The Traeger Pro 22 is one of the best-known pellet grills on the market, and it has stayed in the lineup for years. It skips WiFi and fancy extras, but it's simple to learn and often on sale. Here's who should buy it and who should look elsewhere.
Traeger Pro 22
Best for: Beginners who want an easy pellet grill from a big brand
The Pro 22 gives you 572 square inches across two grates, an 18-pound hopper and a digital controller that tops out at 450°F. There's no app, so you check it in person, but that also means fewer things to go wrong. Owners like how easy it is to set up and how good ribs, chicken and pork shoulder come out. It's often discounted, which makes it one of the cheapest ways into Traeger.
What we like
- Easy to learn for first-time smokers
- Two grates with plenty of room for a family
- Big-brand parts and support
- Frequent sale prices
Keep in mind
- No WiFi or app control
- Cleanup and grease handling feel dated
This is an editorial review based on Traeger's published specs and what owners and reviewers report, not our own hands-on testing.
Who it's for
The Pro 22 is for someone who wants to start smoking meat without learning fire control. You fill the hopper with pellets, set a temperature and the controller feeds pellets to hold it. It fits a backyard cook who smokes a few times a month and is home to check on the grill. If you want to start a pork butt at midnight and watch it from bed, you'll want a WiFi model instead. New to pellets? Read our pellet grill basics first.
What owners like
- It's easy. Owners say assembly is straightforward and the controls make sense on day one.
- Food comes out well. Ribs, spatchcock chicken, salmon, turkey and pulled pork come up again and again as wins.
- Room to cook. The main grate plus a second rack is enough for a couple of racks of ribs or a big brisket.
- Support and warranty. Traeger backs it with a three-year warranty, and replacement parts are easy to find.
Common complaints
- Shutdowns and error codes. Some owners report the grill shutting off mid-cook, often on long overnight smokes. Damp pellets and a dirty fire pot are common causes, so store pellets dry and vacuum out ash regularly.
- Temperature swings. Like most budget pellet grills, it can drift above and below the set point, especially in wind or cold.
- Probe readings. A few owners say the built-in probe doesn't match a good handheld thermometer. Many double-check with an instant-read.
- Messy grease handling. The grease bucket setup gets mentioned as a weak spot, and cleanup can mean a shop vac.
Key specs
| Spec | Traeger Pro 22 |
|---|---|
| Cooking area | 572 sq in (418 main + 154 upper) |
| Hopper | 18 lb |
| Max temperature | 450°F |
| Controller | Digital Pro controller |
| Meat probe | 1 on newer units (2 on pre-2022 units) |
| WiFi/app | No |
| Assembled size | About 41" L x 27" W x 49" H |
| Weight | About 102 lb |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Price band | $$$$ (often on sale) |
How it compares
The Pro 22 is in our best pellet smokers under $1,000 roundup as the simple, proven pick. If you want app control in the same price range, the Traeger Woodridge adds WiFi and a newer design with easier cleanout. If you want more cooking space for the money, the Pit Boss 850 DX is a common alternative, though it's a different brand with a different feel.
A quick way to choose:
| If you want... | Pick |
|---|---|
| Lowest-cost Traeger, no frills | Pro 22 |
| Phone alerts and remote control | Traeger Woodridge |
| Bigger grate for the price | Pit Boss 850 DX |
Bottom line
The Traeger Pro 22 isn't new or flashy, and that's fine. It's a straightforward pellet grill that owners say makes good food and is easy to learn on. Keep your pellets dry, clean the fire pot often and check your meat with a separate thermometer, and it should serve you well. If WiFi matters to you, spend a little more. If it doesn't, grab the Pro 22 when it goes on sale. Before your first cook, see how to season a new smoker, then try our smoked pulled pork.
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