Traeger Pro 780 vs. Pro 34
When cooking becomes a social event, the process is more engaging and will be repeated. That is why grilling is so popular worldwide. So you can prepare fresh food outdoors without messing with the kitchen. On the market, there are many types of grills: gas, charcoal, electrical, and pellet grills.
The main reason people choose the pellet grills is their incredible smoky flavor. The Traeger grills cook all food with tons of flavor, which is why in this article, we compare Traeger Pro 780 vs. Pro 34.
Comparison table
Main Differences between Traeger Pro 780 and Pro 34
Actually, there are two Traeger Grills Pro Series – the old one including Pro 22 & 34; and the new one including Pro 575 & 780. But Traeger Pro 780 vs. Pro 34 do not have significant differences:
- The Pro 34 has a low height (49 inches versus 55 inches of the Pro 780) but a wider cooking barrel (53 inches versus 49 inches of the Pro 780). The cooking barrel of the Pro 780 is vertically higher, allowing the preparation of turkeys and whole chickens. Also, the working height was increased in Pro 780 by 2 inches to make cooking even more comfortable.
- The Pro 780 is equipped with a new digital controller with a WiFire function to control the grill from the smartphone application (uses Wi-Fi). In the applications, hundreds of compatible recipes are available for this model. The Pro 34 has a digital controller but without the WiFire function.
- The Pro 780 has a new D2 Drive to deliver more heat from pellets to the food and to obtain temperature faster.
- The hopper is located on different sides for two models, but this does not affect its functionality and capacity – 18 lbs. And only the Pro 780 hopper is equipped with a magnetized hopper door for faster emptying.
- The cooking surface of Traeger Pro 780 and Pro 34 is different – 780 sq. inches versus 884 sq. inches. But the number of grates is equal – the main rack and the extra top rack.
- The Pro 780 has better heat retention and increased insulation in the cooking chamber.
- The Pro 34 has two meat probes for controlling the internal temperature, while the Pro 780 has only one built-in probe.
- The Pro 780 receives an advanced auger with a variable speed fan (DC platform), while the Pro 34 auger has only two modes – on and off. The new auger accelerates the warming process significantly in the turbo mode.
Both grills are equally acceptable if you change the charcoal or gas grill to a wood pellet grill. But if you choose between these models, please see the detailed comparison.
Traeger Pro 780 and Pro 34 – Models Overview
Traeger brand has produced all grills in the USA since 1986. The first grill with the three-position controller was patented, which is why for 20 years, Traeger was the only producer of pellet grills. Traeger also produces entirely natural hardwood pellets for the pure flavor of your food for its grills. There are more than ten pellet flavors for beef, poultry, pork, lamb, seafood, and vegetables – oak, pecan, cherry pellets, and many more.
The Pro 780 and Pro 34 are perfect examples of durable grills with easy cooking, cleaning, and assembling.
Traeger Grills Pro Series 780
Traeger Pro 780 is one of the world’s top best-selling wood pellet grills. This model with new features was released in 2019. It has an advanced oval shaped barrel that allows preparing more food (bigger vertical space) than previous Traeger models. The grill’s shape also creates a vortex convection of hot air around all sides of the food. This grill makes food preparation with wood-fired flavor with ease. Pro D2 Controller allows you to set the required temperature and forget about the grill until the cooking time is off. With this versatile grill , you can cook juicy food in 6 different modes: grill, smoke, bake, BBQ, braise, and roast.
The cooking surface is 780 sq inches consisting of a main and extra smaller rack where you can cook up to 34 burgers or 6 rib racks, or 6 whole chickens. To check the internal temperature without opening the lid in the package, the meat probe is inserted in a rubber port on the right side of the grill.
The smartphone application gives the opportunity to access the grill from any place and check the temperature and the remaining cooking time. The WiFire technology allows to set temperature with 5-degree accuracy in the app and adjust it by automatically downloading recipes. D2 direct drive technology gives more power with a single-piece auger, and the brushless motor is built to last longer. The fan and the auger motor have variable speeds, ensuring fast heat-up of the grill.
On the body, there are several hooks for accessories storage or also you can hang an extra rack to obtain more space for large poultry. The hopper has an 18 lbs capacity and a magnetized trap door for easier cleaning. This feature is helpful for quick pellet flavor change. On two grill legs, there are all-terrain wheels for moving in any backyard; on the other two, there are small swivel castor wheels.
- Large versatility
- Vortex convection inside the grill
- Pellet sensor in the hopper
- Large cooking chamber
- Simple construction for cooking, assembling, and maintenance
- Remote control via a smartphone application
- Fast heating up of the grill – turbo temperature
- Two porcelain-coated racks
- One meat probe included
- Detachable power cord
- Extensive range of pellets flavors
- The hopper capacity does not fit the standard 20 lbs package of wood pellets
- No storage shelves
- Required connection to the electricity
- No direct heat
- Can’t sear
- More expensive than the Pro 34
Traeger Grills Pro Series 34
Traeger Pro 34 is a classic wood-pellet grill. You can prepare food at a wide range of temperatures from 150 to 500 F , giving you endless possibilities. This model is versatile with six different modes of cooking: BBQ, braise, roast, smoke, bake, and grill. The Pro 34 is perfect for prolonged smoking at a constant temperature with its simplicity and possibility to work with one full hopper with pellets for hours. Pro 34 can grill for 20 hours or smoke for 40 hours on one bag of pellets. The hopper can be cleaned by opening the back door.
The Pro 34 requires only five minutes to achieve the desired temperature; the grill will automatically maintain the temperature within +/- 15 F (despite the external temperature). You do not need to stay near the grill as for charcoal grills. The control is straightforward, with only the power button and temperature setting on the knob. The cooking area is about 900 sq inches and fits 7 rib racks or 8 chickens or 40 burgers. The firebox creates up to 76.000 BTU of wood-fired indirect heat to prepare juicy flavored food.
The dual meat probes are included in the package to measure internal temperature. You need only to be sure that the probe is not in the fatty part or touching the bone. They do 60 readings per minute and monitor the internal temperature without opening the lid and going through the access hole grommet on the left side of the barrel from the temperature controller panel. In addition, you can download a smartphone application to check hundreds of recipes for cooking time, temperature, and suggested pellets.
The grill construction has enhanced stability with a wide-angled stance and thick legs. Two legs have big, durable all-terrain wheels for transportation over pavers and rocks. The other two legs have locking casters for steady storage in one place.
- Exceptional even heat distribution
- Different flavors of wood pellets
- Dual built-in meat probes
- Easy cleaning of hopper
- Versatility cooking in 6 modes
- Easy cooking – set and forget
- Caster and all-terrain wheels
- Vortex convection
- Porcelain-coated large racks
- Detachable power cord for easy transportation
- Side handle to move the grill
- The hopper back door is not magnetized
- Need connection to the electricity for auger system
- The hopper does not fit a standard 20 lbs pellet bag
- Storage shelves should be purchased separately
- No remote control through a smartphone application
Traeger Pro 780 vs. Pro 34 – Face-to-Face comparison
Traeger Pro 780 and Pro 34 are wood-pellet grills with similar exterior and interior. To check their parameters more precisely, see their comparison one by one.
Fuel type
The Traeger Pro 780
The Traeger Pro 780 works from wood pellets inserted in the hopper. The hopper capacity is 18 lbs , and it has a pellet sensor. This feature allows you to receive notifications in your app when you need to refill the hopper.
In addition, the hopper has a hand protection mesh inside. To make the grill work, you also need a connection to the electricity for the motor and ignition.
The Traeger Pro 34
The Traeger Pro 34 also uses wood pellets as a fuel that should be put into an 18 lbs hopper. The capacity of the hopper is enough to cook for many hours, depending on the used temperature.
The grill can start working only with electric power for the drive of the auger, electric ignition, and digital controller. Anytime during the grill work, you should ensure that there are some pellets in the hopper.
verdictThe Traeger Pro 780 is the winner. Even though both models work from the same wood pellets and electric power, and the grills hoppers have the same capacity, the Pro 780 has a protective mesh and a pellet sensor to refill the hopper.
Design and dimensions
The 780 Grill is a standard-size grill is 49 x 27 x 55 inches with a black body, legs, a hopper, and a bronze lid. On the right side is a hopper; on the left is a chimney pipe with a cap. All smoke goes out of the grill through it when the grill is running. The lid is equipped with a large handle (grill door handle), while on the left side, there is a smaller handle (side lift handle) with a small grease bucket underneath. Inside the body, there is a fire pot with an easily removed heat baffle to disperse the heat equally, a grease tray, and two racks.
The Pro 34 Grill size is 53 x 27 x 49 inches. It has a signature black barrel with four legs and a black hopper on the left. The barrel has a bronze lid and a large ergonomic chrome door handle. The smoke stack with a chimney cap is on the right to remove all smoke during cooking. Below the stack is a side lift bar for better mobility and a grease bucket. Inside the barrel, there are two racks, a grease drain pan installed with an angle to the right side, a flat heat baffle to distribute the heat, and a fire pot.
verdictBoth grills have the same design and only slightly different dimensions. The hoppers and smokestacks have a different location, but this does not impact the functionality. There is no winner.
Cooking area
verdictThe Pro 34 is the winner in the competition Traeger Pro 780 vs. Pro 34 as it has a bigger cooking surface also consisting of main and top racks.
Temperature controller
verdictThe Traeger Pro 780 is the winner as its temperature controller allows you to set the temperature more accurately, and the menu has more functions. Nevertheless, Pro 34 wins with the number of meat probes.
Cooking modes
The Pro 780 and Pro 34 grills have the same six modes of food preparation by indirect heat: grill, smoke, bake, BBW, braise, and roast. They are equally good at slow cooking and smoking at low temperatures (suitable for pork, ribs, and briskets), but as there is no possibility of cooking with direct heat, you can’t sear in it.
Before any food preparation, you need to season the grill to remove all dust, oil and grease from the factory – you need to keep the grill warm at 350-450 F for about one hour.
verdictThere is no winner in this comparison; the cooking modes are the same.
Fire system
verdictThe fire system for both Traeger Pro 780 & 34 consists of the same parts. But as in the Pro 780, the advanced drive is set with a variable speed fan, and the heating up process is quicker. So, Traeger Pro 780 is the winner.
Grease management system (GMS)
Both Traeger Pro 780 and Pro 34 have the same advanced grease management system. The food grease drips from the food on the racks to the steel grease dip tray. The grease dip tray is installed with an angle to the left side of the grill’s body. The grease from the tray drips through the grease channel and grease chutes to the grease bucket. You can insert disposable aluminum caps inside the grease bucket for easy cleaning. You can also put aluminum foil (or purchase grease drip liners) on the tray to do less cleaning. With an indirect mode of cooking and collection of grease, the overall cooking on this grill eliminates flaring-ups. The only difference between the two models is the grease bucket’s location and the grease tray’s installation angle.
verdictThe GMS consists of the same parts for both models; there is no winner.
Storage space
verdictThe Pro 780 wins this part as it has hocks for top rack storage.
Cleaning
You need to purchase additional disposable grease bucket liners and drip trays for easy cleaning of the Traeger grills.
Heatproof aluminum liners are lightweight, making the cleaning fast. To keep the chamber clean from inside and outside, the Traeger all-natural cleaner is available.
The grills should be inspected before each cooking procedure, and all grease and creosote should be removed from all surfaces and the grease management system to reduce the fire risk.
The outside surface should be cleaned without abrasive cleaners, with soapy water only. To clean the firebox from the firepot, you need to use a vacuum cleaner to remove ash. Remember to clean hoppers from dust with a vacuum cleaner or a cloth.
verdictThe cleaning procedure for both grills is easy and fast; and includes the same steps. There is no winner here.
Assembling
For assembling Traeger Pro 780 or Pro 34, two people are recommended. But the assembling process is easy and fast (about 30 minutes), all details are numbered and the detailed manual is included in the box.
The grill is supplied pre-assembled. The cooking barrel with a hopper and an auger are ready for use; you need to install legs, a chimney pipe, handles, a heat baffle, a grease tray, and cooking racks.
All hardware for assembling is included in the package (a screwdriver, a hex key and open-end wrenches).
verdictEven though the dimensions of grills are slightly different, the assembling steps are identical. There is no winner here as well.
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, Traeger Pro 780 and Traeger Pro 34 are both from the professional series and equally for grill lovers with food flavor. If you do not need more vertical space in the chamber and remote control, then the classic Traeger Pro 34 is perfect. But if you already have Traeger and want to enhance your experience choose Traeger Pro 780. This grill is more powerful with next-level technology for the drive ensuring more flavor and durability. It also has an advanced structural design for more comfortable use. In the end, the Traeger Pro 780 is slightly more expensive than the Pro 34.
