Pro 780 exchange for Ironwood 650

[This Charring Man]

I recently bought a Pro 780 because I couldn't find an Ironwood 650. Well now turns out I found one at the same dealer that wasn't listed in online inventory. So, for a net difference of $54, I can exchange the 780 for the 650, including all the accessories I bought for it. I don't need the extra real estate of the 780, I only cook for my small family. I just think the 650 has features that are more efficient.

Talk me out of it.

 

[Murphy's Law]

Get what you want or you’ll always regret it!

 

[Spanky]

We are empowering you to spend your 54 dollars and get what you want.

Agree with Murphy's direction "Get what you want or you’ll always regret it!"

That has been my learning over time as well.

PS - Enjoy the Timberline 650

 

[CMTiger]

We are empowering you to spend your 54 dollars and get what you want.

Agree with Murphy's direction "Get what you want or you’ll always regret it!"

That has been my learning over time as well.

PS - Enjoy the Timberline 650

Ironwood but yeah. If your current dilemma is being not sure if the ironwood is worth the $54 or not, but being certain it’s the one you would prefer, get the Ironwood. I have a pro575 and the side shelf the ironwood series comes with may be enough on it’s on to make me spend the $54 extra dollars

 

[JamesB]

I wouldn’t want to give up the “extra real estate”. IMO, sooner rather than later you will be glad you have it..

 

[Slimpicker]

I recently bought a Pro 780 because I couldn't find an Ironwood 650. Well now turns out I found one at the same dealer that wasn't listed in online inventory. So, for a net difference of $54, I can exchange the 780 for the 650, including all the accessories I bought for it. I don't need the extra real estate of the 780, I only cook for my small family. I just think the 650 has features that are more efficient.

Talk me out of it.

So, settling for 650 sq in for 2 people is OK in my book, I only have 575 and 2 people....
► have you used your 780 enough to like it as is???
► The Ironwood is a different build and yes it is double walled, etc.
► The first time you have something go wrong you're gonna think "I shoulda picked the other one"
► The ironwood can hold heat better but sometimes that has "blistering paint" issues... unless you do some insulating
► Don't make your choice over a lousy built in pellet sensor... or some shelf... those things don't COOK your food

 

[traeger860]

For $54, I'd go with the Ironwood all day. I think the SuperSmoke, Exhaust, and improved insulation are worth the upgrade. The 780/885/1300 models are overkill/oversized for most people. If you aren't using all of the space in the 780, you'll easily waste $54 of pellets (OVER TIME!) to warm up all of that extra space every time you fire it up.

 

[Murphy's Law]

For $54, I'd go with the Ironwood all day. I think the SuperSmoke, Exhaust, and improved insulation are worth the upgrade. The 780/885/1300 models are overkill/oversized for most people. If you aren't using all of the space in the 780, you'll easily waste $54 of pellets to warm up all of that extra space every time you fire it up.

Gotta put out a hard “no” here!

I usually cook for just me and my wife and at first I thought the size of my Pro 780 was overkill; however, now that I’ve been cooking on it for 6 months I’d never go back.

I have had family over and cooked multiple racks of ribs and I have had a main course and some cast iron with sides on the grill many times. Having the extra space is great when you need it. I’d rather have “too much” most of the time rather than “not enough” some of the time.

And the difference to heat a 780 vs a 650 is probably closer to fifty four cents, not fifty four dollars!

Anyway, that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it!

 

[CMTiger]

Given the option I'd have sized up from the 575 for sure.....plus 4 wheels would be nice.

 

[JamesB]

For $54, I'd go with the Ironwood all day. I think the SuperSmoke, Exhaust, and improved insulation are worth the upgrade. The 780/885/1300 models are overkill/oversized for most people. If you aren't using all of the space in the 780, you'll easily waste $54 of pellets to warm up all of that extra space every time you fire it up.

HUH???
I have a Timberline 1300, and it’s just my wife and I most of the time, but I definitely would not want the smaller unit.
It doesn’t take 5 bags of pellets to heat it up either, in fact, it’ll use about 1 bag ($10.00 worth) of pellets for a 20-23 hour brisket cook.

1 packer brisket will almost go end to end on that smaller one, and that doesn’t leave much room for sides.
Just my 2 cents!

 

[RustyJake]

I definitely would not want the smaller unit.

Excuse me, was that you or your wife that said that?
Couldn't resist, sorry

 

[traeger860]

HUH???
I have a Timberline 1300, and it’s just my wife and I most of the time, but I definitely would not want the smaller unit.
It doesn’t take 5 bags of pellets to heat it up either, in fact, it’ll use about 1 bag ($10.00 worth) of pellets for a 20-23 hour brisket cook.

1 packer brisket will almost go end to end on that smaller one, and that doesn’t leave much room for sides.
Just my 2 cents!

Sorry, I didn't mean $54 every time you turn the thing on. That would be crazy. But you don't think running a 575/650 cooking for two people uses less pellets than a 780/885 for the same amount of time/temp/food? My 650 doesn't use a full bag for a 20-23 hour cook but it uses more than my 22 does.

 

[JamesB]

I didn't mean $54 every time you turn the thing on. That would be crazy. But you don't think running a 575/650 cooking for two people uses less pellets than a 780/885 for the same amount of time/temp/food? My 650 doesn't use a full bag for a 20-23 hour cook. Doesn't even use a full hopper.

I think the difference is negligible. Definitely wouldn’t determine whether I bought an 850 or a 1300.

 

[This Charring Man]

Well, I picked up the Ironwood 650. I have both on the patio right now, seasoning the 650. I can tell already that I'm going to like it better. Definitely like the smaller foot print and the multiple options for the rack. If I need to cook more than it can hold, I also have a BGE, a Weber gasser, & a kettle. I wanted a pellet grill for convenience. Sometimes, I just want to cook outside and not have to build a fire.

Definitely worth the extra $54.

 

[RemE]

I boils down to what you want, I have the smaller TL850 and in 2 years have not regretted the small footprint yet.
The big ones are cool but they make different sizes for a reason.