Traeger Vs. Louisiana Grills: Which Pellet Grill Is Better?

If you’re feeling the urge to grill, you’re going to need a machine capable of cooking up the perfect grub. With countless companies and models to choose from, your brain could wind up as fried as your burgers. Let us narrow down your options to two trusted manufacturers: Traeger Grills and Louisiana Grills.

Traeger Grills provides long-lasting pellet grills with stylish designs and unmatched durability. Louisiana Grills offers pellet grills with less pizzazz but more power, space, and precision in their cooking. While both manufacture viable products, the capabilities of Louisiana Grills’ models overpower their competitor’s grills.

Before you cut a check, know that deciding on a company should not be so cut and dry. Learning about both Traeger and Louisiana Grills can help you determine which grill is the right fit for your personal preferences.

Pellet grills combine the functionality of gas grills, kitchen ovens, and charcoal smokers into one convenient unit. These prove that cooking outdoors doesn’t need to be a chore.

Unlike their charcoal counterparts, pellets fuel these fires. All-natural hardwood comprises every pellet, each imbued with flavor to spice up your cooking. These organic materials limit gas emissions during grilling, which benefit your body and the environment.

Before 1980 came along, not a soul on Earth had heard of a pellet grill. That’s because our planet lacked one specific genius: Joe Traeger.

Pellet stoves had taken the 70’s by storm. Every household fed these heaters with wood to keep their homes warm. Their cooking equipment, however, had yet to catch up.

Joe Traeger became one such victim of a dinnertime disaster. His gas-only grill burst into flame, causing him to reconsider the construction of this equipment. One year later, in 1986, Traeger filed a patent for the world’s first pellet grill.

The following two decades saw Traeger Grills reign unobstructed and unstoppable. The lifespan of their patent kept the family protected from anyone manufacturing a similar machine.

In 2006, that patent expired, leaving the Traeger empire exposed. One rival stood at the ready to swoop in with an improved model: Louisiana Grills.

Before the birth of Louisiana Grills, Dan Thiessen founded a company called Danson in 1999. Even though he recognized the potential of pellet grills, he found success in selling other, affordable outdoor equipment.

As soon as the Traeger Patent expired, Thiessen created a subsidiary company called Louisiana Grills. This business became his home base for manufacturing and marketing pellet grills.

Traeger Grills and Louisiana Grills have attempted to outdo one another since 2006. The war may still wage on, but we have a verdict to contribute to the combat.

Whenever people have a purchase to make, they’re likely to stick with what they know. Change can terrify customers while familiarity comforts them. Traeger capitalized on this thought process to build a company everyone can trust.

Over thirty years of success have made Traeger a household name among grilling enthusiasts. With roughly 2.2 million grills sold in the last five years alone, the company could outdo any competitor.

Louisiana Grills may lack the national reputation, but it refuses to surrender. Whereas Traeger provides premium services for a pretty penny, Louisiana Grills offers diverse appliances for all price ranges.

That begs the question: can subsequent innovation supersede the original creation?

To answer that, we’ll need representatives from both companies. We’ll be utilizing Traeger Grills’ Pro Series 22 and Louisiana Grills’ LG700 models to compare. These models serve the same function and fit the same price range, making them perfect parallels.

Traeger Grills’ Pro Series 22 withholds all ingredients inside of a barrel-shaped firebox. Crafted from heavy-gauge, powder-coated steel, these grills can endure stains and scratches alike.

Grilling on the go? You’re in luck: Traeger includes wheels on a majority of their models, this one included.

Despite their products’ mobility, Traeger refused to sacrifice stability. The sawhorse chassis design of their models allows these machines to maintain their composure. Should the chef ever need to steady themselves, Traeger provides a side-mounted handle.

Traeger doesn’t just promise a functional product – they provide a beautiful one. As seen with the bronze hood of the Pro Series, Traeger products stand out in a sea of black appliances.

Louisiana Grills’ LG700 model maintains the barrel aesthetic of their Traeger counterpart but swaps the bronze for black. High-temperature, 14-gauge, powder-coated steel makes up the body, forming a sleek and strong machine.

Wheels outfit each grill leg, providing a simple means of transportation. However, these models lack the handle that Traeger provides.

To guarantee the perfect grill, Louisiana Grills crafts the machine’s body and lid simultaneously. This process prevents heat from escaping an ill-fitting top.

Winner: Tie. Each grill provides its own distinct aesthetic and composition, with neither outranking the other.

Traeger-brand equipment comes packed with a Pro Series Controller Panel. One turn of that panel’s knob lets customers determine temperatures as they please.

Their Advanced Grilling Logic allows you to cook meat anywhere from 180º F to 425º F. Chefs can set these temperatures in increments of 25º F. Traeger assures customers that the final meal will come within 15º F of its intended setting.

Unfortunately, Traeger forgot to factor in the weather. Their products are notorious for succumbing to the whims of Mother Nature. If you plan to barbecue, better prepare for the cold and wind to affect your cooking.

Louisiana Grills’ LG700 model sports a digital control panel called a PID Controller. PIDs allow the chef to change and check temperatures without opening the grill’s hood. This keeps heat from escaping while sneaking a peek at the meat.

These controllers allow chefs to set temperatures in increments of 5º F. Even better? Any meat on the grill will come within 5º F of its intended temperature.

Precision alone does not amount to all of Louisiana Grills’ success. Their machines allow chefs to choose temperatures from 180º F to 600º F.

If that weren’t enough, climate poses no problem to Louisiana Grills machines. No cold, no rain, and no wind can undermine your meal.

Winner: Louisiana Grills. Its expansive range of temperatures and incomparable accuracy makes crowning their company king a no-brainer – at least in this category.

Traeger Grills’ two-rack approach to grilling allows for 572 square inches of space in their Pro Series 22 model. The lower rack provides 418 square inches of space, while the upper rack is a mere 154 square inches long.

One notable benefit of Traeger Grills: their two meat probes. These tools check the temperature of each piece of meat, and having two on hand expedites the process.

If you need to reformat your cooking space, Traeger equipment can function in both freestanding and tabletop configurations. This allows for convenient cooking in any location.

Louisiana Grills’ LG700 model can fit up to 707 square inches of food on its multiple racks. The lower rack can hold 497 square inches, while the upper rack sports 210 square inches of space.

While Louisiana Grills’ models only possess one meat probe to speak of, each has an added feature: programmability. These probes automatically check your meat’s temperature and lower the grill’s heat once they’re done. This prevents any accidental overcooking and conserves energy.

Winner: Louisiana Grills. While Traeger’s additional probe is nice in theory, automatic maintenance is all the more important. And with over 100 extra square inches of space, Louisiana Grills can dish dinner out sooner.

Contrary to the norm, Louisiana Grills’ LG700 model exemplifies a common problem in the company: lack of pellet space. This model can only contain 14 lb. of pellets – not nearly enough to sustain their extensive cooking space.

This lackluster storage requires chefs to restock consistently. Without the ease of Traeger’s hopper system, this obligation becomes a chore.

Winner: Traeger Grills. These hoppers allow chefs to refuel less and relax more.

Traeger Grills tends to charge a hefty fee for their appliances. Models like the Pro 780 can cost upwards of $1,000. With the trust they’ve acquired over decades, they believe they’ve earned the chance to raise their rates.

With Traeger Grills, every penny spent now is one saved from future repairs. While other brands break before you know it, these Traeger Grills products stand strong for years on end.

The warranties of Traeger-brand products maintain the three-year industry standard. The chances of you needing to utilize it within that time span, however, are thankfully slim.

Louisiana Grills made a name for itself by providing grills for families of every economic background. With grills that go for less than $500, people can purchase powerful cooking equipment without breaking the bank.

Unfortunately, that price came at the cost of something else: long-term sustainability. These machines only maintain themselves for so long before needing consistent replacements.

That said, Louisiana Grills goes above and beyond by providing a five-year warranty on its products. However, this could be because you’ll need to use it – frequently. Ask yourself: is it more important to need it and have it, or not have it but not need it?

Winner: Traeger Grills. A longer warranty means little if it requires you to painstakingly utilize it. Better to have an average-length warranty you’ll never need to tap into.

Related Questions

Do Traeger Grills or Louisiana Grills have Wifi?

Both Traeger and Louisiana Grills integrate wifi capabilities into their newest products. Traeger’s Pro 575 and Pro 780 allow you to now control the temperature of your grill from a phone app. Likewise, Louisiana Grills’ Black Label series allows for Bluetooth integration and access from a digital control board.

How much do Traeger Grills and Louisiana Grills weigh?

Each model has its own distinct heaviness, with travel models available for easier transportation. The Louisiana Grill LG700 model weighs 143 lb. while the Traeger Pro Series 22 weighs 110 lb. Grills can be extremely difficult to move, even while on wheels. Be sure to ask for assistance when moving or setting it up, if needed.

At the end of the day, both Traeger Grills and Louisiana Grills have undeniable strengths. An insignificant factor in one customer’s mind might be the sole reason another person purchased the product. This can come down to personal preference.

However, we cannot deny that Louisiana Grills gained a noteworthy edge over their eternal rivals. Grilling is, at its core, about two things: cooking meat well and having plenty of space to do so. The expansive surface area and in-depth temperature control systems of Louisiana Grills’ models cannot be outdone.