411 on smokers (food not cigarettes)

[Warlock1]

I had an electric one that came with a backyard tiki hut that we purchased from a home show. Put the wood chips in the bottom tray and turn it on. Honestly didn't use it much so I never really "bonded" with it.

Well now it's time to really try this. The more I look into this the more questions that I have. Barrell or stack, pellet or electric, combo grill and smoker, and then there is the quality and the ease of use.

Budget is sub 1k and I really liked this one from Pit Boss. https://pitboss-grills.com/grills/combos/pit-boss-lockhart-platinum-pellet-smoker-combo-grill I really like this one because I can still grill and smoke which both have their benefits. I also have a Blackstone so this seems to round out the whole cooking package. Also the new outdoor kitchen will be built around these components for an integrated look.

So the big question is what do I not know that I do not know?

 

[Gramps]

My setup... Weber, Blackstone and Traeger. If I ever replace the Traeger I'd get a Yoder, after I win the lottery

 

[rivermobster]

Lots of good sales this weekend!

I love my Blackstone. But I think one of these guys is next. @Racey speaks Very highly of them.

PK Charcoal Grill and Smoker | PK Grills

PK Grills charcoal BBQ grill and smoker is made from thick cast aluminum. Grill & smoker maintains heat with precise air control. Rustproof, durable, portable.

www.pkgrills.com

 

[Kachina26]

I had an electric one that came with a backyard tiki hut that we purchased from a home show. Put the wood chips in the bottom tray and turn it on. Honestly didn't use it much so I never really "bonded" with it.

Well now it's time to really try this. The more I look into this the more questions that I have. Barrell or stack, pellet or electric, combo grill and smoker, and then there is the quality and the ease of use.

Budget is sub 1k and I really liked this one from Pit Boss. https://pitboss-grills.com/grills/combos/pit-boss-lockhart-platinum-pellet-smoker-combo-grill I really like this one because I can still grill and smoke which both have their benefits. I also have a Blackstone so this seems to round out the whole cooking package. Also the new outdoor kitchen will be built around these components for an integrated look.

So the big question is what do I not know that I do not know?

Geez, that thing is fancy. I have a CampChef and I'm pretty happy with it. I have separate items to grill on as I'd read the ones that do both weren't really great for the grilling part, but that was a few years back.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

I think you should just buy a moderately priced smoker and just start using it . As you go along , you’ll realize what you like and don’t like . Realize though that all the manufacturers seem to use Chinese parts and you will have to replace some things along the way . I have a $500 Pitt Boss and really like it , but wish I had the Wi Fi control panel .

 

[PDQH2O]

I think you should just buy a moderately priced smoker and just start using it . As you go along , you’ll realize what you like and don’t like . Realize though that all the manufacturers seem to use Chinese parts and you will have to replace some things along the way . I have a $500 Pitt Boss and really like it , but wish I had the Wi Fi control panel .

You could always buy a new control board for the PB that has Wi-Fi. I’m in the same situation but trying to get the temperature consistent. The curved drip pan/heat deflector is a real problem but there are aftermarket tricks for that as well. Trying one upgrade at a time to see which gives the best results. Eventually I’ll end up with either a Green Mountain Grill, Traeger, or Millscale.

 

[Racey]

Lots of good sales this weekend!

I love my Blackstone. But I think one of these guys is next. @Racey speaks Very highly of them.

PK Charcoal Grill and Smoker | PK Grills

PK Grills charcoal BBQ grill and smoker is made from thick cast aluminum. Grill & smoker maintains heat with precise air control. Rustproof, durable, portable.

www.pkgrills.com

I don't do much smoking on my PK, although i will throw some wood chips in if i am cooking pork chops, or chicken thighs.

Where the PK shines: Temp control (it seals really tight so the carbs actually respond to opening and closing). I can do slow cooked charcoal ribs (you can add wood chips if you want) 6 hours easily, never open the lid, holds within a 10 degree window that whole time around 220-230.

and secondly, searing. When you have a bed of coals in that thing with the lid open it gets HOTTT AS FOCK. like 800 degrees probably, maybe hotter, it will glow the grates. And you cannot beat that extreme heat for searing steak in my opinion.

 

[FishSniper]

I had an electric one that came with a backyard tiki hut that we purchased from a home show. Put the wood chips in the bottom tray and turn it on. Honestly didn't use it much so I never really "bonded" with it.

Well now it's time to really try this. The more I look into this the more questions that I have. Barrell or stack, pellet or electric, combo grill and smoker, and then there is the quality and the ease of use.

Budget is sub 1k and I really liked this one from Pit Boss. https://pitboss-grills.com/grills/combos/pit-boss-lockhart-platinum-pellet-smoker-combo-grill I really like this one because I can still grill and smoke which both have their benefits. I also have a Blackstone so this seems to round out the whole cooking package. Also the new outdoor kitchen will be built around these components for an integrated look.

So the big question is what do I not know that I do not know?

I have a pit barrel I’ve been happy with and I believe they were recently on Sale. I have an offset on order but at this point not sure I’ll ever actually get it.

 

[wallnutz]

Ford or Chevy It's the same thing in everyone of these threads.

 

[J DUNN]

I had a Green Mountain Grill the large model pellet smoker. I loved it and used it a ton. What i didn't like was how cheaply it was made but as @Gramps said regarding Yoder, when you step up to USA made and good quality it's thousands. I upgraded to a Lone Star Grillz Pellet smoker, the largest model they had. I'll give a pro and con below. This list is obviously from MY perspective so it may or may not apply to your priorities.

Green Mountain Grill
Loved: Pellet Smoke is "set it and forget it" easy, large grill space was a plus, stainless lid was nice, it worked for 4 years until thermostat gave out and that was a cheap fix.
Dislike: Thin sheet metal caused massive temp loss and not great temp control, smoke box access was a major PIA, temp computer sucked big time.

Lone Star Grillz
Loved:
Stayed with pellet due to my schedule, I don't have time to tend a stick burner
The "FireBoard" brand controller is INSANELY good. US made and just works, app works non-stop and is effortless. Has 8 probe ports.
Super thick metal walls retain heat very well.
Largest cook so far, 8 costco pork shoulders and took no more time than cooking one!!!!!!!!!
Big ball valve grease drain with easy access.
Removable smoke pot under grill that is super easy to access.
Large pellet bin.
Pull out grates work well.

Dislike:
First fireup didn't ignite due to a fluke, a wire to the fan had pulled out during shipping or assembly.
Expensive but will last a lifetime.
Not portable AS ALL.


Other item to note is we did NOT build ours into our new BBQ island. We left ours on the side of the house. When smoking you cant control the wind but I can control where my smoker is, can't do that if it's built in.

Hope this helps to some degree.

 

[J DUNN]

My setup... Weber, Blackstone and Traeger. If I ever replace the Traeger I'd get a Yoder, after I win the lottery
View attachment 1273521

You know @Gramps does things right with not only the level on the smoker but the weigh scale above the hopper to get JUST the perfect blend of Mesquite and Pecan.

 

[Gramps]

no love for Yoder???????

American Made BBQ Smokers & Grills

Yoder Smokers are designed for years of of heavy use. We construct our line of competition-grade smoker pits in America, backed with a 10 year warranty.

www.yodersmokers.com

 

[DaBank]

If anyone is looking for a almost new Traeger Ironwood 885 WIFI (used one time) with a bunch of accessories (brand new/unopened) let me know. Located in Victorville.

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[sintax]

For sub-$1000

I’d look at a Kamado Joe cooker. You can bbq, smoke, bake amazing breads and pizzas. They’re kind of the Swiss Army knife of cookers.

I’d try to find a Big Joe model on sale, they retail for $1100 I think, I bet you could find one for sub-$1000

 

[Ricks raft]

Recteq RT700 on sale just over $1k, very good smoker, great customer service.

 

[Justfishing]

Pellet smokers/grills are for convenience not flavor. I have a pit boss that and its nice to set and forget. I can set it and leave for a little bit or go to bed.

I think i would get a camp chef wood win. It has a slot you can ad chunks of wood above the burn pot though you have to ad more every hour. You do get a stronger would flavor. I have only seen reviews.

I bought a char griller 960 gravity feed charcoal smoker. Burns charcoal but i can add chunks of wood. Much better flavor than the pit boss. Operates much like a pellet smoker.

 

[Sharky]

Old school Weber kettle with an S&S Grill insert.

Slow 'N Sear® Grill Inserts

Making backyard barbecue easier than ever with our Slow ‘N Sear® kettle grill inserts!

snsgrills.com

Or, just get the S&S charcoal grill.

 

[renodaytona]

I use my Traeger 2-3 times per week and definitely want a newer one with the WIFI and pellet sensor. I bought one on sale (sub $500) years ago, I used it here and there at first but as you get more familiar with it and get some recipes down you will use it more and more.

Turkey on the Traeger is so good, it's the only way I do turkey now. Got a recipe for ribs that cook in 2 hours and come out perfect. Stuffed jalapeno poppers when I cook them on the smoker will be gone 5 min after I pull them off lol.

 

[TeamGreene]

I had an electric one that came with a backyard tiki hut that we purchased from a home show. Put the wood chips in the bottom tray and turn it on. Honestly didn't use it much so I never really "bonded" with it.

Well now it's time to really try this. The more I look into this the more questions that I have. Barrell or stack, pellet or electric, combo grill and smoker, and then there is the quality and the ease of use.

Budget is sub 1k and I really liked this one from Pit Boss. https://pitboss-grills.com/grills/combos/pit-boss-lockhart-platinum-pellet-smoker-combo-grill I really like this one because I can still grill and smoke which both have their benefits. I also have a Blackstone so this seems to round out the whole cooking package. Also the new outdoor kitchen will be built around these components for an integrated look.

So the big question is what do I not know that I do not know?

Never owned a pellet smoker. People love them for the ease of use etc.. IMO if you want a set it and forget it outdoor oven then thats the path to take. I have an Old Country Pecos offset. There's nothing better than cooking with real wood but of course it takes time and attention to do it that way. I also have a Weber Performer that I use every week and it can be set up to smoke about as good as my smoker. Also have a 36" Santa Maria, a blackstone & a barrel smoker that I built. If I was going to go the pellet route I would look at Green Mountain or Rec~Tec.

 

[Waterjunky]

Rec-Tec for the win. One of the few that's better is a Yoder but at over double the price and the food is the same. In 15 years my Rec-Tec will be burnt out, the Yoder will be "well seasoned" and need new guts.

 

[Waterjunky]

The other question is if you want a true smoker or a grill that smokes decently? You really need to go vertical and have things like a water pan in a dedicated smoker. I have both, trust me they are different in results.

 

[GR8WHITE]

I run a Green Mountain Grill. Been solid for 12 years now, only replaced the heating rod this year. Starts lower than most units at 150 degrees so I can dehydrate jerky instead of cooking it. Also the top is pointed so you can get a beer butt chicken in with enough room to spare. Lastly just bought a char griller auto kamado which is bad ass. I use mesquite lump charcoal in it and it will hold any temp you want for up to a day depending on how much charcoal you have in it. I almost like the taste better than the pellets in my GMG.

 

[DrunkenSailor]

I had a Green Mountain Grill the large model pellet smoker. I loved it and used it a ton. What i didn't like was how cheaply it was made but as @Gramps said regarding Yoder, when you step up to USA made and good quality it's thousands. I upgraded to a Lone Star Grillz Pellet smoker, the largest model they had. I'll give a pro and con below. This list is obviously from MY perspective so it may or may not apply to your priorities.

Green Mountain Grill
Loved: Pellet Smoke is "set it and forget it" easy, large grill space was a plus, stainless lid was nice, it worked for 4 years until thermostat gave out and that was a cheap fix.
Dislike: Thin sheet metal caused massive temp loss and not great temp control, smoke box access was a major PIA, temp computer sucked big time.

Lone Star Grillz
Loved:
Stayed with pellet due to my schedule, I don't have time to tend a stick burner
The "FireBoard" brand controller is INSANELY good. US made and just works, app works non-stop and is effortless. Has 8 probe ports.
Super thick metal walls retain heat very well.
Largest cook so far, 8 costco pork shoulders and took no more time than cooking one!!!!!!!!!
Big ball valve grease drain with easy access.
Removable smoke pot under grill that is super easy to access.
Large pellet bin.
Pull out grates work well.

Dislike:
First fireup didn't ignite due to a fluke, a wire to the fan had pulled out during shipping or assembly.
Expensive but will last a lifetime.
Not portable AS ALL.


Other item to note is we did NOT build ours into our new BBQ island. We left ours on the side of the house. When smoking you cant control the wind but I can control where my smoker is, can't do that if it's built in.

Hope this helps to some degree.

I have my eye on the lone star Santa Maria grill. Glad to hear you like their quality.

Take my word for it. Don't go down the Santa Maria rabbit hole. There are a couple of models out there under 2k with the cheapest option being a $250 Weber kettle with a $300 accessory. They quickly jump in price with the median being around 5k and the high end stuff going over 35k...

This is the lone star one that I want that runs for 1500.

 

[Desert Whaler]

If you are looking at 'Sub $1K', and don't need or want a 'regulation size' smoker, you may take a look at the Traeger Ranger.
I was given one at the end of a job as a tip and it's been great.
It's just a small table-top version ... no wheels etc. , but it holds plenty of pellets in the hopper for a long smoke.
I've done pork butts, tri-tips, small briskets, chicken, fish, ribs, etc. etc. and have had great success.

My critique's of it are obviously the limited capacity . . . and due to it's small size, it'll struggle to maintain a consistent temp in windy conditions. (I'll put a small wind break around it, if it's unavoidable).

But it's super convenient and portable . . . I've taken it camping a couple times.
I store it in the garage out of the weather when not in use.
It's easy on pellets too.
I think it retails around $550 . . . so while not a 'cheapie' for how small it is, You'd be way under $1K.

 

[King295]

I spent months looking into smokers. I ended up buying a recteq 590 and it has worked great the 3 times I have used it. It was more than I wanted to spend but its a solid machine.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I have had my Green Mountain for 8 years and it has been trouble free.

Bought off of Screaming Pete's daughter at SD Grill Pros.

 

[BassLakeCruiser]

Get a Bluetooth unit. My biggest regret is not having access to my traeger remotely. Got a steal on a big unit and the next year it then came out with Bluetooth.

 

[dave29]

Blackstone, Weber, Myron Mixon gravity feed smoker.
On smokers, after owning 5 over the past 30 years, I finally went with the Mixon gravity feed. Costs more money but it's insulated, has a water tray, more room inside than I need, heavy duty everything and has been bulletproof over the past 5 years. Use it with a Digi Q controller. I found that buying anything cheaper costs you more in the long run because they're never built well. As for a pellet.....Yoder 640.

 

[renodaytona]

If you are looking at 'Sub $1K', and don't need or want a 'regulation size' smoker, you may take a look at the Traeger Ranger.
I was given one at the end of a job as a tip and it's been great.
It's just a small table-top version ... no wheels etc. , but it holds plenty of pellets in the hopper for a long smoke.
I've done pork butts, tri-tips, small briskets, chicken, fish, ribs, etc. etc. and have had great success.

My critique's of it are obviously the limited capacity . . . and due to it's small size, it'll struggle to maintain a consistent temp in windy conditions. (I'll put a small wind break around it, if it's unavoidable).

But it's super convenient and portable . . . I've taken it camping a couple times.
I store it in the garage out of the weather when not in use.
It's easy on pellets too.
I think it retails around $550 . . . so while not a 'cheapie' for how small it is, You'd way under $1K.

I picked up a Ranger at Costco for $450 with a free bag of pellets and a Traeger rub. Got it mostly for camping. Use it for stuffed peppers and burgers when out camping all the time, its a great unit if you aren't cooking for a large group.

 

[Outdrive1]

My setup... Weber, Blackstone and Traeger. If I ever replace the Traeger I'd get a Yoder, after I win the lottery
View attachment 1273521

I have a Blackstone, Weber and Treager as well. Perfect set up for outdoor cooking!!

 

[renodaytona]

I have a Blackstone, Weber and Treager as well. Perfect set up for outdoor cooking!!

Blackstone 36, Traeger 34, and an Oklahoma Joes grill for home.

Blackstone Adventure Ready, Traeger Ranger, and a Webber portable grill for the toy hauler.

 

[was thatguy]

Well shit.
My 11 year old Lil Tex elite is finally a goner.
The wind blew it over twice last month.
I just cleaned it and inspected and the hot Rod has slipped into the borehole and is stuck. No biggie right? Wrong.
I can not get the fire pot out to fix it because the rod is jammed halfway into the auger box.
I can’t pull it all the way out with the wires because it is stuck on the set screw.
In other words, it’s in an impossible bind and that is that.
I could cut the bottom out of the chute to access the rod, but then it’ll need tacked back on.
I think after 11 years it might be burial time.
I really thought the end would be more catastrophic than a jammed up hot Rod.

 

[was thatguy]

Well shit.
My 11 year old Lil Tex elite is finally a goner.
The wind blew it over twice last month.
I just cleaned it and inspected and the hot Rod has slipped into the borehole and is stuck. No biggie right? Wrong.
I can not get the fire pot out to fix it because the rod is jammed halfway into the auger box.
I can’t pull it all the way out with the wires because it is stuck on the set screw.
In other words, it’s in an impossible bind and that is that.
I could cut the bottom out of the chute to access the rod, but then it’ll need tacked back on.
I think after 11 years it might be burial time.
I really thought the end would be more catastrophic than a jammed up hot Rod.

View attachment 1274501 View attachment 1274502 View attachment 1274504

It lives!!
I shoved a drill bit up the rod tube and stuck a prybar against it and smacked it with a hammer!
Took 3 try’s and then it knocked the rod and drill bit all the way through.
Pulled the firebox, shook all the tool and parts out of it, and reassembled with a new hot rod.
11 more years baby!!

 

[Gramps]

It lives!!
I shoved a drill bit up the rod tube and stuck a prybar against it and smacked it with a hammer!
Took 3 try’s and then it knocked the rod and drill bit all the way through.
Pulled the firebox, shook all the tool and parts out of it, and reassembled with a new hot rod.
11 more years baby!!

View attachment 1274541

if you ever decide to dump that smoker I'll buy the Traeger "badge" from you

 

[was thatguy]

if you ever decide to dump that smoker I'll buy the Traeger "badge" from you

When it finally dies I’ll give you whatever parts you want off of it.

 

[FlyByWire]

Always been a RecTec fan… but I’ll be damned if I haven’t fallen down a rabbit hole looking at the Yoder YS640, with the FKN PIZZA OVEN attachment! Looks amazing.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

I have a griddle...propane bbq, and a Green Mountain. The GM has been fine. I just don't use it that much, even as easy as it is to use. Believe it or not, I like my results best for smoking using my propane bbq w/a smoker box using pellets. Way faster and better smoke flavor. Cuz low and slow....ain't no one gots time for that shit.

 

[ramos45]

Here's one to consider, Masterbuilt Gravity Series. I have the 800 size (medium) they have one smaller and larger. Similar to a pellet in that you fill a hopper and set temp and walk away but instead of pellets you use regular briquets or lump.

 

[TeamGreene]

Here's one to consider, Masterbuilt Gravity Series. I have the 800 size (medium) they have one smaller and larger. Similar to a pellet in that you fill a hopper and set temp and walk away but instead of pellets you use regular briquets or lump.

How do you like it? Work as advertised?

 

[ramos45]

How do you like it? Work as advertised?

I like it but also know that don't have much else to compare it to. My first smoke was on a weber kettle but didn't sleep that night. I bought the masterbuilt second hand on one of the ad sites few years back and it has worked awesome. On the 800 I can get 7-8 hours on one hopper full of briquets and temp around 250. Over the weekend I made those 6 bone dino ribs in the pic in my original post, had those on the top rack and a 15lbs brisket on the middle rack.