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We’re big fans of Traeger grills, and I’ve grilled plenty of burgers, briskets, and kabobs in my time, but this was the first time I could control the heat from my smartphone—without standing over the grill. Traeger’s new Woodridge Wi-Fi Pellet Grill is a game changer for combining affordable, smart grilling, smoky flavor, and stress-free BBQ.
Over three weeks, I tested the Traeger Woodridge (Model TFB86MLH) by grilling chicken breasts, burgers, veggie kabobs, kielbasa, and corn on the cob and then slow-smoking a brisket. I downloaded and used the Traeger App to monitor and adjust the cooking temp, and I tested the meat probe to track food doneness without guessing.
Our Rating: 4.8/5
Traeger Woodridge Pellet Grill and Smoker
Here’s What Worked and What Didn’t
I found plenty to love about the Traeger Woodridge Wi-Fi Pellet Grill, but a couple of things took some figuring out. These are the biggest takeaways from my hands-on testing.
- Wi-Fi control: This was the real game-changer for me. Being able to monitor and control the cooking time and temperature meant I could put food on the grill and then go about my day without constantly checking on it. The Traeger app kept me updated, and the built-in meat probe synced seamlessly, so I knew exactly when my food reached the right temperature.
- Smoking and searing: There’s nothing quite like the rich, smoky flavor the Woodridge delivers—it’s hands-down a winner. When I preheated to high heat, I got those classic sear marks I love. But for low-temp smoking, I found it easier to sear the meat in a skillet before putting it on the grill.
- Pellet convenience: Traeger is known for its wood pellet grills, and the Woodridge lives up to that reputation. There’s no waiting on charcoal to heat up and no need to hook the grill to a propane tank. However, running the pellet auger still requires access to an outdoor electrical outlet.
- Rugged (but be prepared to assemble): The Woodridge pellet grill is built tough and heavy-duty, but it took me almost three hours to assemble. That’s partly on me—I could have saved at least an hour by scanning the QR code on the manual’s cover for animated instructions.
Bottom Line on the Woodridge
Selling at $799, the Woodridge is an entry-level option for anyone wanting to get into pellet smoking. I’m sold on the grill’s ability to deliver delicious smoky flavor in a convenient, smart-grilling way. Being able to monitor and adjust the cooking temperature from anywhere is a feature that was once reserved for Traeger’s higher-end models, but now it’s available for new users and those on a budget as well.
If you need a larger cooking capacity or more advanced features, you may want to explore Traeger’s higher-end models—we’ve tested their top picks. But for me, the Woodridge TFB86MLH proves that you don’t have to spend top dollar to get great wood-fired results.
Where to Buy the Traeger Woodridge Pellet Grill and Smoker
Get the Traeger Woodridge at:
