This Traeger Eastwood 22 review outlines why this make and model is an excellent for occasional grillmasters with a small to mid-sized family. The general cooking surface area, hopper capacity, versatility, and quality make it an excellent mid-range option.
I come from a long line of barbecue fiends and so I have been through many grills and smokers throughout the years. Traeger has been a family staple, but I have drifted towards the high-end models. What I saw of this pellet grill impressed me quite a bit, though.
In this post, I will outline the design, special elements, pros and cons, and more. So, let’s get started!
Let’s take an in-depth look at all the features available with this Traeger model:
Durability and longevity is important when investing in a pellet grill. Even though this is a mid-range model, you still need to know that it is going to last you a while. This gives you the best bang for your buck. Well, fortunately for you, the Traeger Eastwood 22 boasts a durable steel construction that isn’t prone to denting, warping, or any type of damage. To add to this powerful steel design, there is also the powder coating. This reduces the risk of chipping and scratching.
At this price point, it is impressive to find that the Traeger Eastwood 22 has porcelain coated grill grates. These are high quality grates that are designed to withstand years of cooking and wear and tear. At the end of the day, this is a Traeger pellet grill and thus there is a definite air of quality around this machine. As long as you store the grill properly and maintain it well, this is going to last you years to come. What’s more, it is equipped with a 3 year warranty if any parts should fail.
The Traeger Eastwood 22 is a smaller unit, designed for smaller families or for individuals who don’t BBQ that often. I quite like the more compact design. It is easier to store and you have a greater number of options as to where you can set up your machine. The pellet grill is also quite stable and sturdy. This is thanks to the sawhorse chassis design – it ensures that the grill is well-supported, standing firm against the ground. This gives you added confidence when grilling.
The only real complaint that I would have with the design is the lack of shelving and storage space. This means that you have to set up some sort of table next to you when grilling so that you can move food items to and from there.
On the surface, a total cooking space of 418 square inches may not seem like much. However, just take a look at what you can cook there at any one time: four rib racks, four whole chickens, or sixteen burgers. All in all, this isn’t a bad haul. This cooking area works well for a mid-sized family and if you want to have a cookout party, you will still be able to feed the masses in a timely manner.
As far as pellet grills go, the hopper capacity of the Traeger Eastwood 22 holds its own. A capacity of 18lbs may seem like it is par for the course, but when you think about the grilling space, you will see that the hopper provides far more fuel and fire than such an area needs. Just think about – if you are smoking meat, your pellet grill will use about 1/2lb of pellets per hour. If the temperature is set to high, this will amount to around 2.5lbs of pellets per hour.
One of the things that I observed right away with the Traeger Eastwood was the temperature range. In particular, I noticed that this machine boasted low temps that you don’t always find with grills or smokers.
So, why is this a good feature? Well, this is because you are able to use the grill for a greater number of purposes. Not to mention, it is ideal for low and slow cooking and to really infuse meat and other food with that signature smoke flavor. Another thing I do like, though, is that the digital LED controller makes it a lot easier to adjust the temperature to the exact point that you need.
On the flip side, I wasn’t to happy to see that the range of temperatures wasn’t as good. This grill only goes up to 450°F where most other options on the market go to 500°F or even higher. Thus, if you are looking to do any heavy-duty grilling, you will need to look elsewhere.
Of course, it is little use of having great a temperature controller if your grill can’t retain heat properly. Well, the good news is that the Eastwood 22 is really good at this. For the most part this has to do with the heavy duty steel construction. It ensures that the heat remains trapped within the confines of the cooking chamber.
At the same time, the lid of the grill plays a significant role here. It creates a nice, tight seal ensuring that none of the heat escapes. This comes in quite handy when using the machine as a smoker too.
One of the things that makes this grill a cut above the rest is its versatility. As I already mentioned, the temperature on this model goes a bit lower than others. As such, you can do so much more than just BBQ with.
For one thing, the grill also functions as a pellet smoker allowing you to smoke a wide variety of meats. This feature works pretty well and you get that lovely wood fired flavor. Use flavored pellets and you will get an even greater taste. That’s not all, though. You can also use the grill to roast meats and vegetables and even bake a pie. If you are looking for a versatile grill then you won’t do better than this!
This is something that I always take a look at whenever I review a grill. Grills shouldn’t just be for pro pitmasters. Even a total novice should be able to use one. And, this is exactly what the Eastwood 22 offers you. Just follow the instruction manual and you will be able to use this grill with minimal hassle. This is true for priming it, starting it up for the first time, and more.
In this case, having fewer bells and whistles is actually a good thing. There is less to learn about and fewer dials and knobs to figure out.
In general, with a grill this small, portability isn’t much of an issue. Still, with so many parts to it, the last thing that you want is to have to physically haul your pellet grill from one place to another. Well, fortunately for you, there is no need to do this – the grill is equipped with all terrain wheels, making it a breeze to move it around.
For the most part, cleaning and maintenance is pretty par for the course as with any other pellet grills. There are some elements that are easier than others, though.
For instance, there is a grease bucket to handle any runoff. According to the manufacturer, you should line this thickly with aluminum foil, making it even easier to clean. The fact that the grates are ceramic coated help a lot as well. This is because it is a lot easier to get food, build up, and grime off this material.
The only minor issue would be the fact that the hopper doesn’t have any kind of side gate. As such, you have to resort to cleaning it from the top, which can be a little tricky.
Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of the Traeger Eastwood 22:
Pros:
Cons:
So, how well does the Eastwood 22 stand up against other Traeger models? Well, as far as the Eastwood 34 goes, the biggest difference here is in terms of size. As far as features go, they are pretty equal to one another.
As for other pellet grills within the same brand, the Eastwood is seen as a budget/portable option. Due to this, it doesn’t hold up particularly well.
The other models are also burn hotter, are equipped with better temperature regulation, and the newer versions have WiFire features that allow you to monitor your BBQ remotely.
Does this meant that the Eastwood grill is completely out for the count? Not at all! It may not be what the pros or pitmasters are looking for, but I would certainly vouch for it any day of the week.
The Pro Series is the best selling line and rightfully so as it has the quality and bells and whistles to justify the price tag behind those grills.
Although Traeger is one of the best brands out there, Z Grills may give it a run for its money.
This concludes this Traeger Eastwood 22 review. As you can see, there is a lot to like about this grill and now that you can check out all the details, you can make the decision for yourself!
So, what’s my final say about this machine? Quite honestly, I like it. Is it going to win any awards? Probably not. However, if you have nothing to prove or are looking for an affordable and functional BBQ grill that can double as a pellet smoker, then this would be the top option for you!
Not to mention, with this cooking area, you get to numerous rib racks, briskets, and burgers all at once. The versatility of the cooking methods means that you can grill, bake, roast, and try out any number of recipes. Considering the price point, this is a pretty fantastic thing. If you are a barbecuing enthusiast or are simply looking for a good option for your family, this would be it.
