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Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
SALTZMAN: Great gadget gift ideas for ‘dads and grads'
Eight recommended tech toys for Father's Day and graduation. The MEATER PRO ($139) lets you cook with confidence Photo by HANDOUT / TORONTO SUN Some guys like ties, but all boys love toys. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account So, with Father's Day rapidly approaching, you might consider some great gadgets to thank dad for a job well done. That, and June is also a month to celebrate any graduates in the family, n'est-ce pas? The good news is there's no shortage of techy gifts available, online or at retail, some of which are relatively affordable, like a Bluetooth meat thermometer or portable power bank, while pricier gifts could perhaps be a group present from the entire family. The following are eight great recommendations, starting at $59. For grill masters If you don't want to spring for a 'smart grill,' such as an app-controlled Traeger wood-pellet smoker, the MEATER PRO ($139) lets you cook with confidence, as this wireless probe, with five internal sensors, communicates your food's internal temperature to its companion app on a smartphone. Range extends up to 250 feet indoors, or as much as 2,500 feet in open-air outdoors. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ideal for grills, smokers, ovens, air fryers and deep dryers, this small doohickey works with all cuts of meat (beef, lamb, chicken, and pork), as well as fish — so you know when it's time to flip your food and when it's ready to eat (based on your desired doneness) — and supports high temp limits up to 1000°F. The Ninja Creami Swirl Ice Cream Maker. HANDOUT PHOTO For sweet tooths Want to be the popular house on the street this summer? Speaking of food, the Ninja Creami Swirl Ice Cream Maker ($429) turns your countertop into an ice cream shop. A TikTok sensation and best-seller, this machine is easy to set up and use, and lets you make soft serve ice cream, sorbets and gelatos, milkshakes, frozen yogurt, protein drinks, and much more. Create recipes from the included book or experiment on your own, by adding cocoa, fruit, nuts, sprinkles, and other ingredients from your kitchen. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Simply pull the arm down to dispense into a bowl, cup, or cone. JBL Tour One M3 Over-Ear Headphones. SUPPLIED PHOTO For music buffs While JBL has over-ear headphones starting at $30, those who take their music seriously will appreciate the pristine sound and advanced noise-cancellation built into the JBL Tour One M3 Over-Ear Headphones ($499). Featuring 40mm drivers and an internal DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), these comfortable Bluetooth headphones deliver exceptional audio, including support for high-res 'lossless' audio via the included USB-C or 3.5mm stereo cable (enabled by the onboard DAC). With its eight microphones, the noise-cancelling is exceptional, blocking out all ambient sounds, so nothing gets between you and your tunes, podcasts, or calls. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Battery life tops 70 hours of playback between charges. HP OmniBook X Flip 14 Next Gen AI Laptop. HANDOUT PHOTO For worker bees If the dad or grad is in the workforce, perhaps your crew will go in on (or give gift cards that can go towards) the HP OmniBook X Flip 14 Next Gen AI Laptop (from $1,699). This thin, light and versatile '2-in-1' computer can be used in multiple modes — including a classic clamshell laptop, touchscreen tablet, or tent mode for viewing videos or presentations — and is powered by a Copilot+ AI companion, Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, and huge 1TB solid state drive (SSD). For clear video calls, take advantage of the embedded Poly Camera Pro, while multiple ports mean you don't need a hub to connect several devices simultaneously. Anker Power Bank. HANDOUT PHOTO For power users If the dad or grad in your life spends any time out of the home, it's best to bring along back-up power, to charge up portable devices while on the go. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Anker Power Bank ($59) is a 10,000 mAh (milliamp) battery — you can keep in your purse, backpack or jacket pocket – to juice up your smartphone, smartwatch, wireless headphones, or tablet, with its integrated USB-C cable. Adding even more convenience, when you need to power up the Anker device, simply extend the AC prongs before inserting it into a wall plug or power strip (also built-in). Winbot W2 PRO OMNI. HANDOUT PHOTO For busy homeowners From ECOVACS, the Winbot W2 PRO OMNI ($899) is billed as the first robotic window cleaner with a portable charging station for hands-free (and streak-free) operation. It features an industry-first edge-cleaning mode and powerful three-nozzle spray for hard-to-reach areas, whether it's navigating floor-to-ceiling sliding doors, shower doors or windows, big and small. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In other words, leverage this 'bot to spend time on what you actually want to do this summer, rather than what you have to do. And it's a helluva lot safer than getting on a ladder, too. LG OLED evo G5 TV. HANDOUT PHOTO For TV lovers Budget permitting, if it's time to replace the family's aging television with a stunning big-screen, it's hard to pull your eyes away from the LG OLED evo G5 TV (from $3,099.99, for 55 inches). With sizes up to 97 inches, the G5 TV delivers a 45 percent increase in brightness over its predecessor, while the self-lit OLED pixel technology delivers perfect black levels and true to life colours. It's also an AI-powered Smart TV (with microphone-enabled Magic Remote) for added personalization and access to an interactive chatbot. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Kindle Paperwhite. HANDOUT PHOTO For bookworms Finally, whether you're reading at home or on the go, the 7-inch Kindle Paperwhite ($185) now enjoys up to 25% faster page turns, and with a higher contrast ratio than its predecessor — a measurement of how much brighter the white parts of the screen are compared to the black (the text). If you're reading by the pool or at the beach (er, or in a bubble bath), Kindle Paperwhite enjoys IPX8 protection, which means it could be submerged in up to 2 metres of water (about 6.5 feet) for up to an hour. Battery life tops 12 weeks via the included USB-C cable. Marc Saltzman is the host of the Tech It Out podcast and author of 17 books, including Apple Watch For Dummies (Wiley). 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Tom's Guide
a day ago
- General
- Tom's Guide
Gas vs. charcoal grill — which one should you choose?
Nothing screams 'summer' quite like a freshly grilled burger or hot dog. But if you're looking to buy a grill, you might be stuck on the decision between a gas vs. charcoal grill. It's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide, meaning we're here to help you prepare for a summer of al fresco entertaning. And for some, that means choosing the best grill for your yard, whether that's a gas or charcal model. We consulted three grilling experts for their thoughts on gas vs. charcoal grills. Below, learn what they told us about food flavor, cooking experience, ease of use, and cost. Gas grills are fueled by a propane tank, which attaches to the grill and allows it to fire up. Once the tank is connected, you can simply push an ignition button, select your temperature, and start cooking immediately. This makes them ideal for quick weeknight meals or for busy families who need to get a meal on the table before soccer practice. However, gas grills don't impart the same flavor to foods that charcoal does, which could be a deal-breaker for some. Some of the best gas grill brands include Weber, Traeger, Charbroil, Monument, Blackstone, and Nexgrill. Charcoal grills are the more traditional option. Rather than gas, these grills use charcoal briquettes or lumps to create even heat that you can cook over. Charcoal grills take longer to heat up and cool down than gas grills and require additional clean-up. However, they give food a rich, smoky flavor that most people associate with barbeques; gas grills simply can't match this flavor. Some of the best charcoal grill brands include Char-Griller, Weber, Oklahoma Joe's, Masterbuilt, and Royal Gourmet. Gas Grills Charcoal Grills Flavor No flavor enhancement Adds a smoky flavor Cooking Experience Fast and easy Slow and more complex Ease of Use Simple for beginners Takes time to master Cost Higher initial cost, lower ongoing cost Lower initial cost, higher ongoing cost The most significant difference between gas and charcoal grills is the food's flavor profile. Charcoal grills give food a classic, smoky flavor, while gas grills do not. For many, that alone might be the deciding factor that pushes them toward a charcoal grill over a gas one. 'Charcoal can impart a wood-fired classic BBQ flavor that adds a layer of enhancement to many foods,' explains Danielle 'Diva Q' Bennett, world champion pitmaster and Traeger ambassador. 'There is no flavor enhancement from propane. It is clean-burning with no added wood-fired flavor.' Charcoal grills can also offer a better and more authentic cooking experience However, gas grills are a more convenient option for weeknight cooking. 'Heat management is very easy,' says Shannon Snell, head pitmaster at Sonny's BBQ. 'Turn the gas on, fire it up, and it's good to go.' Daniel P. Craig, founder and editor in chief at Kitchen Deets, agrees. 'My gas grill offers convenience I appreciate on busy weeknights—instant heat and precise temperature control,' he says. 'It provides more even cooking but lacks that distinctive smoky flavor I crave.' A charcoal grill is the best option for cooking over low, indirect heat. Therefore, if you're preparing an entire pork shoulder or rack of ribs, you can place them on the charcoal grill opposite the hot coals and let them slowly smoke. However, they can take 15 to 20 minutes to heat, which makes them less practical when you're trying to get dinner on the table in a hurry. Gas grills have better temperature control, so you can cook a variety of foods on them. At high heat, you can sear meat or grill burgers to perfection, though you can also cook more delicate foods on a lower heat. 'On a gas grill, typically, quick-grilled items are more suitable (thin meats, seafood, and slices of vegetables),' says Bennett. Winner: Although gas grills are more convenient, nothing beats the smoky taste of food cooked on a charcoal grill. Winner: Both types of smokers produce a rich flavor, but offset smokers create a more traditional smokiness preferred by professional pitmasters. Anyone can learn to grill, but the type of grill you choose will determine how easily you can master your cooking techniques. 'Gas grills are the easiest to use and maintain,' says Snell. 'Most gas grills have easy start-up instructions, and they require very minimal cleaning.' Simply push a button to ignite the grill and start cooking—no need to wait for the grill to preheat. Craig agrees about the simplicity of gas. 'I can cook within minutes and cleanup is simpler—no ash removal required as with my charcoal grill,' he says. The only potential downside is your propane tank running out of fuel partway through dinner preparation. Some gas grills have fuel sensors or gauges that will let you know when your tank is low so you can have a replacement ready to go and continue cooking. Charcoal grills are harder to use. Before you can grill your food, you'll need to set up the grill and preheat it to the proper temperature. When you're finished cooking, you'll need to let the coals cool down before cleaning up, which can take some time. Cleaning a charcoal grill involves emptying the ash collector after each use, which can be messy, whereas cleaning a gas grill is as simple as scraping leftover food off the grates using a grill brush. Winner: Gas grills are easier to use and clean than charcoal grills. The cost of a gas vs. charcoal grill might be your deciding factor. According to Craig, 'Charcoal grills are cheaper upfront but costlier to operate. I spend nearly twice as much annually on charcoal compared to propane, making gas more economical for frequent grillers like myself.' If you're working with a limited budget, it might be worth choosing the best gas grill your money can buy rather than taking on the ongoing cost of charcoal fuel. As Bennett explains, 'An inexpensive $100 charcoal grill may be initially cost-effective vs. a $500 gas grill, but the durability of the gas grill may be 5 to 10 years with proper maintenance, whereas the charcoal grill, depending on the thickness of the metal, may need to be replaced multiple times.' If you like the idea of having a covered storage area for your propane tank, the E-210 is a great option. It offers 450 square inches of cooking space total, with 360 inches of this sitting on the main cooking grid, a good amount of space for a two-burner grill. Winner: Gas grills are more expensive upfront, but cheaper to maintain over time. At the end of the day, your choice between a gas and charcoal grill will come down to your budget and your preferences. Charcoal grills are cheaper initially and give food a unique smoky flavor, but they take time to heat up, require extra clean-up, and can be more expensive to fuel over time. Gas grills often cost more initially but are cheaper to fuel. They also heat up faster than charcoal grills and have simpler maintenance requirements. Charcoal grills are better for those who crave the smoky flavor of traditionally grilled meat and want the rustic experience of cooking over hot coals. Meanwhile, gas grills are better for quick meals and weeknight cooking. The right choice depends on individual priorities.
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Huge sale on Traeger grills — 5 top deals I'd buy right now up to $250 off
As we prepare for a summer season of outdoor eating, now is the best time to swipe up a grill deal. And right now, Traeger has discounted 5 of the best grills that will level up your BBQ savings up to 22% there's no better reason to invest in one of the best grills out there, and purchase a grill from a company with an excellent reputation. And with Get Grillin' week here at Tom's Guide, we have a wealth of expert advice so you can make the most of your grill this season. Take a look at my top 5 finds to save big right now. This Traeger Woodridge Pro pellet grill delivers a rich, natural wood-fired taste without gas or charcoal. It boasts 970 sq in of cooking space to fit up to 7 chickens, 9 rib racks or 7 pork butts, providing plenty of space to cook full meals for family gatherings and larger events. Inject added flavor with the Super Smoke Mode and manage your cook using the Traeger app. Experience an authentic wood-fired flavor with Traeger's Woodridge pellet smoker grill, without the need for gas or charcoal. The grill offers 6 cook options — grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ. You also get a generous 860 sq in of cooking area, providing plenty of space for 6 chickens, 8 rib racks or 6 pork butts. And, if can all be controlled via Traeger's App. Right now you can save 20% on this versatile grill and smoker, which features a super smoke mode and WiFIRE App control, allowing you to control your grill from anywhere. It offers versatile 6-in-1 cooking power, with grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ on one electric wood pellet grill. Activate Super Smoke mode to infuse our food with an extra wood-fired flavor. With a spacious 885 sq. in. cooking area, this wood pellet smoker is perfect for hosting large gatherings, cooking up to 10 whole chickens or 7 racks of ribs at once. The 6-in-1 electric smoker allows you to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise and BBQ — all with the natural flavor of hardwood pellets. And you can up the intensity with Super Smoke Mode, and connect the the Traeger App to manage temperature, timers and probe readings remotely. That's ideal for long smokes. If you're planning on feeding a crowd, and then some, Traeger's IronWood XL Wood Pellet Smoker Grill is a perfect choice. With 924 sq of cooking area, it can handle 12 chickens, or 9 racks or ribs. Featuring a Super Smoke Mode, it pushes out real hardwood smoke at the touch of a button, and delivers bold flavor without gas or charcoal. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- General
- Tom's Guide
Grill vs griddle: which is best for summer entertaining?
It's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide, and we're laying out all the must-have information you'll need to choose the ideal al fresco cooking setup for your yard. Chief among the things you'll need to decide when buying a new grill is choosing between a conventional grill and a flat-top griddle. But which is right for you? Grills and griddles can both cook various foods, from burgers and steaks to vegetables. But despite their similarities, grills and griddles have plenty of differences that might make you favor one over another for the best grill for you. I consulted three outdoor cooking experts to get their take on the grill vs. griddle debate. This article combines our research with expert opinions to compare how each scores on food variety, ease of use, ongoing maintenance, and price. Before you can choose between a grill and a griddle, you need to understand the fundamental differences between the two. A grill has open grates and cooks food using direct heat, leading to that distinct charred flavor associated with summer cookouts. 'Grills allow you to have this wonderful smoky charred flavor that brings both proteins and vegetables up another level,' explains Shannon Snell, head pitmaster for Sonny's BBQ. Meanwhile, griddles have a flat, solid surface and distribute heat more evenly, making them ideal for cooking a wide range of foods. 'Griddles offer a consistent cooking surface for multiple items simultaneously without food falling through grates, making them versatile for diverse menus,' says Daniel P. Craig, founder and editor in chief at Kitchen Deets. Even among grills and griddles, there are differences to consider. When you buy a grill, you can choose between gas, charcoal, and pellet grills, while griddles come as standalone or grill-top versions. You can get a basic appliance that does its job and nothing more, or a more complex (and expensive) one with multiple heat zones, storage bins, and accessories for holding drinks, paper towels, and cooking utensils. Some of the top grill brands include Weber, Blackstone, Traeger, and BroilKing. Traeger, Blackstone, and Weber are also known for their griddles. Other griddle brands include Pit Boss, Halo, and Royal Gourmet. Your choice between a grill and a griddle may come down to the types of foods you want to cook. Both appliances can cook a wide range of foods, but there are some subtle differences to keep in mind during your search. You can cook typical barbecue foods like burgers, steaks, hot dogs, and kebabs on either a grill or a griddle, though grills have the edge. 'Grills provide excellent smoke flavor and distinctive char marks, creating better caramelization on proteins,' explains Craig. 'Griddles lack that smoky flavor, can't achieve the same char, and typically require more cooking oil.' A griddle can also cook these items, but more evenly and without the hallmarks of grilled food. If you love the taste of a freshly grilled burger, a griddle might not be the best choice. However, you can cook an entire breakfast on a griddle, including bacon, eggs, pancakes, and hash browns—something you couldn't do on a grill. Griddles are also ideal for more delicate foods like flaky fish and shrimp, as well as a variety of vegetables and even popcorn. This flat-top from Weber is one of the best grills we've tested. We gave it a perfect 5-star rating in our Weber Slate 36 review because of its consistently excellent cooking performance, pre-seasoned griddle top and roomy capacity. We even called it "the only griddle you'll ever need." 'Griddles provide full-contact flat surface cooking opportunities,' explains Danielle 'Diva Q' Bennett, world champion pitmaster and Traeger ambassador. 'Stir fries, vegetables, and smash burgers all benefit from the direct contact. The juices and the fat stay within the area of the food.' Here are some of the best foods to cook on a grill and a griddle: Grill Griddle Burgers Steaks Kebabs Ribs Pork chops Turkey and chicken breast Dense vegetables and fruits Breakfast items (pancakes, eggs, and bacon) Smash burgers Stir-fry Rice Delicate fish and shrimp Ground beef Ground sausage Winner: Griddles can cook more varied foods than grills, making them ideal for summer entertaining. There's a learning curve with both outdoor cooking appliances. Griddles have a more consistent cooking temperature, while grills may have hot and cool spots. You'll also need to learn the proper temperatures for cooking your chosen food, which can take time to get right. Novice chefs might find it easier to use a grill than a griddle. Foods can stick to grill grates if they're not oiled properly. Because griddles have a flat, seasoned surface, it's less likely (though not impossible) that foods will stick. It's also easier to overcook food on a grill, especially if you're cooking a thinner piece of food at a high heat. You'll need to monitor the grill closely while cooking to ensure you don't accidentally burn the food. And flipping foods can be challenging, as there's a chance it will fall between the grates. Because griddles retain juices and fats, your finished dish might be greasier than if you grilled it. Learning to manage excess grease can take time—you might need to occasionally wipe away grease with a paper towel to prevent the food from becoming too greasy. Winner: Grills tend to be more beginner-friendly than griddles. Both grills and griddles require frequent cleaning and routine maintenance to keep them in good shape. However, griddles are slightly easier to manage on a day-to-day basis. 'Griddles require simpler daily maintenance—just scrape and wipe down,' explains Craig. Grills are trickier and more time-consuming to clean. 'The grates require constant brushing and cleaning to remove food particles,' says Bennett. Additionally, she explains that 'ash cans need to be emptied…for a clean cooking environment. The amount of time to clean depends on the grill's design.' Deep-cleaning grills and griddles takes time and plenty of elbow grease. 'Both appliances require minor disassembling to clean and sanitize, and you always run the risk of minor burns as it is recommended to clean both while they are still hot,' warns Snell. You should also consider that griddles require additional maintenance. 'Outdoor griddles should be oiled once a week, regardless of usage, due to the griddle retaining moisture, and rusting can occur,' Snell adds. Winner: Griddles are easier to clean because they have fewer parts to remove. Grills and griddles are both available at various price points, so you can usually find one that fits your budget. However, grills are generally more cost-effective overall. 'Grills come in many shapes, sizes, and varieties,' explains Snell. '[Griddles often] have to be ordered or purchased from a specialty store, [while] grills are readily available most places and for affordable prices.' However, the initial cost of the appliance is only one price factor to consider. You'll also need to cover the long-term operating costs, including fuel and accessories. Grills and griddles both require some form of fuel to operate. Depending on your chosen type, you might need to budget for charcoal, wood pellets, or propane gas. 'For summer entertaining, a quality grill offers better value for typical outdoor cooking,' says Craig. 'Grills generally provide more cooking space per dollar and handle traditional summer fare well. However, griddles offer superior versatility if you frequently host breakfast gatherings or cook for diverse dietary preferences.' If you like the idea of having a covered storage area for your propane tank, the E-210 is a great option. It offers 450 square inches of cooking space total, with 360 inches of this sitting on the main cooking grid, a good amount of space for a two-burner grill. For the best of both worlds, you can purchase a griddle insert for a grill. However, there's no option to buy a grill insert for a griddle. Winner: Grills are typically the more cost-effective option. Ultimately, the choice between a grill and a griddle will come down to your budget, preferences, and the types of food you want to cook. 'My recommendation would always be to have a grill first,' advises Bennett. 'Due to the design of the grill and the variable price points and qualities, you can always add a cast-iron pan or a griddle plate to a grill, but you can't add a grill to a griddle.' However, either appliance can become an outdoor living staple. Grills are better suited for those on a limited budget or who want their summer barbeque food to have seasonal grill and char marks. Griddles are better for cooking more delicate foods outside, like eggs, flaky fish, or stir-fries.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- General
- Tom's Guide
Weber vs Traeger: which pellet grill should I buy?
If you're shopping for a pellet grill, chances are two major names have come up frequently in your search: Traeger and Weber. Both brands have been in the best grill game for a long time and are noted for their high-quality products. If you've narrowed your search down to these two brands among the very crowded pellet grill market, deciding which one to buy can be a challenge. But it's Get Grillin' Week here at Tom's Guide, which means we're answering all your burning questions about how to choose the best grill for your yard. Fortunately, I've tested both Weber's Smoque pellet grill and Traeger's Woodridge Pro, so if you need some guidance on which brand is right for you, I'm your guy. First things first, you'll be getting a high-quality grill either way. But it helps to understand how pellet grills work and what they're best used for before making your purchase. And if you're specifically choosing between a Weber and a Traeger, a simple spec comparison may be enough to sway you one way or another. But if your questions run deeper than that, here's an overview of how you can choose between a Weber and a Traeger pellet grill. How you intend to use your pellet grill has the biggest impact on determining which is best for you. If, for example, you expect to spend more time grilling at high temperatures and less time smoking at low temperatures, be sure to choose a unit that can provide a high-heat sear. You'll want a pellet grill that can handle a 500-degree to 550-degree temperature for grilling meats like steaks. If, conversely, you intend to do a lot more smoking with your pellet grill — which, in my experience, is really the biggest benefit to owning a pellet grill of any kind — you'll want to make sure your pellet grill can reach low temperatures. I usually smoke around 180 degrees, though a 200-degree minimum temperature may be suitable for your needs. I usually smoke around 180 degrees, though a 200-degree minimum temperature may be suitable for your needs. Some pellet grills feature some sort of 'super smoke' setting at low temperatures, which optimizes the amount of smoke and the low temperature to ensure top-quality smoked meats. Look for some setting like this if you intend to do a lot of low-and-slow cooking. Both the Weber Smoque and the Traeger Timberline are great at low-heat smoking, with minimum temperatures of 180 degrees and 165 degrees respectively. As for top temperatures, they both hit 500 degrees. Neither is the perfect choice for high-heat grilling, but I found that they both did the trick. Do you cook for you and your family, or are you gearing up for a series of big gatherings? Both Weber and Traeger offer pellet grills of different sizes to accommodate both scenarios, so this won't be the deciding factor for either brand, but if you're mostly cooking for your immediate family for backyard barbecues, you'll want to choose a smaller smoker. It may be tempting to go big for those 'just in case' moments. But keep in mind that a larger smoker will consume more fuel in order to regulate the temperature in a larger cooking area. So you may end up burning more pellets than necessary just to smoke a rack or two of ribs. A larger capacity lets you smoke more food at once, though also keep in mind that's more meat you'll have to monitor. Of course, if you routinely have family and friends over, and need to get a lot of meat on the grill, by all means, go big! A larger capacity lets you smoke more food at once, though also keep in mind that's more meat you'll have to monitor. If that's the case, the Traeger app does a nice job of setting you up for success. It has features that automatically inform you how to smoke your meats, and monitors it all in real time to the ideal temperature set forth within the app. Weber's app is very good too, but it's not quite as immersive and handy as the Traeger app. The Traeger Woodridge is a smart and capable pellet grill that offers 6-in-1 cooking, including smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ. It's now 22% off for a limited time at Amazon, making it an excellent deal on one of Traeger's leading grills. Low and slow barbecue takes time. That means you might have your pellet grill running all day (and maybe all night) long. Consequently, you'll need a pellet hopper that can handle enough pellets to get you through the entire session. Both Weber and Traeger offer options with large hoppers, so regardless of which you choose, you should be well set for long smoking sessions. The Weber Searwood XL 600 should be your choice if you're looking for a large capacity from a Weber, and the Traeger Timberline XL also offers plenty of space. Both brands also come with apps which monitor the hopper as you smoke, so you'll get alerts should you need to refill. Keep in mind too that you will need to purchase pellets. While each brand recommends you use their brand of pellets, you should be able to use just about any pellets made for smoking foods with a Weber or a Traeger. As pellets are a consumable item, you'll need to factor in the price of refills as part of your smoking experience. Pellet grills can get quite large quite quickly. So even if you want to feed a lot of people, you'll need to think of the overall footprint of the grill and where it will live on your patio or in your yard. If you're short on space, look for a pellet grill that offers ample cooking space in a small footprint. Weber's Smoque is a good example of a spacious cooking area in a small footprint. It doesn't skimp on hopper capacity, and you can definitely pack a lot of food within. You will, however, lose out on a side prep table, which the Traeger Woodridge offers in spades. It even features a side burner! We've tested both the Smoque and the Weber Searwood, and neither offers side shelves or storage space for accessories. That said, you can always buy the side table accessory and add it later if you want. Both Weber and Traeger offer plenty of options for different sizes and use cases, so you're in luck if you prefer one brand over the other. But overall, Weber offers pellet grills with smaller footprints, so if you're tight on space, lean toward a Weber. Both Weber and Traeger offer a ton of accessories to go with their pellet smokers. Once again, this will largely come down to personal brand preference. Traeger does have a slight edge in the accessories department, however. While Weber's accessories offerings are deep, Traeger's accessories run a wider gamut. And in my experience, Traeger accessories have a higher-end look and feel to them. That's not to say Weber's accessories are bad, or low-end. But it's clear Traeger has put a lot more thought into not only the usefulness of its accessories, but also the look and feel. A grill and workspace that looks great and functions well is one you'll want to use frequently. I know it's not helpful to hear this, but you really can't go wrong with either Weber or Traeger. Both offer well-built, high-quality pellet smokers that will make your backyard barbecuing easy and delicious. So ultimately, it comes down to which brand you like better. To tip the scales, Traeger smokers tend to be super versatile, and they do very well at both smoking and grilling. And Traeger's accessory offerings edge out Weber. Weber pellet grills are built like tanks, and you're likely to get years and years out of them. Weber also offers super powerful smokers with smaller overall footprints, so if you're short on space, look here. I gave the Traeger Woodridge Pro a rare 4.5-star review, but Tom's Guide's Reviews Editor Peter Wolinski awarded the Weber Searwood the same honor, so you're getting a good option either way. So take solace knowing that you're getting a top-quality product from either of these powerhouse brands.
