BBQs

Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill TFT18KLD review

Traeger Ranger Pellet Grill TFT18KLD

CHOICE Expert Rating

73%
What is the CHOICE Expert Rating?
Good points

Good Points

  • Good result for cooking brisket.
  • Good open access to food.
  • Cooking plate can be hotplate or chargrill plate.
  • Includes cast iron griddle, grill cover and drip tray liners.
  • Baffled Lid with latches for durability and safe transport.
  • Keep warm function.
  • Timer function.
  • 1 meat probe included.
  • Digital thermometer is accurate.
  • Easy to clean cooking plates in a domestic sink.
  • Lid can be locked shut for storage or portability.
Bad points

Bad Points

  • Need to clean firebox after each use.
  • Hood can become dangerously hot.
  • Unit is not entirely self feeding, pellets can get stuck in the hopper and not feed through entirely.
  • Need to monitor temperature to ensure enough pellets in fire box and temperature maintained.
  • Direct cooking only, no option for indirect cooking.
  • Portable, however need access to 240V AC power.
  • Smoke can be directed into your face.
  • Need to manually stop priming by holding down up and ignite button at the same time. Can be difficult.
  • Care needs to be taken during cooking as handle becomes dangerously hot.
  • Internal pellet hopper has it's restrictions – when adding more pellets during cooking, dramatic heat loss as burner sits inside the lid.
  • Pellets can smoke during cooking due to close proximity to the ignition.
  • Heat is lost when opening lid to top up pellets during cooking.
  • It is possible that pellets sitting in the shoot can catch fire, when causes possible burning of pellets in the hopper, which then need to be disposed of if badly burnt.
  • Barbecue is portable however is uncomfortable and awkward to carry.
  • Need to refer to manual when operating, need to follow a sequence each time you use the smoker.
  • Controls are mostly symbols, with one button with written labelling for 'ignite'.
  • Instructions are limited, with some crucial steps missing – such as the amount of pellets needed during priming.
  • No indicator to user when hopper is out of pellets, or if there is a jam in the feed chute.
  • Difficult to remove pellets from hopper when storing or cleaning the barbecue.
  • Small electrical cord, may need an extension cord if you want to put it outside.
  • Relatively expensive running costs.

Type

Category
Travel
Fuel type
Pellet
Gas type
N/A

Recommended products

Recommended

Test results

CHOICE Expert Rating
73%
Cooking performance score
91%
Ease of use score
46%
Evenness score
95%
Evenness with high fat cooking score
90%
Evenness with pita bread score
Not tested
Low temperature score
95%
Heat recovery score
Not tested
Roasting score
85%
Cleaning score
50%
External temperatures after 60min (controls / handle / hood / side tables)
37°C / 112°C / 145°C / N/A
Gas consumption (kg/hr)
N/A

Sustainability

Reliability score
Not available
Satisfaction score
Not available
Warranty
3 years

Related products

Availability
Tested model

Cost

Price
$900.00
Running costs over 5 years
$1,738.00

Specifications

Number of burners
N/A
Hotplate grill material
Porcelain-coated grill grate and cast iron griddle
Flame diffuser material
N/A
Burner material
Stainless steel
Ignition type
Electric
Dimensions (cm, H x W x D)
33 x 51 x 49
Weight (kg)
27
Total cooking area (m2)
0.12
Website
traeger.com/au/en

Features

Warming rack
Reversible cooking plate
Side burner
Back burner for rotisserie
Viewing window
Side tray / folding
/
Storage cupboard
N/A
Natural gas option
Hotplate
1
Chargrill

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