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The Traeger Ironwood 885 still shows up on Amazon, still moves on Traeger.com, and still generates more search traffic than half the grills in Traeger's current lineup. If you landed here, you already know the name — you're just not sure whether to actually buy it in 2026, whether that cheaper Costco version is the same thing, and whether the app works as well as the ads suggest. This review answers all three, straight.
The 885 is a 2019 pellet grill that Traeger has never formally discontinued. That matters because the buying landscape around it has gotten genuinely confusing: the Ironwood XL is now the lineup's standard-bearer, a Costco-exclusive model called the Century 885 shares the barrel shape but loses four key features, and the Amazon review pool mixes ratings for three different products into one number. Before you buy, you deserve a clear picture of what you're actually buying.
This review covers the Ironwood 885's real-world performance, the legitimate design flaws, the accessories that fix the most annoying ones, and the honest answer to the question the whole community is asking: is the 885 still the right buy, or do you step up to the XL, save money on a Costco Century, or look hard at recteq and Pit Boss instead?
This guide is aimed at backyard pitmasters who already know what a pellet grill does and are ready to spend real money — somewhere in the $1,000–$2,000 range — and want to know whether this specific grill earns it.
Specs at a Glance
| Spec | Traeger Ironwood 885 |
|---|---|
| Total cooking area | 885 sq in (570 main + 315 upper) |
| Main grate dimensions | 30 × 19 in |
| Secondary grate dimensions | 30 × 10.5 in |
| Hopper capacity | 20 lbs |
| Temperature range | 165–500°F |
| Temperature increments | 5°F |
| Controller | D2 Direct Drive (monochrome display) |
| WiFi | Yes — WiFIRE, 2.4GHz only |
| Super Smoke mode | Yes (most effective 165–225°F) |
| Downdraft exhaust | Yes |
| TRU Convection | Yes |
| Pellet sensor | Yes (app-monitored) |
| Meat probes included | 1 wired |
| Insulation | Double-sidewall — sides only |
| Grease management | Side-hung bucket (Gen-1 style) |
| Weight | 175 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Launch year | 2019 |
| Current status | Legacy Gen-1, still sold new |
| MSRP (Traeger.com) | Check current price |
Quick Verdict: The Ironwood 885 delivers legitimate performance — consistent temperatures, excellent convection airflow, a genuinely useful app when it works — in a package that was class-leading in 2019 and is now a tier below what Traeger's own lineup offers. At a genuine clearance price it's excellent. At full MSRP, the case is harder.
→ Check the current price on Amazon
Traeger Ironwood 885 — Overview & First Impressions
The 885 was Traeger's flagship mid-range grill for four years, and the design shows it. The barrel is heavy powder-coated steel, the grates are solid, the all-terrain casters lock properly, and the rear downdraft exhaust — a feature that still separates it from a lot of competitors — keeps smoke cycling through the chamber rather than leaking out the lid seam. Assembly runs 90 minutes to two hours and is straightforward, though the weight (175 lbs shipping) means you want two people from the start.
The D2 controller and its monochrome display feel dated next to the full-color touchscreen on the current Ironwood XL. Functionally it does the job — the dial-and-button interface is faster to navigate than a touchscreen on a cold morning with greasy gloves — but the display washes out in direct sunlight and the WiFIRE app has been the more capable interface since launch. The controller runs the show whether the app is connected or not; that matters more than it might sound.
The cooker itself has real cook space. With both racks you can realistically run two full briskets, a full pork butt plus two racks of ribs, or six to eight chickens depending on size. Traeger's marketing claims (10 chickens, 7 rib racks, 9 pork butts) should be treated as theoretical maximums; practical capacity with airflow maintained around each piece is lower.
What struck early owners, and still stands up, is the evenness of the heat. BBQGuys' lab testing found the average temperature never more than 12°F off from the set point across both high- and low-heat tests — a figure that holds up against most grills in the $1,000–$2,000 range. Andrew Koster called it "the most consistent temperature throughout the chamber of any grill, from any brand, that I have tested." That's a strong claim, and the community hasn't broadly disputed it for the 885 specifically. What it has disputed is the accuracy of the onboard sensor — more on that below.
Specs & What's in the Box
Out of the box you get: the grill body, two porcelain-coated steel grates (5mm main, 4mm secondary), the side-hung grease bucket, one wired meat probe, the D2 controller pre-installed, all hardware for assembly, a grease tray, and a drip pan. There is no front shelf — the 885 ships shelf-free. That's the most common first complaint and the first upgrade most owners buy.
The grill does not include a cover. For a purchase at this price that lives outside, that's a meaningful omission.
Grate material: porcelain-coated steel, not stainless. Durable, easy to clean, but more susceptible to chipping than cast iron or stainless if you're rough with metal tools.
Insulation: double-sidewall on the sides only. The lid and rear are single-wall. This matters in cold weather — the 885 loses more heat through the lid than you'd expect from a "premium" grill, and it's the main reason the Ironwood XL's full-perimeter insulation is a genuine upgrade rather than a spec-sheet checkbox.
Grease management: the Gen-1 flat drain pan feeds into a side-hung bucket. It works, but cleanup is messier than the EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg on the newer Ironwood XL, which combines grease and ash into a single pull-out container. Plan on lining the drip pan with foil — that alone cuts post-cook cleanup time in half.
Build Quality & Durability
The 885's body is 13-gauge powder-coated steel. That's a reasonable gauge for the price tier — not the 10-gauge American steel of a Yoder YS640s, but materially heavier than the thinner-wall entry-level Pit Boss models. Under normal covered use, owners report the exterior holding up well over multiple seasons. The lid and barrel tolerate heat cycling without warping or significant paint flaking when the grill is kept covered between cooks.
The interior is a different story after a few years. The porcelain grate coating chips if you use metal tongs carelessly, and the drip pan develops rust pitting if you let grease pool rather than drain. Neither is a structural problem, but it does mean the 885 benefits from consistent maintenance more than a stainless-bodied competitor like the recteq RT-700 or recteq Flagship 1600.
The casters are the underrated strong point. All four are all-terrain with lockable wheels. On a sloped deck or patio, that matters. The newer Woodridge base model ships without locking casters, which is one of that grill's recurring complaints — the 885 got this right from the start.
Firepot durability: the firepot itself is steel, not 304 stainless as found on recteq's lineup. It requires cleaning at least every 20 cook hours per Traeger's own guidance. Ash buildup in the firepot is the leading cause of ignition failures and low-temp errors on the 885 — not bad pellets, not controller issues. Keep a shop vac dedicated to the grill and this problem nearly disappears.
Performance — Temperature, Smoke, and Real-World Cooking
Temperature consistency: The best independent figure available is BBQGuys' Chef Tony's lab result — average chamber temperature never more than 12°F off setpoint at both high and low heat settings. For smoking brisket at 225°F or running chicken at 375°F, that's a comfortable margin. The downdraft exhaust and TRU Convection system contribute genuinely; hot and cold spots that plague cheaper grills are noticeably less pronounced on the 885.
The caveat is the onboard RTD (resistance temperature device) sensor accuracy. One Traeger Owners Forum report that circulates widely describes the grill reading 5°F low at 225°F, 25°F low at 325°F, and 50°F low at 425°F — and confirms there is no user-accessible calibration. This isn't universal, but it's common enough that the consistent advice in the community is: verify with an independent probe. An instant-read thermometer at the grate level before loading meat will tell you what your specific unit is actually doing. Set the controller 25–50°F higher than your target if you're running hot cooks.
Smoke flavor: Super Smoke mode works best at 165–225°F. At those temperatures you get real smoke flavor into the meat — more than an entry-level grill, noticeably so for brisket, pork shoulder, and ribs. Above 300°F, smoke output drops sharply regardless of mode because the fire is burning too cleanly for heavy smoke production. That's not a 885 flaw; it's how pellet grills work. If you want aggressive smoke at high temperatures, a smoke tube alongside the cook extends the smoke window considerably. Most serious 885 owners have one.
The "up to 50% more smoke" Super Smoke marketing claim is unverifiable and should be treated accordingly. What it delivers is meaningfully more smoke than running the same grill without Super Smoke. Whether that's "enough" depends entirely on how smoke-forward your palate is.
High-heat performance: The 885 reaches 500°F. What it cannot do is sear effectively at that temperature because it's an indirect convection cooker — there's no flame directly under the grates. At 500°F you'll get browning, but not the Maillard-reaction crust you get from a direct-flame sear. GrillGrate panels are the most-cited fix; they add 100°F+ at the grate surface and produce genuine sear marks. If searing is important to your cooking, budget for GrillGrates alongside the grill purchase. If searing is the primary use case, consider whether a Pit Boss with a Flame Broiler or a recteq Bullseye is a better fit for your kitchen entirely.
Cold weather: The side-only double-wall insulation means the 885 loses more heat in cold ambient temperatures than a fully insulated competitor. Below freezing it will struggle to reach and hold 500°F and will consume pellets faster than in warm weather. A fiberglass welder's blanket draped carefully around the sides and top (not blocking the rear exhaust vents) resolves most of this. Traeger sells no official Ironwood blanket because the rear exhaust placement blocks chimney-style covers — aftermarket fiberglass blankets are the solution owners use.
Traeger Ironwood 885 vs Ironwood XL — Head-to-Head
This is the core buying question for most people arriving at this page. Here's the honest comparison.
| Feature | Ironwood 885 (Gen-1) | Ironwood XL (Gen-2) |
|---|---|---|
| Total cooking area | 885 sq in | 924 sq in |
| Primary grate | ~570 sq in | 594 sq in |
| Secondary grate | ~315 sq in | 330 sq in |
| Hopper | 20 lbs | 22 lbs |
| Insulation | Double-wall — sides only | Full double-wall |
| Grease management | Side-hung bucket | EZ-Clean combined keg |
| Display | Monochrome | Full-color touchscreen |
| Meat probes included | 1 wired | 2 wired |
| MEATER Bluetooth compatible | No | Yes |
| P.A.L. accessory rail | No | Yes |
| ModiFIRE compatible | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 3 years | 10 years |
| Current MSRP | Check price | Check price |
The cooking-area difference is real but modest — PelHeat's analysis describes the sq in gain as "not really that significant." What matters more is everything else in that table.
Full insulation is the most meaningful performance upgrade. In cold weather, the XL holds temperature more efficiently and burns fewer pellets per hour. In warm weather the difference is small. If you cook year-round in a cold climate, full insulation is worth something tangible.
EZ-Clean keg is a genuine quality-of-life improvement. The Gen-1 side-hung bucket system works, but it's messier than a pull-out combined container. If you're cleaning your grill after every cook — which you should be — this difference accumulates.
10-year warranty vs 3-year is the argument that's hardest to dismiss. Traeger's premium-tier warranty covers the grill body against rust-through for a decade (components at 3 years, sensors/probes at 1 year — read the fine print). The 885's 3-year warranty is in line with the industry standard; recteq's 6-year bumper-to-bumper is still better. But if the cost difference between the 885 and the XL partially funds a warranty that's more than three times as long, that's real value.
The honest answer on value: That Helpful Dad's take is worth quoting directly — he recommends the 885 over the XL on value, noting you could "save $500 or more going with the 885 model" and apply the savings to accessories or pellets. That logic is sound if you're buying the 885 at a genuine discount below MSRP. At the full-MSRP comparison, the $600 gap funds the EZ-Clean, full insulation, a 10-year warranty, an extra probe, and the touchscreen. That's a lot of grill for $600. Whether it's worth it to you depends on how often you cook in cold weather, how much you value clean teardown, and how risk-averse you are about long-term reliability.
→ Check the current price on the Ironwood 885
→ Check the current price on the Ironwood XL
For a deeper dive on the full lineup comparison, see our Traeger Ironwood vs Woodridge guide and our Traeger Ironwood XL review.
The Century 885: What the Costco Version Is (and Isn't)
This section exists because the confusion is widespread and expensive. The Traeger Century 885 (model TFB88GLF) is a real product, sold exclusively through Costco and Costco Roadshows. It has 885 sq in of cooking area and looks identical to the Ironwood 885 at a glance. It is not the same grill.
What the Century 885 is missing compared to the Ironwood 885:
- No downdraft exhaust (standard chimney stack instead)
- No pellet sensor
- No Super Smoke mode
- No double-sidewall insulation
What it adds over the Ironwood 885:
- Front folding shelf (which the Ironwood 885 ironically ships without)
- Enclosed bottom storage cabinet
The Century does retain WiFIRE, a D2 controller, and a single meat probe. It's a functional pellet grill. But buyers expecting an Ironwood — because it says "885" on the barrel — consistently report disappointment when they realize Super Smoke is absent and the temperature ceiling is lower (sources conflict on whether it reaches 450°F or 500°F; the live Costco listing should be checked at time of purchase).
The #1 Century 885 community complaint is weak smoke flavor. Without Super Smoke mode, at standard 225–250°F temperatures the grill produces milder smoke than the Ironwood. Most Century owners end up buying a smoke tube within the first month.
If you're at Costco and the Century is available, the question to ask is: what am I actually getting? A capable grill with more storage than the Ironwood, but without its four distinguishing features. Whether that's a good deal depends entirely on what you need the grill to do.
The Century 885 has no direct Amazon listing. If you need it:
Search for Traeger Century 885 on Amazon
WiFIRE App: What Works, What Doesn't
The WiFIRE app is genuinely useful for overnight cooks — remote temperature monitoring, pellet-sensor alerts, and recipe integration are all real features that the community actually uses. For a long brisket cook where you don't want to be physically next to the grill at 2 AM, the ability to check grill and meat temp from bed is not a gimmick.
What the marketing doesn't tell you:
It's 2.4GHz only. Many home routers with band steering automatically push devices to 5GHz. The Ironwood 885's WiFIRE controller does not support 5GHz. If your router band-steers and you can't segregate your 2.4GHz network, you will have pairing problems. This is documented extensively on the Traeger Owners Forum and is not a fixable firmware issue — it's a hardware constraint.
Firmware version mismatches cause pairing failures. The controller firmware and the app firmware need to be in sync. Owners report controllers stuck on a flashing green WiFi icon during setup, or mismatched version strings ("02 00 03" on the controller vs "00 00 00" on the app). The fix is usually to power-cycle the grill, confirm 2.4GHz network assignment, and let the controller pull a firmware update before attempting app pairing. This process works — but it's not "plug in and connect" simple.
Mid-cook drop-outs happen. The grill maintains temperature without the app connected; this is important. A WiFIRE drop during a cook is a nuisance, not a food-safety event. The grill keeps cooking. But if you're counting on remote monitoring for a 14-hour brisket and the app drops at hour 6, you're back to checking manually.
When it works, it's class-leading. Traeger's app is broadly regarded as the best in the pellet grill category — better-designed than the Pit Boss SmokeIT app, more reliable than the recteq app on Android, with a more polished recipe library than Weber Connect. The friction is at setup and in households with unusual network configurations. Once connected and stable, it earns its place.
Recommended Upgrades & Best Accessories
The 885 ships lean, and there are a few things worth buying alongside it.
GrillGrate Sear Station (Ironwood 650 & 885)
The most impactful upgrade for owners who want to sear steaks, burgers, or chicken thighs. GrillGrates replace standard grate sections and raise grate-surface temperature by 100°F+, which takes the effective sear ceiling from "decent browning" to "actual crust." They also tame flare-ups and produce cleaner grill marks. One caveat: don't cover the entire cooking surface with GrillGrate panels — too much coverage traps heat and can stall the grill's circulation fan.
→ Check GrillGrate Sear Stations on Amazon
Traeger BAC442 Folding Front Shelf
The 885 ships with zero prep surface. The BAC442 adds a genuine folding shelf that gives you a landing zone for probes, rubs, and finished meat. The Traeger version and third-party equivalents from QuliMetal, Stanbroil, and Utheer fit the same mounting points. Note: this shelf fits the 885 but not the Ironwood 650, which uses a different mount (BAC362).
→ Check the Traeger BAC442 Folding Front Shelf on Amazon
Traeger BAC513 Official Cover
The 885 needs a cover and doesn't come with one. The BAC513 is purpose-built for the Ironwood 885 (~54×24.5×45 in) and fits correctly. It doesn't fit the Ironwood XL — that uses BAC639 or BAC647.
→ Check the Traeger BAC513 Cover on Amazon
Aftermarket Insulation Blanket (Winter Cooks)
Traeger makes no official Ironwood-specific insulation blanket because the rear exhaust placement blocks chimney-style covers. Owners use fiberglass welder's blankets draped around the sides and top, being careful to leave the rear exhaust vents clear. This meaningfully reduces pellet consumption in cold weather and helps the grill hold higher temperatures when ambient temps drop below 35°F.
Search for Ironwood 885 insulation blankets on Amazon
Drip Tray Liners
The Gen-1 flat drain pan is easier to maintain with foil or purpose-cut liners. It's an inexpensive purchase that cuts post-cook cleanup by a meaningful margin and protects the pan itself from grease buildup and rust pitting.
Search for Traeger Ironwood 885 drip tray liners on Amazon
How the 885 Compares to Competitors
The 885 doesn't exist in isolation. At its current full MSRP, it competes with the recteq RT-700 / Deck Boss lineup and a range of Pit Boss and Camp Chef options that have all evolved since the 885 launched in 2019.
| Grill | Price | Cooking Area | Warranty | Direct Flame Sear | WiFi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Ironwood 885 | Check price | 885 sq in | 3 years | No | Yes (2.4GHz) |
| Traeger Ironwood XL | Check price | 924 sq in | 10 years | No | Yes |
| recteq RT-700 / Flagship 1600 | Check price | 700–1,667 sq in | 6 years | No (700°F max) | Yes (dual-band) |
| Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 | Check price | 811 sq in | 3 yr / 6 yr body | Via Sidekick | Yes |
| Pit Boss Pro Series II 1150 | Check price | 1,150 sq in | 5 years | Yes (Flame Broiler) | Yes |
vs recteq: The recteq RT-700's 6-year warranty is the sharpest argument against the 885 at comparable prices. The recteq lineup's 304-stainless firepot and grates are materially more corrosion-resistant than the 885's steel equivalents. The recteq app is solid on iOS, less reliable on Android. For buyers who prioritize build longevity and warranty coverage over Traeger's app ecosystem, recteq is the honest recommendation. Our Traeger vs recteq comparison covers this in depth.
vs Pit Boss: The Pit Boss Pro Series II 1150 gives you 1,150 sq in, a direct-flame Flame Broiler for 1,000°F searing, and a 5-year warranty. The temperature control is less precise than the 885's D2, the app is weaker, and the build quality is a step down. But the searing capability and the price gap are real. If cooking steaks and burgers is as important to you as smoking brisket, the Pit Boss case is legitimate. See our Traeger vs Pit Boss comparison for the full breakdown.
vs Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24: The Woodwind Pro's Smoke Box — which burns wood chunks, chips, or even charcoal alongside pellets — produces smoke flavor noticeably closer to an offset smoker than any standard pellet grill. It's a meaningful challenger. The Sidekick propane attachment adds 700°F+ searing. The 885 beats it on convection evenness and app polish; the Woodwind beats it on smoke depth and versatility.
Who Should Buy the Traeger Ironwood 885?
Buy the 885 if:
- You're already in the Traeger ecosystem (probes, covers, accessories) and want a compatible upgrade
- You cook primarily in mild weather and cold-weather insulation isn't a priority
- The app ecosystem and recipe library matter more to you than warranty length
Buy the Ironwood XL instead if:
- You cook in cold climates or shoulder seasons where full insulation has real pellet-savings value
- Long-term warranty coverage is important to you
Look at recteq or Pit Boss if:
- Warranty length is your primary buying criterion — recteq's 6-year beats the 885's 3-year
- You need direct-flame searing as a core feature — the 885 can't deliver it without GrillGrates
- Budget is tighter than $1,400 — the Pit Boss Pro 1150 does serious smoking work for $400–500 less
Consider the Century 885 if:
- You're at Costco, you understand it lacks Super Smoke, pellet sensor, and downdraft exhaust, and you want the included cabinet and shelf at the Costco price point — not because you think it's an Ironwood
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Traeger Ironwood 885 discontinued?
No. As of June 2026, the Ironwood 885 is listed and sold as an active product on Traeger.com and via Traeger's first-party Amazon store. It's a legacy Gen-1 model that Traeger has kept in production alongside the newer Ironwood XL. That's consistent with how Traeger typically handles model transitions — they rarely discontinue outright; they just move the marketing emphasis to the newer product.
Q: What's the difference between the Traeger Ironwood 885 and the Century 885?
They share a barrel size (885 sq in) and the Traeger name, but are materially different grills. The Century 885 (TFB88GLF) is a Costco-exclusive model that lacks the Ironwood's downdraft exhaust, pellet sensor, Super Smoke mode, and double-sidewall insulation. It adds a front shelf and enclosed cabinet that the Ironwood ships without. Buyers who purchase the Century expecting an Ironwood experience — particularly expecting Super Smoke — are routinely disappointed.
Q: Which cover fits the Ironwood 885?
The Traeger BAC513 is the official cover sized for the Ironwood 885. It does not fit the Ironwood XL, which uses BAC639 or BAC647. Confirm the model number before purchasing any third-party cover — several sellers list covers for "Ironwood 885/XL" that fit neither correctly.
Q: Does the Ironwood 885 need Traeger brand pellets?
No. This is a persistent myth. Any food-grade hardwood pellet works in the 885. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act (15 U.S.C. § 2302(c)) prohibits manufacturers from voiding warranties solely because a consumer uses third-party consumables with only two narrow exceptions. Keep pellets dry in airtight storage — moisture is the primary cause of auger jams — and use whatever brand delivers consistent performance at your budget. Bear Mountain, Lumber Jack, and CookinPellets are community favorites. More detail in our best wood pellets for smoking guide.
Q: The WiFIRE app keeps disconnecting. What do I do?
First, confirm your grill is on a 2.4GHz network — the 885 does not support 5GHz. If your router uses band steering, create a separate 2.4GHz SSID or disable band steering. Second, confirm controller firmware and app are on matching versions; a mismatch is the second most common cause of pairing failures. If mid-cook drop-outs persist after that, move your router closer to the grill. The grill holds temperature without app connection — a drop mid-cook affects monitoring but not the cook itself.
Q: How do I get more smoke flavor from the 885?
Use Super Smoke mode at 165–225°F for the low-and-slow phase of long cooks — that's when it has the most effect. Above 300°F, smoke output drops regardless of mode. A smoke tube filled with hardwood pellets extends the smoke window and adds meaningful smoke flavor at higher temperatures. Pellet selection also matters: all-hickory or mixed blends (maple/hickory/cherry) from Lumber Jack or CookinPellets produce noticeably more smoke flavor than lighter house-blend pellets.
Conclusion & Final Verdict
The Traeger Ironwood 885 is a genuinely capable pellet grill. The temperature consistency is real and lab-verified, the downdraft convection system distributes heat better than most competitors at this price tier, and the WiFIRE app — when it connects and stays connected — is the best monitoring experience in the category. For brisket, pork shoulder, ribs, and anything that benefits from a long low-and-slow cook, it delivers.
The honest 2026 verdict is also this: it's a 2019 grill still priced as though it's 2021. At full MSRP, you're spending within $600 of the Ironwood XL — which buys you full insulation, the EZ-Clean keg, a 10-year warranty instead of a 3-year, two probes instead of one, and the touchscreen. The 885 cooks almost identically to the XL. But "almost identically" is doing some heavy lifting when the warranty gap is that large.
The buy recommendation, honestly:
- If you find the 885 at $1,100 or less — clearance, open-box, a genuine sale — it's excellent value. Buy it and spend the savings on GrillGrates, a front shelf, and good pellets.
- At full MSRP, compare seriously against the Ironwood XL before committing. The $600 gap is real; so are the upgrades.
- If warranty length and build material quality matter most to you, check the recteq lineup before finalizing.
- If direct-flame searing is important, the Pit Boss Pro Series II 1150 or a recteq Bullseye is a stronger match for your cooking style.
The Ironwood 885 is not a grill to avoid. It's a grill to buy at the right price, with clear eyes about what it is — a proven but aging Gen-1 platform that Traeger hasn't replaced so much as quietly stepped past.
→ Check the current price on the Traeger Ironwood 885
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