Traeger Century 885 Grill Review
If you are in the market for a new grill, you may have heard of the Traeger Costco Roadshow and the popular Traeger Century 885. This grill has caught the attention of many due to its attractive price point compared to similarly sized models like the Traeger Ironwood 885. So, what makes the Century 885 so special? Well, for starters, it features Wi-Fi technology and a 20lb hopper, making it a tempting option for tech-savvy grill masters.
However, before purchasing, it’s important to note that this is a Costco-exclusive model. If it is out of stock on their website, or if you do not have a Costco store near you, consider exploring alternative models like the Traeger Ironwood 885. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option with impressive features, the Traeger Century 885 is worth considering.
What is the Traeger Century 885 – a quick verdict?
The Traeger Century 885 is a remarkable option for hobbyists, providing ample grilling space and reasonable temperature control. While it may not reach the high temperatures or produce copious amounts of smoke seen in competing models, it shouldn’t be dismissed. This affordable pellet grill offers app control and the capacity to cater to large gatherings.
Positioned as one of Traeger’s upper mid-range models, the Century 885 presents an appealing combination of features. With its WiFIRE capability, spacious 885 sq. inch cooking area, timeless design, and sturdy construction, it becomes a standout choice not only within the Traeger lineup but also in the broader market.
One aspect to consider is that the Century 885 is exclusively available for purchase at Costco. Similar in appearance and functionality, the Traeger Ironwood 885 serves as a viable alternative if Costco is not accessible.
Overall, the Traeger Century 885 ensures an engaging grilling experience, making it a compelling option to explore.
Primary Grill Features of Traeger Century 885
The two main characteristics that the sales representative will highlight for you are:
Size of the Traeger Century 885
The Traeger Century 885 with a cooking area of 885 square inches, it offers ample space to feed even the largest of crowds.
The primary grate boasts 646 sq inches, while the elevated grate adds an additional 238 sq inches, making it perfect for cooking a wide variety of meats, vegetables, and more.
Whether you’re looking to cook up an entire Thanksgiving turkey or you’re catering a backyard barbecue for your neighborhood, the Traeger
The disadvantage of owning such a sizeable grill includes:
- It requires a greater number of pellets to sustain the temperature compared to a smaller
- Traeger. There will be temperature variations within the grill.
Advanced Control Panel
The Traeger Century 885 boasts the D2 Direct Drive System, accompanied by the WiFire controller, which ranks second among Traeger’s offerings.
Although this controller doesn’t employ PID technology, it leverages an advanced algorithm and precision DC power supply to achieve remarkably accurate temperature control (+/- 5F).
One drawback of this particular controller is its limited availability of features. It lacks several notable functionalities, including SuperSmoke Mode, Keep Warm Mode, and Timer. To unlock these advanced features, one must invest an additional $400 in the Traeger Silverton 810. On the Century controller, you’ll find the “Ignite” and “Menu” functions as the primary options.
The WiFire functionality of the control panel adds another layer of convenience, allowing users to manage their grill effortlessly through the Traeger app on their smartphones. It has earned exceptionally positive feedback, positioning itself as the leading WiFi system for pellet grills in the market.
Secondary Features of the Traeger Century 885
The Traeger Century 885 also features a few secondary characteristics which enhance the overall grilling experience.
-WiFIRE Technology
The Traeger Century 885 is an impressive grill with a wide range of innovative features that set it apart from competing brands. One of the most notable features is the WiFIRE connectivity, which allows you to connect to Wi-Fi and control your grill from afar.
With custom cooking cycles, this feature simplifies the cooking experience and ensures excellent results. From personal experience with the Traeger Century 885, I can attest that this feature functions perfectly and adds a level of convenience that few other grills offer.
Overall, the Traeger Century 885 excels in the realm of remote connectivity, making it an exceptional choice for those seeking an advanced grilling experience.
-Cooking Space
In the market for a new grill? If you intend to cook for large crowds, then capacity is key.
Look no further than the Traeger Century 885. With an impressive cooking space of 885 square inches and two grill grates, this grill has acres of room for you to cook up a feast. Few grills offer such a large capacity, so the Century 885 is truly impressive.
You can cook up to 10 chickens, 9 pork butts, or 7 rib racks at once with ease. This grill is the perfect choice for those who plan to regularly host parties or cook for a large family. Don’t sacrifice space when it comes to grilling – opt for the Traeger Century 885.
-The 6-In-1
The Traeger Century 885 is not just your ordinary grill – it’s a versatile 6-in-1 cooking machine. With this remarkable product, you can go beyond the conventional grilling experience and explore a multitude of cooking styles. Whether you’re baking, grilling, BBQing, smoking, roasting, or braising, the Century 885 has got you covered.
What sets this grill apart is its ability to deliver exceptional value for your investment. Once you’ve mastered the art of grilling with the Century 885, you’ll be thrilled to experiment with new and exciting culinary techniques.
While other pellet grills claim to offer versatility, the Century 885 truly stands out with its wide range of cooking capabilities.
-Hopper Capacity
If you’re in the market for a new grill and have a large cooking space, it’s important to consider the hopper capacity.
The Traeger Century 885 boasts a hopper capacity of 20 lbs, which is sufficient to hold a full standard 20 lbs bag of wood pellets.
While this may not be at the upper end of the spectrum for grills of this size, it’s a decent size that should keep you grilling for well in excess of 15H.
One of the advantages of using a Traeger grill is the brand’s wide range of wood pellets. These pellets come in different flavors, enhancing the taste of your food and giving you more options to experiment with.
-Traeger Meat Probe
It’s important to consider the included food probe. While many outdoor grills offer this feature, not all do. The food probe allows you to easily check the internal temperature of your food, ensuring safe and thorough cooking.
This feature is particularly crucial when grilling meat like pork or poultry, which is a common choice for many grill users. Not only does it prioritize your safety, but it also guarantees accurate and satisfying results.
-Temperature Control
The D2 Direct Drive enables rapid heating, allowing the grill to reach high temperatures in no time. This convenient feature eliminates the need for prolonged waiting, setting it apart from other grills.
With an impressive temperature range of up to 500° F, this grill grants you the freedom to cook at your desired temperature.
Whether you crave a low and gentle heat for tender meat or seek a sizzling sear on a juicy steak, this grill makes all culinary possibilities come to life. Experience the epitome of convenience and precision with this exceptional cooking companion.
-Temperature Range
The Traeger Century 885 has received criticism for its temperature range, which can reach up to 500° F but may not be the most accurate for baking or smoking.
While this may be disappointing for those who require precision in their cooking, it is important to note that the range is still sufficient for searing or using a low and slow method.
Comparatively, there are some grills on the market that can reach up to 700° F, but these temperatures are only necessary for very specific cooking purposes.
Therefore, if you are considering the Traeger Century 885, be sure to keep monitoring the temperature of the meat and adjust accordingly.
-Ignition
Traeger grills are renowned for their rapid heat-up time. The WiFIRE models, including the Century 885, can reach your desired temperature in approximately 15 minutes, accounting for weather conditions and grill cleanliness.
To ensure optimal performance, make sure the hopper is filled with pellets and that the heat baffle, tray, and grate are correctly installed before closing the grill. Flip the power switch on and press the Standby button on the controller. From here, you can select the desired temperature, then hold the Ignite button to ignite the grill.
-Durability and Build Quality
Durability is crucial since they must withstand outdoor weather conditions. Investing in a grill with limited sturdiness would result in breakage after minimal use.
Thankfully, the Traeger Century 885 is a highly durable product that can endure harsh conditions. This bulky grill is crafted from top-notch materials, weighing a hefty 175 lbs. We have no complaints about its build quality. While it may not reach the exceptional handmade quality and welded joints of Pitts & Spitts grills, the build quality is perfectly suitable for most home grills.
The Traeger Century 885 offers the durability you seek in a pellet grill, ensuring a long-lasting and satisfactory grilling experience.
Cooking Performance
The grill’s cooking performance has garnered mixed reviews, likely attributed to varying factors. Certain cooking methods may be less reliable due to temperature fluctuations. Among the list of options, baking has been mentioned, although it may not yield the most precise outcomes.
-Smoking
The smoking features of this grill offer certain advantages, such as the ability to infuse flavor using pellets. However, it’s worth noting that the smokiness may not be as pronounced compared to other grills. If you’re seeking a grill that can deliver a truly rich smoked flavor, this may not be the best option for you.
That being said, some users have achieved success by incorporating a separate smoke box within the grill. While this comes down to personal preference, it can be a viable solution if you find that the desired flavor is lacking.
-Grilling
With the Traeger Century 885, grilling becomes effortless. Its spacious design and impressive temperature range of up to 500°F allow for quick and easy cooking of delicious burgers and steaks. Thanks to its rapid heating ability, it presents a convenient substitute to oven-grilling. Experience the convenience and delectable results with the Traeger Century 885.
-Cooking Space
The grill boasts a generous cooking space of 885 square inches, offering ample room for hosting large gatherings. To put it into perspective, you could fit around 9-10 pork butts or whole chickens.
The versatility of this grill shines through its multiple grill grates, allowing for various setup configurations. While this option is undeniably expansive, take a moment to consider if this much space is essential for your needs or if a smaller grill with additional features might be a better fit.
-Ease Of Use
For most barbecue enthusiasts, using a Traeger grill is a delight. The device is user-friendly and intuitive enough that you don’t need a degree in rocket science to understand it. It’s no wonder then that the Traeger grill has become a favorite among both novices and experienced grillers.
But, when it comes to assembling the grill, it’s a different story altogether. The assembly instructions are not as clear as they could be, and the weight of some of the parts makes it challenging to assemble without assistance.
While the product is well worth the effort and you’ll be able to use it for a long time, those who aren’t the most DIY-savvy might find the assembly process a bit challenging.
-The Price
While it’s true that the Traeger grill may be considered quite expensive, there are certain advantages that come with it.
For one, its high quality build and advanced features make it a top-notch product that’s highly coveted by grill enthusiasts.
While other grills from competitors may have lower price points, these often come with inferior quality and fewer features. The Traeger Century 885 is an investment worth making for those who are serious about their grilling game.
Budget-friendly options may not offer the same level of quality and features as this product, so it’s important to consider your needs and priorities before making a purchase.
Traeger Grills Ironwood 885 Reviews
For the discerning griller who wants to take their cooking experience to new heights and relish that classic, wood-fired flavour without using gas or charcoal, the Traeger Ironwood 885 pellet grill is a must-have. As the market leader in the world of pellet grills, this model benefits from Traeger’s innovative D2 drivetrain for a faster start and better smoke quality. It’s also equipped with WiFIRE technology, which connects you to home WiFi and allows you to control your grill from anywhere through an exclusive app.
Whether you’re cooking for family gathering or a large crowd of friends, this all-in-one appliance can do it all – from grilling and smoking, to baking, roasting, braising and barbecuing – it can handle whatever challenge throws its way. With 885 sq in of grilling space available to accommodate ten chickens, seven rib racks or nine pork butts effortlessly. And thanks to its 500 °F Max Temp thanks to precise temperature control feature that ensures even cooking throughout your dish every time and makes clean up breeze with Porcelain coating on its grill grates.
Traeger Grills Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker with WIFI Smart Home Technology, Black
Review by customer
The is a great grill with plenty of rack space.
As an upgrade to my 12-year-old Traeger Li’l Tex Elite, this grill has exceeded my expectations in every way. It functions flawlessly and delivers exactly as advertised. One standout feature is the ability to set grill temperatures in 5-degree increments, providing precise control that surpasses the 8-setting options of older models. Furthermore, connecting to wifi was a breeze, allowing me to fully leverage the Traeger app for effortless grill control. Read review in details here.
Click here to discover full reviews from buyers.
Some reviews from Reddit, Youtube,…
Best smoker/grill/oven!
Since acquiring it 2.5 months ago, this product has consistently proved its worth time and time again. One standout feature is its versatility as an oven, thanks to its precise temperature control. I’ve utilized it to bake salmon and even a pie! Without fail, it sees action at least once a week, if not 2 or 3 times. It has proven invaluable during the temporary unavailability of our oven. I wholeheartedly endorse this smoker and it comes highly recommended, as it was initially purchased based on a friend’s recommendation. Read review in details here.
Customer Reviews of the Century 885
I gathered customer reviews from the Costco website and also consulted Reddit to gauge the general sentiment towards this grill.
At Costco, there were a total of 436 reviews, which can be broken down as follows:
- 87% of owners love the Century 885 (Combining 5 and 4-star reviews).
- 10% of owners dislike the Century 885 (Combining 1 and 2-star reviews).
Those who loved the grill highlighted the following points:
- Significant cost savings compared to other Trager models.
- The usefulness of the WiFi functionality.
- Excellent for smoking ribs, pork butts, and brisket with ample space.
Upon analyzing the negative reviews, two clear trends emerged, both of which didn’t concern me:
The first issue was related to online purchases that included a bundle with three bags of pellets and a grill cover. Many customers reported not receiving the pellets and cover as promised. While unfortunate, this issue does not reflect on the quality of the grill.
The second problem arose from online purchases as well. Some customers received damaged grills, and their experience with Traeger’s customer support was less than satisfactory.
After reviewing the negative feedback, I concluded that purchasing the grill in-store during a Traeger Roadshow and checking for any damages would be the best approach.
On Reddit, the general consensus regarding the Century 885 was that it is a good grill, but it falls short in terms of smoke flavor. This is due to the absence of the SuperSmoke function and the side-mounted smoke stack, which allows smoke to easily escape the cooking chamber, unlike models such as the Silverton 620 which have a rear-mounted exhaust.
In summary, the Century 885 is well-regarded by most, but it may not meet the expectations of those seeking a strong smoke flavor. Considering this, and the feedback from both Costco and Reddit, you can make an informed decision about the grill.
Where To Buy The Traeger Century 885?
You can purchase the Traeger Century 885 at most big-box retail stores such as Costco and Walmart. Additionally, you can find them online through Amazon or directly from their website.
If you’re looking to save a few bucks, it’s best to purchase this grill during a sale or when there are discounts available. Keep an eye out for Black Friday deals, as Traeger often offers big discounts on their products.
In my opinion, the Century 885 is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and reliable grill with plenty of features. With its impressive temperature range and large cooking space, it’s sure to satisfy even the most discerning griller.
FAQs About Traeger Century 885 Review (Pellet Grill)
Can you grill on a Traeger Century 885?
Experience the 6-in-1 versatility of our grill, allowing you to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ all in one. Benefit from precise temperature readings with the digital meat probe. Enjoy the real wood-fired flavor by using all-natural hardwood pellets. With the D2® Direct Drive technology, our grill gets hotter, faster, elevating your grilling experience.
What Is the Difference Between the Ironwood 885 and The Century 885?
The main difference between the Ironwood 885 and Century 885 is the SuperSmoke feature. The Ironwood has a built-in smoke stack, which provides more flavor to your food, while the Century does not have this feature. Both grills offer Wi-Fi capabilities for convenience.
Are Traeger Grills Any Good?
Yes, Traeger grills are well-known for their high quality and superior performance. The Century 885 is no exception to this, offering advanced features such as the WiFIRE® control technology and a large cooking space.
Is The Traeger Century 885 Worth It?
Yes, the Traeger Century 885 is worth it. Its spacious cooking area and advanced features make it an ideal choice for large gatherings or backyard BBQs. Additionally, its state-of-the-art technologies ensure reliable performance time after time.
What Accessories Do I Need With The Traeger Century 885?
The Traeger Century 885 comes with many accessories such as a grill cover, grease bucket, and grilling tools. You may also want to consider purchasing extra pellet flavors or Traeger-branded cleanup kits.
Final Verdict: Traeger Century 885 Review
The Traeger Century 885 stands out as an impressive wood pellet grill in the market, boasting exceptional features endorsed by the renowned Traeger seal of quality.
However, with its relatively high price point, it’s crucial to evaluate your grilling needs to determine if the investment is worthwhile. If you’re a novice griller on a budget, the Traeger Pro Series 34 is worth exploring. While lacking WiFIRE Technology and a smaller cooking area, it offers Traeger quality at a more affordable price, serving as an excellent introduction to wood pellet grilling.
Often, big grills come with hefty price tags. Yet, the Costco partnership and competitive pricing of the Traeger Century 885 allow you to enjoy a reasonably priced grill that can handle all your grilling ambitions.
While primarily excelling at grilling, experimenting with different woods and utilizing a smoke box can enhance the smoking experience if desired. The build quality of the Traeger Century 885 is commendable, even if it doesn’t match the resilience of elite brand models. Considering the price, it’s challenging to find a better option.
For those seeking to elevate their grilling capabilities without breaking the bank and already owning a smaller grill, the Century 885 is definitely worth considering.
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References:
- https://www.shopjetson.com/appliances/outdoor-cooking/grills/pellet-bbq/TFB88GLF/
- https://www.protoolreviews.com/traeger-ironwood-885-pellet-grill-review/
- https://support.traeger.com/hc/en-us/articles/4407213109787-WEATHER-EFFECTS-ON-GRILLING
Pitmaster Lives in Eugene, USA. Bio: I’m Billy McCallum, and I love barbecue. I’m the president and founder of Billy Mac’s Bar & Grill, with over 20 years of experience in the field. I’m an exceptional pitmaster and grill expert who uses charcoal, wood, and fire to craft extraordinary culinary masterpieces. My mission is to educate others how to master their grills and cook a diverse range of foods on them. I have extensive expertise smoking briskets, pork shoulders using charcoal, wood, or propane grills/smokers.
I also review kitchent appliances such as grills, smoke, and more. I’ve tried out almost every model available, so if you’re in the market for any of these items be sure to check out my reviews!