeger embarrassing would like I can take it off of your hands? I will not charge much and your guests want have to suffer from the food you serve them off of it ever again. Just let me know.

How dare us complain about a $1500 dollar product that doesn't work.
No.....I have the receipt. I'll get a refund

 

[CMTiger]

How dare us complain about a $1500 dollar product that doesn't work.
No.....I have the receipt. I'll get a refund

Complain away. I’m just trying to help.

 

[Mojavejim]

Complain away. I’m just trying to

Complain away. I’m just trying to help.

Being a Smart-Ass is no help...

 

[CMTiger]

Being a Smart-Ass is no help...

Suggestions were made, but ridding yourself of it is the only sure solution. I can assist with that. Fee is negotiable of course.

 

[Mojavejim]

Suggestions were made, but ridding yourself of it is the only sure solution. I can assist with that. Fee is negotiable of course.

Just got off the phone with Sportsmans Warehouse. Full Refund offered with receipt.

Simply getting Rid of it was not the only option. Exchanging it for a full refund is much more palatable...but thanks

 

[caper11]

I own a 885, Im not sure how strong you like your smoke but the wood flavor is definitely in my cooks with this grill.
The 885 with the D2 controller is much more efficient than the older controller that yes smoked quite a bit.

 

[CMTiger]

Just got off the phone with Sportsmans Warehouse. Full Refund offered with receipt.

Simply getting Rid of it was not the only option. Exchanging it for a full refund is much more palatable...but thanks

I’m glad you were able to “rid” yourself of it.