Traeger Pro 780 Review: Honest, Expert Pellet Grill Experience
As a fervent advocate for pellet grills, transitioning from the traditional charcoal grills/smokers to a pellet grill was game-changing for me. They allow you to spend more time with your family and less time tending to your grill.
In this hands-on Traeger Pro 780 review, we’ll explore all the features, specs, pros, cons, and everything in between to see how this pellet grill might fit into your lifestyle.
For a quick answer on if the Traeger Pro 780 is worth your investment…YES, we believe this pellet grill will meet the needs (plus some cool nice to haves) of most people in the market for a pellet grill or smoker.
Key Takeaways:
- Ease of Use: The Traeger Pro 780 takes the hassle out of BBQing, offering straightforward controls and an intuitive interface.
- Versatility: Whether you’re smoking ribs or grilling burgers, this grill can do it all.
- Temperature Precision: Achieving and maintaining the perfect grill temperature is effortless, ensuring your meals are cooked to perfection every time.
- Convenience & Connectivity: With the Traeger app, monitoring your cook from anywhere becomes a reality, adding a layer of convenience.
Why the Traeger Pro 780?
The Traeger Pro 780 Pellet Grill is one of the best-selling, most recommended pellet grills on the market.
Along with it’s sibling in the Traeger Pro Series (Traeger Pro 575), this pellet grill is on or near the top of lots of “best of” lists.
But does it really live up to the hype? We think it does…
Pros and Cons of the Traeger Pro 780
There’s a lot to love and some things that could be improved.
Pros:
- Great temp control & wifi monitoring
- Cooking space for large meals
- Good fuel capacity
- Pellet clean-out is a nice touch
Cons:
- Higher cost than other grill or smoker types
- Wish front shelf was standard
- For the price, I’d like 2 temp probes vs 1
Traeger 780 Pellet Grill: The features
Pellet grills are like the ultimate Swiss Army knife of grills, and we’re absolutely hooked.
I’ve learned through owning and reviewing multiple pellet grills, certain features separate a descent pellet grill from an awesome pellet grill.
The Traeger Pro 780 has come features which place it into the awesome category…
D2 Controller – Precision Temperature Control
The ability to set-and-forget the temperature on a grill is fantastic! I’ve cooked on regular charcoal grills, kamado grills, and various smokers…let me tell you first hand, nothing will ruin your bbq quicker than huge temperature swings.
All pellet grills claim you can set and forget, but I’ve seen temperatures randomly fluctuate on other pellet grill brands. Not on Traeger!
The Traeger 780 allows you to set the temperature you want (between 180 and 500°F), walk away, and know it’s gonna get to that temp and stay there.
WiFire (WiFi Connectivity via Traeger App)
The Traeger Pro 780’s WiFire technology changes the game by offering a high-tech twist to traditional smoking and grilling.
WiFire allows remote temperature monitoring and control from your phone…ensuring precise cooking for a range of dishes, from pork to chicken, without needing to be constantly by the grill.
I use WiFire for all of my cooks on the Traeger and haven’t had a single issue. I like to up temps later in long cooks (i.e. the last couple hours of a pork butt or brisket) and am able to do this easily using WiFire.
This feature is a key component of this particular Traeger Grill, marrying technology with traditional cooking methods to offer a next-level grilling or smoking experience.
Great amount of Cooking Space
This pellet grill has a ton of capacity. The main shelf and smaller, secondary shelf combine for 780 square inches of grill capacity.
Traeger states the grill can fit 34 burgers, six rib racks, or six chickens. I cooked 24 hot dogs one day and still had plenty of room for more!
Pellet Hopper with good capacity and cleanout
With an 18lb capacity to store wood pellets, this Traeger Grill can cook for hours and hours without having to refill.
Expect pellet consumption of around 2 pounds per hour at high heat and just ½ pound per hour during smoking.
At the lowest settings, you can cook/smoke for up to 36 hours*!
The hopper cleanout allows you to easily empty the hopper. You may want to swap pellet flavors or just run out the pellets to store your grill. Either way, the feature is VERY convenient and not offered by some brands.
Using the Traeger 780
I’ve really enjoyed using the Traeger 780. It’s the 4th pellet grill I’ve owned and the first from Traeger.
The features I’ve highlighted are a breeze to use. Especially monitoring and controlling via WiFi.
Start the grill by setting the desired temp, press “Ignite” button, then sit back and wait. It only takes about 10 minutes to reach a lower temp for smoking (200-250°F); slightly longer for higher temps.
Once the grill reaches the desired temp, it’s pretty much going to stay there…except when you open the lid.
Opening the lid can cause the temp to drop 25-50°F. However, once you close the lid, the target temp will usually recover within a few minutes.
We’ve cooked a bunch of stuff thus far and have loved this grill! All the food I’ve smoked or grilled has had a good smoky flavor, but not in an overpowering way as charcoal or wood smokers can sometimes do.
The Traeger app
Using the Traeger App is like having a grill whisperer in your pocket!
Once it’s connected to your grill, it can send you notifications about the cook time, temperature, and even when it’s time to flip your food.
Plus, it’s loaded with recipes that’ll make you wanna grill every day.
*You will have to grant the app permission to access your local WiFi network.
Pro Series – Two sizes, Same Grill
The Traeger Pro Series has two models: The Traeger Pro 575 and 780. As stated earlier, you’ll find these pellet grills on or near the top of lots of “best of” lists.
They both have all the same features. The only difference is cooking space and price. The Pro 780 retails for $999 while the Pro 575 is $200 cheaper, coming with a $799 price tag.
Check out our article comparing the Pro 575 vs 780.
More Pellet Grill Resources from New Creation Food…
- Best Smoker for a Beginner
- Best Grill Smoker Combos (for beginners)
- Can you use a pellet grill in the garage?
- How a pellet grill works
- How long do pellet grills last
- How long do pellets last in a pellet grill
Conclusion — Awesome Pellet Smoker!
This Traeger pellet grill is a solid entry into our arsenal. With its generous grill space, the brilliance of WiFire and the Traeger app, we’re creating BBQ deliciousness with ease.
If you’re hesitating, take this as your cue to dive in. Get ready for some epic grilling!
FAQ
How hot does the Traeger Pro 780 get?
The maximum temp is 500 degrees F.
When did the Traeger Pro 780 come out?
The Traeger Pro 780 made its grand debut in 2019 and has quickly become one of the best selling pellet grills on the market.
Can you grill on a Traeger Pro 780?
Yes. You can grill your food, smoke, bake, roast or anything in between.
Does Traeger Pro 780 have super smoke?
Traeger’s Super Smoke setting comes on their Ironwood and Timberline series and some Costco models (Silverton & Redland).
However, remember that as a general rule, smoking at lower temperatures will naturally lead to more smoky flavor.
How long is Traeger Warranty?
The Pro 780 comes with a 3-year warranty. That means for a full three years, you’re covered on all parts.
