Editor’s note: Originally published December 2020. Reviewed and updated November 2026. Some models mentioned here may have been updated or discontinued since; check current availability and specifications before buying.
Quick answer
- The Traeger Renegade Elite is a backyard wood pellet grill with 380 square inches of grilling area, auto-start ignition and a Digital Elite controller listed to hold within 20 degrees of your set temperature.
- Its standout extras are a wire front prep rack, a tool caddy with a sauce basket, a hopper clean-out door and an easy-drain grease system.
- Downsides: it weighs about 120 lb, straight legs are less stable than a seahorse-style design, and the cooking area is modest.
- If you want more space and fewer extras, look at the Traeger Lil Tex Elite 22 (418 square inches).
The Traeger Renegade Elite is a pellet grill and smoker aimed at backyard cooks who value convenience features. It pairs a simple dial controller and auto-start ignition with practical extras such as a front prep rack, a tool caddy and a quick way to empty the pellet hopper. This review, based on Traeger’s listed features, will help you decide whether it fits the way you cook.
Traeger Renegade Elite at a glance
Listed specifications
- 380 square inches of grilling area
- Digital Elite controller with dial, listed to hold within 20 degrees of the set temperature
- Electronic auto-start ignition
- Porcelain-coated grill grates
- EZ Drain grease system with collection bucket
- Hopper clean-out door
- Wire front prep rack and tool caddy rack
- All-terrain wheels
- Weight: about 120 lb
- 3-year warranty, according to the manufacturer at the time of writing
Pros
- Convenient tool caddy rack with sauce basket
- Wire front prep rack for loading and unloading food
- Electronic auto-start ignition
- Easy-to-clean porcelain grill grates
- Hopper empties easily so you can change pellets between cooks
- Set-it-and-forget-it temperature consistency
Cons
- Holding within 20 degrees may not be precise enough for every kind of cooking
- 380 square inches may feel small for the price
- At about 120 lb it can be hard for some people to move
- Straight legs are not as stable as a seahorse-style leg design
Cooking performance and temperature control
Traeger is credited with making the original pellet grill, and the Renegade sticks to that traditional design. It burns hardwood pellets, which Traeger described as 100% wood with no additive other than vegetable oil.
A pellet grill is versatile: you can smoke meat low and slow until it is fall-off-the-bone tender, run it hot to sear, or even bake pizza with a wood-fired flavor.
The Digital Elite controller uses an easy-to-turn dial and is listed to keep the grill within 20 degrees of your setting. That is enough for most barbecuing and smoking, and the grill still gets hot enough for a good sear. Even so, it’s a good idea to use a separate thermometer for the air inside the grill and a meat probe for the food, so you can hit your target without overcooking. Check doneness against our safe internal cooking temperatures chart, for example 165°F for all poultry, or use a wireless BBQ thermometer to monitor the cook from a distance.
Convenience features
Wire front prep rack
The front rack means nobody has to hold plates while you load or unload the grill. It sits close enough to make transferring food easy but far enough away that you can work there without too much heat. Use it for tools, serving plates, or dishes of raw meat.
Tool caddy rack
The caddy has hooks to hang your tools so sauce doesn’t end up on your work surfaces, plus a small basket that keeps sauce bottles from tipping over while you work. Keeping tools in one place also makes cleanup after each cook easier.
Hopper clean-out door
Part of the appeal of a pellet grill is matching the pellet flavor to the food, but on many pellet grills it is hard to change pellets until the hopper runs empty. The Renegade has a clean-out door on the back of the hopper, so you can empty the pellets and reload a different flavor.
EZ Drain grease system
Drippings run into an easy-drain system that helps prevent flare-ups and collects excess grease in a bucket that is simple to empty, keeping the grill and patio cleaner. That makes the Renegade well suited to oily fish such as salmon.
All-terrain wheels
The wheels make it easier to move the grill around your yard, which helps given its weight of about 120 lb.
Traeger Renegade Elite vs Lil Tex Elite 22
If the Renegade’s extras don’t appeal to you and you’d rather have more cooking space, the Traeger Lil Tex Elite 22 is a comparable grill of similar size and price. It offers 418 square inches of grilling area versus the Renegade’s 380, in a sleek design, but it lacks the wire prep rack and tool caddy.
| Feature | Renegade Elite | Lil Tex Elite 22 |
|---|---|---|
| Grilling area | 380 sq in | 418 sq in |
| Wire front prep rack | Yes | No |
| Tool caddy rack | Yes | No |
| Best for | Convenience features | More cooking space |
Bottom line
The Traeger Renegade Elite is a good fit if you want a straightforward pellet grill with thoughtful extras that make cooking and cleanup easier. If you need more grilling space, or find 120 lb and straight legs a drawback, compare the Lil Tex Elite 22, or see how Traeger stacks up in our Pit Boss vs Traeger comparison.
FAQ
How accurate is the Traeger Renegade Elite’s controller?
The Digital Elite controller is listed to hold within 20 degrees of the set temperature, which is enough for most barbecuing and smoking. Use a separate thermometer for precise results.
How big is the Traeger Renegade Elite?
It has 380 square inches of grilling area and weighs about 120 lb.
Can you change pellet flavors between cooks?
Yes. The hopper clean-out door lets you empty the remaining pellets and reload a different flavor.
