This is a review of the Traeger Ironwood 885 – and we will be the first ones to tell you, it’s one hell of a grill!
At The Grilling Dad, whatever we’re bringing to you, we can ensure that a thorough amount of research, along with our experience, goes into providing you with the best information, giving you all the information you need to know.
And all this paired with a Traeger grill – we’re talking the best of the best.
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Do We Recommend the Traeger Grill Ironwood 885?
YES!
Let’s cut right to the chase – we rate the Traeger Grill’s Ironwood 885 as the best mid-range pellet smoker. It’s all about grilling and smoking in the 21st century with Traeger, and this grill is the best way to do that.
It’s all about the flavor, and less about babysitting the grill with Traeger. A BBQ should not only be cool, but convenient, and not about the time spent babysitting a flame, but the time spent eating the food!
So today, we’re talking all about the Traeger Ironwood 885, why we think it’s a top pellet smoker, the features of the grill, the construction and cooking area, the way it works, and more!
Keep reading to learn more!
What Does the Traeger Ironwood 885 Do?
The Traeger Ironwood 885 is one of the best pellet smokers on the market, hands down. With its advancements in technology, the Traeger Ironwood 885 allows you to smoke meats like the pros, at any time and in any place – all from an APP on your phone.
This grill also offers 885 square inches of cooking space, which means you will never find a cut too big to smoke.
The Traeger Ironwood 885 uses pellet fuel to smoke meats, while maintaining a consistent temperature and smoke level. The pellet sensor will take care of the temperature, smoke level, and the amount of pellets needed to ensure your meat is smoking uninterrupted.
Some purists argue that pellet smokers don’t always give the most authentic smoked flavor, however, with Traeger’s Super Smoke technology, you can ensure that your meats are being smoked consistently to lock in a deep smoke ring every time.
Features of the Ironwood 885
WiFIRE Capabilities
With its WiFIRE capabilities, (WIFI on the grill) the Traeger Ironwood 885 allows you to grill or smoke from anywhere, at any time.
With its user-friendly app, you can view the control panel for your grill on your phone, and even search to find recipes that offer a “cook now” button that automatically programs your grill with the settings from the chosen recipe.
One of the best advantages of grilling with the WiFIRE capabilities, is that it allows you to smoke and grill without needing to watch it. You can start a 16 hour smoke the night before, and keep it going overnight just by using the control panel on your phone. You can also check in to see the current smoke temperature, the meat temperature (the temp probe), the pellet level and any timers you may have set.
The Traeger Ironwood 885 is like your own personal assistant – you set the rules and it takes care of the rest.
Pellet Sensor
The Traeger Ironwood 885 has a pellet sensor that makes smoking easy. The pellet hopper holds up 20 pounds of pellets, which means you won’t need to be replenishing your pellets during a long smoke.
Another great thing is that the pellet hopper has a sensor that detects when the grill needs more pellet fuel and will automatically add more pellets as it needs.
The onboard sensor of the hopper automatically adjusts the number of pellets needed to maintain your set temperature inside the grill. An auger moves pellets from the hopper to the fire pot as needed to keep a consistent temperature and smoke level.
With the Traeger Ironwood 885, gone are the days of playing with vents, or constantly feeding wood to maintain your smoke – it’s all done for you.
There is also a door in the back of the pellet hopper which allows you to easily change or clean out the ash without the mess, and without any scooping.
Downdraft Exhaust and Super Smoke Technology
The Traeger Ironwood 885 has an innovative downdraft exhaust system that is specially designed to engulf your meats in smoke. It exhausts the smoke at the cooking surface level, which allows your meats to get the fullest smoked flavor, as opposed to the inefficiency of a top exhaust system.
The downdraft exhaust system allows the smoke to circulate your meat, creating a vortex, before the smoke exits the grill. It’s a thoughtfully engineered system that is best in class.
The Super Smoke technology helps keep the fire going strong at a consistent temperature, and the downdraft exhaust helps with smoke production and convection for even cooking.
885 Square Inches of Cooking Surface
With 885 square inches of cooking surface, you will never run out of room. The Traeger Ironwood 885 has enough space to handle any food, any size.
You can sear steaks and burgers on the bottom rack, do a low and slow smoke on the top rack with a pan underneath to help keep meats juicy and moist throughout the cook, and can even bake on the bottom rack if you wish to – that’s how consistent a Traeger Ironwood 885 is.
Alternatives to Traeger Ironwood 885
Here are other pellet grills that are comparable to Traeger’s Ironwood 885:
Camp Chef Woodwind w/ Sidekick
The Camp Chef Woodwind WIFI 24 is a good Traeger alternative. The Camp Chef has WIFI, temperature control, and comes with 811 total square inches of cooking space in the 24″ model.
The Camp Chef Woodwind has a lower price tag and is similar to the Traeger in size and features.
Weber SmokeFire Gen 2
Weber SmokeFire can reach temperatures up to 600 degrees, which is higher than most pellet smokers get up to – including the Traeger Ironwood 885.
With an extremely tried-and-true name, one of the most trusted brands in the industry, and all the capabilities of an innovative pellet smoker with searing capabilities, the Weber SmokeFire Gen 2 is a great alternative to Traeger.
You may be wondering – which is better, Weber or a Traeger? The thing is, both brands are great, but when it comes to innovation, and authentic taste, you can’t go wrong with Traeger.
If you’re looking for something cheaper, check out our Best Pellet Grills Under $500 post.
Related >> Traeger vs Pit Boss
FAQs About the Traeger Ironwood 885
What is so Special about a Traeger Grill?
After reading this article, if you’re looking for a reliable, “set it and forget it” smoker/grill that produces professional results every time, Traeger Ironwood 885 is second to none.
With a 3-year limited warranty, and all the capabilities you need, a Traeger Ironwood 885 is more special than the rest, because it offers an all-inclusive system.
Can you Use Traeger like a Regular Grill?
Yes. While there isn’t an option for an over the flame grilling, the interior temperature can sear meats up to 500 degrees making it more than capable.
Since the temperature stays consistent throughout the cook on a Traeger Ironwood 885, you can even do more than grill – you can smoke, braise, bake, or roast with its innovative control panel.
Can you Cook Quickly on the Traeger Ironwood 885?
Cooking on a Traeger grill can be as slow or as fast as you’d like. It’s up to you and how you’d like your food to be prepared, and that’s why the Traeger Ironwood 885 is a great option for versatility.
Whether you’re going low and slow for a 16-hour smoke, or want to cook something hot and fast, the Traeger Ironwood 885 can do it all.
Is the Traeger Ironwood 885 Just a Smoker?
No, it’s not just a smoker! Although it offers one of the best smoker capabilities out there, you also have the capability of searing, braising, baking, and more!
Unlike your typical offset smokers that only smoke, the Trager Ironwood 885 is truly a grilling beast.
Can you Use the Treager Ironwood 885 Without Pellets?
No, you can’t. The Traeger Ironwood 885 uses pellets for fuel, just like a gas grill uses propane for fuel. The pellet hopper needs to have pellets in it, or the temperature of the grill will drop, and you will not be able to cook on it.
That being said, if your Traeger Ironwood 885 pellet hopper runs out of pellets mid-cook, you can easily refill the hopper.
