Wood Pellet Grills...

[Ex-Trumpet]

Figgered I ask the experts on here.  Don't want to spend a ton of money on a Yoder or a Memphis or whatever.

Traeger has the name, but they look no better than some of the box store versions that cost several hundred less.

What's y'all's take?  Any to avoid?

[bythelake]

Good question, would like to know also.

[DoubleReedHawgCaller]

They suck ass grilling. Ok smoking. Smoked this brisket a while back on my traeger.

[majestic]

Great for smoking. If you want to grill on one, you MUST be committed to flipping a steak fast. Open the lid and you lose 100 degrees immediately and it takes 5 minutes to get back to temp. 500 degrees is max temp. I have a REC-TEC and it rules for ribs, brisket, etc. I use it for everything else, too, but a $40 charcoal grill would be better for steaks and chicken.

[hog of steele]

Traeger makes solid smokers. Get a Weber kettle for grilling.

Don't be fooled by cheaper ones that look the same. They aren't the same. The key with smokers is controlling air flow. That means build quality in the details is crucial. Grills made to look like nicer grills almost always suck.

[je100]

Traeger makes solid smokers. Get a Weber kettle for grilling.

Don't be fooled by cheaper ones that look the same. They aren't the same. The key with smokers is controlling air flow. That means build quality in the details is crucial. Grills made to look like nicer grills almost always suck.

I've smoked some pretty good meat on my Weber kettle using the snake method.  I wouldn't do pork butt, it takes too long, but I do chicken, ribs or salmon.

Poor man's Treager.

[ImHogginIt]

Figgered I ask the experts on here.  Don't want to spend a ton of money on a Yoder or a Memphis or whatever.

Traeger has the name, but they look no better than some of the box store versions that cost several hundred less.

What's y'all's take?  Any to avoid?

If you are not wanting to spend money on a decent pellet then the best selection for a  quality smoker is the Weber Smokey Mountain. There is a reason you see lots of teams using these at BBQ competitions all over the country. I love mine. Get the 22 inch though so you don't have to cut ribs to fit

[PharmacistHog]

I know several people with the pit boss. Less expensive and does a good job. Less than $500. If you decide to step up to $1000 or more go with yoder or rec-tec. Yoder is probably a little more solid but rec-tec has the bells and whistles.

[Ex-Trumpet]

Thanks y'all.  I have a Weber for grilling and an Acorn (poor man's Green Egg) for grilling/smoking.  The Acorn works well, but it isn't air tight and the lowest temp I can achieve is about 250.  Other than that, it works pretty well as long as you don't open the lid to baste! 

Thinking about the set it/forget it method during football season so I can watch games and not ruin a good cut of meat!

[Boarcephus]

I have a friend who bought a Camp Chef Pellet grill on clearance at Walmart last year for $160 and he loves it. 

[Ex-Trumpet]

I have a friend who bought a Camp Chef Pellet grill on clearance at Walmart last year for $160 and he loves it. 

Anyone with any horror stories about the control modules or auger motors?  Wonder which ones are best at maintaining a temp and holding up longer than one season!

And this thread needs to be cleaned up...hate the extended margins!  Imhoggin, can you delete your link?

[Razorbackers]

I am getting a pellet smoker this year. I did literally hours of research about this lol

I'm going with the Camp Chef PG24 DLX Deluxe

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DVELGT6?colid=FF1VD0H449ON&coliid=I339SNOJESMHGO&ref_=hit_wr_dt_vr_md_pt

I'm gonna get the sear box later on as an attachment.

I'm not paying for a Traeger now that they've moved everything to China and the price didn't drop. I don't care if you manufacture things overseas, but the savings aren't there. Green Mountain doesn't have a pellet smoker that I can afford that is as robust as the Camp Chef. Rec Tec and Camp Chef seemed like the best 2 options. There are other, smaller brands out there though.

https://amazingribs.com/smoker/camp-chef-smokepro-dlx-pellet-smoker-review

[majestic]

I've had a Rec-Tec for 4 or 5 years now. I have had a few issues with it, but their customer service is top notch and they upgraded some parts for free. About the only issue I have with them now is that they won't ship pellets in quantities under 200 lbs, which requires going to meet a semi-trailer at Fiesta Square. So, I've been buying pellets from Lowe's for a much better price.

[Grag T]

I've had a Rec-Tec for 4 or 5 years now. I have had a few issues with it, but their customer service is top notch and they upgraded some parts for free. About the only issue I have with them now is that they won't ship pellets in quantities under 200 lbs, which requires going to meet a semi-trailer at Fiesta Square. So, I've been buying pellets from Lowe's for a much better price.

Win/win, you could get a deadlift workout to build up the appetite for the meal later 

[hog of steele]

I've smoked some pretty good meat on my Weber kettle using the snake method.  I wouldn't do pork butt, it takes too long, but I do chicken, ribs or salmon.

Poor man's Treager.

There are lots of hacks for smoking on a kettle. I use the weber bullet. But, that takes time and care. If you want to "set it and forget it" and have delicious smoked meat, a pellet grill can do wonders.

[DoubleReedHawgCaller]

Anyone with any horror stories about the control modules or auger motors?  Wonder which ones are best at maintaining a temp and holding up longer than one season!

And this thread needs to be cleaned up...hate the extended margins!  Imhoggin, can you delete your link?

Yes third time using my traeger the temperature was all over the  place. It started smoking out the pellet box. Haven't used that POS since. Told my wife take it to the church and donate it.

[hog of steele]

Told my wife take it to the church and donate it.

LOL. I am sure the congregation appreciates your gift of a broken appliance. LOLOLOL

[DoubleReedHawgCaller]

LOL. I am sure the congregation appreciates your gift of a broken appliance. LOLOLOL

Gave them all the warranty info with it. I wasn't dealing with it.

[theFlyingHog]

I have an Akorn. My next smoker will be a Lang 36, no more bullspittin around

[HogPharmer]

I have an Akorn. My next smoker will be a Lang 36, no more bullspittin around

PharmacistHog borrowed this bad boy for us to smoke about 130 lbs of pork butts for my wedding a few months back. Sucker weighs a TON! Literally! I'd love to own that thing one day.

[theFlyingHog]

PharmacistHog borrowed this bad boy for us to smoke about 130 lbs of pork butts for my wedding a few months back. Sucker weighs a TON! Literally! I'd love to own that thing one day.

Need a trailer to haul that and another trailer for the forklift that moves it

[PonderinHog]

Need a trailer to haul that and another trailer for the forklift that moves it

Plus, you can take the racks out and use it as a gun safe!

[HogPharmer]

Need a trailer to haul that and another trailer for the forklift that moves it

The guy that brought it over had to use a fork lift attachment on his tractor and it could BARELY pick it up. I think the guy that built it/owns it is putting it on a trailer.

It's awesome. That vertical box has a plate between it and the fire box that you can slide in and out so you can cut the heat off to it so you aren't having to waste heat when not using it. It also serves as a warmer at that point too.

[Ex-Trumpet]

Good info here, thanks!

Any input on kind/brand of pellets for best heat/smoke?

[majestic]

Good info here, thanks!

Any input on kind/brand of pellets for best heat/smoke?

I really liked the Rec-Tec premium blend, but like I said, I don't like having to buy 200 lbs. at a time. The ones I've been buying at Lowes are fine, and cheap. Seems like about $14 for a 40 lb. bag. I have a big plastic tub with a lid that I keep the pellets in. You must keep them dry or you will have a disaster on your hands.

[Ex-Trumpet]

Ended up getting a Green Mountain Grill Daniel Boone model with stainless lid.  It was a floor model, their last one, and marked down a bit (and already assembled!).  And, they threw in a 28 pound bag of pellets!

One reason I chose this one was the dome height.  I will have no problem getting a large turkey in this.  And, it's long enough to fit a brisket in without having a lot of empty space that I would just be warming/wasting pellets. 

Add to that, it has a PID controller, which according to the sales pitch, maintains a "reasonably steady temperature."  What's reasonable for some, I guess, may or may not be reasonable for others!  We shall see, I suppose...

[majestic]

Good info here, thanks!

Any input on kind/brand of pellets for best heat/smoke?

Just picked up 80 lbs at Lowe's. On sale right now for $14.96/40 lbs. Pit Boss Competition Blend.

[Ex-Trumpet]

Did some ribs yestiddy...they were awesome.  Easiest ribs ever.

[Ex-Trumpet]

And a plug for a GMG feature...the low pellet alarm.  Nice!!

[PonderinHog]

And a plug for a GMG feature...the low pellet alarm.  Nice!!

I  still don't think you can get a live turkey in there.  At least not without a fight.

[Ex-Trumpet]

I  still don't think you can get a live turkey in there.  At least not without a fight.

It'll fit...just gonna be hard to keep it in there...lid has no latches.

[FineAsSwine]

Ended up getting a Green Mountain Grill Daniel Boone model with stainless lid.  It was a floor model, their last one, and marked down a bit (and already assembled!).  And, they threw in a 28 pound bag of pellets!

One reason I chose this one was the dome height.  I will have no problem getting a large turkey in this.  And, it's long enough to fit a brisket in without having a lot of empty space that I would just be warming/wasting pellets. 

Add to that, it has a PID controller, which according to the sales pitch, maintains a "reasonably steady temperature."  What's reasonable for some, I guess, may or may not be reasonable for others!  We shall see, I suppose...

Where did you find this grill? I'm looking to buy a grill this year.

[Razorbackers]

Ended up getting a Green Mountain Grill Daniel Boone model with stainless lid.  It was a floor model, their last one, and marked down a bit (and already assembled!).  And, they threw in a 28 pound bag of pellets!

One reason I chose this one was the dome height.  I will have no problem getting a large turkey in this.  And, it's long enough to fit a brisket in without having a lot of empty space that I would just be warming/wasting pellets. 

Add to that, it has a PID controller, which according to the sales pitch, maintains a "reasonably steady temperature."  What's reasonable for some, I guess, may or may not be reasonable for others!  We shall see, I suppose...

I've made several lists of pellet smokers, and ranked them based off reviews and features, and this one is always a top 3. Good choice! Sounds like it worked well for ya!

[Mellon Collie]

just pulled the trigger on a rec-tec trailblazer.....giddy up

[PharmacistHog]

Ended up getting a Green Mountain Grill Daniel Boone model with stainless lid.  It was a floor model, their last one, and marked down a bit (and already assembled!).  And, they threw in a 28 pound bag of pellets!

One reason I chose this one was the dome height.  I will have no problem getting a large turkey in this.  And, it's long enough to fit a brisket in without having a lot of empty space that I would just be warming/wasting pellets. 

Add to that, it has a PID controller, which according to the sales pitch, maintains a "reasonably steady temperature."  What's reasonable for some, I guess, may or may not be reasonable for others!  We shall see, I suppose...

Looks great.  Congrats and hope you enjoy it. 

[ricepig]

It'll fit...just gonna be hard to keep it in there...lid has no latches.

Duh...tarp straps!

[Ex-Trumpet]

Where did you find this grill? I'm looking to buy a grill this year.

Texas Star Grill Shop in Spring.

https://www.texasstarfoods.com/