Traeger Timberline 1300 vs 850 – A Side-By-Side Comparison

The Timberline is Traeger’s top-of-the-line model. Built like a tank, this model has everything you need in a pellet grill—plus more. The two models have all the same features. The only difference between the 1300 and 850 is the size, cooking capacity, and price.

Price Difference

The price difference between the Timberline 1300 and the 850 is only a few hundred dollars. Considering how much more meat you can cook on the 1300, I think it’s worth spending the extra money.

However, if you don’t need to cook a truckload of food, then the Timberline 850 can cook more than enough food, and takes up less space.

Latest Prices

Side-By-Side Comparison: Timberline 1300 vs 850

Timberline Cooking Capacity

The big difference between the 1300 and the 850 is the amount of meat that you can cook. Both grills have a three tier rack, so you can smoke a lot of meat on either model. However, the 1300, as its name suggests, has 1300 square inches of cooking area. The 850 has 850 square inches of cooking area.  

The Timberline 850 can cook 9 whole chickens, or 6 pork butts, or 8 whole racks of ribs. It could probably handle about five briskets. The 1300 can cook 12 pork butts, or 15 rib racks, or 12 whole chickens. The big grill could probably cook about 8 to 9 briskets depending on the size. 

How Much More Food Can You Cook On The 1300?

If you get the Timberline 1300, you will cook three more whole chickens, or 7 more rib racks, or six extra pork butts. That’s a lot of meat—especially if you’re cooking for a crowd. 

The 1300 Three-Tier Rack

Both Timberland models have a three-tier cooking rack system. The 1300 has a top rack of 306 square inches, a metal rack of 476 square inches, and a bottom rack of 561 square inches. 

Total Weight And Dimensions

The Timberline 1300 weighs in at 255 lbs, which is 42lbs heavier than the 850, which has a total weight of 213 lb. 

The Timberline 1300 and 850 are identical with 51 inches high, and 28 inches deep. The Timberline 1300 is 12 inches wider than the 850. 

The 850 is 46 wide, compared to the 1300 which is 58 inches. So put into perspective, the Timberline 1300 is about the size of a 60 in flat screen TV.

What They Have In Common?

The two grills have some minor differences, but the 1300 and 850 also have a lot in common. 

Double Walled Insulation

The most popular feature of the Timberline series is the thick steel construction. The double-walled insulation can retain heat and keep cold air out. 

The double-walled insulation allows your smoker to cook through the winter months—something other grills can’t do. Also, the extra insulation means you’ll burn through less wood pellets, making it a more economical grill. 

The D2 Drivetrain

The D2 Drivetrain Traeger’s new powerful brushless motor that powers the auger and the fan. This motor is more powerful than other Gen 1 Traeger models and other pellet grills. 

A brushless motor has less friction and will last much longer than other motors. The powerful motor is the reason features such as Turbo Temp is possible. 

Download Exhaust

The Traeger has a downward exhaust system that pushes the air out the back of the pellet grill. Most designs have a smokestack (chimney). However, according to Traeger, a chimney style smokestack creates too much stale smoke. 

Wi-Fi

The Timberline connects directly to your home Wi-Fi network. Once your grill recognizes and pairs to your Wi-Fi network, you will monitor the grill via the Traeger App. 

The Traeger App

The App is available for Android, Apple, and now Apple watch. The Traeger App has improved since the first version—which was very glitchy.

Remote Temperature Control

The major benefit of the App is to monitor and control your Timberline from anywhere in the world. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection, then you can access your grill via the app. You can adjust the temperature, or place the meat into keep-warm mode—all from your phone!

GrillGuide

The Traeger App comes pre-loaded with the Grill Guide—which has hundreds of recipes with step-by- step instructions. 

The recipes have improved a lot in recent years. Traeger finally asked for the input from actual Pitmasters.

Super Smoke Mode

Super Smoke Mode allows you to infuse extra smoke flavor onto your meat. This function is handy early in the cook, where the meat can absorb more smoke flavor. The temperature range in Super Smoke Mode is in the 200° F range. 

Temperature Boost

Turbo Temp is a feature available in the newer Traeger models and is present in both Timberline grills. 

The Turbo Temp function allows you to bring your Timberline up to temperature much faster. It also helps you restore temperature if you’ve opened the lid.

Large Pellet Hopper

Both models of the Timberline have the same pellet hopper. The next model down, the Ironwood, holds 20 lb of pellets, and the Pro Series has an 18 lb hopper. The Timberline has a 24 pound hopper means you don’t have to worry about running out of wood halfway through a long cook. 

Pellet Sensor

Both Timberline models have a sensor in the pellet hopper. The sensor will trigger a notification to your phone if your pellets are running low. The Timberline has a 24 lb hopper, which is enough to fit a large bag of pellets. One 20 lb bag should last enough for a 20-hour cook. 

Pellet Trapdoor

The pellet trapdoor allows you to dump pellets from the hopper and swap flavors. Not all grills have this function. With most grills, use what’s in the hopper before you swap them out. 

Temperature Range

The temperature range for the Timberline is between 500° F and 160° F. The max temp is high enough to sear steaks if you lower the bottom rack. 

Cold Smoking

Both Timberline models have a low temperature of 165° F which is suitable for cold smoking. If this isn’t low enough, you can place trays of ice in your Traeger. Ice will lower the temperature into the cold smoking range.

Searing

Pellet grills are mostly used for low-and-slow cooking, not searing. The Timberline can lower the bottom grate so you can sear steaks at 500° F. This gives you the option to reverse sear. For this method, start the steaks low so they can absorb smoke. Then drop the bottom rack and finish the steaks at a high temp. 

Winter Cooking

Timberline is the best Traeger model for winter cooking. The double-walled insulation keeps the cold out and holds the heat in. On a freezing day, it will only take 20 minutes for the Timberline to come up to temperature. 

Economical Pellets

Because the Timberline is so well insulated, you will burn through far less wood pellets. The other model Traeger grills struggle to retain heat during the middle of winter—which means they burn through more pellets.

Concealed Grease Trap

Another great Timberline feature is the concealed grease tray that’s tucked away, keeping animals and kids safe. To make cleaning easy, place an aluminium tray in the grease tray. Traeger sell grease trap liners, which makes cleaning easier. 

Extra Shelving

The Timberline has a lot of shelving around the grill which is really handy. On the left and the right there are shelves, and around the front of the unit is a small shelf where you can place spices, your spritz bottle, and other things. Everything has a nice stainless steel brush finished. 

Utensil Hooks

The racks on the Timberline have hooks where you can attach your tongs, spatulas and other barbecue tools. 

Bamboo Cutting Board

The Timberline series has a bamboo cutting board attached to the top of the pellet hopper. This allows you to do your food prep outside.

Three Tier Cooking Rack

The Timberline series has three tier racks so you can cook on three different levels. This gives you flexibility, and the top rack is more of a keep-warm rack. I like the vertical cooking area on this model. 

All Round Build Quality

When lined up alongside the other Traeger models, there’s a noticeable difference in all round quality build with the Timberline series. It just has a more solid construction. 

1300 Specs

• Total cooking space 1300 square inches
• Top rack 306 square inches
• Middle rack 476 square inches
• Bottom rack 561 square inches
• Pellet hopper capacity 24 lb
• Total weight 255 lb
• Heights 51 in
• Width 58 in
• Depth 28 in
• Wi-Fi technology
• D2 grill controller
• Bamboo cutting board
• Front stainless steel shelf
• Pellet sensor
• Traeger’s downdraft exhaust system
• Super smoke mode
• Searing capabilities bottom grate
• Hidden grease management system
• One meat probe
• Locking caster wheels
• Grill hooks

850 Specs

• Total cooking area 850 square inches
• Total weight, 213 lb
• Height 51 in
• Width 46 in
• Depth 28 in
• Pellet hopper capacity, 24 lb
• Maximum temperature, 500° F
• Minimum temperature, 160° F
• Price, $2,100 (check latest price)
• A three tier cooking rack system ( rack one, 363 square inches, rack two, 308 square inches, rack three 198 square inches)
• Wi-Fi technology
• D2 grill controller
• Bamboo cutting board
• Front stainless steel shelf
• Pellet sensor
• Traeger’s downdraft exhaust system
• Super smoke mode
• Searing capabilities bottom grate
• Hidden grease management system
• One meat probe
• Locking caster wheels
• Grill hooks

Where To Buy A Timberline

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Ironwood vs Pro Series – We Review Both Series

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