Traeger Pro 34 vs Pro 22 – A Side-By-Side Comparison


The Pro Series is Traeger’s entry-level pellet grill, and for many years, it has been the number-one-selling pellet smoker in the world. Traeger’s Pro Series started out with the Pro 22 and Pro 34. Recently, Traeger upgraded the Pro Series with the “hi-tech” Pro 575 and Pro 780. In this article, I’ll be doing a side-by-side comparison of the original Pro Series models, the Pro 22 and the Pro 34.

SpecsTraeger Pro 34Traeger Pro 22
ManufacturerTraeger Pellet GrillsTraeger Pellet Grills
Price (US)$508.22 grill only $869.85 grill + shelf + cover $719.90 grill + pellets (Check Latest Price )$494.95 grill only $659.94 grill + folding shelf $662.13 grill + black + grill cover $617.94 grill + pellets $614.90 grill + tray
(Check Latest Price)
Weight136 lbs103 lbs
Dimension (DxHxW)27″ x 49″ x53″27″ x 49″ x 41″
Grill Capacity7 rib racks or 8 chicken or 40 burgers5 racks rib or 4 chickens or 24 burgers
Grilling area884 sq”572 sq”
Hopper Capacity18 lb18 lb
TechnologyDowndraft exhaust system & double side wall insulationDowndraft exhaust system & double side wall insulation
Special Features* Precision Temp control * Beginner friendly * Easy to assemble* 6 in 1 versatility cooking (smoke, bake, roast, bbq, braise and bake) * Advanced grilling logic * Easy to assemble
ConnectivityDigital Pro ControllerDigital Pro Controller
Power source100% All-natural Wood pellet100% All-natural Wood pellet
Colour VariationsBronzeBronze
Outer MaterialSteelAlloy Steel
Inner MaterialStainless SteelStainless Steel
WheelsAll terrain wheelsAll terrain wheels

So What’s The Difference?

The Pro 22 and the Pro 34 belong to the 1st generation Traeger Pro Series, and the only difference between the grills is the size. Both models have the same features—they only differ in cooking capacity, size, and weight. 

When comparing the two grills, the Pro 34 is:

  • $100 more expensive
  • 9 inches wider
  • 33 pounds heavier
  • Has 312 sq.in more cooking area. 

Do You Cook For Crowds?

How often will you cook for crowds? This is one of the first questions you need to ask yourself when deciding between the two models.

The Pro 22 is perfect for a normal-sized family. However, it’s nice to have the option to cook for extended family or friends. So you need to ask yourself if the extra money is worth it for that reason. 

The size difference between the Pro 22 and Pro 34 might not seem like much, but if you want to cook for a crowd, you will notice the difference. If you’re cooking a lot of food in the smaller Pro 22, you may need to cook in batches.

What Do They Have In Common?

  • Both grills are 49 in high
  • Both models have a depth of 27 in. 
  • Both grills have dual meat probes
  • Both grills have digital controllers with 25° increments. 

They also both have:

  • Non-stick porcelain coated grill grates
  • Stable sawhorse chassis
  • 18 pound pellet hoppers
  • Additional grill rack
  • All-terrain wheels

FeaturesTraeger Pro 34Traeger Pro 22
Temperature ControlAdvanced Grilling Logic TechnologyAdvanced Grilling Logic Technology
Max Temperature450 °F450 °F
Cooking Methods6 in 1 versatility cooking (smoke, bake, roast, bbq, braise and bake)6 in 1 versatility cooking (smoke, bake, roast, bbq, braise and bake)
Advanced GrillingYesYes
Food production12 to 20 people4 to 6 people
Double Side Wall InsulationYesYes
Hopper CleanoutYesYes
Downdraft Exhaust SystemYesYes
Standard SizeExtra largeMedium sized

Is The Pro 34 Worth The Extra Money?

The price difference between the Pro 22 and Pro 34 is only about $100. Even if you only cook for a crowd once or twice a year — I think the extra $100 upfront is worthwhile. You get an extra 312 square inches of cooking area with the Pro 34. I don’t think anyone would regret buying a larger grill.

Do You Need A Compact Grill?

The other important consideration between the Pro 34 and Pro 22 is the size. If you have a balcony or small patio, the Pro 34 might be too big. The Pro 34 is 9 inches wider, and 33 pounds heavier than the Pro 22. So if you’ve got a small deck, patio or balcony, perhaps consider the Pro 22, or the Tailgater.

Is The Pro 22 Big Enough?

The smaller Pro 22 is ideal for small outdoor areas. The Pro 22:

  • Weighs 103 pounds
  • Is 41 inches wide
  • Is 49 inches high
  • Has a depth of 27 inches
Pro 22 Capacity

How Big Is The Pro 34?

There’s a significant size difference between the Pro 22 and the Pro 34. The Pro 34 is:

  • 136 pounds
  • 49 inches high
  • 53 inches wide
  • Has a depth of 27 inches

The Pro 34 weighs 33 pounds more than the Pro 22. To put that in perspective, the weight difference between the Pro 22 and Pro 34 is the equivalent to four gallons of water, or one cinder block, or 7 reams of copy paper. 

The Same Height And Depth 

The Pro 34 and Pro 22 are 49 inches high. Although, if space is an issue, height isn’t the problem. The Pro 34 and the Pro 22 both have an equal depth of 27 inches. The Pro 34 is 9 inches wider than the Pro 22—which is only the size of two smartphones, or two soda cans. So the size difference isn’t huge. 

Pro 22

My Personal User Experience

Temperature Control. The temperature control on a Traeger Pro 34 is excellent. I find the temps are 5°F to 10°F within the actual setting — which is reasonable for a pellet grill. 

Hot Spots. I find the top grill grate on the Pro 34 is about 15 °F hotter than the lower cooking grate. Keep this in mind because you may need to rotate your meat. To get a more accurate temperature reading, use your own duel-probe thermometer to measure the different areas of the grill.

As with most smokers and grills, the in-built Traeger thermometer isn’t very accurate. As anyone who takes their smoking and grilling seriously would know, it’s always better to have a seperate thermometer.

For years I’ve used a TP20, but for ease-of-use, I’ve switched to an app controlled smart thermometer with no wires. My Airprobe3 can measure the ambient temperature of my Traeger, while also monitoring the meat.

I can’t speak highly enough about my smart thermometer, but if you want something more affordable, the TP20 is highly accurate. For more info on thermometers, check out my Thermometer Guide.

Pro 34 Cons

A common criticism with the Pro 34 is there isn’t a perfect heat distribution. There are some hot spots, but I find this isn’t too much of a problem if rotate your food around, anyway.

Whenever I’m smoking brisket, I always keep the point towards the hotspot. That way, it doesn’t dry out. 

The other con is you can’t cook sear steaks on the Pro Series models. Other Traeger models have searing options where you can lower the bottom grate.

So unless you want to upgrade, you might have to use your regular gas grill for searing and save the Traeger for the long cooks. 

Final Comparison 

So if you’re trying to decide between the Pro 22 and the Pro 34, size and price are the only things to consider. Is it worth the extra $100 for the Pro 34? Is it worth spending more money to get the extra 312 square inches of cooking space?

Final ComparisonTraeger Pro 34Traeger Pro 22
ConvenienceBetterGood
AffordabilityGoodBetter
Eco-friendlinessGoodGood
DurabilityBetterGood
Beginner FriendlyGoodBetter
Easy to AssembleGoodGood

Pro 22 Specs

  • Grill area 572 square inches
  • Weight 103 lbs
  • Width 41 inches
  • Height 49 inches
  • Depth 27 inches
  • 2 meat probes
  • 18 lbs pellet hopper
  • Temperature range 180⁰F to 450⁰F. 

Pro 34 Specs

  • Cooking area 884 square inches
  • Weight 136 lbs
  • Height 49 inches
  • Depth 27 inches
  • Width 53 in
  • 2 meat probes
  • 18 lbs pellet hopper
  • Temperature range 180⁰F to 450⁰F. 

2nd Gen Pro Series – Should You Level-Up?

If you’re stuck trying to decide between the Pro 22 and Pro 34, why not consider the second generation Pro Series: The Pro 575 and the Pro 780?

So what’s the difference between the original Pro Series and a new Pro Series? The new Pro Series has quite a few upgrades.The most notable difference is the technology. The Pro Series 575 and Pro 780 have Wi-Fi temperature controllers, so the user can monitor their grill remotely. 

High-Tech. The 2nd Gen Traeger Pro Series grills are integrated with the Traeger App, and Traeger Cloud. The tech gives users access to hundreds of recipes that are downloadable directly to the grill. It has step-by-step walkthroughs, which some people find useful. 

Hotter. Also, the 2nd generation Pro Series can reach higher temperatures. The 1st generation Traeger Pro Series could only reach 450° F, whereas the 2nd generation can reach 500° F. 

Turbo Temp. The new Traeger Pro Series has a Turbo Temp feature to boost the temperature quickly. This is great if you’re impatient and want to fire up your grill faster. 

It’s also handy after you’ve opened the lid and lost some of your heat. Turbo Temp helps you regain the temperature much faster. Although Turbo Temp is a cool feature, for me, it’s not a deal breaker. 

Pellet Dump. Another upgrade with the 2nd Gen Pro Series is the trapdoor to dump the wood pellets. I find this useful for swapping out wood flavors. Without the trapdoor, you have to cook until the pellets are gone before changing wood flavors. 

Price Difference. There’s a few hundred dollar price difference between the 2nd generation Pro Series and the 1st gen. Pro Series 575 is about $350, more expensive than the Pro 22, which is a similarly sized grill. 

Probes. Both the Pro 22 and Pro 34 have meat probes. The 2nd Gen Pro 575 and Pro 780 only have one probe. The new models have a probe storage compartment which is handy. 

Insulation. Both 1st and 2nd Gen Pro Series have single-walled insulation. If you want better insulation, the Ironwood has double-walled insulation, and the Timberline is fully insulated with thick metal. This is important if you live in a cold climate.

The Pro Series requires more work in winter, and you’ll burn through more wood pellets. However, Traeger makes thermal blankets for the Pro Series to keep the weather off your grill so you can cook year-round. These insulation blankets insulate the metal so you can retain the heat. 

Guided Cooks. One of the coolest features about the Pro 575 and Pro 780 is the Grill Guide—a feature where you can create custom cooks that you can download directly onto your grill.

This feature guides users through the entire cook. I don’t use this feature, however, it might be useful for beginners. If you don’t know how to smoke a brisket, the Grill Guide will walk you through the entire cook step-by-step. 

More Powerful Motor. The new Pro Series has upgraded the motor. The D2 Drivetrain on the Pro Series 575 and 780 uses a brushless motor, which is better than a brushed motor which most other pellet grills use.

A brushless motor uses magnets, so there’s less friction and it will last longer. So if you had complaints about the old Traeger motor, then they have solved this problem.

This is a big upgrade, and one of the key differences between the 1st and 2nd generation of Pro Series. The more powerful Drive Train motor brings the Traeger up to temperature much faster with the Turbo Temp feature.

In-Built Thermometer Probe. The older Pro Series Traeger had a thermometer that sometimes got in the way. The thermometer stuck up vertically, but the new Pro Series has a small thermometer that’s tucked away.

Sealed Better. The new Traeger Pro Series has better sealing on the barrel — which means it will hold in more smoke, and keep the heat in. 

Higher Barrel. The Pro 22 and the Pro 575 have a different barrel shape. You get more vertical cooking area on the Pro 575.

Other Traeger Reviews:

Traeger Tailgater vs The Pro 22 – What’s The Best Small Traeger?

Ranger vs Tailgater – We Compare The Portable Traeger Grills

Pro 575 vs Pro 22 – A Side-By-Side Comparison

Pro 575 vs Pro 780 – What’s The Difference?

Timberline 1300 vs 850 – A Detailed Comparison

Ironwood vs Pro Series – We Review Both Series

Pro 34 vs 780 – A Side-By-Side Comparison

Ironwood vs Timberline – We Compare Traeger’s High-End Grills

Traeger Pro 34 vs Pro 22 – A Side-By-Side Comparison

Damien

Author and founder at Meat Smoking HQ

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