Review: Traeger Tailgater 20
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มิ.ย. 2018
- Find the CART on Amazon here: amzn.to/3khdxUC
You can find the Traeger Tailgater 20 on Amazon here: amzn.to/2Jys9d8
Thanks for tuning in to Jus' Piddlin BBQ. If you like what you see, please give me a thumbs up, comment, and SUBSCRIBE! Thanks for watching.
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Equipment:
Pellet Smoker:
Traeger Tailgater 20
www.traegergrills.com/
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Thank you for that fantastic review. Really helped me a lot. I've been looking at this grill, the GMG Davy Crockett and the Rek Tec Bullseye. This one may be the winner.
Great review! Honest, objective, and informative. Thanks for taking the time to do this and share it with us!
I appreciate you watching and commenting G-Town!
Wonderful, well thought out review. Much appreciated. Thank you.
Good honest review. Thank you Sandy. Now I have to hurry and watch the chuck roast video.
Thanks for your review. It was helpful and i enjoyed your accent lol it adds authenticity to the review. Looking forward to more videos
I just inherited one of these. No shelf and no legs, but I'm extremely excited to take this on campouts with our AG group. Thanks for the video, very informative.
Once again you showed a detailed video on a product that can be added to the homework assignment to make a satisfying decision ...and I agree the grill design department should ponder the things you mention. As always thanks for the time and effort you give.......
I appreciate it Wheat H!
You do really good reviews. You hit on a point that I didn't even consider, and that helped. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent review, convinced me to pull the Traeger (see what I did there?) and that guy mowing grass... he added a real American feel to your video. He's a hero too, just like you.
Nice play on words there!
And love your channel by the way!
Funny seeing you here! I subscribe your channel as well!
Great video. We just ordered our very first Traeger & we’re starting off with the Tailgate!
Awesome job as usual, Sandy! Cheers 🍻
Lol Sandy, love the outtakes. :)
Your a very good public speaker. Thanks!
I appreciate that!
Thanks for the good honest review.
Love the cart idea!
Good and helpful review, thanks
GREAT REVIEW, Just got one from my neighbor and I think you are fair in your positives and negatives. I'll be adding latches thanks to your recommendation. Low and Slow y'all.
Thanks for the video it was very informative. We are looking to use this tailgator when we go camping with our fifth wheel. I will let you know how it goes.
Thank you for addressing the Elephant in the room "Folding Legs" i purchased the Pit Boss but same thing but it weighs 88 pounds and you are the only trace of information i have found on the legs outside the manual that tells you how "EZ it is. I liked your video presentation! I liked your cart and i can see why:-))
Thanks for all the time you put in making videos and sharing some knowledge! I just picked up this same grill last Friday but didn’t have the white gasket around my auger assembly box and does your pellet hopper have a safety guard?
Yes but I removed it.
Good review...excellent points!
Don't know if it's been said or not but Velco. A family member has a full size traeger, he is older and moves it in and out of his garage all the time. So he took a piece of heavy duty hook and loop (Velcro) and placed it one the hopper lid and the hooper. From what I can tell it works really good for him. Also my father then did the same to his grill. I think that would work really well for this grill because I see a latch catching on something like paint taking it in and out of the truck or the cover when you are taking off.
Good review! The body of this grill is the same as most, if not all, traeger juniors. The main issue I have with my Costco junior is temp swings; most owners will attest to +/- 25*f swings, I see -25 to +90, which lead me to install an aftermarket controller (almost lead me to a yoder ys480). Temp swings never resulted in a bad cook, and this is an important point, perhaps most important, but a 90* upward swing near the end of a cook can really ruin your meal if you're not paying attention.
Good overview of the tailgater.
great review. I originally came to look about the legs and folding to see how well they worked...lol
Just bought use July 2020. My model has the same concerns but after cooking ruibs butts and wings really like it. Read the leg folding instructions in the manual, ain’t easy but have seen harder things! Also I cannot get my meat thermometer probe to work, but working on that with Traeger customer service.
Great video! Have one question though, I noticed after you wrapped the drip tray with foil is there a way for the grease to flow out of the tray into the catch can? I did not see a hole in the foil that would allow draining.
Thank you for the video, I recently bought one at a yard sale and the wires from the hotbox are all tangled up and what not,...do you have a video showing how to connect the hot box? So I can see what's going on? Thank you.
Thank you for your help!
Thanks for all the detail! I bought this along with a similar plastic cart. No issue with the heat melting the plastic? I did not install the legs, which makes it a little lower to the top of the cart. Thanks in advance!
BadAss review!!! 👍👍👍
Thanks for the review, you mentioned that the lid was a little light. How does it compare to other Tragers?
I always wanted a Traeger but they're too expensive. Walked into OSH to waste time and got 20% off since they're closing them down. Get them now if you've been on the fence. Nice review.
Great review!! Just one ? the cart you show is plastic does it withstand the high heat?
Thanks for the honest review here, I've been looking for a good review of this model and am about to make a purchase. Glad I saw your video. Oh yeah, and Semper Fi!
Thanks Nick. Let me know how your purchase goes. Semper Fi!!
I’m interested in this for a balcony pit for me. I live alone. I don’t cook so so much but I do like to smoke brisket and I feel this is the perfect size for me in my opinion
I am on the fence on buying this or the 22 for work. I usually bring my Weber Kettle I’m but it just fits in the back of my SUV.
Agreed. I had the texas version that has legs but same smoker. I started with it but quickly moved on the a select. It is normal for this one to have large temp swings in certain situations but as in your rant video let it alone and it always worked even with those swings. Not sure why such a constant temp is always necessary. If close then fine imo. Never had bad food in it due to the smoker. The "chef" was a different issue lol.
I agree about the temps.......the AVG overall temp is going to be close to what you have it set at. That is all that matters. Cheers!
great review
I like your review. I agree on somethings but disagree on others but we are always allowed our opinions. I am new and learning about pellet grilling so maybe it’s because I don’t know yet. I got a great deal on mine because it didn’t fit in the RV as they liked after 2 uses. I have used it for a week straight and love it. Some need to learn set it and almost forget it being the small hopper size. I have done roast, pizzas,brats, burgers, ribs, and finally a brisket. In close to that order. My dislike with the venting of the back was couldn’t they put a slide vent to help with heat control and keeping smoke where you wanted it? Wheels are super cheap and mine probably will get replaced and maybe the handles too. As far as compact pellet grill for take along wherever you go...... A- with only miner problems so far. Thanks for you review.
Joel Van De Voorde great to have you here on the channel! Feel free to check out all the pellet grill stuff. I’ll help anyway I can.
I have the exact same grill I dearly love it I bought mine back in June and because it is just me I I don't need the big traeger that is why I bought the tailgater and I use it instead of using the stove in the house thank you for your video
I really wish I could share my cooking pictures of what I have cooked on the grill but TH-cam don't allow that maybe another time
When u use it as a stove u have pellets in it as well? And itll give it a smokey flavor on everything? Or can you heat it up with no pellets for jo smoke? May be a stupid question
Good review. Much thanks. Question: Couldn't tell from the video. Could you smoke a medium sized turkey in this?
I don't remember Wes, but thanks for watching. My mind isn't what it used to be! LOL
Another good job dude.
Thanks Earl!
Thanks for the review, I noticed several comments asking about a link to the cart. Do you have one or a brand and model number?
Great review, thank you. Just got one. The legs do seem like a pain, and I like your cart setup because it is a short grill... It seems like a couple of bungee cords would solve the travel and hopper problems, right?
Not a bad Idea!
Even 2 years later this is a great review! I only wish you would have discussed and linked the particular cart that you have your tailgater on. I have reason to believe that your set up with raising the Traeger up on the cart, that it makes the unit easier to use being higher up then if I had it set up on the legs. Where can I pick up a cart like yours that will fit a tailgater?
Thank you. It’s just a library type cart off of Amazon.
Dude is living the great life
I have the GMG Davy Crockett. Love the thing and never leave for a camping trip or tailgate without it. Anybody have any comparisons between the GMG and the Traeger?
Great cart idea i got me a cart too. ease of movement.
I love it!
What are the dimensions when legs are folded up? And what are the dimensions of the main grill grate?
I’m the smoker in my household and have been looking at this cooker as well. Stumbled onto your channel this morning. My husband and I watched it till the end. You are too funny and enjoyed your candid review. Think this may be the winner! Did you happen to post where to get a cart like yours? Thanks for the video & Go Air Force! :)
Barbara Hedman Thanks so much for your comment. Glad this was some help. The cart can be found on Amazon. GO NAVY!
Just picked up the last display model, on what Im guessing was a close out sale at Home Depot, for $225. Can't beat that, half off retail!! Looking forward to it! A few of my friends have the larger models. I kept eyeing this tailgater at Home Depot for over a month and they kept dropping the price, couldn't believe no one else had snagged it up.
Hows it holding up so far Lazor?
@@Homeymoto it's doing great now, when I got it I had bad temp swings and lots of ler errors. After about half a year I finally called traeger and they sent me the new style "digital arc" controller that comes with the newer 2020+ tailgaters and rangers. Was pretty impressed they sent me that free under warranty which basically upgraded mine to the new version (and I'd already gotten the great half price deal on it to begin with). I've seen a lot of similar reports of issues on the older tailgaters and scouts and it's my honest opinion the old controllers just weren't up to the task of the smaller smokers. With the new style the tailgater is an absolute beast and possibly the perfect size between being relatively portable and still being able to fit a monster brisket or whole pork shoulder/ 2 big pork butts, etc. Id have to say my only 1 true complaint is that with a full hopper, and no "stirring" around of the pellets by hand, I get about 4 hours max comfortably on ~200-225⁰ before the pellets create a void and stop falling into the auger. Would like to get another hour or 2 atleast for overnight cooks, but its not the too bad getting up to check and doesn't bother me during day time cooks. The slightly larger hopper from the Bronson would have been cool, I've been playing around with making a small hopper extension though for those times. My friends green mountian Davey Crockett runs way longer before needing to mess with pellets, those are nice smokers too but the cook area is decently smaller. All in all I absolutely love my tailgater and am so glad I purchased it. Hoping for many many more years of good food to come with it.
I just won one I’m soooooo excited!!!!
Would you recommend this or the ranger as an every day cooker living in the city apartment with a 5x8 balcony? Or one of the smaller stand up would be better for every day cooking? I like this tailgater and ranger for the portability
Ranger
Great video
Nice review
Would mostly use this at home. I have a ceramic cooker so I’d mainly use this for ribs and briskets. Could it handle a 12+ pound brisket and a couple racks of ribs? Home Depot has one on clearance around me for $349.
No, it will not handle all of that. It is a small tailgater grill.
Great review brother - I know I’m late to the party but what sort of cart did you use for this?
Sir does the drip pan sit on the little lip or inside of the lip?
Where can I get the cart you're using? Can you share a link
Does it cook uneven because the fire is in the side not in the middle?
What kind of cart do you have it setting on and where did you purchase it. Great video, Thanks
Looks like a detail cart for your car Costco sells them on there website www.costco.com/Luxor-2-Shelf-Heavy-duty-Cart.product.100119045.html
Amazon has them also
MaxWorks 80384 Black and Gray Two-Tray Service/Utility Cart With Aluminum Legs And 4" Diameter Swivel Castors www.amazon.com/dp/B01K1W5IQM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_DMdcDb7R455WC
I found one of these for $375. Do you think it would be a good buy and worth the money? It would be my first pellet grill.
I know this is an older video but only good one I've found. Would you recommend this as a home smoker and not just for tailgating? It's just me and my wife so dont need a massive smoker. I would use it dang near every night to cook on. Dont like using stoves or oven..
My buddy has one and he uses it almost daily....he is a single dad.
@@JusPiddlinBBQ Thanks. CASA asked my question and your answer locked in my decision.
We have a family of four and have used ours for over 3 years. I have never folded the legs to move it and only use it as a stand alone grill. I can grill 2 racks of ribs, a brisket, dozen hamburgers, a pizza, 4 steaks or just about anything a normal family would cook. Its a great buy for someone new to pellet grills. You do need to keep it out of the weather when in use. I store mine outside but with a grill cover as never had any issues. I also noticed that I use less pellets per cook than my brothers pro 22 since it only has to heat a smaller area. Something to think about it your contemplating which size of grill to buy.
Thanks for the video! Do you think I can smoke a 6 or 7 lb brisket on this? Or is it too small for that?
Should be no problem, but not a full packer brisket.
Good job Brother 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Where did you get that cart you have the traeger on??
For the grease can catcher just use some great value 1 gallon ziploc bags from Walmart you can get 80 bags for 5 dollars. And then just zip up the bag and throw it away.
ALUMINUM CRUSHER even better use double the height of your drip can in aluminum pushed into your drip can molding it close to shape. Take any paper towels used or not wadded up in the bottom ( it for the absorption of the grease and will not melt if you’re using higher heat as for grilling). When done pull foil out with paper towel inside dispose of it and if the paper towel does it’s job you may even keep the aluminum for many uses without any grease ever getting into you pail. Let me know what you think. I am new to mine but it was something I saw that made me think I didn’t want a greasy pail in my truck.
I use foil on the bottom and a plastic red cup hasn’t melted the red cup
Question, does the unit smoke well? Seems like those two exhaust slots would not allow smoke to completely circulate around the interior. Thanks for the video. Gene
The chuck roast today just after 1 1/2 hours had a great mahogany color to it with good smoke flavor using pecan pellets today.
Jus' Piddlin BBQ thanks, glad it performs, enjoy your roast! Did my first brisket yesterday....not much left😉 I enjoy your videos. Gene
Thanks so much Gene! I appreciate your comments.
As far as the legs go, it's very easy by yourself. In fact I prefer to do it by myself. Just set the hopper on a chair or something, chairs seem to be perfect height, while folding the hopper side legs and then loosen the opposite side legs and lower the whole grill onto the ground as those legs fold up. Tighten those legs and your good to go, super easy IMO! Same thing to unfold them in reverse.
lazor222 I understand the concept. However, when compared to the ease of the legs on the Grilla Grill Chimp or Camp Chef tailgaters, these legs fall way short on ease of use. That is my point. I have a video on the chimp as well if you want to check that out. I love Traeger! I think they muss d the mark on these legs however. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!
Aren’t all Traegers built a bit on the thin side compared to other grills?
Yes, but, how does it do cooking? Is the temperature steady? Does the cooking area heat evenly?
Cooks great. I swapped out the elite controller with a pro controller and it cooks outstanding. So much so that I gave it to my daughter at college. If I didn't trust it, I wouldn't let my daughter use it. She loves it.
Has anyone made any modifications to the plastic handles? I dont think mine are gonna hold up much longer! Thanks!
Being a tailgate model cooker, another obvious disadvantage would be the fact that you will have to have access to AC power for the grill to function. That would be a big negative if you were remote camping or were in a situation where AC was not available. Thanks for your channel!
You're exactly right Alan. If you don't have access to power, then you won't want to be in the market for a pellet grill. Thanks for watching.
Jus' Piddlin BBQ Makes you wonder if Traeger might could come up with a 12volt DC option where you could run it off your car or truck battery. It shouldn’t use that much juice to run the electronics or auger. A small generator or power inverter might be another option. Thanks for your reply
I do a video on that here: th-cam.com/video/g_D-sk_JkOk/w-d-xo.html
I looked through the comments but has anyone mentioned where you got the cart? Sorry if someone has asked this.
How well does the control keep ya temps? I bought one a week ago and temps are all over with huge swing.
My temps are really accurate when you keep the lid shut.
No thermometer on top?
Thanks Sandy, lots of upset people when you got the Traeger, but I knew you would do what you always do, give a good honest review. Good Job.
Lots of upset people? Who is upset and why?
I was referring to all the comments you received when you got the Traeger. My apologies my language was not precise, i should have said some not “Lots”.
No problem Keith. Yea there were a few...most of it in good fun though. It would be different if I was working for a grill company or getting checks, but basically I don't have any sponsors as of last night so everything comes out of my pocket to do these videos for the most part, so if another brand wants to help me with that, and I can bring variety to my channel in the process, I'd be crazy to say no. I appreciate your consistent support Keith!!
Yes you would, Have you done any research on the Blackstone griddles? I think that may be my next purchase.
What cart are you using?
Semper Fi brother
Semper Fi
I bought one last weekend. I see the temp to 225 and it was spiking upwards to 375. I noticed it after about 30 min. In lowered it to 185 and it stayed around 260. Called tec support and they told me to change the p setting. It still cooks a bit higher than the setting. I'm gonna use it this weekend again and see what happens.
Mauricio just remember that the less you mess with it the better. Set it at the temp that you want and leave it alone. It will settle in. As small as the tailgater is, it gains temp really quickly so it will pass what you have it set at. Give it time to settle down. Lifting the lid will only make it worse.
Jus' Piddlin BBQ Last week there was actually a big fire in it. I set it on smoke and left it alone. Came out to a shit ton of smoke and fire. Turned it off. Cleaned it. Vaccumed the fire box and set it to smoke again. Did the same thing. They send me some parts to replace it. So far out of 4 times I've used it. It's acted up all 4 times
When are they coming out with the cheaper models? I just bought this grill, for my apartment. It's electric and it's the perfect size. I paid 399.99 for it.
Just bought for my apartment. Any tips on how to use at an apartment?
I got mine a lot cheaper than that ( same model ). Love my Traeger , check out Costco when they have the reps there .
These are on sale for $349 through Sunday. Im thinking about getting into smokers. Think this is the right time and price to get into it?
That price is hard to beat!
the good, the bad, the ugly... ...Liked!
Hi, how big of a brisket would you say this could barbecue?
I would say about 10lbs.
can you smoke fish in it?
Drip can insert, I use empty pickle jars, Also I may have missed it but there never was a hole put in the foil on the drip tray.
Get a bungee cord for the hopper when traveling
All Traeger units need a way to unload the pellet hopper.
How is the heat, when searing steak or burgers?
great review btw
Where did you purchase your cart that the traeger sets on?
This one is almost identical to mine. amzn.to/3khdxUC
Semper Fidelis, Devil....Where did ya get the cart from?
Semper Fi brother! This one is almost identical to mine. amzn.to/3khdxUC
The holes in the back really screw things up when your below 0°C (Freezing Point, I think you guys are 32°F) on a job site with wind; wind affects this unit big time; beware, if you don’t have the resources to stop wind, you”ll be lucky to get up to 200°F for the whole cook… buy a cover; Just coming from a Pipeliner in Canada
What cart you have the tailgater on where can I get one
This one is almost identical to mine. amzn.to/3khdxUC
Meanwhile if the dont make latches or magnets for the lids... u can use a bungee cord
Great reviews! I’ve been debating on what pellet smoker to get as I really want to start smoking meats. Your Grilla Grill review was really thorough and I can’t decide between it and Traeger. What are your thoughts on them for weekly home use?
Any pellet grill is great for everyday use. I use my grills almost every day.
Can you cook a 15 pound Thanksgiving turkey in this whole?
Might be tough to do.
I had the pellets dump on me hahah
My favorite part is when you convinced yourself that the light construction was a pro.
Glad you liked it!