Yes, you should use a drip pan in your pellet smoker. The shallow metal tray under your cooking grates catches every drop of grease and juice before it reaches the burn pot, which is the single most common cause of a pellet grill grease fire. If your factory tray has rusted thin, warped out of shape, or no longer exists, replacing it is the cheapest fire prevention you will ever buy.
That is the whole idea behind this roundup. We spent weeks reading owner reports and comparing the best drip pans for pellet grills currently on the market, from full stainless heat baffles to bucket-and-liner kits and reusable coated trays. What separates a pan that lasts from one that fails is not the marketing language, it is steel gauge, fit, and how much grease capacity you have before the pan needs emptying.
Most of the useful advice about pellet grill grease management lives in forum threads rather than on product pages, so we pulled that in too. r/pelletgrills users overwhelmingly recommend wrapping the factory tray in foil for easier cleanup, the traegerforum consensus is that heavy 304 stainless solves both rust and warping, and smokingmeatforums has the cautionary tale that convinced us never to trust a thin disposable pan under a burn pot. All ten picks below are in that frame.
If you are still choosing cookware rather than hardware, our guides to the best cast iron grill pans and the best portable grills for camping cover the other half of outdoor cooking setup.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks: Drip Pans for Pellet Grills Right Now (October 2026)
QuliMetal Bucket and 15 Foil Liners
- Galvanized steel bucket
- 15 disposable liners
- Rated to 500F
- Fits Traeger Pit Boss Z Grill Recteq
DELSbbq BAC012 Stainless Pan
- Stainless heat baffle
- 20.75 x 15.75 inches
- Fits Pro 575 and Pro 22
- Tool-free install
MOASKER Timberline Liner 30-Pack
- 30 foil liners
- Fits Timberline 850 and 1300
- Replaces BAC404 and BAC582
- No trimming needed
Best Drip Pans for Pellet Grills in 2026 at a Glance
All ten options below are grouped by the job they actually do. Items 1 through 4 are bucket-and-liner systems for the grease catcher under the hopper. Items 5 through 8 are full stainless heat baffles that sit under the grates. Items 9 and 10 are liner-only replacements for specific tray shapes.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| QuliMetal Drip Bucket and 15-Pack Foil Liners |
|
Check Latest Price |
| DELSbbq BAC012 Stainless Drip Pan for Traeger Pro |
|
Check Latest Price |
| MOASKER Timberline 850 and 1300 Liner 30-Pack |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Sageme BAC407 Grease Bucket Liner 15-Pack |
|
Check Latest Price |
 FlameDuty 22 Inch Stainless Drip Pan Heat Baffle |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Unidanho Stainless Drip Tray for Traeger Pro 780 |
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Check Latest Price |
 BQMAX Stainless Drip Tray for Z Grills 700 Series |
|
Check Latest Price |
 SafBbcue Drip Tray and 10 Liners for Traeger Woodridge |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Linda’s Essentials Grease Bucket with 20 Liners |
|
Check Latest Price |
 NUPICK BAC507 Reusable Drip Tray Liner |
|
Check Latest Price |
1. QuliMetal Drip Bucket and 15 Foil Liners: Best Overall
Drip Bucket and 15-Pack Disposable Foil Liners for Pit Boss, Traeger
Galvanized steel bucket
2 quart capacity
Liners rated to 500F
Bucket 5.6 inch diameter
Pros
- Widest fit in the group
- covering Traeger Pit Boss Oklahoma Joe's Z Grill Camp Chef and Recteq
- Rust-resistant galvanized steel
- 500F rated aluminum liners cut cleanup to a toss
- One bucket plus 15 liners is a complete long-term set
Cons
- Does not fit the Traeger Timberline series
- Liners are fixed-size and only work with the matching 4.8 x 4.17 inch bucket
This is the system we keep coming back to. A galvanized steel bucket catches the runoff, and a heavy aluminum liner sits inside it so nothing ever touches the bucket walls. After a cook you lift the liner out, dump it, and drop in a fresh one. The bucket itself needs a wipe at most, ever.
Fit is where this kit wins. The listed fitment covers Traeger, Pit Boss, Oklahoma Joe’s, Z Grill, Camp Chef and Recteq, which is broader than any stainless pan in this roundup. A smokingmeatforums user who lost the bottom out of a thin aluminum pan mid-cook described exactly the setup that prevents that, a rigid container doing the structural work with disposable foil only as a sacrificial layer.
The liners are rated to 500F, which covers the whole range a pellet grill produces, and they hold two quarts before the bucket needs attention. That matters more than it sounds, because a bucket that fills fast is a bucket that overflows during a long brisket when you are not watching it.
Be aware that the Timberline series is excluded. Timberline owners should look at a tray liner sized for that specific grease catch instead. The fixed liner size of 4.8 by 4.17 inches also means these liners only work inside this bucket, not in some other container you own.
Who this bucket and liner set suits
It suits anyone who grills across more than one brand, which is common when you own a portable unit alongside a larger cabinet smoker. The compatibility list is the reason this is our top pick rather than a heavier stainless pan. If your grills say Pit Boss and Traeger and Z Grill, one kit covers them all.
It also suits high-volume cooking. With 15 liners in the box, you can cook every weekend for a season before restocking. That makes cleanup a five-second task at the end of a long night instead of a chore you start hoping to avoid.
Who should skip this set
Skip it if you own a Traeger Timberline, since the fit does not reach that series. Timberline 850 and 1300 owners need a tray liner rather than a bucket liner, and cutting this one to fit is a workaround we do not recommend at pellet grill temperatures.
Also skip it if you want drippings for basting. A bucket liner set is about fire prevention and cleanup, not collecting usable juice in a form you can spoon over meat. For that, a deep rigid pan under the grates is the better tool.
2. DELSbbq BAC012 Stainless Drip Pan: Best Rigid Tray for Pro 22 and Pro 575
BAC012 Drip Pan for Traeger Pro 20 Pro 575 Series Smoker Grills
Stainless steel heat baffle
20.75 x 15.75 x 4 inches
Replaces BAC-012
Drop-in install
Pros
- Noticeably thicker than the original factory tray
- Rinses clean without foil or liners
- Several owners report steadier grill temperatures
- Tool-free drop-in installation
Cons
- A magnet sticks strongly
- which leaves some buyers questioning the grade
- Occasional units arrive with bent lip corners
- Verify size against the original tray before ordering
When the factory tray starts to flex under the weight of a full pan of drippings, the answer is more steel, not thinner foil. This stainless replacement weighs in at just under four pounds, and owners consistently describe it as sturdier and thicker than the part it replaces. The traegerforum consensus that heavy 304 stainless eliminates both rust and warping is the reason we trust this approach for fixed trays.
It replaces part numbers BAC-012, BCA070 and BBQ07C, and the stated fit list runs through Pro Series 22, Pro 575, Lil’ Tex, Century, Executive and Mesa 22. Several buyers also report steadier temperatures after the swap, which fits with the idea that a rigid baffle does not choke the airflow the way a warped or partially blocked tray can.
Cleanup is the quiet win here. Because the pan is stainless and deep enough at four inches, owners rinse it with hot water after a cook rather than lining it. No liner to throw away and no congealed grease baked onto the deck, which is the single biggest complaint about factory trays.
At 20.75 by 15.75 inches, it is a large-format pan, so it sits under the grates on the bigger Traeger cabinets rather than beside a bucket. Measure your existing tray before ordering, because Traeger has changed part sizes across model years and a pan that is a quarter inch off will not seat properly.
When this stainless pan is the right upgrade
Choose it when your tray is warped rather than merely rusty. A warped tray rocks, blocks part of the grease channel, and is a common reason a factory pan stops doing its job even though it still looks intact. This pan restores the flat, sealed shape the design assumes.
Choose it if you dislike liners entirely. There is no foil in the workflow here, which sidesteps the debate on r/pelletgrills about whether wrapping a tray is a good idea. r/pelletgrills users overwhelmingly recommend lining, but only on solid pans, not on perforated or heat-deflector style trays.
Where buyers found problems
The recurring question is metal grade. A strong magnet is a reasonable signal that you are looking at 400-series or a magnetized stainless rather than true 304, and some owners raised that directly. It does not change how the pan performs, but if grade matters to you, ask the seller before buying.
Bent lip corners on arrival show up in a minority of reviews and are almost always a transit issue. Inspect the pan on arrival, photograph any damage, and have it replaced rather than forcing a bent pan into a slot it will not sit in.
3. MOASKER Timberline 850 and 1300 Liner Pack: Best Value for Timberline Owners
Grease Drip Pan Liners for Traeger Timberline 850 & 1300 Grills, 30-Pack
Heavy duty aluminum foil
30 liners included
8.7 x 4.6 x 3 inches each
Replaces BAC404 and BAC582
Pros
- Drop-in fit for Timberline 850 and 1300 with no trimming
- Throw-away liners remove all grease scrubbing
- 30 liners keeps per-cook cost low
- Heat and cold resistant for baking and storage too
Cons
- Sized only for the Timberline 850 and 1300 grease trays
- Thin foil can tear if handled while hot
Timberline owners have a specific tray shape, and this is the liner that matches it without a fight. Each liner measures 8.7 by 4.6 by 3 inches, drops into the factory grease catch, and replaces the branded BAC404 and BAC582 liners. There is no measuring, no folding, no cutting to size.
With 30 liners in the pack, the economics work out well for anyone cooking several times a week. You are buying disposables, but you are buying the disposal of your cleaning problem. The forums describe this as the dominant practice among experienced users, a rigid tray that stays put with a sacrificial liner tossed after every cook.
One useful detail: these liners are rated heat and cold resistant, so owners also use them for baking, food prep and storage. That versatility matters more than it sounds, because a used grease liner that still holds its shape has plenty of secondary life in the kitchen.
The build is heavy duty aluminum foil rather than a lighter grade, which is where the durability comes from. Very thin foil liners are the ones that tear and stick to the pan when you try to lift them while hot, and that is the failure mode to avoid.
Who should buy this liner pack
Buy it if you own a Timberline 850 or 1300 and your factory tray is still structurally sound. Rust on the surface is one thing, a tray that has warped or corroded through is another, and this pack does not solve a structural problem, it solves a cleaning one.
Buy it if you cook ribs or brisket often and hate congealed grease. Pulling a liner out and wiping the empty tray takes a fraction of the time of scraping a bare steel tray after an overnight cook.
Where it falls short
It does not fit anything other than the Timberline 850 and 1300 grease catch. Owners trying to stretch it to other grills report the fit falling short, so check the model on your grill label before ordering. This is a model-specific part, not a universal liner.
Thin foil still tears. The fix is procedural rather than a different product, wait until the liner cools before grasping it, and grip the rim rather than the flat. Handle it while hot and you will lose one to the firebox floor.
4. Sageme BAC407 Grease Bucket Liner 15-Pack: Best Budget Liner Pack
Sageme 15 Pack BAC407 Grease Bucket Liner for Traeger Grills,Drip Liner Drip Pan for HDW152 Grease Bucket Traeger Pro Series 575/780, 20/22/34, Ironwood 650/885 Grills
Aluminum bucket liners
15 liners included
4.9 inch diameter x 4.1 inch H
Bucket not included
Pros
- Lowest per-liner cost in this group with a large review base
- Fits standard Traeger buckets including Ironwood 650 and 885
- Aluminum holds grease reliably and leaves the bucket clean
- Also works on Rec Tec Z Grill and Oklahoma Joe's
Cons
- Runs too small for the larger Traeger Woodridge grease bucket
- The bucket itself is not included
If you already own a working grease bucket and only need liners, this is the cheapest path to a clean cook. Fifteen aluminum liners sized 4.9 inches in diameter and 4.1 inches tall replace HDW152 style bucket liners, and the cost per liner is the lowest in this roundup.
The compatibility list is broad for a liner this small, covering Traeger Pro Series 575 and 780, the 20, 22 and 34 series, Ironwood 650 and 885, plus Rec Tec, Green Mountain, Cabela’s, Z Grill and Oklahoma Joe’s. That range is useful if you have moved through several grills over the years and still have the buckets.
Aluminum is the right material for a liner because it is light, cheap and takes heat well. The liners are described as sturdy enough for high-temperature use, and the practical effect is that grease congeals in the liner rather than on the bucket, so the bucket just gets wiped.
Keep in mind what is not in the box. This is liners only, so if your bucket is rusted through, warped or missing entirely, you will need a separate bucket. The QuliMetal and Linda’s Essentials kits both include one and are the better buy in that situation.
When the low-cost liner pack makes sense
It makes sense when your bucket is in good shape and your only problem is the grease baked onto its walls. That is the most common situation, and swapping a liner is a 30-second change that resets the bucket to clean.
It also makes sense as a trial size. Because the pack is inexpensive and broadly compatible, it is a low-risk way to find out whether liner-and-toss is a workflow you will actually keep using before committing to a stainless tray upgrade.
Where sizing bites
The most common complaint is size, specifically that the liner runs too small for the larger Traeger Woodridge grease bucket. A liner that does not reach the bucket walls leaves a channel where grease runs down the side and pools at the base, which is exactly the buildup you were trying to avoid.
Measure the top diameter and the interior height of your bucket before ordering. If your bucket is one of the larger Woodridge units, step up to a kit that includes a tray rather than forcing these into it.
5. FlameDuty 22 Inch Stainless Drip Pan: Best Match for Pro 22 and Lil’ Tex
22″ Stainless Steel Drip Pan Heat Baffle Replacement for Traeger 22 Series,Traeger Pro 575 Drip Tray,Traeger BAC012 BCA070 BBQ07C and Newer Lil’ Tex,Lil’ Tex Elite,Lil’ Tex Pellet Smoker Grills Parts
Heavy duty stainless steel
20 7/8 x 15 9/16 x 3 3/8 inches
Replaces five part numbers
Even heat distribution
Pros
- Thick stainless that resists rusting and warping
- Matches Pro 22 Pro 575 Lil' Tex and Lil' Tex Elite trays
- Collects grease effectively and cuts deep cleaning
- Simple installation and cleaning
Cons
- Compatibility depends on original part size and model number
- Smaller review pool than the liner packs
This is the stainless baffle for the 22 series family, and it covers more factory part numbers than most: BAC012, BCA070, BBQ07C, BBQ07E and BAC507. At 20 7/8 by 15 9/16 by 3 3/8 inches it is essentially the same footprint as the original tray, so it seats under the grates the way the design intended.
Weight is the number to notice here. At just over six pounds, this is a genuinely rigid pan rather than a stamped tray, and that rigidity is what keeps it flat under a long, hot cook. A pan that flexes lets the burn pot and grease channel change shape, which is how factory trays eventually fail.
Owners describe the effect on cooking as even heat distribution and fewer flare-ups, because the baffle keeps food from dripping straight into flame. That is the secondary function of this part, and a solid one, but grease capture is the primary job and this pan handles it without liners.
At 3 3/8 inches deep, capacity is good enough for a full cook without emptying mid-ride. The trade-off is weight, and lifting a pan full of hot grease is not a one-handed job. Set it on a stable surface before you pour it out.
Why gauge beats the word heavy duty
Marketing copy says heavy duty and means almost nothing. A stated material and a stated dimension mean something. This pan is described as heavy duty stainless steel at a specific size and weight, and that is what lets you compare it against a competitor rather than guess.
Rigidity is the practical test. A pan heavy enough to stay flat through repeated high-heat grilling will not warp, and a pan that does not warp keeps sealing against the grease channel. That is the difference between a five-year part and a two-year part.
What to verify before ordering
Verify the original part size and model number first. Compatibility with this listing depends on the tray you are replacing, and a mismatch shows up as a pan that sits a fraction high or low and rocks under the grates.
Also weigh the fit against your habit. This is a no-liner pan. If you prefer lining for cleanup, the NUPICK reusable liner and the MOASKER and Sageme liner packs serve that need instead, and mixing a liner into a perforated baffle is a mistake we will explain later in this guide.
6. Unidanho Stainless Drip Tray for Traeger Pro 780: Best Heavy Gauge Upgrade
Unidanho Drip Tray for Traeger Pro 780 Grease Pan Pellet Grill Replacement Parts KIT0443 BCA1283 Heat Baffle Deflector Diffuser Stainless Steel Smoker Grilling Part BBQ Accessories
1.5mm heavy duty stainless
28 7/8 x 15 1/2 x 3 5/8 inches
Replaces BCA1283 and KIT0443
Fits TFB78GZEC and TFB78GLEC
Pros
- 1.5mm stainless rated to resist warping rust and corrosion
- Tool-free installation beneath the cooking grates
- Owners report improved pellet combustion efficiency
- Even heat distribution helps prevent flare-ups
Cons
- Fits only the Traeger Pro 780 family
- Model years can have slightly different part sizes so measure first
This is the most explicitly specified pan in the roundup. The material is given as 1.5mm heavy duty stainless steel, which is a thickness claim you can actually check against other products instead of comparing adjectives. The pan weighs in at roughly eight and a half pounds, and that mass is the reason it stays flat.
It replaces BCA1283 and KIT0443 on the Pro 780, covering both the TFB78GZEC and TFB78GLEC variants. The dimensional note matters: there is a 27 3/4 inch foot to fold and a 3 inch top fold, so the tray sits into a shaped slot rather than sliding in as a flat rectangle.
Several owners note better pellet combustion and longer burn time after installing it. That is plausible and consistent with how these trays work, a rigid baffle restores the intended airflow over the burn pot instead of partially blocking it with a warped or loosely fitted pan.
Flare-up reduction is the other reported benefit. A pan that sits properly deflects dripping juice away from open flame, which means fewer flare-ups to chase during a sear and less risk of scorching the underside of a brisket.
Is thicker stainless worth it on a Pro 780
On a Pro 780, yes, if your factory tray is already warped. The Pro 780 tray is a known frustration point because the shape is complex and the factory part flexes with heat. A specified 1.5mm stainless replacement removes that variable entirely.
If your tray is merely dusty, no. Save the effort and the money. Light surface oxidation is normal and generally accepted by owners, and replacing a structurally sound tray is a downgrade in value rather than an improvement.
Fit checks to do first
Check the model year. The listing notes that different production years can have slightly different part sizes, and the Pro 780 has been produced for years. Pull the old tray, measure it, and compare before ordering rather than trusting the model name alone.
Confirm the fold geometry. A 27 3/4 inch foot and 3 inch top fold means this tray is shaped for a specific slot. If your existing tray is a flat rectangle, this is the wrong part for your grill and no amount of forcing will make it seat correctly.
7. BQMAX Stainless Drip Tray for Z Grills 700 Series: Best Z Grills Fix
Drip Tray Heat Baffle Replacement Parts for Z Grills 700 Series Grills
Stainless steel tray and baffle
25 1/8 x 15 5/8 x 3 1/8 inches
One tray per box
Fits 7002B 7002C 7002E 700D 700E
Pros
- Heavier and sturdier than the factory tray on several models
- Stainless resists warping after repeated cooking
- Quick tool-free installation
- Blocks direct food-to-flame contact and spreads heat
Cons
- Thinner and more flexible than original branded shields with some heat curling reported
- The listing is shared across many grill models so the correct variant matters
Z Grills 700 series owners have had a rough run with factory trays, and this stainless replacement addresses the specific complaint, rusted and misshapen trays that no longer hold grease properly. At 25 1/8 by 15 5/8 by 3 1/8 inches it covers the 7002B, 7002C, 7002E, 700D and 700E variants.
Install is quick and tool-free, which matters on Z Grills because several of these cabinets have a tray slot that is awkward to reach. Owners describe the tray as noticeably heavier in the hand than the part it replaces, and that heft is what resists warping over repeated cooking.
Do note the listing also covers size variants for Traeger Pro 780, Pro 34, Pro 22, Ironwood 885, Camp Chef 24 and the Traeger Tailgater. That is convenient if you own several grills, but it also means you have to select the right size option carefully. A Z Grills tray and a Camp Chef tray in the same listing are not interchangeable.
This is a single tray per box, not a kit. If you also want foil liners for the inside, you will need those separately, and only if this tray is a solid pan. It is described as a tray and heat baffle, so check whether your model uses a perforated or deflector style insert before lining anything.
Who should upgrade a Z Grills tray
Upgrade if your tray is rusted through, dented, or has lost its flat bottom. Surface rust that does not flake and does not reach a hole is cosmetic, and owners on the forums generally treat it as acceptable rather than a reason to replace the part.
Upgrade if grease has been running past the tray rather than into it. A warped tray changes the angle of the channel, so grease climbs the side wall and exits at the front lip. This stainless replacement restores the intended slope.
The flexibility caveat
A minority of owners report this pan is thinner and more flexible than original branded shields, with some heat curling over time. That is worth knowing if you run very high heat searing, because a curling pan will eventually stop sealing against the grease channel.
The listing spans many models, so verify your grill model and the size option before buying. Choosing the wrong variant is the most common reason a stainless tray arrives and will not seat in the slot.
8. SafBbcue Drip Tray and Liners for Traeger Woodridge: Best Kit for Large Woodridge Trays
SafBbcue Drip Tray & 10 Aluminum Liners for Traeger Woodridge Pro, BAC818
Stainless tray 31 x 16.8 inches
10 aluminum liners included
Handles for installation
Fits Woodridge Pro and Elite
Pros
- Complete kit with a stainless tray plus 10 liners
- Corrosion and heat resistant tray that resists bending
- Liners keep the tray stain-free and are discarded after use
- Handles make the tray easy to install and remove
Cons
- Lowest rated in this group with a noticeable share of one-star feedback
- Only fits the large Woodridge Pro and Elite trays
- Several listing variants cover unrelated gas grills
This is the largest tray format in the roundup, built for the Traeger Woodridge Pro TFB97JLH and Woodridge Elite TFC97XLH. The tray measures 31 by 16.8 inches, which reflects how much cooking surface those grills have, and the package includes ten aluminum liners sized 31.2 by 15.3 inches.
The kit approach is the interesting part. You get a rigid reusable stainless tray and a set of liners that go inside it, so the structural work is done by metal that does not move, and the mess lands in something you throw away. That is the two-system pattern experienced owners describe on the recteq forum and elsewhere.
Built-in handles are a genuine convenience at 31 inches wide. A tray this size is awkward to grip, and owners highlight the handles as making installation and removal much easier than wrestling a bare panel out from under the grates.
It is also the lowest rated product here, and the one-star feedback is worth taking seriously rather than dismissing. The complaints cluster around fitment confusion rather than build quality, which suggests the tray itself performs well when you get the right model.
Why the Woodridge needs a different tray
The Woodridge trays are larger and shaped differently from the rest of the Traeger line, which is why the smaller bucket liners will not work and why a Woodridge-specific tray is necessary. A liner that fits the Woodridge Pro bucket will not fit this grease catch, and vice versa.
If you own a Woodridge, this is close to a no-brainer if your factory tray is compromised. It replaces the tray and supplies liners in the same box, so you are not hunting for a second part that fits.
Where buyers get frustrated
The listing covers several unrelated gas grill models, and that breadth creates real confusion. Confirm your grill is the Woodridge Pro TFB97JLH or Woodridge Elite TFC97XLH before ordering, and check the original tray size against the listing as well.
Also plan for a ten-liner refill habit rather than a set-and-forget purchase. Ten liners is a short run for anyone cooking weekly, so plan on restocking the liners rather than expecting this box to be a permanent fix.
9. Linda’s Essentials Grease Bucket with 20 Liners: Best Complete Bucket Kit
Grease Bucket for Pellet Grill with 20 Grease Bucket Liner fits Traeger Grease Bucket Liner – Replacement Traeger Drip Bucket for Pellet Grill Smoker Grease Bucket, Compatible with Pro Series 575/780
Steel bucket plus 20 liners
Reinforced rim aluminum
5.2 x 3.62 x 4.76 inches
Weather resistant
Pros
- Largest liner count in the group at 20
- Reinforced rim liners resist tearing warping and leaking on long smokes
- Weather resistant bucket protects the patio and deck
- Compatible with Traeger Pro Series 575 and 780
Cons
- Fit varies by grill so measure the current bucket before ordering
- Bucket also works as a general utility pail
This is the most complete bucket solution in the roundup, and the difference is in the liners. They are thick, high-temperature aluminum with a reinforced rim, which is exactly the detail that separates liners that survive an overnight smoke from ones that tear and leak down the side of the bucket.
The package includes one steel grease bucket plus 20 liners, making it the largest liner count here. Twenty liners is a genuine season’s worth for regular cooking, and the bucket itself is described as weather-ready and rust resistant for outdoor patio use.
Reinforced rims matter more than the product photos suggest. A liner without a stiff edge collapses inward when you try to lift it out of a full bucket of hot grease, and a collapsed liner spills its entire contents. Owners with long smokes specifically call out this design as leak-resistant.
One extra detail worth knowing, the bucket doubles as a general utility pail for tools, drinks or cleanup water. It is not grill-specific hardware, but in practice you will use it for that often enough that it offsets part of the cost.
Bucket kit or bucket liners only
Buy the kit if your bucket is missing, rusted through, or the wrong size. Buying liners for a bucket that does not fit properly means grease runs down the outside and pools on your deck, which is the exact problem you were solving.
Buy liners only if your existing bucket is sound, in which case the Sageme pack is cheaper and the two are similar in performance. The advantage of this kit is the reinforced rim and the higher liner count, not a fundamentally different liner material.
Measuring before you commit
Measure the current bucket, both the top diameter and the interior height. Fit varies by grill, and a bucket that sits loose in its bracket will tip or slide out as the grill moves across a deck.
Check your grill model too. The stated compatibility is Traeger Pro Series 575 and 780 and similar pellet grill buckets, which covers a lot of cabinets but not the Timberline or the larger Woodridge units.
10. NUPICK BAC507 Reusable Liner: Best Reusable Liner Option
NUPICK BAC507 Grill Drip Tray Liners for Traeger Pro 575, Pro 22, Elite 22
Reusable aluminum with non-stick
22 x 15.5 inches
Rated to 500F
Replaces BAC507
Pros
- Reusable design cuts waste versus disposable liners
- Non-stick coating resists burnt-on grease
- Rated to 500F and engineered to resist warping
- Fits Pro 575 Pro 22 and Elite 22 trays
Cons
- Lowest rating in the set with 8 percent one-star feedback
- Some buyers report warping or sticking after repeated high-heat use
- Only fits the larger 22 x 15.5 inch tray
This is the one reusable option in the group, and the appeal is straightforward. Instead of a disposable liner, you get a washable 22 by 15.5 inch aluminum tray with a non-stick coating that replaces the BAC507 factory liner on the Pro 575, Pro 22 and Elite 22.
Reusability is the environmental argument and the economic one. If you cook weekly, the ongoing cost of a disposable liner system is a line item that never ends, while a reusable tray is a one-time purchase that you rinse and put back in.
It is rated to 500F, the same temperature figure the disposable aluminum liners carry, and it is engineered not to warp or melt at that rating. In the lab of real kitchens, that claim is where the reviews get mixed, which we will get to below.
The non-stick coating is the second mixed element. It wipes or rinses clean quickly when it is fresh, and a coating that has been through many high-heat cycles loses that quality. That is a wear curve, not a defect, but it changes how long the product stays useful.
Who should choose a reusable liner
Choose it if you cook often and dislike buying disposables weekly. If your instinct is that a repeatable pan is cleaner than a rotation of foil, this is the option built around that view. It also fits the larger 22 by 15.5 inch tray, so measure before ordering.
Choose it if your tray is in good shape and you simply want a better liner than the factory paper-like insert. It slots into an existing tray rather than replacing the tray itself, which makes it a smaller and less invasive swap.
Why the rating sits at the bottom
Warping and sticking after repeated high-heat use is the recurring complaint, and about 8 percent of reviews are one-star. A reusable aluminum liner sees far more heat cycles than a disposable one, because it never gets replaced, so it has far more opportunity to distort.
If your cooking is mostly low and slow, a reusable liner handles it fine. If you sear at high heat regularly, expect to replace it sooner than a rigid stainless pan, and consider one of the stainless trays instead.
How to Choose a Pellet Grill Drip Pan
The right drip pan is a function of four things, and none of them is the word heavy duty. Material and gauge decide whether the pan stays rigid, fit decides whether it catches anything at all, capacity decides how often you empty it, and cleanability decides how much you will actually empty it.
Start with your grill model, honestly. The largest friction point we saw in the forums is not material, it is that owners cannot tell which replacement tray fits their grill, and OEM parts get discontinued or become hard to source. Write down the model number from the badge on your hopper before you compare anything.
Our guides to the best rotisserie kits for grills and the best carbon steel pans cover the other upgrade paths worth doing on the same cooker.
Material and gauge decide whether a pan lasts
There are three material paths, and they are not equal under a burn pot.
304 stainless steel resists rust, holds its shape at high heat, and can be rinsed or washed and reused. The strongest material and the most expensive. Look for a stated thickness or weight rather than a vague heavy duty claim.
Aluminum is light, cheap and safe at grill temperatures, but a thin disposable pan can soften, warp and eventually collapse under a direct burn pot. The smokingmeatforums account of a pan losing its entire bottom mid-cook is the failure mode that argues for a rigid pan underneath.
Foil liners are not a pan. They are a sacrificial layer that belongs inside a rigid container. Their job is to absorb grease so the container stays clean, and they work well when the container does its structural work.
Gauge is the number that separates good from adequate. A pan specified at 1.5mm stainless, or one heavy enough that the weight is obvious in the hand, is a different product category from a lightweight stamped tray. If the listing gives you no thickness and no weight, that tells you something too.
Match the pan to your grill model before you order
Fit is where most returns happen, and the pattern is always the same, people order on model name alone and Traeger has changed part sizes across model years. Pull the old tray out, measure length, width and depth, and compare against the listed dimensions.
Common fits worth knowing. Traeger Pro 575, Pro 22, Lil’ Tex and Century families share the BAC012 and BCA070 style tray. Pro 780 and Ironwood 885 use their own larger tray formats. The Timberline 850 and 1300 use a completely different, narrower grease catch. Z Grills 700 series trays are their own shape entirely.
For a portable pellet grill, the bucket matters more than the tray, because the grease catcher is the part that moves when you move the grill. Make sure any bucket you buy has a bracket fit for your specific model and a liner size that reaches the bucket walls.
Capacity, liners and the two-system pattern
Buy capacity when you cook long. A low, shallow tray under a full brisket can fill faster than you expect, and overflow running toward the burn pot is the situation every drip pan exists to prevent. Deeper pans such as the 4 inch BAC012 replacement buy you more room per emptying.
Buy liners when cleanup is your real problem. The two-system pattern, a rigid reusable pan plus a disposable liner tossed after each cook, is the dominant practice among experienced owners and it is what most of the liner products in this roundup are built for.
Buy a kit when your bucket or tray is missing or compromised. A bucket plus liners in one box saves a second trip through the decision and guarantees the liner size matches the container, which is the mismatch that causes leaking.
Water pan vs drip pan: do not confuse them
A water pan and a drip pan do different jobs and people mix them up constantly. A drip pan, also called a drip tray or grease tray, sits under the cooking grates and captures grease. A water pan holds water to add humidity to the cooking chamber.
For a pellet grill, the drip pan is the one that matters for fire prevention. The water pan is a cooking tool, useful for long low-and-slow smokes where you want moist bark, and it is usually optional on pellet appliances. If you are adding water, add it to a water pan, not to the grease tray.
Some smokers use one container for both, and that is where the confusion comes from. On a pellet grill with separate parts, treat them as two different components and do not improvise by filling a grease tray with water, since a full tray of water defeats the grease capacity you are paying for.
Line the pan with foil, except on perforated trays
Lining a solid stainless or galvanized pan with heavy-duty foil is the most repeated recommendation across the forums, and it works because the pan handles heat while the foil handles mess. r/pelletgrills users recommend wrapping the factory tray on Traeger Pro units in particular.
Here is the exception that causes real problems. Do not line a perforated or heat deflector style tray with foil. The perforations exist to let heat and flame pass through, and a foil layer defeats that purpose entirely. This mistake comes up again and again on r/pelletgrills in discussions of the Camp Chef Woodwind tray and baffle.
Use a foil liner in a solid pan. Skip it on anything perforated or designed as a deflector. And on a deflector pan, grease is managed by emptying it regularly rather than by lining it.
Maintenance: rust, cleaning and when to replace
A little surface rust on a factory steel tray is normal and generally acceptable. Owners across the forums treat light oxidation as cosmetic, particularly on Traeger units where it is a near-universal complaint. Replace the tray when it is rusted through, has a hole, or has lost its flat bottom.
Empty the pan between every cook, and more often during a long smoke. A pan that is a quarter full when you start a twelve-hour brisket will be full and overflowing by hour six, and overflow toward the burn pot is the grease fire vector that matters.
For cleaning, a film of Dawn dish soap on the outside of a pan is the recommended trick to keep smoke residue from permanently staining the metal. Line the pan next time and the job is nearly gone. If a factory tray is salvageable, scrubbing with detergent and drying it fully stops new rust from forming.
Replacement cadence depends on material more than time. Disposable liners get replaced after one or two hot cooks, particularly at searing temperatures. Reusable aluminum liners last many cycles but distort eventually. Rigid stainless pans typically outlast several trays, and the practical trigger is always condition, not a schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a drip pan in my pellet smoker?
Yes. The drip pan sits under the cooking grates and catches grease and drippings before they reach the burn pot, which is the most common cause of a pellet grill grease fire. Empty it between cooks, and never let it sit full through a long smoke.
Can you put a drip pan in a Traeger?
Yes, and most Traeger grills ship with one already fitted. You can upgrade to a stainless replacement when the factory steel tray warps or rusted through, or wrap the existing tray in heavy-duty foil for easier cleanup. Avoid lining perforated or heat deflector style trays, since foil defeats their purpose.
What is the replacement drip pan for a Traeger grill?
It depends on the model. Pro 575, Pro 22, Lil’ Tex and Century grills use the BAC012, BCA070 and BBQ07C style tray at roughly 20.75 by 15.75 inches. The Pro 780 and Ironwood 885 use larger trays, and the Timberline 850 and 1300 use a narrower grease catch with its own liner. Measure your old tray before ordering.
How often should I change my drip pan grill?
Replace based on condition, not the calendar. Disposable foil liners last one or two hot cooks, especially at searing temperatures. Reusable aluminum liners last many cycles but warp eventually. Rigid stainless trays often outlast several trays, and you should swap a tray as soon as it is rusted through, holed, or no longer flat.
My Traeger drip tray has rust. Is this normal?
Light surface rust is normal on factory steel trays and most owners treat it as cosmetic. Scrub it with detergent, dry it fully, and keep cooking. Replace the tray when corrosion reaches a hole, flakes badly, or the bottom has warped and no longer holds grease where it should.
Where to place a water pan in a pellet smoker?
The water pan is a separate part from the drip pan, and it holds water rather than grease. It sits inside the cooking chamber on the same shelf level as the drip pan, typically under the grates on the opposite side from the burn pot. It is optional and is used to add humidity, not to catch grease.
Our Final Verdict on Drip Pans for Pellet Grills in 2026
The best drip pans for pellet grills are the ones that stay rigid under a burn pot and give you a clean way to empty them. Our top pick, the QuliMetal galvanized bucket with 15 heat-rated liners, wins because it covers the widest range of grills and turns cleanup into a five-second task. Owners rate it highest in this group, and the fit list spans Traeger, Pit Boss, Z Grill, Camp Chef and Recteq.
For a rigid tray under the grates, the DELSbbq BAC012 stainless pan is the pick, and the Unidanho 1.5mm tray is the heavier Pro 780 version of the same idea. The FlameDuty pan covers the Lil’ Tex and Pro 22 family, and the BQMAX tray is the Z Grills 700 fix. For liners specifically, MOASKER handles the Timberline 850 and 1300, Sageme is the cheapest per-liner option, and NUPICK is the only reusable one.
Whatever you choose, measure before you order, empty it between every cook, and never line a perforated or heat deflector tray with foil. Those three habits prevent almost every drip pan problem we found in the forums. If your grill is still new, pair the pan with one of our portable grill picks for tailgating season, and cook well in 2026.