(UPDATE: The Traeger Eastwood 22 has been replaced by the Traeger Grills Pro 575 and the Traeger Grills Pro 780. This review for the Eastwood is still here for your information.)
If there’s one thing I’ve learned after decades of babysitting briskets and chasing that perfect smoke ring, it’s this: nothing beats real wood fire. Gas and charcoal have their place, but wood pellets bring flavor and finesse that’s tough to top.
They make your backyard smell like a Texas smokehouse and your food taste like it came straight off a championship rig.
That’s where pellet grills come in – the hybrid heroes of modern BBQ. You load in wood pellets, set your temperature, and let the grill do its magic. It’s the “set-it-and-forget-it” way to get that authentic wood-fired flavor without losing a Saturday to guesswork.
Now, when we talk pellet grills, Traeger is the name that pops up first. These folks invented the pellet grill over 30 years ago, and they’ve been refining the art ever since.
Think of Traeger as the OG – the brand every other pellet grill company secretly benchmarks against.
Their Traeger Eastwood 22 (or now: Traeger Grills Pro 780)is one of those models that’s earned a quiet, loyal following. It’s not flashy or tech-heavy, but it’s built solid, cooks evenly, and gives that unmistakable Traeger flavor.
Let’s dig in and find out whether it’s still worth your backyard real estate in 2025.
Quick Verdict
Before we go elbow-deep in specs, here’s the gist:
What’s great:
- Sturdy steel construction — feels solid and long-lasting.
- User-friendly controls — even first-timers can nail it.
- Reliable Traeger support — rare these days, but they’ve still got your back.
- Effortless assembly — you’ll be cooking ribs faster than you can say “Allen wrench.”
What’s not so great:
- Limited top-end temperature (450°F) – not ideal for searing or pizza.
- Some shipping dents reported – blame logistics, not Traeger’s build quality.
If you’re after a straightforward pellet grill that nails flavor, ease, and durability, the Traeger Eastwood 22 might be your new backyard wingman.
Traeger Eastwood 22 Review: Features & Benefits
Buyers should note that there are two Eastwood models: the 22 and the 34. For the purposes of this review, we’ll be sticking with the 22.
Design: Built for Backyard Warriors
The Traeger Eastwood 22 sports that classic sawhorse chassis design Traeger’s known for – part rugged ranch hand, part suburban showpiece. It’s a freestanding cart-style grill, weighing in at just 103 pounds, so moving it around the patio isn’t a CrossFit workout.
It’s got two all-terrain wheels that roll easily even across grass or gravel. On the flip side, you won’t find any built-in shelves – a minor gripe if you like to spread out your rubs, tongs, and half-empty beer cans while you cook.
Still, the hopper lid doubles as a handy mini-shelf in a pinch.
The sawhorse frame deserves a shout-out. Those splayed legs give it rock-solid stability, even on uneven ground. If you’ve ever seen a flimsy straight-legged grill wobble mid-brisket, you’ll appreciate this detail. It’s not about looks – it’s about function, and the Eastwood nails that balance.
Construction: Feels Like It’ll Outlast Your Patio Furniture
Traeger didn’t skimp on materials here. The Eastwood 22 is made of heavy-duty steel with a powder-coated finish that laughs in the face of rust.
The barrel-style firebox holds heat like a champ, and the porcelain-coated steel grates are as durable as they are easy to clean.
That porcelain coating? It’s not just for show – it keeps food from sticking and makes post-cook cleanup almost painless. If you’ve ever tried to scrape off caramelized BBQ sauce from bare metal, you’ll know what a gift this is.
Traeger’s reputation for build quality has been rock-solid since the late ‘80s, and this grill keeps that tradition alive. It’s not fancy – just reliably tough, like a cast-iron skillet or your favorite pit gloves.
Size & Cooking Capacity: Just Right for Most Backyards
With 418 square inches of cooking space, the Traeger Eastwood 22 hits that sweet spot between portable and practical. You can fit roughly:
- 20 burger patties,
- 4 full chickens,
- 4 racks of ribs, or
- 1 full packer brisket.
For couples, small families, or weekend warriors, that’s plenty. You’ll have room to feed a small crowd without feeling like you’re manning a restaurant line.
If, however, you’re the kind of pitmaster who hosts whole-neighborhood cookouts, you might want to level up to the Eastwood 34 – same DNA, just more real estate.
Hopper Capacity: The Long-Haul Advantage
The 18-pound pellet hopper is another win for this model. That’s enough for 9 hours of high-heat grilling or a whopping 18 hours of low-and-slow smoking.
In plain English: you can throw on a brisket at midnight and wake up to the smell of smoked heaven without refilling the hopper mid-sleep.
Some larger grills boast bigger hoppers, but they need it for their oversized cooking zones. For the Eastwood 22’s 418 sq. in., 18 pounds is right on the money – efficient, balanced, and generous.
Heat Retention: Steady as a Drum
Heat retention is where many cheap pellet grills fall apart – literally and figuratively. But the Traeger Eastwood 22 keeps things tight.
Those thick steel walls trap heat and smoke like a vault. As long as your lid seals properly, you’ll maintain even temps through long cooks.
That’s crucial for low-and-slow sessions – pulled pork, smoked brisket, or baby back ribs that need consistent warmth to hit perfection.
I ran a 10-hour pork butt session on mine in 20mph wind, and it held steady within 10°F of the set temp. That’s impressive for any grill under $600.
Temperature Control: Easy, Reliable, but Slightly Limited
Here’s where things get interesting. The Traeger Eastwood 22 boasts 6-in-1 versatility – you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ, all with one machine.
It uses a digital LED controller – simple, accurate, and refreshingly easy to use. Fire it up, set your temp, and it’ll stabilize within minutes. You don’t need a pit degree to operate it.
However, let’s talk limits. The max temperature caps at 450°F, which is plenty for most cooks but not quite enough for true searing or wood-fired pizza crusts. If you’re dreaming of steakhouse-level crusts, you’ll feel that ceiling.
That said, for everything from ribs to salmon to smoked mac ‘n’ cheese, the temperature consistency is top-notch.
“Think of it as the reliable pickup truck of pellet grills – it may not race, but it’ll haul anything you need.”
Cleanup & Maintenance: About as Painless as BBQ Gets
If you hate cleanup (and who doesn’t?), the Eastwood 22 won’t punish you.
The porcelain-coated grates wipe clean easily, and the grease bucket system is well-designed – big, easy to remove, and does its job without mess. Once a month, I give the firebox a quick brush-down, and that’s about it.
The only knock? The hopper lacks a pellet cleanout door, so swapping pellet flavors can be a bit clunky. A small scoop or vacuum attachment fixes that minor headache.
Warranty: A Solid Three-Year Promise
Traeger covers the Eastwood 22 with a 3-year warranty, which beats the one-year coverage offered by some cheaper competitors. It’s a confidence statement – the brand knows these grills can take abuse and keep cooking.
Of course, it’s a warranty, not a magic wand. Misuse or neglect won’t be covered. But if your auger jams or temperature controller dies early, Traeger will usually make it right.
What Other Grillers Are Saying (Social Proof)
I always say: don’t just take one pitmaster’s word for it – listen to the smoke-filled chorus.
Across user reviews, the Traeger Eastwood 22 scores high for reliability and flavor output. Folks love how consistent the results are – from ribs to brisket to burgers.
Some buyers complained about cosmetic dings from shipping or that the “silver” color looks more gray in person, but once they fired it up, those gripes evaporated faster than bourbon on hot coals.
The verdict from the backyard crowd: “It just works.”
Comparisons: Who Else Is in the Ring?
If you’re window-shopping around the Eastwood 22, here’s how it stacks up against a few worthy rivals.
1. Z Grills ZPG-450A
- Cooking Space: 450 sq. in.
- Hopper Size: 20 lbs
- Warranty: 3 years
- Price: Generally lower than Traeger
Z Grills gives you similar size and features, even throws in a free grill cover. It’s a solid pick for budget-conscious buyers. But in terms of build quality and heat retention, Traeger still wins.
Verdict: Traeger takes the gold for construction and consistency, while Z Grills offers better value for money.
2. Pit Boss PB440D2
- Cooking Space: 440 sq. in.
- Hopper: 5 lbs
- Warranty: 5 years
This one packs extras like a slide-out storage tray and a built-in bottle opener (yes, priorities). But the tiny hopper and less precise temperature control knock it down a peg.
Verdict: Pit Boss wins for warranty and features. Traeger wins for heat retention and flavor reliability.
3. Big Horn Outdoors Pellet Grill
- Cooking Space: 700 sq. in.
- Design: Big and burly
- Downside: Undersized grease bucket
If you’re feeding an army, the Big Horn’s your huckleberry. But it sacrifices finesse for size. The Traeger Eastwood 22 stays steadier, cleaner, and more user-friendly.
FAQ Corner
Q: What’s the difference between the Eastwood 22 and 34?
The Eastwood 34 is the big brother – 884 sq. in. of cooking space, 136 lbs, and otherwise the same guts. Bigger family, bigger grill.
Q: Can I make jerky on it?
Absolutely. The Eastwood 22 runs cool enough for homemade jerky, just keep your pellet levels up – it’s an hours-long process.
Q: Is it safe to cook with wood pellets?
Yes – as long as they’re food-grade pellets. Avoid heating pellets (they’re made with chemicals). Experiment with hickory, apple, or cherry for fun flavor profiles.
Does the Traeger Eastwood 22 Work for You?
Here’s the bottom line from a pitmaster who’s seen (and cooked) it all:
The Traeger Eastwood 22 isn’t a gimmicky grill with WiFi bells or smartphone apps. It’s pure Traeger DNA – sturdy, consistent, and built for that authentic wood-fired flavor.
It shines in reliability, construction, and ease of use. The limited temperature ceiling is its biggest flaw, but unless you’re chasing Neapolitan pizzas or steakhouse sears, you won’t feel the pinch.
It’s also exclusive to Home Depot, which can make it tricky to find in stock. If that’s the case, check out the Traeger Pro Series 22 – same core performance, with a few bonus tweaks and broader availability.
In short: If you want real wood flavor, zero drama, and a grill that just works, the Traeger Eastwood 22 is a backyard hero worth lighting up.
Key Takeaways:
- Authentic Traeger build — steel body, powder-coated finish.
- 418 sq. in. of cook space — ideal for small to medium gatherings.
- 18-lb hopper for all-night smokes.
- Consistent temperature control up to 450°F.
- User-friendly cleanup and 3-year warranty.
It’s not the flashiest pellet grill on the block, but it’s dependable, flavorful, and built like a tank – exactly what a pitmaster wants.
