Traeger Ironwood 885 vs Woodridge
Around $1,008 for the insulated Ironwood 885 against $899.99 for the base Woodridge, which reserves Super Smoke for the models above it.
We pick the Traeger Ironwood 885 Pellet Grill
For $108 more the Ironwood 885 adds the feature the base Woodridge is missing. The Woodridge gives 860 sq in across two racks, 520 of it on the main rack, an RTD sensor and a 500 F ceiling for $899.99. But Super Smoke Mode is reserved for the Pro, and starts at $1,149.99 in that line. The Ironwood 885 brings 885 sq in, insulated construction and Super Smoke from 165 F at around $1,008. The trade is warranty and currency: three years against ten on rust-through, and Legacy status against a current model.
What actually differs
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Super Smoke, or paying $1,149.99 for it
The base Woodridge cannot do heavy smoke on a setting. Traeger sells that feature one rung up the Woodridge ladder for $1,149.99, which makes the $1,008 Ironwood the cheapest route to it.
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Insulation against none
The Ironwood has double-walled construction; the Woodridge review notes no added insulation. In cold weather and on long overnight cooks that shows up as pellet consumption and stability.
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What the Woodridge does better
Ten years against rust-through, a current-line grill with live support, a 24 lb hopper with a clean-out door, and a grease and ash keg our review singles out as answering the chores owners resent.
How they score, category by category
The Traeger Ironwood 885 scores higher in 3 categories, the Traeger Ironwood Woodridge in 3 categories.
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Heat Performance
Counts for 25% of the scoreTraeger Ironwood 885 9.0 Better by 1.0Traeger Ironwood Woodridge 8.0Why the Traeger Ironwood 885 scores 9.0Super Smoke opens at 165 F where the current $1,399.99 Woodridge Pro Plus waits until 185 F, behind insulated side walls.
Why the Traeger Ironwood Woodridge scores 8.0
An RTD sensor and a 500 F ceiling serve patient cooking, but Super Smoke Mode is reserved for the Pro.
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Long-term Reliability
Counts for 20% of the scoreTraeger Ironwood 885 6.5Traeger Ironwood Woodridge 7.0 Better by 0.5Why the Traeger Ironwood Woodridge scores 7.0The headline ten years protects sheet metal from rusting through, and nothing else on the grill is covered past three.
Why the Traeger Ironwood 885 scores 6.5
Three years is Traeger's shortest term, it needs an Authorized Seller on the receipt, and resale kills it outright.
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Build Quality
Counts for 18% of the scoreTraeger Ironwood 885 8.5 Better by 1.5Traeger Ironwood Woodridge 7.0Why the Traeger Ironwood 885 scores 8.5Porcelain coated steel grates, a stainless shelf and double-walled construction, on a barrel whose steel Traeger still declines to name.
Why the Traeger Ironwood Woodridge scores 7.0
138 lbs reads as settled, but Traeger names no grate or body material and prints no size anywhere.
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Ease of Use
Counts for 15% of the scoreTraeger Ironwood 885 9.0Traeger Ironwood Woodridge 9.5 Better by 0.5Why the Traeger Ironwood Woodridge scores 9.5A full-color display, WiFIRE control and a wired probe in the box, with nothing else to buy before the first cook.
Why the Traeger Ironwood 885 scores 9.0
A pellet sensor, a cleanout trapdoor and 5 F steps from a phone remove the two chores cheaper Traegers keep.
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Value
Counts for 12% of the scoreTraeger Ironwood 885 8.7 Better by 0.2Traeger Ironwood Woodridge 8.5Why the Traeger Ironwood 885 scores 8.7Around $1,008 buys insulation and Super Smoke from 165 F, where Traeger's $1,399.99 Woodridge Pro Plus lists neither, at the same 500 F ceiling.
Why the Traeger Ironwood Woodridge scores 8.5
$899.99 buys 860 sq in, but the ten years guards against rust and the smoke feature still costs $1,149.99.
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Maintenance
Counts for 10% of the scoreTraeger Ironwood 885 7.5Traeger Ironwood Woodridge 9.0 Better by 1.5Why the Traeger Ironwood Woodridge scores 9.0The grease and ash keg, hopper clean-out and staging hooks each answer a chore owners actually resent.
Why the Traeger Ironwood 885 scores 7.5
The hopper empties without tools, but Traeger's own chart marks it absent for the EZ-Clean grease and ash keg.
See all six scores in one table
| Category | Traeger Ironwood 885 | Traeger Ironwood Woodridge |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Performance (25%) | 9.0 Better | 8.0 |
| Long-term Reliability (20%) | 6.5 | 7.0 Better |
| Build Quality (18%) | 8.5 Better | 7.0 |
| Ease of Use (15%) | 9.0 | 9.5 Better |
| Value (12%) | 8.7 Better | 8.5 |
| Maintenance (10%) | 7.5 | 9.0 Better |
| Avid Griller Score | 8.2 | 8.0 |
Both reviews are scored on the same six weighted categories, on the same 0 to 10 scale, and each reason is the one that review gave. A category is marked better only where the two differ by a tenth or more. How we score →
Where the spec sheets differ
Quoted from each maker's own specifications, as each review records them. Figures the two products publish identically are left out, so only the differences are listed.
Which one is for you
You want insulation and Super Smoke at the lowest price and accept Legacy status.
You want a current Traeger with the longer rust cover and will smoke at ordinary temperatures.
Check price →More head-to-heads
Every score and figure on this page comes from our own reviews of these two products, linked above. We have not tested them side by side in one place; the comparison is between two full reviews, each built from the maker's published specifications and documentation. Prices move, and the ones quoted are the ones each review checked on its own date.