The Tailgater and Pro 22 are two of Traeger’s smaller pellet grills. These grills are perfect for anyone wanting to smoke meat, but have a small budget and a small outdoor area. The Tailgater, as the name suggests, is designed for tailgating, but can also be used at home. I wanted to take a closer look at these grills, so I did a side-by-side comparison.
| Specs | Traeger Tailgater | Traeger Pro 22 |
| Manufacturer | Traeger Pellet Grills | Traeger Pellet Grills |
| Price (US) | $529.95 grill only$589.90 grill + cover$609.85 grill + cover + pellets$544.94 grill + drip tray liner$549.90 grill + pellets, hickory SEE LATEST PRICE HERE | $599.95 grill only$669.00 grill + cover, black$514.90 grill + tray$569.90 grill + folding shelf$519.90 grill + pellets. SEE LATEST PRICE HERE |
| Weight | 62 pounds | 103 pounds |
| Dimension (DxHxW) | 37” x 18” 36” | 49” x 41” x 27” |
| Grill Capacity | 3 racks of ribs, or 2 whole chickens or 12 burgers | 5 racks of ribs, or 4 whole chickens, or 24 burgers |
| Grilling area | 300 sq. in | 572 sq. in. |
| Hopper Capacity | 8 lb | 18 lb |
| Hopper Cleanout | Yes | Yes |
| Control Style | Digital Arc Controller | Digital Pro Controller |
| Special Features | * Easy Foldable Legs * With precise temperature control * Beginner friendly * Guarantee precise grilling * Easy to Use | * Water Resistant * It has an extra rack (154 sq. in.) * Made from all-weather and heavy duty material * No Assemble Required * Easy to Use |
| Power source | Electric power source and wood burning | 100% All-natural Wood pellet |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellet | Charcoal, Wood Pellet |
| Colour Variations | Black | Charcoal and Black |
| Outer Material | Steel | Steel |
| Inner Material | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Wheels | Rugged all-terrain wheels | Rugged all-terrain wheels |
Main Differences
- The Pro 22 holds 10 pounds more wood pellets when compared to the Tailgater.
- The Tailgater costs $80 to $100 less than the Pro 22 (check latest)
- The Pro 22 has 572 square inches of cooking area, which is 272 square inches more than the Tailgater.
- The Tailgater has a regular digital Arc temperature controller. The Pro Series the Pro Controllers.
| Features | Traeger Tailgater | Traeger Pro 22 |
| Temperature Control | Digital Arc temperature controller with guarantee precision grilling | Digital Pro temperature controller with advance grilling logic |
| Max Temperature | 450 °F | 450 °F |
| Cooking Methods | 6-in-1 versatility to smoke, grill, bake, braise, BBQ, and roast food to juicy perfection | 6-in-1 versatility to smoke, grill, bake, braise, BBQ, and roast food to juicy perfection |
| Advanced Grilling | Yes | Yes |
| Food production | 6-15 people | 12-20 people |
| Standard Size | Medium sized | Extra Large |
| Water Resistant | None | Yes |
| All Terrain Wheels | Yes | Yes |
| WiFired Enable | None | None |
| Easy Fold Legs | Yes | None |
| Turbo Temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Assembling | Easy to Assemble | No Assemble Required |
| All Weather Protection | None | Yes |
| Versatile Barbeque Cooking | Hot and Fast, orLow and Slow | Hot and Fast, orLow and Slow |
Price Difference
There’s about a $70 to $100 price difference between the Tailgater and the Pro 22. The Tailgater sells for around $530 and the Pro 22 is close to $600. Prices change constantly, so see the updated prices here. The Pro 22 is a much larger grill, with 572 square inches of cooking space.
Where To Buy
You can buy the Tailgater and Pro 22 from the Traeger website. Most grills qualify for FREE DELIVERY. Traeger also offer buy-now-pay-later with affirm. The Pro 22 works out to $55 per month and the Tailgater is $48 per month.
Hopper
The Tailgater only has an 8 pound hopper, so if you want to cook a brisket, you will need to refill the wood several times throughout the cook. The Pro 22 has an 18 lb hopper, so you can comfortably cook a brisket without having to top up the wood.
Is the Tailgater Worth it?
If you can afford an extra $100, you are better off getting the Pro 22 Traeger.
The only reason you would buy a Tailgater over a Pro 22 is if you want a grill for camping or tailgating, or if you find a Tailgater discounted.
Cooking Capacity
The Tailgater has 300 square inches of cooking area. This is enough to cook 12 burgers, or 3 full rib racks, or two whole chickens. You can cook about 25 chicken wings.
For larger cuts of meat, the Tailgater can hold a 10 to 15 lb brisket, or two 8 lb pork butts. However, cooking large cuts is hard work with a small pellet hopper.
Temperature Fluctuations
Because the Tailgater is a small, portable grill, it will have temperature fluctuations. But this is just the price you pay for having a portable grill.
If you want fewer temperature fluctuations, spend an extra $80 to $100 for a Pro 22. The Pro Series grills may not have the insulation and stability of an Ironwood or Timberline, but it will hold temps better than the Tailgater.
Portability
One of the main reasons to buy a Tailgater is the portability. The Tailgater isn’t heavy. It only weighs 62 pounds, so it’s easy to lift.
Once the legs are folded, you can easily slide it onto your tailgate. There’s no smoke stack or chimney to get in the way either. Instead of a smokestack, the Tailgater has two back vents for smoke to escape.
Folding Legs
The Tailgater has foldable legs, just like a normal grill. But if you want to go tailgating or camping, the legs fold up. Unfortunately, the Tailgater legs aren’t easy to fold. This is a common criticism. You would think Traeger would have spent more time on the foldable legs. Especially with the Tailgater being a portable grill.
No Smoke Stack
Most pellet grills have a smokestack, or chimney. The Tailgater has vents at the back of the unit, which is more practical for a portable grill.
Get A Folding Shelf
If you want a folding shelf for the front of the Tailgater, tit costs an extra $60. Additional shelves come in very useful when camping, so you may find the shelf to be a worthy upgrade. However, if you’re trying to keep the costs low, just place a camping table next to your grill.
Buy A Cover
The Tailgater cover costs about $60 (see latest). A cover will keep the weather off your grill, especially in winter. A cover will also help your grill come up to temperature quicker, which means you can cook sooner. Also, the colder the metal, the more wood you need to burn to bring the Tailgater up to cooking temp. So a cover is a useful accessory, especially when camping.
Tailgater Has Poor Insulation
The Tailgater is made from thin metal, so don’t expect the same level of insulation as the Pro 22, Ironwood, or Timberline.However, the Tailgater is a portable grill, so it needs to be light and transportable. If you want a well-insulated pellet grill, then consider another model.
Plastic Components
Another problem is there are plastic handles and plastic wheels on the tailgater. Again, this makes the grill lighter, because it is a portable grill.
Having metal handles and metal wheels would make the grill much heavier, so I can understand why Traeger wanted to keep the weight as low as possible. In comparison, the Pro Series has sturdier handles and wheels.
The Tailgater – Perfect For Beginners
The Tailgater is a good little entry-level smoker, but if you find you like your new hobby, you will probably regret not getting a larger model. However, if your primary purpose for buying the Tailgater is portability, then you won’t have any complaints.
Buy A Thermometer
Buying your own wireless thermometer is a good idea if you’re going to smoke on a Tailgater. As mentioned before, the Tailgater has temperature fluctuations, so a thermometer will be your best friend.
A good wireless thermometer will alert you if your temperature is swings, then you can make the relevant adjustments. Never trust the in-built thermometers. They are notoriously inaccurate.
More Affordable
If you’re on a tight budget, then the Tailgater is still good for the money. Obviously big is always better, but if you can only afford the Tailgater you will still be happy.
| Final Comparison | Traeger Tailgater | Traeger Pro 22 |
| Convenience | Better | Good |
| Affordability | Good | Better |
| Eco-friendliness | Better | Good |
| Durability | Better | Good |
| Beginner Friendly | Good | Better |
| Easy to Assemble | Better | Good |
| Temperature Control | Good | Better |
| Easy to Use | Good | Better |
| Easy to Clean | Good | Better |
| Save your Money | Good | Better |
| Smoke Flavor | Better | Good |
| Perfect Size | Good | Better |
| Protection from All Weather | Good | Better |
| Hot Picks | Better | Good |
| Technology | Better | Good |
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