Comments on: I have a man-crush on my Traeger Pellet Grill

By: Shannon

Shannon — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 04:42:41 +0000

I was just about to buy a Traeger Texas grill when I came upon this post. Thanks to Brian’s comments I ended up buying a Mak 1. The cost was about about $100 more than the Taeger, but I could not be happier. Growing up in a Pennsylvania Steel town, I am particularly sensitive when I here how US steel is outrageously priced. The fact of the matter is foreign steel was being dumped here. For those not familiar with this practice, it is when they sell a product for less than the production and distribution cost. Basically they sell the product at a loss to gain market share or to drive out competition. A lot of honest hard working people lost their livelihoods, and many communities have be devastated all so corporations can maximize their profits. The way I see it is if I spend the extra $100 on a US made grill, that money has a much better chance of coming back to me in my business. Not to mention that we as taxpayers will not have to pay unemployment benefits and for trade adjustment job training. Oh yeah, more Americans working means a broader tax base and makes it less likely my taxes will go up. On second thought Brian probably saved me money. Thank you so very much Brian!!!! As for Bruce Bjorkman, you can kiss my, well you know what. People like you have destroyed the lives of so many all in the quest for the almighty dollar.

By: Fowler

Fowler — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:17:02 +0000

I was pretty set on buying one of these. Had a friend rave about Traeger over the weekend so I started doing some research. I will wait now and find something else. Made in America needs to start meaning something again! Don’t give me the cost lie either. I pay more for American made and I am even more excited about it when the product I am buying proudly displays it!!

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:50:09 +0000

The whole sad truth is that another American company has pimped its production to the Chinese. I bought a Traeger several months back and had I known they were being built in China I would’ve bought from a local AMERICAN competitor.

By: John

John — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 10:41:57 +0000

I agree with the later posts here, I also fell bad because this product is made in China and I purchased one. I am a whole hearted American who serves our country with Honor and believes we’ve all put ourselves in this out sourcing situation! I believe if we weren’t soo quick to sue over every little thing, to make sure we were satisfied, there would be more made in America products. If I owned a business and had lawsuits’ over small idiosyncrasies that could be fixed without making money from the manufacturing company, I’d out source it too. Most Americans hate talking on the phone to someone that we all know isn’t here in the U.S., so we normally forego the same complaints or issues we would press further if these products were made in America. I say quit complaining about how I live in Florida and I live in Colorado and my Traeger cooks differently and try to have this product brought back to BBQ land U.S.A.!! I believe this about a lot of products. I’ve also read on the internet that the Traeger is just an outdoor oven and I say to you “if you don’t cook out doors your not much of a man“.J

By: Marcia

Marcia — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 16:57:35 +0000

I just bought a Treager yesterday at a Costco roadshow. It was a floor model and already put together. We did a little research before hand and decided to get it knowing it was outsourced and made in china. My husband followed the instructions on the how to get started part and we are cooking (brisket) on it now as I type. I would have liked our Treager to have been made in America but it wasn’t. Am I sorry I got it because it was made in china? No! This is what I can afford, that is the reality of it for many american like me.

By: mcdyccp

mcdyccp — Sat, 14 May 2011 21:02:05 +0000

I got my 07E at a Costco roadshow a few months ago. Have had no issues with quality of build and am absolutely amazed by the quality of food produced by the grill. As far as the Costco roadshows not supporting local dealers, I have convinced at least 3 of my friends to purchase Traeger grills from local distributors because they were impressed with what I was able to cook. Additionally, I am frequenting my local distributor to buy accessories and pellets. This is business that the local store would not have if Traeger had not pushed their product at Costco.

By: Bingo

Bingo — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:26:23 +0000

Barish sold out Traeger…these Costco roadshows are ridiculous. Traeger told dealers they were supporting them, then sent out reps to work on commission who bash dealer pricing and push the sale hard, not supporting local dealers. Traeger blew it, I miss the Traeger family, Barish is busy looking at the forest and not the trees.

By: Gyro

Gyro — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 23:42:10 +0000

I just bought a Traeger Lil’ Tex Elite 07E, and my parents bought the Texas 075, both through the Costco Roadshow.

While I can’t comment on the previous US-made units, or the initial run of China-made units, I can say that both of these particular units went together quickly and appeared to have a consistent build quality and decent hardware. The materials seem appropriate for the task at hand. The paint is near flawless, and the welds consistent.

Assembly involved attaching the four legs with eight bolts, the lid handle with two nuts, and the chimney with two bolts. Per the manual, I briefly verified the auger, fan, and igniter functioned. Then, I loaded some pellets in the hopper and followed through with the initial firing and seasoning (burning off mfr oils, etc). The first meal was a Kashi-brand frozen pizza, which turned out quite good. Love at first bite.

Perhaps the USA units were more over-built, and the China units were spec’d lighter to reduce freight costs. There were likely QA issues with the initial runs. I don’t know.

Geopolitical issues best left for another forum (and I do agree there are serious ramifications to globalization and the balance of economies – as well, pursuing a 100% USA-made lifestyle would be a worthy goal), the units we purchased are meeting and exceeding expectations.

By: Steve

Steve — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:02:55 +0000

Wade, what I was gettig at regarding the comment made by Bruce was that it appeared that he figured it made no difference where the grill was made, since the food would taste the same. I already said the food was good, my objection is not to the taste but to a prevailing attitude in this country regarding foreign imports that says “What do we care if it is foreign made, it does the job and is cheaper”. I try to support domestic companies as much as possible and steer clear of those companies that build a reputation and then outsource. Try to buy an American made tire. It is possible, but the dealers invaribly try to convince you about the Chinese quality.

By: Wade Tonkin

Wade Tonkin — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:28:21 +0000

BTW – I am not saying that Traeger’s make bad food – they don’t. I use one and it’s a good grill. That said – the quality has fallen off since they moved offshore with construction in terms of both materials and assembly to the point where the people who take their barbecuing seriously are moving to other brands. If I had a couple grand laying around, I’d have a MAK – those things are amazing. Being able to sear and slow cook with a pellet grill – NICE