Smart Pellet Grill Showdown: Memphis Pro ITC3 vs Traeger Timberline XL

If you’re choosing between the Memphis Grills Pro ITC3 vs the Traeger Timberline XL, you’re preparing to invest in a smarter, more powerful backyard cooking experience.

Both of these are high-end smart pellet grills, designed for serious BBQ enthusiasts who want precision temperature control, WiFi connectivity, and incredible wood-fired flavor. One leans into premium construction and raw searing power, while the other focuses on tech features and everyday cooking ease.

In this head-to-head comparison, we’ll break down every critical detail, from build quality and pellet efficiency to app control, cooking versatility, and long-term value. 

Memphis Pro ITC3 is a tank in disguise. It’s constructed entirely from 304 stainless steel, one of the highest grades used in outdoor cooking, and it's made in the USA. That means it’s built to resist rust, discoloration, and wear for years, even in tough climates. The double-walled firebox and hood provide incredible heat retention and feel rock-solid when closed.

The cart itself is fairly simple: open bottom shelf, fixed legs, and a heavy-duty overall frame. Not flashy, but seriously durable. Also, at 243 lbs, it’s one of the heaviest pellet grills in its class, and that weight translates to stability and quality.

Traeger Timberline XL, on the other hand, goes the route of a premium all-in-one outdoor kitchen. It’s made from a combination of powder-coated steel and stainless steel accents, and while that keeps the cost down, it's more prone to weathering over time.

However, where it shines is functionality: the XL’s cart includes ample enclosed storage, soft-close drawers, tool hooks, and even an induction side burner. So while it may not match Memphis in raw durability, it beats it on sheer utility and design for a ready-to-go outdoor cooking station.

Memphis Pro ITC3 offers one of the widest temperature ranges in the smart pellet grill world: from 180°F to 900°F. Yes, 900. That’s thanks to its included direct flame insert, which allows for true searing over an open flame, something most pellet grills can’t do without mods or extras.

For everyday use, it maintains ultra-steady low temps for smoking and can crank to 500–600°F for wood-fired pizza or roasting without breaking a sweat. Thanks to its thick stainless construction, it also retains heat beautifully, even in cold weather.

Traeger Timberline XL, by contrast, caps out at 500°F, which is more than enough for baking, roasting, and moderate searing, but not quite in the steakhouse range. It doesn't have a direct-flame feature, which limits its ability to char at high temps.

That said, it excels in heat consistency and multi-zone control, using its smart D2 drivetrain and fan system to distribute heat evenly across the barrel. It’s fantastic for low-and-slow smoking, but if you want serious steak-searing heat, you’ll need to use the side burner (which is induction, not flame).

Memphis takes a serious engineering approach to its pellet system. The dual pellet hopper holds a total of 18 lbs and is split into two chambers. This allows you to mix and match wood flavors, or switch between them mid-cook, ideal if you're smoking brisket in one flavor and searing steaks in another.

Memphis uses an intelligent PID controller that constantly monitors and adjusts the pellet feed and fan speed. This helps the grill maintain stable temperatures even in extreme conditions, which ultimately conserves pellets. According to user reports and Memphis’ own data, the ITC3 burns about 1.2–1.5 lbs of pellets per hour at smoking temps, and 2–3 lbs/hour at searing temps.

Another benefit? Memphis grills are built more like an oven, with full stainless steel insulation and a sealed cooking chamber that holds heat very well, so you don’t lose efficiency in colder weather. Combined with the direct-flame searing insert, the Memphis burns hotter and more efficiently than many pellet grills in its class.

The Timberline XL features a single 22-lb pellet hopper and uses a variable-speed auger with D2 Direct Drive technology. The system adjusts pellet feed based on ambient temperature, setpoint, and grill behavior. While it’s smart and relatively quiet, it’s also designed more for convenience than raw efficiency.

Pellet usage for the Timberline tends to be a bit higher, around 1.5–2 lbs/hour at lower temps and up to 3–4 lbs/hour when cooking hot or opening the lid often. It also doesn’t offer the option to mix pellet types like Memphis, though switching them out is fairly easy via the clean-out door.

One downside noted by several users: the Timberline’s open cart design and less insulated body can struggle to hold steady heat in very cold weather, which increases pellet burn. 

That said, for typical backyard use in decent weather, the fuel usage is still reasonable, and Traeger’s WiFIRE app will even warn you when pellets are low.

Memphis Pro ITC3 is a true 6-in-1 cooker: it can grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, and dehydrate, and it actually delivers on all six. The included direct flame insert gives it genuine grill-style searing power, and the dual convection fans help create even heat across the chamber.

You can go from smoking brisket at 225°F to blasting pizzas at 700°F+ without missing a beat. Want to do rotisserie? Add-ons are available. Want to cold smoke? It can be done. And because it’s built more like a stainless steel gas grill, it feels equally at home with everyday grilling or weekend smoking.

Traeger Timberline XL is more of a smoke-first, grill-second setup. Its cooking chamber and WiFIRE tech are excellent for low-and-slow cooking, and it’s especially good for batch smoking ribs, pork butts, or whole birds. The 3-tier grate system gives you massive capacity (over 1,300 square inches), which is perfect for parties.

It can grill, yes, but because it lacks direct flame, searing is best handled on the side-mounted induction burner. So while it's versatile, its strengths are clearly skewed toward smoking, baking, and roasting over searing or high-heat grilling.

Memphis offers a highly advanced control system with its Intelligent Temperature Control (ITC) version 3. 

The Memphis app is praised for its reliability and responsiveness. One of the biggest advantages is the true temperature accuracy. Unlike some pellet grills that fluctuate wildly, Memphis’ PID controller keeps temps impressively stable.

You also get a built-in Genie Multi-Tool for cleaning and utility, and internal halogen lights that auto-illuminate when the lid opens, a small but very pro-level touch. And if you're a fan of direct flame searing, the included flame insert allows high-heat grilling at up to 900°F, an impressive feat for a pellet grill.

Traeger, on the other hand, leans hard into lifestyle and ease-of-use. The Timberline XL connects via WiFIRE, Traeger’s proprietary WiFi system.

The Timberline interface feels more like a smart home appliance than a smoker, and that’s intentional. It’s very beginner-friendly, with touchscreen controls and a large, full-color digital display.

The app also offers video tips, recipe guides, and seasonal meal inspiration, catering to both weekend warriors and tech-savvy cooks. However, temperature accuracy isn’t quite as tight as Memphis, especially at higher temps. Some forum users also noted occasional app syncing issues, especially after updates.

Memphis grills are known for their low-maintenance design. The sealed, insulated build doesn’t just help with heat retention; it also keeps grease and ash more contained. The stainless steel interiors and grates wipe down easily, and users praise how little mess escapes into the cart or base area.

There’s a built-in grease tray that collects runoff into a removable pan, and the pellet burn pot is centrally located, making it easy to access and clean out after long smoking sessions. The grill also has ash collection under the burn pot, and the internal components (like the heat deflector) lift out easily for periodic deep cleans.

You’ll still need to vacuum out ash every few cooks, as with any pellet grill, but the layout makes that less of a chore. Memphis also includes cleaning guidance in their app and support materials, which is helpful for first-time owners.

The Timberline XL improves on past Traeger models with better cleaning features, but still has some pain points. It has a grease and ash keg system underneath the main cooking chamber. This integrated bucket collects both ash and grease into a single container that’s easy to pull out and empty.

That said, some owners report the grease can mix with ash, creating a sticky sludge that requires a bit more scrubbing, especially if you’re cooking fatty meats. It’s still easier than older models, but not as tidy as Memphis’ separated collection.

The grates and drip tray are coated for easy wipe-down, and the entire cook box is accessible from the front. However, the open cart style can expose more of the lower frame to buildup over time, something that’s minimized with Memphis’ enclosed design.

The Memphis Pro ITC3 is undeniably a high-end grill, with prices ranging from $5,000–$6,000+, depending on configuration (built-in or cart). But for serious grillers, it justifies the price through its commercial-grade construction, high heat capacity, and precise temperature control.

It’s built entirely from 304 stainless steel inside and out, which dramatically boosts longevity and makes it look and feel premium. It includes a direct flame insert, Wi-Fi controller, smart app, one meat probe, and even a Genie 6-in-1 tool. The direct flame searing, high-heat range, and enclosed design all add functional value that most pellet grills in this range don’t offer.

Memphis also wins on peace of mind with:

• 7-year warranty on stainless steel parts

• 3-year warranty on electronics and components

• Made in the USA , which appeals to buyers who want serviceability and longevity

• Strong dealer support and replacement part availability

The Timberline XL clocks in lower, around $3,800–$4,200 , which places it in the upper-mid tier of pellet grills. But it includes a lot for the money: an integrated Induction cooktop, Touchscreen controller, WiFIRE app control, two wired meat probes, and a full-length prep/storage cart with side shelves, paper towel holders, and accessory hooks.

The body is primarily powder-coated steel , with 304 stainless steel accents (like the grates and side shelves). It’s solidly built but doesn’t have the all-stainless construction of the Memphis. The cart itself is thoughtfully designed, offering more built-in storage than many grills in this range.

Warranty-wise, Traeger offers:

• 10 years on the body

• 3 years on internal parts and controller

• Good app support and customer service, though some users report longer response times during busy seasons

If you’re looking for a true premium grilling machine with commercial-grade durability, precise temperature control, and high-heat direct flame capability, the Memphis Grills Pro ITC3 is the clear winner. Its full 304 stainless steel body, Made-in-USA build, and ability to hit 900°F give it unmatched power for everything from Neapolitan pizzas to reverse-seared tomahawks. It's the kind of grill that stays in your outdoor kitchen for decades.

But if you prefer a feature-packed, tech-savvy grill that’s easier on the wallet and comes with loads of smart functionality (plus a handy built-in induction burner), the Traeger Timberline XL is no slouch. It’s a strong performer that excels in usability, WiFi features, and storage, and it’s still capable of putting out serious wood-fired flavor.

Either way, you're stepping into the big leagues of pellet grilling, your backyard BBQs will never be the same.