Are All Traeger Grills Pellet? | Pellet Truth Before You Buy

Traeger-branded grills run on hardwood pellets, while the Flatrock griddle runs on propane.

If you’re shopping Traeger, you’re usually chasing that wood-smoke flavor without babysitting a fire all day. Still, the product lineup can feel blurry once you see the word “griddle” in the mix, or when a store clerk calls all things a “Traeger grill.” This clears up the fuel question, then shows what to check before you buy.

Are All Traeger Grills Pellet? What Counts As A Grill

When people ask this question, they almost always mean Traeger’s classic cookers with a hopper on the side, a digital controller up front, and a lid that closes over grates. In that sense, yes: Traeger’s grill lines are pellet-fired cookers that burn food-grade hardwood pellets.

Where confusion starts is the word “Traeger.” The company sells more than pellet grills. The Flatrock is a flat-top griddle that cooks on burners and connects to a propane tank. It’s sold by Traeger, but it’s not one of their pellet grills.

So the clean way to say it is this: Traeger grills are pellet grills. Traeger products are not all pellet-fired.

How A Traeger Pellet Grill Makes Heat And Smoke

A pellet grill works like a steady wood-fired oven. Pellets sit in a hopper. A motor-driven auger feeds pellets into a small fire pot. An igniter lights them, and a fan keeps the burn steady. A controller watches temperature and keeps feeding pellets as needed.

That design is why Traeger grills feel simple on a weeknight. You set a temperature, close the lid, and let the cooker do the metering. You still choose the pellets, the rub, and the cook time. The grill handles the fuel pace.

Pellets Are Fuel, Electricity Runs The Parts

Traeger pellet grills burn pellets for heat and smoke. They still need power for the controller, auger, fan, and igniter. No power means no feed system, so the grill can’t run as designed.

Why Traeger Sticks With Pellets

Pellets give a steady burn and clean handling. You pour a measured fuel into the hopper instead of stacking wood splits, then you dial in temperature. Traeger’s own overview of grill categories describes pellet grills as indirect-heat cookers that heat and flavor food with hardwood pellets. Traeger’s overview of grill types is a good primer on how pellet grills differ from gas and charcoal.

What The Flatrock Is And Why It Changes The Answer For Some Shoppers

The Flatrock is a flat-top griddle with a smooth steel cook surface, made for foods that love full contact with hot metal: smash burgers, breakfast, fried rice, tortillas, and chopped veggies.

It’s not pellet-fired. Traeger’s own Flatrock page includes setup details that mention connecting a propane tank, and it states liquid propane only. Traeger’s Flatrock griddle page spells out that fuel setup in the product Q&A and specs.

That’s the main reason shoppers get mixed up. They see “Traeger” and assume pellets. If your goal is a pellet grill, shop the hopper-and-controller models. If your goal is a flat top, the Flatrock fits that role and runs on propane.

Fast Clues That Tell You If A Traeger Cooker Is Pellet-Fired

You can spot a pellet grill in seconds once you know the tells:

• Side hopper: A box on the side that stores pellets.
• Digital controller: A screen or dial panel that sets cooking temperature.
• Power cord: A cord that plugs into an outlet.
• Indirect heat layout: Heat comes from a fire pot and diffuser, not open flame under the grate.

A griddle like the Flatrock skips the hopper. It has burner controls and a propane connection, plus a flat steel cooktop instead of grates.

Pellet Grill Vs Propane Griddle: Pick The Right Tool For Your Meals

Both styles can earn a spot on a patio. They just shine in different jobs. A pellet grill is happiest with lid-down cooking: ribs, chicken, pork shoulder, salmon, meatloaf, pizza, or roasted veggies. A propane griddle shines with quick, high-contact cooks and big batches that need stirring.

Traeger Fuel Reality By Product Type

“Traeger” can mean pellet grills, griddles, and accessories. This table keeps it straight, so you can match the cooker to your space and meals.

Traeger item	Main fuel	What you’ll notice day to day
Full-size Traeger pellet grills (Timberline, Ironwood, Pro-style lines)	Hardwood pellets	Hopper-fed burn, steady temps, lid-down cooking with smoke
Portable Traeger pellet grills	Hardwood pellets	Same pellet system in a smaller body; still needs power
Pellet hopper	Pellets stored dry	Fuel stays tidy; moisture ruins pellets, so storage matters
Controller, auger, fan, igniter	Electric power + pellets	Pellets make heat; power runs feed and control
Flatrock griddle	Liquid propane	Fast heat-up, great for breakfast and smash burgers; no pellet hopper
Food-grade hardwood pellets	Hardwood pellets	Wood species shifts flavor; clean pellets burn steadier
Covers, shelves, trays, probes	No fuel	Convenience items; pick based on fit and storage needs
Cleaning tools and liners	No fuel	Helps ash and grease cleanup stay quick

What “Pellet” Means For Taste, Heat Range, And Cooking Style

Pellet grills cook with indirect heat and circulating air. That’s why they act more like an outdoor oven than a traditional open-flame grill. You can still get browning, yet the strongest wins are even cooking and steady smoke.

Smoke Level And Flavor

Pellets make smoke as they burn. The smoke profile is often cleaner and lighter than a stick-burner, since the fire is small and controlled. If you love a heavier smoke punch, you can run lower temps early in the cook and then raise heat later, or choose stronger woods like hickory blends.

Searing And “Grill Marks”

Pellet grills can sear, yet they do it differently. Many models rely on radiant heat from a hot diffuser and grate. Some accessories add a direct-flame style zone or a hotter sear plate. If steakhouse sear is your top goal, check the max temp, grate design, and any sear add-ons before you buy.

Shopping Checks That Save Regret

Traeger models can look similar on a showroom floor. These checks keep your pick aligned with how you cook.

Check The Hopper Size Against Your Long Cooks

If you cook brisket, pork shoulder, or overnight ribs, hopper size matters. More pellets in the hopper means fewer refills. Stores often list hopper capacity in pounds. Pair that with your typical cook length and your local weather. Cold air can raise fuel use, so winter cooks can burn more pellets.

Check The Controller Features You’ll Actually Use

WiFi and app control can feel like a gimmick until you host a backyard meal and need to keep an eye on temps while you prep sides. If you prefer simple knobs, stick with simpler controllers. If you like monitoring graphs and alerts, app-ready models can feel like a relief.

Check Power Access Where The Grill Will Live

Pellet grills need power. Map your outlet location, cord path, and weather exposure. Use outdoor-rated cords. Keep connections dry. A short cord run is safer and tidier.

Check Parts Availability And Warranty Terms

With pellet grills, moving parts exist: fans, igniters, controllers. Ask where parts ship from and how long they take in your area. Look at warranty length and what it covers. Those details matter after the first season.

Care Basics That Keep A Pellet Grill Cooking Clean

Most pellet grill issues come from a small set of habits: wet pellets, ash buildup, and grease in the wrong spot. A few routines keep things stable.

Keep Pellets Dry And Fresh

Pellets act like sponges. They swell and crumble when they get damp. Store bags off the ground and sealed. If pellets in the hopper look swollen or dusty, dump them out and start with fresh fuel.

Keep Grease Moving Toward The Drip System

Line trays as the manual allows and clear the grease channel. Grease pooling can lead to flare-ups. Keep the cook chamber tidy, especially after fatty cooks like chicken thighs or pork belly.

Common Buyer Misreads And How To Avoid Them

Pellet grills come with a few myths that can lead to the wrong purchase.

“It’s a Traeger, so it must be pellets”

That’s true for Traeger grills. It’s not true for all Traeger cookers. If you see a flat steel top and burner knobs, you’re looking at a propane griddle, not a pellet grill.

“Pellet grills are just smokers”

They can smoke, yet they can also roast and bake. People cook pizza, casseroles, and bread on them. The cooker behaves like a convection oven that happens to burn wood pellets.

Quick Match Table For Choosing Your Traeger Setup

Use this table to match your cooking habits with the right Traeger direction.

Your main cooking habit	Best fit	What to check before buying
Low-and-slow BBQ on weekends	Pellet grill	Hopper size, insulation, controller stability
Weeknight chicken, fish, veggies	Pellet grill	Warm-up time, max temp, grate layout
Breakfast batches and smash burgers	Flatrock griddle	Tank setup, cooktop size, grease handling
Steak-first cooking with hard sear	Pellet grill with a sear option	Max temp, sear plate or open-flame option
Tailgates and camping	Portable pellet grill	Power plan, carry size, pellet storage
Outdoor stir-fry and tortilla work	Flatrock griddle	Burner layout, wind shielding, lid style

So, Are All Traeger Grills Pellet? The Plain Answer With The Fine Print

If you mean Traeger’s grills, the answer is yes: they’re built around hardwood pellets and a hopper-fed burn system. If you mean all cooking products Traeger sells, the answer shifts, since the Flatrock griddle runs on propane.

For most shoppers, that distinction clears the fog. Decide whether you want lid-down pellet cooking or flat-top propane cooking. Then shop within that lane, check power access, and pick the size that fits your meals.