Pellet Grills

[TimeBandit]

Not to hijack Dave's Traeger thread... I'm shopping for a pellet grill.

There are TONS of choices, Weber, Z Grills, Camp Chef, Rec Tec, Green Mountain Grills, Oklahoma Joe's, Traeger, Memphis wood fire and Pit Boss (maybe more)

The quality price point seems to be near $1,000. The $500 "big box store" models seem to give you what you pay for? Or is there value here?

So for around a grand (hopefully LESS), what say the rdp grill masters? What would you recommend ??

 

[ArizonaKevin]

Don't currently own one but have used quite a few of friends units, they all seem to work as advertised and some seem to do it slightly better. A big feature that I will require when I buy my own is the ability to cook over direct flame which seems to limit me to Pit Boss and Yoder. I think a pellet grill with the ability to do direct flame and then a griddle/flat top grill seem to cover all bases for outdoor cooking.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

I have 3 GMG's. All work great.

 

[wallnutz]

Ford, Chevy, Dodge Personal preference. I have a GMG and am very happy with it. But at the same time I would look at Yoders if I wanted to buy again.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Not to hijack Dave's Traeger thread... I'm shopping for a pellet grill.

There are TONS of choices, Weber, Z Grills, Camp Chef, Rec Tec, Green Mountain Grills, Oklahoma Joe's, Traeger, Memphis wood fire and Pit Boss (maybe more)

The quality price point seems to be near $1,000. The $500 "big box store" models seem to give you what you pay for? Or is there value here?

So for around a grand (hopefully LESS), what say the rdp grill masters? What would you recommend ??

What no "make your own"? You could build an offset stick burner if you were so inclined that would run circles around a pellet smoker. 55 gallon drum and a firebox!

 

[sintax]

Yoder, and be done with it. It'll be a bit over your budget, but you're getting a lot better unit than any of the ones you mentioned.

the new Yoder smokers come with the Fireboard controller built in, so you're saving $350 on that, so keep that in mind when you look at the price.

 

[Waterjunky]

I just went through this all and did a fair amount of research. It came down to two, the small yoder and the Rec Tec medium size. After going back a forth multiple times, I chose to save a grand and bought the Rec Tec. The performance differences are minimal and by the time you got the options added in that I wanted, it came out to pushing a grand difference in cost.

With the higher end units, I think there are no bad choices. With some of the lower cost units, there are some tradeoffs.

 

[BUSTI]

Yoder YS640 is what I have and it is amazing. The Fireboard controller has been great. Its worth every penny. Only thing I'd do differently would be the competition cart. I just saw one last week in person for the first time and its Badass!

 

[Qwiketz]

For the lower end of the spectrum, the pit boss is hard to beat. You can get the good sized one at Lowe’s for around $500 and they do go on sale or clearance some times (especially at Walmart). Definitely not perfect at this price point but I prefer it over my last two traegers. Being able to seat and the pellet clear out is useful. The searing is something I use all the tone for my steaks.

we’re also at a point we’re the wireless tech is starting to trickle down and I expect to see more mid priced offerings in the next year or two.

 

[Waterjunky]

For the lower end of the spectrum, the pit boss is hard to beat. You can get the good sized one at Lowe’s for around $500 and they do go on sale or clearance some times (especially at Walmart). Definitely not perfect at this price point but I prefer it over my last two traegers.

This is no joke.....
The traeger is the most overhyped and overpriced unit on the market. Build quality and in many cases (not all but many) performance are down with the cheapest out there.

 

[SpeedyWho]

The big box store models are junk plain and simple. Just like everything else you get what you pay for. Buy a Yoder YS640 and be done with it. It will not let you down

 

[jones performance]

if money is no object, then its yoder or rec tec, or something of that quality. the heavier and thicker the metal the better for a smoker of any type. the box store crap i prefer the pitboss over the treager. the pitboss to me feels a little heavier duty, nicer fit and finishes and has a sear plate option. the only other that im aware of currently that id consider is green mountain grill.

an interesting thing, at least to me is, in all the kcbs sanctioned BBQ competitons ive competed in over a 5 year span the only pellet smoker that even got a call (meaning they placed in the top 10 in a catagory, but they were like 9th if i recall) was a yoder.

 

[Qwiketz]

Yeah but how much are the yoders? Aren’t they about $1500-3000?

 

[rebelmark75]

Had a GMG, gave it to SIL when I moved to AZ. Bought a Rec Tec. Rec Tec is miles above the GMG. Highly recommended.

 

[Qwiketz]

At some point I’ll have to sack it up and get a rec Tex or Yoder. Those things are so bad ass.

 

[Javajoe]

Join Smokingmeats forum. Lots of info there about everything. You will learn everything you need to know about smoking and types of grills

 

[HALLETT BOY]

I’m just starting out so I bought a Pit Boss at Lowe’s for $500 . I’m happy with it so far

 

[TimeBandit]

Rec Tec was on my short list now Yoder seems to be a strong one to consider.

Pit Boss seems to be a good value at the $500 price point

I was pretty active on BBQ-Brethren.com years ago and built a "UDS" and still use it.

 

[WildWilly]

I like my camp chef, personally for more daily use. If I'm doing real smoking is on the good ole WSM

 

[FishSniper]

Not to hijack Dave's Traeger thread... I'm shopping for a pellet grill.

There are TONS of choices, Weber, Z Grills, Camp Chef, Rec Tec, Green Mountain Grills, Oklahoma Joe's, Traeger, Memphis wood fire and Pit Boss (maybe more)

The quality price point seems to be near $1,000. The $500 "big box store" models seem to give you what you pay for? Or is there value here?

So for around a grand (hopefully LESS), what say the rdp grill masters? What would you recommend ??

I’m in the same spot I use a pit barrel charcoal smoker at home but was looking at getting a pellet grill for Havasu so that it can be smoking during the day while on the lake and have the remote temp control it.

 

[jones performance]

Rec Tec was on my short list now Yoder seems to be a strong one to consider.

Pit Boss seems to be a good value at the $500 price point

I was pretty active on BBQ-Brethren.com years ago and built a "UDS" and still use it. View attachment 915147

the pitmasters using a UDS typically won most of the comps i was in. we used a lang 84 reverse flow and usually placed top half of the field.

 

[jones performance]

Yeah but how much are the yoders? Aren’t they about $1500-3000?

yoder pellet smokers range from $1500-$9000 depending on model and options.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

related question, have any of you mounted your pellet grills in an outdoor kitchen/BBQ island? going to start building one later this year or early next year and that may be a good excuse to get a pellet grill

 

[sintax]

the pitmasters using a UDS typically won most of the comps i was in. we used a lang 84 reverse flow and usually placed top half of the field.

so since you brought it up.... say someone wanted to get into that stick burner game, what would you recommend?

I've looked at the Lang's, Yoders, JJ's, Jambos, Kat, etc.

my only real requirement I have is to be able to put a full packer brisket on it. I've been using a kamado for years, and love it, but its size kind of limits what I can do with it.

 

[Cobalt232]

I got a Rec Tec in July for my birthday. It is really nice, but I don't have anything to compare to except what I have seen in Lowe's. By the way, Rec Tec changed their name to Rec Teq. https://www.recteq.com/ I got the 590. It is a nice size and seems well made. It took about 20 minutes to assemble. It does have to be delivered by freight on a pallet.

So far we have made: Meatloaf, Ribs, Mac & Cheese, Peach cobbler, Tri-Tip (Costco pre-marinated), Shaved Brisket. The big winner so far has been the Mac & Cheese and the Tri-Tip. We have gone through almost 40 lbs of pellets. Everytime I fire it up, the neighbors stick their heads over the fence, so plan on making extra portions.

The wifi controller is nice that you can see your internal and probe temps on the app. I also just bought the searing grates as well.

 

[EBT531]

I've had my Rectec 590 (stampede) for 2yrs in Oct. Zero issues and very happy with it. My buddy has a treager and the quality difference isnt even close. Whatever brand you choose, join the FB forum for that brand and see how people have issues/tips etc..

 

[wallnutz]

I got a Rec Tec in July for my birthday. It is really nice, but I don't have anything to compare to except what I have seen in Lowe's. By the way, Rec Tec changed their name to Rec Teq. https://www.recteq.com/ I got the 590. It is a nice size and seems well made. It took about 20 minutes to assemble. It does have to be delivered by freight on a pallet.

So far we have made: Meatloaf, Ribs, Mac & Cheese, Peach cobbler, Tri-Tip (Costco pre-marinated), Shaved Brisket. The big winner so far has been the Mac & Cheese and the Tri-Tip. We have gone through almost 40 lbs of pellets. Everytime I fire it up, the neighbors stick their heads over the fence, so plan on making extra portions.

The wifi controller is nice that you can see your internal and probe temps on the app. I also just bought the searing grates as well.

Love smoked mac&cheese

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

No complaints with my GMG....Jim Bowie. Stainless lid...no Wifi...could careless about that. I think was under 800 a few years back.

 

[Danger Dave]

I'm probably in the minority here but I bought a Traeger at Cabelas two years ago, and it works great. I bought a Masterbuilt electric smoker about 4 years ago, and that works great too. I still use both of them.

 

[4Waters]

Join Smokingmeats forum. Lots of info there about everything. You will learn everything you need to know about smoking and types of grills

If you join that forum do the damn pop-ups stop?

 

[Javajoe]

If you join that forum do the damn pop-ups stop?

I think so because they stopped when I joined this one . I joined that forum many years ago. Learned a shit ton on it. Have not been on it in a few years since I’m a smoking master now

 

[Boat Potato]

I just picked up a camp chef woodwind. Love it, quality built, thick metal, also got it with the propane side sear attachment. Capability to cook over direct flame and no need to vaccum out the fire box like other brands.

 

[LakeMeadLavey]

Picked up a Green Mountain recently and so far I have been very happy. Check out www.thebbqhq.com in Simi Valley. Good people. They have Yoder and a few other more high end brands as well.

 

[kevin1988]

I got a Traeger Pro 34 3 years ago and have been really happy with it. The nice thing about pellet grills is set it and forget it. The compromise is you won't get as much smoke flavor as using wood. My girlfriend got me a Weber Kettle 6 months ago and it's night and day difference using pellets and wood chunks. I now want a traditional stick burner.

All the pellet grills advertise smoke, grill bake, ect Buy it to smoke otherwise you will be disappointed.

Get the biggest in your budget. Once you realize all the sides you can smoke, you will run out of real estate quick.

If you want a real nice pellet smoker, look at Pitts and Spitts. Saw those next to Yoder and they blow Yoder out of the water. I was really looking into one, until I decided I want to go the more traditional route of smoking.

 

[CarolynandBob]

https://pitboss-grills.com/combos/1100-pro-series-pellet-gas-combo

I got this last April. I like that I can do either one. Smoke or grill. I really like doing a reverse sear. Smoke the filet until it gets to 110 deg then sear it on the grill to 145 deg. Perfect med rare. I also like having something smoking and I can grill veggies or whatever else. Got it at lowes for $700.

 

[Zeke27G]

Started out with a Camp Chef 24" ZD pellet smoker that I bought online from Dick's Sporting Goods when they had a sale. It was a good way to get my feet wet with pellet smokers, and I liked it so much, I sold it to a buddy and upgraded to a Camp Chef 24" Woodwind Wifi with the Sear Box. Now that I have the sear box, I gave my Weber gas grill to my folks.

Woodwind WIFI 24 with Sear Box

This product is discontinued. Learn more about the Woodwind Sidekick Sear here! If good food is your name and smoking is your game then hop on the Woodwind Wifi train. Equipped with our new PID and WIFI enabled controller, you’ll be able to change the temperature, set timers, and receive...

www.campchef.com

If I had the time, I'd have some sorta old skool heavy duty stick burner, but the convenience of a pellet grill to allow you to live your life while getting some decent smoke on your meats is priceless!

 

[Ricks raft]

Rec Tec. Great customer service, long warranty. Capability and features compare to grills substantially more expensive like Yoder.

 

[jones performance]

so since you brought it up.... say someone wanted to get into that stick burner game, what would you recommend?

I've looked at the Lang's, Yoders, JJ's, Jambos, Kat, etc.

my only real requirement I have is to be able to put a full packer brisket on it. I've been using a kamado for years, and love it, but its size kind of limits what I can do with it.

you gotta decide if you want traditional crossflow or a reverse flow pit. personally i prefer a reverse flow. there are a ton of smaller lesser known companies and builders out there making quality pits. things to look for is material thickness, thicker the better, or if they are insulated. that reduces your fuel consumption drastically. they need to be tight with no leaks. if they are a corssflow, they should have adjustable plates inside for regulating the heat evenly in the cook chamber. there is also a formula that works regarding size of fire box to cook chamber and chimney size. the ones you listed are all very good. another is lonestar grillz, theres a couple others i follow on instagram that build some nice stuff, i just cant recall the names at the moment.

 

[sintax]

you gotta decide if you want traditional crossflow or a reverse flow pit. personally i prefer a reverse flow. there are a ton of smaller lesser known companies and builders out there making quality pits. things to look for is material thickness, thicker the better, or if they are insulated. that reduces your fuel consumption drastically. they need to be tight with no leaks. if they are a corssflow, they should have adjustable plates inside for regulating the heat evenly in the cook chamber. there is also a formula that works regarding size of fire box to cook chamber and chimney size. the ones you listed are all very good. another is lonestar grillz, theres a couple others i follow on instagram that build some nice stuff, i just cant recall the names at the moment.

copy that, I'm not really in a rush to jump on it, but id like to at some point. I'm also not looking forward to the learning curve on a new pit.

As far as style goes, i should have mentioned, I'd be looking at a reverse flow pit. It does suck that theres not many people making these out here in CA. Almost everyone is midwest, or the south. thats why I was checking out KATs, they're at least semi local.

 

[jones performance]

copy that, I'm not really in a rush to jump on it, but id like to at some point. I'm also not looking forward to the learning curve on a new pit.

As far as style goes, i should have mentioned, I'd be looking at a reverse flow pit. It does suck that theres not many people making these out here in CA. Almost everyone is midwest, or the south. thats why I was checking out KATs, they're at least semi local.

fatstack smokers in LA is one i follow on ig. his stuff looks well built and done right. just googled KATS, they look nice too.

 

[sintax]

fatstack smokers in LA is one i follow on ig. his stuff looks well built and done right. just googled KATS, they look nice too.

man i've spent the last day checking out their 90 and 110 gal octagons, i'll have to do some more homework on these cookers. I really like the layout and size on the 90, its pretty much what i'm looking for, but I gotta figure out some more details on it. I cant seem to find any actual customer reviews on any of the octos. It looks like they've also done some smaller propane tank based models as well.

The octos are a bit more than I'd expect, but they dont provide a ton of info on the material specs either, so maybe that cost is hidden in there. They are certainly on the shortlist right now. I also forgot another one I was checking out were some local guys named J.H. Smokers.

 

[BUSTI]

Go find a place that actually has a Yoder on the floor. Once you see the build quality you will look at all others as second class. I looked at the Rec Tec, Treager, Green mountain, Camp chef and Weber do not hold a candle.

 

[TeamGreene]

so since you brought it up.... say someone wanted to get into that stick burner game, what would you recommend?

I've looked at the Lang's, Yoders, JJ's, Jambos, Kat, etc.

my only real requirement I have is to be able to put a full packer brisket on it. I've been using a kamado for years, and love it, but its size kind of limits what I can do with it.

I bought an Old Country Pecos four years ago, they are made with thicker material and are fully welded construction unlike the ones at HD and lowes

 

[MCnParker]

Some People like him some don't, but his shows on PBS were pretty cool to learn some stuff from.

BBQ with Franklin

BBQ nerd Aaron Franklin explains the steps for creating delicious BBQ in your backyard.

www.pbs.org

 

[jones performance]

Some People like him some don't, but his shows on PBS were pretty cool to learn some stuff from.

BBQ with Franklin

BBQ nerd Aaron Franklin explains the steps for creating delicious BBQ in your backyard.

www.pbs.org

some may not like him, but he does bbq the right way.

 

[traquer]

All this talk is making my hungry.. I will make a new "what are you smoking" thread Saturday that's for damn sure

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I saw these in Costco before and I was really impressed with the different cooking options and quality.

https://louisiana-grills.com/shop/grills/lg-champion-wood-pellet

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk

 

[FishSniper]

Anybody have any experience with this model ? Wanting to try a pellet grill for Havasu and found a pretty good deal on this one but haven’t ever seen this brand before. https://countrysmokers.com/grills/cs2454-pellet-grill

 

[sintax]

Anybody have any experience with this model ? Wanting to try a pellet grill for Havasu and found a pretty good deal on this one but haven’t ever seen this brand before. https://countrysmokers.com/grills/cs2454-pellet-grill

I honestly dont know, never heard of them before. The bad part about a less known made in china pellet grill is if the electronics shit on it, you're hosed. If you're set on a cheap unit, just grab the trager. At least you'll be able to get support if shit goes wrong, even though they make theirs in china too.