Both the Traeger Pro 575 compared to the Green Mountain Grill Daniel Boone Prime stainless model are superb backyard pellet grills and everyone raves about both. I’ve put them through some tests and wanted to highlight some useful info about these smokers.
Recently I did a full analysis since someone really wanted the nitty-gritty between these two barbecue smoking beasts (To be honest, I can’t see buyer’s remorse with either choice, but worth highlighting some points).
Every time I do one of these comparisons, I try and use the same criteria – you guys seem to get a bit out of it, so I will stick to the same style as always.
I’ve smoked and cured my own meat and harvested my own meat for the last few decades and when it comes to using technology to make things easier, I am all for it (since I have done a ton grilling and BBQ low & slow with charcoal smoking, the ease of use whilst maintaining a woodfire smoking is king with a pellet grill).
Hence, where the appreciation for pellet grills has come from because they have given me that next level convenience factor when smoking meat (for grilling too, but my 5 burner gas grill beast – is a beast of a grill).
I like to step back and observe how these grills work and see what’s going on before drawing these conclusions.
Talking to a bunch of shop sales guys also gives some more insight into the ins and outs of a pellet grill. And sometimes I cross paths with the reps and give them a bit of a pleasant ‘grilling’ about the products as well.
But don’t expect me to say one is going to be the “best” compared to another. Those ‘review’ sites aren’t my style.
I will list the observations that I’ve made and let you decide which factors are important for drawing a conclusion since each one to there own – in other words.
If you haven’t checked out my comparison tool for decent pellet grills I’ve done, it got a accumulation of the handpicked pellet grills I think are the business.
Full disclaimer please note this rating system is fully an opinion that I have derived and and in no way sponsored by these brands in terms of sponsorship or anything.
| Category | Traeger Pro 575 | Green Mountain Grill Daniel Boone Stainless Prime |
| History & Reputation | ||
| Warranty & Service | ||
| Unique Selling Propositions | ||
| Thermostat Controller Design | ||
| Build Quality / Materials Used | ||
| Efficiency of Pellet Use | ||
| Technology / Wifi | ||
| Useful Brand Accessories | ||
| Temperature Range & Searing | ||
Comparison Breakdown
It’s pretty easy to put the specifications side-by-side and then say this one’s a winner because it has it takes ‘a higher top temperature’ or whatever.
But I want to get into a bit more of the functional and useful aspects when you put these pellet grills side-by-side.
Because the bottom line is that both of these will produce excellent flavored smoked barbecue and even though the Traeger can’t quite get up to the same top temperature it will also make a very effective searing and grilling machine if you provide a little bit of heat retention, more on this later.
History & Reputation
Traeger
Traeger, of course, has a long history since they had the patent and invented pellet grills over 30 years ago, I think they sat on their laurels for quite some time even right up until the patent was lifted.
But since there are so many options when it comes to pellet grills nowadays they have definitely upped their game. Specifically with the Traeger Pro 575. There’s been quite the overhaul and design compared to many of the previous iterations.
The brand is strong and reputation can’t really be faulted.
Green Mountain Grill
Green Mountain Grill appeared pretty quickly after that Traeger patent ended, around 2007 – that’s when they hit the market.
Definitely one of the more recognizable brands and I would say in the top 3 and talked about highly in the main smoker BBQ communities.
I’ll mention this quite often, but both of these pellet grills will do an amazing job and produce quality barbecue smoked goods. And more probably comes down to what features you have preference over.
Warranty & Service
Traeger Pro 575
Traeger takes great pride in customer service and that’s probably since they have got that long history, there not a family business anymore which was sold off around the time of the patent ending. But any dealings with Traeger whether it’s reps or on the phone is always get things sorted quickly for sure.
I have met quite a few Traeger sales reps over the years. I have always been impressed with their enthusiasm and depth of knowledge around the products they represent.
Warranty, Traeger offer 3 years standard warranty.
There is an added layer of customer satisfaction guarantee that Traeger like to do. 45 days after purchase to exchange or refund if you’re not completely satisfied.
Green Mountain Grill
There isn’t any customer satisfaction guarantee that I’m aware of with green mountain grill.
It’s a matching warranty period of three years as well.
Unique Selling Propositions (USPs)
Traeger Pro 575
Brushless DC Motor (D2 Drive Train)
In terms of the actual let’s say engine that striving the pellet grill, the brushless motor and D2 label design is the big shift in the Pro series. Launched in 2019 this variable speed fan set up match twice a PID controller means they have now brought Traeger up to the technology cold standards that green mountain grill or Rick tech have now established.
That is in terms of a PID controller, I believe Traeger are the only company with brushless motors and the pellet grills at the time of writing this.
Faster at Getting up to Temperature (TurboTemp)
To had about 350°F you’d expect about 10 minutes at a moderate air temperature for the Traeger Pro 575. Still not too sure if this is a gimmick or not but because of the brushless motor the fans can supposedly run harder to bring up the temperature faster.
But you’ll probably find it takes 10 or 15 minutes for most pellet grills to get up to temperatures over 300°F. There are quite a few variables that have to be taken into account like what type of wood pellet is being used, harder stronger wood pellets will burn hotter, therefore producing more heat. And of course also the environmental conditions will have an impact.
Green mountain grill have another marketing spiel in terms serves their heating system so I don’t think this is a feature that’s were saying is unique.
Grill Guide (Easy Recipes Straight to the Grill)
Since Traeger have been around for quite some time is now developed a recipe book which has over 1 1/2 thousand recipes for a pellet grill. But what makes this a bit more unique is that all of these are ready to go on any Wi-Fi or what Traeger call WiFire pellet grill.
This really is an easy way to get into some amazing smoked barbecue.
Notches for Grease Tray / Secure Fit
When it comes to a snug fit which the grease tray doesn’t need but it’s nice to have. The design of the Traeger Pro 5756 and very snugly. It’s a bit of a minor but it is something which is a an improvement on previous models.
Seam and Metal Plate inside lip of Hood
The design of the lead has changed a little bit with the same going around the front edge close to the handle. Is also a block of metal lining just the inside of that led. This helps with stopping any grease dripping and may possibly help with how the smoke vapor is circulating inside the chamber. This is quite an interesting little thought through design.
Green Mountain Grill – Daniel Boone Prime
Vac Fire Pot Clean Out Hole
There is a whole on the right hand side under the shelf of the Daniel Boone which goes directly through to the fire pot. Allowing you to stick in a nozzle a shop VAC and suck out any remaining on bit pellets or ash. This is actually really cool feature and essays the hassle of having to take out grills, he deflectors, and grease trace to actually get to the fire pot.
You can put a normal vacuum Hoover over the outside of the whole but it doesn’t do as good a job.
12 Volt Options off Car Battery or Power Outlet
The Davy Crockett is the smallest out of the three main pellet grills green mountain grill which was always designed around tailgating for camping we can run it straight off car.
Now the Daniel Boone and Jim Bauerle have both got a DC to AC converter and can be either plugged in normally to a power outlet or using a 12 all adapter they can plug straight into a cigarette lighter giving you some more flexibility about where you want to do your pellet grill cooking.
Adjustable Heat Shield
See can actually slide the heat shield externally from the side giving you some variation if you’ve got heat spots like too much heat concentration in one place there is also markers on the screw feed Rod which is quite useful. This is something I haven’t seen the on any other pellet grill
Prime Cosmetic & Functional Additions
The recent release of the prime model of green mountain grill, the other being the choice range. Has brought about a few changes that are worth mentioning.
Some other bits that does make an impact on the performance and functionality.
Pellet Hopper window and put window – so you can take a bit of a peek and see how things are coming along inside the grill during cooking is nice to have. I have a window on my five been a gas grill which has always been useful.
Even though the pellet Hopper has an alarm built-in when the pellets get low it’s nice to have a visual and be of the see into it also.
Although one thing to mention about pellet hoppers, is that there’s pressure happening which is also programmed and to the controller. So you really don’t want to open up the Hopper door very often at all. This is kind of why a window on a pellet Hopper is a good thing.
Hanging rack and bottom storage shelf
Simple but quite useful having a place we can stick some things underneath the Daniel Boone still very sturdy so even if you want to put a 20 pound bag of pellets down there stop
Hanging rack is pretty simple but can be really useful for all your utensils and tools that you will need when grilling or smoking.
Thermostat Controller Design
Traeger Pro 575
Since the release of the Pro series, Traeger has now upgraded all brought up to standard the controller to a PID controller. Now talked about this one before that a PID controller will not produce completely next level smoked barbecue goodness.
In the quick summary, a PID controller works in real time feeding back the information and making adjustments so that it can keep the tighter control of the temperature. It kind of reacts to what is happening in terms of the increases from the pellet heat and also the environmental conditions.
If you want some more information about PID controllers a wrote about whether or not there worth it, in short I said it doesn’t really matter but if you want more information check Post here.
The thought and finish of the controller system means there are quite a few things you can do putting it in the warming mode or putting in programs that are customized for changes in temperature. At the end of the day you can still do the same things was customize programs on the green mountain grill. It doesn’t look as polished in terms of the UI (user interface). But it does do exactly the same job and the same functionality.
Here is is an example of the wifire or Wi-Fi Traeger, very slick.
Green Mountain Grill – Daniel Boone Prime
PID controller so you talking about keeping that temperature range pretty tight and for some people that like that. As mentioned is interface is a bit more basic with Greenmount grill but you still get the same functionality.
Here is an example of the controller computer system.
Build Quality / Materials Used
Traeger Pro 575
If you’re taller or just like a higher working bench then the Traeger does seem to have that higher level on the grill. The same as what you have with stainless steel higher workbenches and professional kitchens for instance. By no means in my a tall guy, just under 6 foot. But a prefer a working height where I don’t have to crouch over.
The design the look of food Traeger’s more around drum style. Whilst the Daniel Boone has more of an industrial sort of look.
Green Mountain Grill – Daniel Boone Prime
The auger screw feed design is different with green mountain grill, there is a lot of people out there that have preference over this 2.simplicity. But since the Traeger auger and brushless motor is brand-new on the market and hasn’t had time so that it can be fully evaluated. But knowing Traeger grill stand behind the products and there is always excellent follow-up service if there is any issues.
Daniel Boone has the Hopper on the left and then it shelf on the right, so you have a fair bit of tabletop real estate to work with can be quite useful. Traeger Pro 575 has the Hopper on the right hand side know shelf underneath the grill or on the site. But you can use the place on top of the pellet Hopper of the Traeger if you want.
You can get a additional front shelf tray for the Traeger Pro 575 as an add on. The additional tray is adjustable so you can drop it so it’s flat or have it upright which is nice. The Daniel Boone front shelf is in one fixed position.
177lbs Daniel Boone vs 128 Traeger Pro 575
Pro34 Big Upgrade
Pellet Hopper Clean Out Hole
Both these models have a door on the back of the pellet Hopper so you can change the pellets. The Traeger Pro 575 is a magnetized door it’s in a position that probably allows a bit more of flow to happen. Whilst the Daniel Boone wood pellet Hopper door does take a bit of poking to get some flow going with the wood pellets.
You basically put a bucket underneath and that’s how you clear out your pellets if there been in there too long or you try to change wood pellet flavors for instance.
Both the Daniel Boone and prove 575 have puzzling coated grill plates. Most guys would prefer stainless steel but these are fine and lasts at least several years normally. You can always upgrade grill grates to separately if you want.
Cooking Space
Traeger Pro 575
Traeger – 572 square inches & 2 levels / racks (extra the 2nd tray)
25 burgers, 6 racks of ribs & 4 chickens
Hang rack on back
Efficiency of Pellet Use
Traeger Pro 575
1/2 pound an hour on low temperature, 2 pounds on high searing temperatures
Green Mountain Grill – Daniel Boone Prime
As a guide you’re talking about 1 pound per hour at low temperature.
Technology / Wifi
Traeger Pro 575
The actual interface and user experiences very slick with Traeger, there now putting the why of I end this price point does really give an enhancement to the product. If you want to have a pellet grill with a massive range of recipes that can be uploaded straight into the grill this is definitely the smoothest experience on the market.
In terms of set up and away menus and, but then the pellet grill has been designed Traeger have done a great job of this, I would call this the human intuitiveness I guess the same way you would see good old Apple producing slick functionality but this is in the pellet grill market.
Green Mountain Grill – Daniel Boone Prime
You can get all the same functionality and remote access to a grill with green mountain grill Wi-Fi, but you can see it’s a bit more basic in terms of the interface. Don’t get me wrong, the still gives you full functionality, it just hasn’t had the investment in the marketing budget to get the look and brand really slick. And a matter of factors doesn’t really affect the performance either.
You have a more drum down menu system which is more about the grilling and smoking.
Temperature Probes & Thermal Sensor Position
To start off with in terms of temperature you’re up to 450°F with a Traeger Pro 575, and 550°F with the green mountain grill Daniel Boone.
Traeger Pro 575
Gets a bit of a biggie that the top temperature can only go to four 50°F, but this is plenty four grilling if you put in some heat retention.
It is worth noting that there is only one temperature probe with the Traeger Pro 575, compared to two probes with the Daniel Boone.
450°F
Single Probe
Green Mountain Grill – Daniel Boone Prime
I have grilled on a standard Traeger timberline touches a higher end model that can get up to 550°F and you still won’t be open to get full charring going on mistake. To do a properly you do need to have the heat retention as I mentioned below.
But in terms of having those two temperature probes built-in so that you can remotely see what internal temperatures are whilst your down the road the shops all walking the dog for, some people that’s a big factor.
Duel Probe & 550°F
Useful Brand Accessories
Traeger Pro 575
Front Tray -mIt’s foldable which is probably the key thing but you don’t pay extra to get it.
Green Mountain Grill – Daniel Boone Prime
Temperature Range & Searing Ability
Traeger Pro 575
Green Mountain Grill – Daniel Boone Prime
Conclusion & Summary
So you’ve got all the bells and whistles and cosmetic accessories with the green mountain grill Daniel Boone prime stainless.
Compared to the proven long-standing brand Traeger which is now been enhanced with the Wi-Fi capabilities and been brought up to speed with PID controller.
You getting higher temperature ranges with the green mountain grill.
So there a lot of good points on both sides and as I keep on mentioning both of these are fantastic pellet grills. The interface and the menu of the Traeger and how it’s been thought through gives it the it’s a bit.
So whichever way you decide to go think you’ll be happy and you’ll get a lot of fantastic barbecue smoked and grilled food out of their woodfired pellet grill.
