Green Mountain Grills vs. Traeger Grills
With so many manufacturers and brands on the market, buying the right grill for your home can be difficult. The wrong grill can make your BBQs less enjoyable, so we recommend buying one from a trusted brand. As of today, one of the most reliable grill manufacturers on the market is Green Mountain Grills.
GMG has become one of the most popular and valued grill manufacturers in the last 14 years. So, it can be challenging to find a suitable rival when comparing this brand to other competitors. However, many people point out the similarities between GMG and Traeger Grills.
In today’s buying guide, we’ll look at Green Mountain Grills and Traeger Grills. We’ll evaluate all of their key features to discover which option is better for you!
Which Pellet Grill Should You Buy: Green Mountain Grills or Traeger Grills?
Traeger and GMG provide top-of-the-line grills with cutting-edge technology, beautiful designs, and various models for every need. So, how can you decide which one is the better grill manufacturer? Well, the first step is understanding the brands themselves and what they provide for their customers.
Green Mountain Grills: Brand Overview
Green Mountain Grills was founded in 2008 with one mission: to create the most efficient wood pellet grills on the market. They succeeded. Today, GMGs grills are at the top of the list for the best modern wood pellet models.
That’s not everything the company accomplished. It also managed to make its grills more affordable than most competitors. Green Mountain Grills is one of the pioneers of combining Wi-Fi technology with BBQs to create a more user-friendly and customizable experience. The company’s products are also known for their incredible heat capacity and durability.
Unlike most brands, Green Mountain Grills works closely with dealers. So, it can be challenging to find one of its grills online. However, you can find all GMGs grills and products at CAPO Building Specialties.
Traeger Pellet Grills: Brand Overview
Traeger is the original inventor of the wood pellet grill. Without Traegar, you wouldn't be able to find a variety of models that use this eco-friendlier concept. The company was founded in 1985 by Joe Traeger and had a monopoly on wood pellet grills for over 20 years until its patent expired in 2006.
Because of the long run the company has had and the private investment it received, Traeger is one of the most successful wood pellet grill manufacturers.
Green Mountain Grills vs. Traeger Grills: A Complete Comparison
When comparing two grill manufacturers, there are specific aspects you need to consider. For instance, the quality of the grills, durability, price, and other more specialized factors can help you determine the right brand for you.
Depending on which features you consider more important, one of these two brands should be your go-to choice. With that being said, we’ve put together a list comparing the most important features of both brands so that you can get an idea of what to look for.
Here’s what you should know about Traeger vs. Green Mountain Grills:
- The Peak Prime, the most luxurious and expensive GMG grill, is cheaper than Traeger’s option, the Traeger Timberline. GMG’s grill can be found at around $1100, while Trager's has a price of over $2000. Therefore, GMG is a more affordable brand.
- GMG grills have a single rack design, which can translate to less surface area for your BBQs. On the other hand, Traeger has an additional warming rack that provides more space for meat and other foods.
- Most Green Mountain Grills are Wi-Fi-controlled, allowing you to link your smartphone to your grill. Traeger, however, has this feature only for a handful of its models.
- GMG has better heat efficiency and can reach temperatures over 500°F, while Trager can only reach temperatures between 450°F and 500°F. It might not seem like a big difference, but it will influence the dishes you’ll be able to cook.
- Both companies offer solid warranties for their products and good customer service.
Top Features Compared: GMG vs. Traeger Grills
Now that you are familiar with some aspects of these two grill companies, it’s time to compare their top features. For this review, we’ll look at the most critical factors that come into play when choosing the perfect grill for your needs.
Grill Sizes
When it comes to the perfect grill size for your home, it is essential to have different options. Traeger, for instance, offers all of its models in two sizes. That way, you can choose the one that adapts the best to your needs. Trager also provides a warming rack you can attach or detach from your grill, allowing more space for cooking food.
On the other hand, Green Mountain Grills has a wider selection of models. Each of them is a different size and with various capacities. So, if you find one you like but it is not the right size, you’ll have to pick another one.
Temperature Range and Heat Capacity
50°F might not feel like a lot when it comes to temperature, but it is a bigger deal for cooking various foods, including pizza. As you probably know, many recipes require precise temperatures. Therefore, you’ll likely want the largest temperature range possible.
Because of their higher temperature capacity, Green Mountain Grills could be the right option if you are looking for the most efficient grill. Additionally GMG grills can also reach a much lower temperature of 150°F compared to Traeger’s 165°F.
Connectivity and App Experience
The app experience is a less objective category, given that real people prefer different features. So, for impartiality, we’ll compare each brand’s app’s ratings in the App Store and Google Play.
- Green Mountain Grills App: GMG’s app has a 3.5/5 rating (371 reviews) in the App Store and a 4.7/5 rating (878 reviews) in Google Play.
- Traeger Grills’ App: Traeger’s app has a rating of 4.8/5 (144,000 reviews) in the App Store, with a rating of 3/5 (4000 reviews) in Google Play.
As we mentioned before, comparing both app experiences by themselves is challenging. However, it is clear that Traeger’s app does seem more popular. However, since Traeger is a much older company, you should take this popularity with a grain of salt.
Overall Storage
Green Mountain Grills has, by far, the most significant advantage in this category. Unlike Traeger, the company manufactures grills that include essential features like a front shelf and side shelves you can use for storing cooking utensils and other items. GMGs grills also have a cart shelf that comes in handy when looking for a place to store wood pellet bags.
Traeger, on the other hand, has an open-space design, allowing a warming rack to be used but sacrificing storage space.
Best Designs and Total Cost
Regarding design, GMG offers more modern options that look and feel luxurious without being overpriced. Meanwhile, Traeger grills have a more classic style that resembles the old barrel models that were popular many years ago.
In the end, however, the grill design you pick should be the one that feels the best when you cook, and that comes down to your tastes and preferences.
However, if you want to get the best product at the best price, Green Mountain Grills should be your go-to option. It simply has better features at a more affordable price than Traeger.
Top Models: Green Mountain Grills Buying Guide
Green Mountain Grills has a wide selection of models, making it difficult to pick the right one for your needs. So, we’ve put together this small buying guide so that you can get familiar with GMGs best grills.
These are Green Mountain Grills’ most popular options:
The Big Pig Trailer Rig
Green Mountain Grills offers the Big Pig Trailer Rig, a powerful commercial model with excellent capacity. This incredible machinery is perfect for slow cooking, roasting, baking, grilling, and more. It can even cook an entire hog with no problem. Additionally, this commercial grill has excellent Wi-Fi connectivity, storage capacity, and a reliable food timer.
The Daniel Boone Choice
The Daniel Boone is one of GMG’s most popular grills, thanks to a high-quality digital control and excellent smartphone connectivity. It has a 458 square inch cooking surface, making it perfect for most BBQ dishes. Additionally, it weighs only 155 lbs and has a maximum temperature of 550°F.
The Peak Prime
The Peak Prime is GMG’s most luxurious and best-selling residential grill, and there’s a reason for that popularity. You can use this incredible machine manually or through GMG’s iO and Android app, meaning you can cook anything without moving from your couch. It also has a custom cooking profile that makes the process easier and faster, plus up to 550°F of heat capacity.
However, one of Peak Prime’s most impressive features is its sense-mate. This powerful and accurate thermal sensor is indispensable for certain dishes like hog and lamb. If you are looking for the ultimate smart grill, Peak Prime is the one for you!
The Ledge Prime
The Ledge Prime is a more affordable option by GMG, especially if you want a grill as powerful and as smart as the Peak Prime. It includes almost every feature possible, such as a smart app and dual meat probes. This model also has a view window that lets you keep an eye on your dishes without opening the grill, preventing the smoke and heat from escaping.
The Trek
The Trek is GMG’s ultimate portable grill with all the best possible features. It has powerful smartphone connectivity, a temperature sensor, a meat probe, and a peaked lid for pork ribs. Additionally, this grill can run on 12V or 120AC, making it the best option for residential use and camping too!
Accessories
In addition to all these grill options, Green Mountain Grills also offers a wide range of accessories at an extra cost. These include grill covers, delicious meat rubs, racks, and smoke tubes.
Top Models: Traeger Grills Buying Guide
Traeger Grills also has a wide selection of models, ranging from deluxe to more economical options. That’s why we’ve created this concise buying guide to help you understand the difference between Traeger’s most popular grills.
Here are Traeger’s best-selling grills:
- Timberline Series: Traeger’s Timberline Series is its most luxurious and expensive option. This grill has a large cooking surface, allowing you to simultaneously cook multiple portions of meat and other foods. It also provides great customization options, and it comes in different sizes.
- Ironwood Series: The Ironwood Series is Traeger’s less expensive option. It has similar smart features like app connectivity, multiple sizes, and ideal versatility.
- Pro Series: The Pro Series includes an all-terrain set of wheels, a hopper cleanout, and an accurate temperature sensor. It is also one of Traeger’s most affordable options. However, this model is still more expensive than most GMG grills.
- Portable Series: Traeger’s Portable Series is another excellent option if you are looking for an easy-to-transport grill. It comes in two different sizes, depending on the cooking capacity you need. However, both options are incredibly durable and efficient for camping and residential use.
Similar Brands to Consider
Perhaps you are looking for a different type of grill for your residential or commercial use. If you are not sold on Traeger or Green Mountain Grills, there are other options with similar features and benefits. Here are some other popular grill manufacturers:
Fire Magic
Fire Magic Grills are full cooking stations with excellent capacity, temperature control, and luxurious designs. The company only uses stainless steel and other high-quality materials to create some of the most beautiful and functional grills on the market. Additionally, Fire Magic offers some of the best warranties in the grill industry.
These grills require professional installation and are much more expensive than any GMG or Traeger models. However, they are also some of the most popular options for commercial cooking, thanks to their superior cooking surfaces and temperature capacity.
American Outdoor Grill
AOG is another option if you are looking for a high-quality, reliable, and efficient outdoor grill for your home. Like Fire Magic, AOG grills are focused on temperature efficiency and superior cooking space, which is especially useful if you cook for multiple people at a time. However, this brand is also notably more expensive than GMG and Traeger.
PGS Grills
PGS Grills are all about power and durability. These grills are made of high-quality aluminum alloy and stainless steel, making them some of the most durable options on the market. They even make a high-quality portable model. However, you should still consider GMG if you prefer a more traditional grill for your home.
Find the Best Green Mountains Grills at CAPO Building Specialties
Are you looking for the perfect grill for your home? If so, look no further than CAPO Building Specialties. We have the widest range of outdoor grills, from the top-of-the-line Green Mountain Grills to classic brands like Newport Grills. Additionally, we provide a large selection of grill accessories from the most popular and reliable brands!
Check out our full BBQ catalog to learn more about our large variety of products. AT CAPO Building Specialties, we have the right GMG grill for every need!