Should I buy a Traeger Pro 575

[jweakley]

I’m considering buying a Pro 575, but I hesitate because of the negative things I’ve read on this Forum about the 575 and other new models of the Traeger as well as negative comments about Traeger customer service. I’m not inclined to want to work on a new grill to fix mechanical issues. Any thoughts from the members?

 

[traeger860]

Traeger's customer service is actually really good when you can get it. Hopefully you don't need it. It just takes a lot of effort from the customer to get to someone that can actually help you. They don't seem to respond quickly to e-mails. And when they do, the responses seem very automated and generic. Best way to get someone is to call them, tell them what your problem is, and you want the outcome to be. Or else they'll just walk you through their script and have you troubleshoot for way too long before you get to the same conclusion.

I wouldn't hesitate on buying the Pro 575 or any other Traeger model. I would, however, try to confirm that the one I'm buying doesn't have the dreaded 02.00.00 firmware on it before I took it home with me.

The complaints I see on here the most are with the WiFire controller (buying one that doesn't have 02.00.00 will save you a lot of headaches) and the amount of expected smoke. If you like your smoked food to taste like an ashtray or like your eyes to burn from smoke when you open the cover, the Traeger isn't for you. You should expect a nice smoke ring and a mild but tasty smokey flavor. Overall, they are very easy to cook on but need to be cleaned more often than a propane grill.

Also have to consider that most people join forums to either ask questions or get help with a problem. So even though there are a lot of complaints on this forum, there are a ton of Traeger owners that never had to come on here to ask for help. Check out social media too. Seeing people talk positively about the brand might help you with your decision.

 

[Jacob_Sausalito]

I've had my 575 since February. A Valentine's present from my super wife. I couldn't be happier. It's great! The one change I made is I purchased a set of Grill Grates. These give you a great sear on your meat. The one weakness of the Traeger is that without the Grill Grates it's a pain to try to get a real sear. If you're heavy into smoke flavor, you may want one of the models that has a Super Smoke mode (not available on the 575). I like a more mild smoke flavor so the 575 works really well for me.

 

[xfiveo]

Looks like I’m that “other voice”...I had another traeger grill before the 575...I thought it was the greatest...after 18 months I was less impressed...always stopped during a longer smoke (short grills were fine)...it was SO SLOW etc...so when I see the 575 with all the tech I knew it was the one for me...ONLY TOOK THE FIRST FAY to let me know it was not !!

...it couldn’t connect to WiFi and they keep telling me it’s “my location”...after a new WiFi extender and moving the grill in the back yard to 8’ from the WiFi it still wouldn’t work...they told me I needed to turn the grill around and face the WiFi ...REALLY...they think this is a good set up ?? NOT !!

...I finally rearranges the yard and got it to be against the wall (now literally on the other side of the wall where the WiFi is) and it works better, not great !!

...last week I threw some dogs on the grill and after they finished, I SHUTDOWN as usual and went inside to eat...came out 45 min later and it was ROARING .. pellets all gone...sounded like a storm...the heat was INTENSE...wouldn’t shut down so I unplugged it...had to wait over 2 hrs before it cooled down...(usually 30-45 min)...

...had to wait several days before calling so I could COOL down...they had me run through the ENTIRE first burn and shut down mode taking 1 hr 32min to say, “it worked fine”...REALLY?? THANK YOU for that professional observation...my point was that it worked fine THAT TIME...what can I expect in the future...I’ve had less than a dozen grilling sessions on this grill...

...dealing with Cus Ser people with only a few months on is UNEXCEPTIONABLE...I know more about their grill than they do...and wait till you’re on hold while they type to someone for help because they can’t find their pre-fixxed answers online...you’ll see why I mean...

...I’d love to take a few hundred dollars from a sale and get my gas grill back but I’d be screwing some innocent person...I personally think they got too big...too fast and can’t get good people to get them through this phase dealing with products that were not ready for mass production yet !!

...here’s a link for a RELIABLE thermometer for a few bucks...wish I’d have been happy without trying to improve...?
...and remember that for every dissatisfied customers out here there several paid employees to share how their grill “saved the world ? “...don’t drink the kool-aid...I know I’m bitter but I can’t believe that every aspect of my experience here has been horrible...I know I’m not alone...I love getting the forum updates as it just shows me I am not alone...good luck !!