Steam curls up from the valve and your stomach starts talking back. That smell is just begging you to dig in real quick. You spot those little burnt ends glistening and know it's gonna be good.

When you throw these hot dogs into the Traeger Timberline 1300, you gotta be ready for a tender pull that just melts. The slow release of pressure and that brothy depth from the coating soak right in there. It's like the sealing ring of your cooker holds all that flavor close.
And after the natural release, you get pieces that are caramelized, sticky, and ready to be devoured. This is no ordinary snack; it's the kinda treat that'll have you sneakin' bites every chance you get.
Why This Recipe Works Every Single Time
- You use mustard and Heath Riles BBQ Competition Rub to make a sticky, flavorful coat around the hot dogs.
- The slow release method keeps everything tender without drying it out.
- Brown sugar adds a rich, caramelized sweetness that hits all the right notes.
- Checkered Pig Competition Sauce and Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce build deep flavor layers.
- The Traeger Timberline 1300 holds a steady 225°F for perfect slow smoking every time.
What Goes Into the Pot Today
- Hot Dogs sliced up nice and even for quick cookin'
- Mustard for that slight tang and stickiness
- Heath Riles BBQ Competition Rub to kick up the smoky spice
- Brown Sugar to sprinkle on and make things sweet and caramelized
- Checkered Pig Competition Sauce for that savory bbq punch
- Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce to finish with a sweet glaze
- An aluminum pan to hold everything tight
- A steady heat source like your Traeger Timberline 1300 set to 225°F

Walking Through Every Single Move
First, wake up your Traeger Timberline 1300 and get it preheated to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. That steady temp is key for slow release and even cooking.
Slice your hot dogs into about quarter-sized pieces. Not too thin, not too thick. You want those burnt ends to stay juicy inside.
Grab a bowl and coat the hot dog chunks with mustard and Heath Riles BBQ Competition Rub. Make sure every piece is covered so you get that epic flavor all around.
Dump your coated dogs into an aluminum pan and sprinkle brown sugar all over. Stir it up gently so that sugar starts sticking without washing off the rub.
Now slide that pan into your smoker. Let 'em cook for an hour at 225 degrees. Stir occasionally so everything caramelizes evenly and keeps from sticking.
After an hour, pour in Checkered Pig Competition Sauce and Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce. Toss it well to get the sauce on every piece. Then let it cook another 30 minutes until caramelized and bursting with flavor.
Quick Tricks That Save Your Time
- Slice hot dogs ahead and store them in the fridge for faster prep when hunger hits.
- Mix mustard and rub the day before so flavors get deeper when you cook.
- Keep your sealing ring clean and flexible for perfect pressure and broth depth every time.
What It Tastes Like Fresh From the Pot
You catch that first bite where the outside crackles sweet with caramelized brown sugar and a smoky crust. It kinda reminds you of that first crunch of burnt ends, but on a hot dog.
Inside, the pieces stay tender and juicy with a slight pull that makes it dance in your mouth. The sauces add layers of tangy, sweet, and smoky that linger like a good story.
Every bite is a little surprise of smoky spice and sweet tang, backed by the rich broth depth from the cooker that keeps things moist and full flavored.
Making It Last All Week Long
Store leftover burnt ends in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just reheat on medium heat or in your pressure cooker using natural release so they don't dry out.
If you want to keep it longer, freeze the pieces in a zip-top bag or vacuum seal. Pull out only what you need and thaw slowly in the fridge before warming.
You can also repurpose these burnt ends into sandwiches or toss them on salads to stretch their life and flavor across meals.
Common Questions and Real Answers
- Can I use any hot dogs for this? You sure can, but thicker ones with good casing usually hold up best and get that caramelized crust you want.
- Do I have to use the Traeger Timberline 1300? Nope, but it works real good at holding steady temps. You can use other smokers or pressure cookers set to low heat and slow release.
- What if I don't have Heath Riles rub? You could swap in another bbq rub, but Heath Riles has that perfect blend of spice and smoke you gotta try.
- Is the mustard really necessary? Oh yeah, mustard helps the rub stick and adds just the right zing to balance sweetness.
- Can I skip the sauces at the end? You can, but you'll miss out on that awesome glaze that makes it sticky and full flavored.
- How do I know when it's done? When the pieces are sticky, caramelized, and taste tender with a nice pull, you're good to go. If they look dry, you gotta toss in a touch more broth or sauce and cook a bit longer.


Hot Dog Burnt Ends
Equipment
- 1 Traeger Timberline 1300 for smoking
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 8 Hot Dogs sliced into quarter-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons Mustard for tang and stickiness
- 4 tablespoons Heath Riles BBQ Competition Rub for smoky spice
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar for sweetness
- ¼ cup Checkered Pig Competition Sauce for BBQ punch
- ¼ cup Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce for sweet glaze
- 1 Aluminum Pan to hold ingredients
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat Traeger Timberline 1300 to 225°F.
- Slice hot dogs into quarter-sized pieces.
- Coat hot dog pieces with mustard and Heath Riles BBQ Rub.
- Place hot dogs into an aluminum pan and sprinkle with brown sugar.
- Smoke at 225°F for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Add Checkered Pig Competition Sauce and Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce.
- Cook for another 30 minutes until caramelized.
- Serve hot dog burnt ends warm.



