Traeger Timberline worth the additional cost?

[was thatguy]

I can have my summitt up anywhere from 250-750 degrees 20-30 minutes... While its coming up to temp.. I am prepping the food, and pouring a drink..

I have stated I have owned Pellets in the past... The one I had, took about 30 minutes to get to 400 degrees...

I dont care what else you say, you cant cook a proper steak on a pellet... never gonna happen. Why, because you cant sear it... How many Steak Houses are getting rich using a Pellet Pooper????

You can cook a mediocre steak on one... if thats good enough for you, then I am happy for you.

Yes, I can cook a Steak on 42” Lion Gas grill,, but why would I... It hits 750 degrees in 15 minutes or less... cooks that steak pretty good, but IT DOES NOT HAVE THE WOOD FLAVOR, that the Summit gives me..

Lilke you guys, many tools in the shed... But I use the Summit 90-95% of the time.

So to answer the OP’s question about which pellet grill is a better value, your suggestion is to go all in on 2-4 different grills from charcoal to gas to wood and redesign his patio and commit to being a champion grill master?

 

[Xring01]

We get it. You’re an enthusiast.
This thread was started to ask about which pellet grill was a better value, not a solicitation for debate on the correct path to being grill master.

If I didnt respect the majority of you guys, I wouldnt say a thing..
I would just let the OP go out and waste there $$$..

Not only am I throwing out a whole lot of facts, that are not being debated, but I also invited the OP over to my house to see how easy versatile Summit is... to see first hand how its the Best Bang for the Buck

Remember this product was not on the market 3-4 years ago, is new, I love mine, and spreading the gospel a bit.

This is not what I do for a living... I make sure peoples lights stay on... Work with the Big Electric Utilitys’s and Renewable Power Producers... I deal will all those Grey things inside of substations.

 

[was thatguy]

Not sure what pellet grill he’s badmouthing about a 30 minute warm up time
My 7 yo lil Tex goes to 450+ in less than 15 minutes...usually faster if it ain’t too windy.

 

[Ricks raft]

Alot of terms are being thrown around, but most people think BBQ as a universal word that is all encompassing.

Actually its not...
BBQ - Is the are of slow cooking. That typically happens between 185-275 degrees... Which is why you can get the smoke flavor out of the wood, that is typically be used as the fuel, or WOOD CHUNKs for those that no what they are doing. Soaking wood chips, is typically done on the cheap electric style “smokers”... Which I have never used.

Grilling - Is at higher temps - that 325-475 degree arena. Thats where your Burgers, Steaks, Tri Tips, Chicken are normally cooked.

Searing - Is 600 plus.... That how you truly get a great steak, and other items.

Pizza Oven... 650-750 or higher

Weakness’s of the majority of Pellet cookers. They typically max out at about 400 degrees. Some people like there steaks cooked at that temp... For me, That will never give you that seared caramalized flavor that searing does. Most big name steak house’s sear steaks at 750 degrees or higher in some cases. There may be one or two Pellets on teh market that may hit 500, but I have never heard of one hitting 600..

So why do I have such a strong opinion on this matter.
If you have a pellet you can do some mediocre smoking dutys... light grilling duty’s, but it truly doesnt do either one up to my standards.... So you are lacking in the searing department. Sorry, I llike steaks, and I like them cooked correctly... There might be $5000 Pellet grill out there that may do this, but I am spending that kind of money on it. Maybe used some day in the future... Even then you still can’t cook a pizza on it... at 650 plus..

To summ it up...Pellet grills are mediocre, and does 40% of the things I need it to do. As some people have admitted, they have to keep a drawer full of spare parts on hand... Literally proving my point... Damn that dude cracked me up...

Which is why I prefer Weber Summits, it does 100% duty, for cooking for friends and family. All in one unit. The only time I break out the offset, it when I do big Lunch/Learns for my customers, on 3 day training events. On the last day, I typically smoke up 4-5 Briskets, several racks of ribs, beans and slaw..., When you guys learn about reverse searing certain things, especially tri tips, and prime ribs, you will be sold.....

Summit - set up the coals on one side, and on top of that heat its 650 degrees or hotter if I want. When I cook a steak, tri tip, prime rib.... , I start the cook on the cold side, to get the meat to about 10 degrees of being fully cooked, at that point, I pick it up, and sear it over the hot coals pretty quickly, which gives you the caramelations and brings it up to the final cooked temp... rare, med rare, med, etc... You have complete control...

I understand that Pellets have there place... But the Pellet fans running around stating they are the best thing since sliced bread, annoy me... Because they are very limited in what they do, and they dont do it better than other styles. The only benefit they truly have is set it and forget it.

I am pretty close to that with a summit... I can cook for 18 hours at 225 without refueling. I think “Slap Your Daddy” Harry (famous BBQer who has won pretty much every award out there) has a youtube video showing a Summit can be run for 24 hours.

Setting it up isnt quite as simple as Pellet, but its not much more work either. Pour some coals, start chimney, pour chimney on coals, set the vents and walk away... If thats to much work for you, then you win.

Here is an interesteding story for you guys.. Remember I mentioned that I sold my Weber Ranch Kettle to a Competition BBQ guy... Guess why.... Chicken...
He had won a few medals on Pork, Brisket, but sucked at chicken. Because he couldnt get his offset smoker, at high enough temperatures to cook the skin properly, it was always rubbery... He bought my 36” Ranch Kettle, specifically for Chicken... set up half for hot, and the other have cooler... He can reverse sear a boat load of chicken at one time for BBQ competitions. Its hard to get Crispy Skin, when BBQing Chicken. The best way is to reverse sear it... food for thought...

If you want to take your BBQ cooking up a notch, dont settle for Pellets grills.

i'm sure your in another league than my abilities, and probably more patience for learning. But for the average guy to get home flip a switch and have consistent results a quality pellet grill is hard to beat.
i dont have set hours so my wife does most the cooking. she would not use the barbque any more from under/over cooked meals. she loves the rec tec.
not perfect for every one but all around is easy and does great. some prefer the extra smoke from wood grill, i don't. The rec tec will reach over 500 degrees and with the sear plates gets a descent sear/marks on steaks. they are also widely used in competition.

 

[Xring01]

Thats fine and dandy, but it aint as easy as flicking a single switch to start your summit either.

And who said anything about steak? You can make an excellent steak on a $30 burner in a $20 cast iron skillet..... You don't need a smoker for that.

I commend you for your purity, but that's not what a pellet cooker is all about.... Some people dont want to screw around with all that, that's why Traegers and other pellet deals are flying off the shelves, they are super easy for anyone to operate.

Just like a pellet, you have to pour in the pellets...

Summit you have to pour in the charcoal.. yes.. it has a propane igniter... I just turn the knob after I put the coals in. Dont even need a lighter.

 

[Xring01]

i'm sure your in another league than my abilities, and probably more patience for learning. But for the average guy to get home flip a switch and have consistent results a quality pellet grill is hard to beat.
i dont have set hours so my wife does most the cooking. she would not use the barbque any more from under/over cooked meals. she loves the rec tec.
not perfect for every one but all around is easy and does great. some prefer the extra smoke from wood grill, i don't. The rec tec will reach over 500 degrees and with the sear plates gets a descent sear/marks on steaks. they are also widely used in competition.

If I where to own a Pellet... The Rec Tec would be 1, and the Yoder would be 2....
Rec Tec is probably the best value,
Yoder is probably the best product over all, more expenssive, but I think it will last longer.

 

[was thatguy]

If I didnt respect the majority of you guys, I wouldnt say a thing..
I would just let the OP go out and waste there $$$..

Not only am I throwing out a whole lot of facts, that are not being debated, but I also invited the OP over to my house to see how easy versatile Summit is... to see first hand how its the Best Bang for the Buck

Remember this product was not on the market 3-4 years ago, is new, I love mine, and spreading the gospel a bit.

This is not what I do for a living... I make sure peoples lights stay on... Work with the Big Electric Utilitys’s and Renewable Power Producers... I deal will all those Grey things inside of substations.

We used to hand build smokers in Alaska for fish and meat.
I get it.

Like Racey said, it’s no accident that pellet grills are huge movers.

They fill a niche that is massive.
I’m sure your results are spectacular, you obviously kow what you’re doing!

But you started out just insulting pellet grills and their users as “ppooooppers”, and wasting money and nothing but an inferior fad.

They are not, they are perfect for a majority of people!

Where do you live?? I want some of that food your putting out!’

 

[RVR2SNO]

After talking to a Traeger rep for an hour and showing him my design concepts I ended up wasting my money on a Select Pro. Should be just fine for my needs!

 

[Racey]

Just like a pellet, you have to pour in the pellets...

Summit you have to pour in the charcoal.. yes.. it has a propane igniter... I just turn the knob after I put the coals in. Dont even need a lighter.

It has a hopper?

 

[RaceTec]

I recommend a Memphis! LOL! I will sell you mine that is a couple years old! But it doesn't have wifi...

 

[dave29]

Everyone has their own favorites to cook on. It all comes down to budget, time, ease, quality and results. I use a Weber Genesis that's about 11 years old for grilling. I just discovered grill grates and now love them for steaks. Blackstone 48" for griddle/teppanyaki style and my gravity feed for smoking. I'm retired so i'm in no hurry to get anything done.
I just really look forward to being outside, cooking and having some friends over to share the food. That's what it's all about to me!

 

[Ballyhoo]

Comparing pellet grills to stand alone smokers and their separate purposes is not a fair comparison.
Pellet grills are handy and effective for the everyday cook.
Most of the self proclaimed grill masters I know mock Traegers and pellet grills in general.
However, while they are soaking chips, making a giant mess, and spending an exorbitant amount of time tending their mediocre meals, I’m drinking beer and ignoring my Traeger until my timer tells me to do something.
The grill does not dictate results in part. The practice and adherence to the process does.
Most of my relatives who watched Deb use that Traeger almost daily for everyday meals, and have also had my pizza, wings, ribs, pork loin, and chicken thighs all have Traegers now.
They’re easy. That’s the whole deal.

Real smokers don't soak wood chips...

 

[was thatguy]

Real smokers don't soak wood chips...

Lol you’re right.
We built walk in smokers in Alaska.
Log fired!

 

[TeamGreene]

This has been entertaining to read. I will preface my comments with I have an Old Country Pecos off set stick burner and Weber kettles.
I started out with building my own drum smoker and had good results with it, but the off set is way better.

For the Summit and the way it's being used it sounds like the Minion method, is this correct? If so are you just using lump and no wood? That's how it sounded to me. As for the price of the Summit I can't see getting that much better Q than I'm getting now for the $1500 to buy one. I do agree with the reverse sear on tri-tip etc... I just have my kettle ready to go when I pull it off the smoker.

For the pellet smokers, they are great for what they are intended to do and I think everyone gets it. Where I think it gets to an argument is when the pellet (set it and forget it) guys start throwing around terms like pit master etc..Not saying anyone here did this but there just seems to be a little bit of a divide between purists and the every day backyard bbq'r.

Oh and if anyone wants to up their game a little I would recommend reading Arron Franklin's book. Lot's of good info. In the end this is a very subjective thing, everyone does it their way and it's ok. Smoke On!

 

[dave29]

Previously I mentioned my old Outers smoker. We would go water skiing and take the smoker with us along with a turkey. You would fill the charcoal pan and light the area around the air hole and let it burn a bit. Add your wood chips, fill the water pan and wait until the smoker gauge read "Ideal". Put the turkey in and figure out the cook time based on weight. We'd come back in the afternoon, clean up, get the sides ready and pull the bird. Dinner served. That Outers was the original set it and forget it.

 

[Phil Niblack]

If I where to own a Pellet... The Rec Tec would be 1, and the Yoder would be 2....
Rec Tec is probably the best value,
Yoder is probably the best product over all, more expenssive, but I think it will last longer.

Sorry but your opinion on pellet grills does not much matter since they are basically inferior in your eyes. I am assuming you gathered your results by reading reviews on the web. Remember that opinions on the web are all that matter and real world experience does not!

 

[was thatguy]

This has been entertaining to read. I will preface my comments with I have an Old Country Pecos off set stick burner and Weber kettles.
I started out with building my own drum smoker and had good results with it, but the off set is way better.

For the Summit and the way it's being used it sounds like the Minion method, is this correct? If so are you just using lump and no wood? That's how it sounded to me. As for the price of the Summit I can't see getting that much better Q than I'm getting now for the $1500 to buy one. I do agree with the reverse sear on tri-tip etc... I just have my kettle ready to go when I pull it off the smoker.

For the pellet smokers, they are great for what they are intended to do and I think everyone gets it. Where I think it gets to an argument is when the pellet (set it and forget it) guys start throwing around terms like pit master etc..Not saying anyone here did this but there just seems to be a little bit of a divide between purists and the every day backyard bbq'r.

Oh and if anyone wants to up their game a little I would recommend reading Arron Franklin's book. Lot's of good info. In the end this is a very subjective thing, everyone does it their way and it's ok. Smoke On!

Probably doesn’t help when things like “pellet pooopeeers”, “throwing his money away”, “waste of money”, “know it’s goin to break”, “replace all the parts 12 times”, “and I don’t know maybe a dozen other negative statement are made?

But we’ll go with the pellet fans theory.

All the dude asked was which Traeger was a better value.

 

[TeamGreene]

Probably doesn’t help when things like “pellet pooopeeers”, “throwing his money away”, “waste of money”, “know it’s goin to break”, “replace all the parts 12 times”, “and I don’t know maybe a dozen other negative statement are made?

But we’ll go with the pellet fans theory.

All the dude asked was which Traeger was a better value.

Agreed.

Sorry but your opinion on pellet grills does not much matter since they are basically inferior in your eyes. I am assuming you gathered your results by reading reviews on the web. Remember that opinions on the web are all that matter and real world experience does not!

I've known about the Summit before it actually came out, haven't seen one in person. After reading this thread yesterday I went to Weber's site and looked up the Summit and Xring01 was at the top of the list in the review section. Gave me a chuckle.

 

[was thatguy]

Agreed.


I've known about the Summit before it actually came out, haven't seen one in person. After reading this thread yesterday I went to Weber's site and looked up the Summit and Xring01 was at the top of the list in the review section. Gave me a chuckle.

Hmmm...well, spamming isn’t exactly unheard of around these parts!

 

[TeamGreene]

Hmmm...well, spamming isn’t exactly unheard of around these parts!

Don't think that's the case, just very passionate about it. I under estimated the cost in previous post they start at $1700 and the upgraded one with the table is $2400.

 

[was thatguy]

Don't think that's the case, just very passionate about it. I under estimated the cost in previous post they start at $1700 and the upgraded one with the table is $2400.

Definitely passionate.
I’d love to try some of his cooks.
Have no doubt they are top tier!

(He misspelled “market” in his review though...one demerit!)

 

[E4L]

One more day and Traegers new beast will be out [emoji482]


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[Riverbound]

What do you all think of the Weber summit? [emoji23][emoji23]





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[Xring01]

It has a hopper?

No hopper.. but it cooks 18 hours easily on one load of charcoal...without adding more. like I said earlier Harry Soo video has him using one for 24 hours on one load of coal.

 

[HitIt]

What do you all think of the Weber summit? [emoji23][emoji23]

Its the Schiada of charcoal grills. Sure, it will run when it needs to but most of the time a bunch of guys just stand around it talking about how awesome it is.

 

[Racey]

What do you all think of the Weber summit? [emoji23][emoji23]





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I'm Sold!

 

[Riverbound]

I'm Sold!

I had one. It sucked. [emoji1532]


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[Racey]

I had one. It sucked. [emoji1532]


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Oh FFS here we go againnnnn

 

[MCnParker]

I am confused? are you referring to the Summit or a Schiada?

I had one. It sucked. [emoji1532]


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[was thatguy]

What do you all think of the Weber summit? [emoji23][emoji23]





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It costs more than my first 2 cars combined.

Some quick math says I can buy a new 22 Pro series Traeger, optional shelf, full set of replacement probes and fan, and 40-50 bags of pellets for the same avg price.

 

[Riverbound]

I am confused? are you referring to the Summit or a Schiada?

Yes


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[TeamGreene]

No hopper.. but it cooks 18 hours easily on one load of charcoal...without adding more. like I said earlier Harry Soo video has him using one for 24 hours on one load of coal.

So it sounds like the Minion method, correct? Are you using lump and no wood?

 

[Xring01]

Depends...

For long smokes 190-275, 8-16 hrs minion works great.. 8lbs coal easy 10 hrs... 10lbs 14 hrs. With wood chunks. Mequite for brisket, hickory, pecan, applefor pork, ribs, butts. A 20lb bag kingsford last me two brisket cooks.. most of them are 8-10 hrs... with alot of left over coals.

For shorter timeframes/grilling at 350 -475, snake method is the most efficient use of coals.

Reverse searing,,, about 3/4 chimney coals on one side off the grill, ... opposite side is 350- 450 degrees, but on top of the coals is 500- 600 degrees, pending amount of coals... steaks, tri tip, prime rib... owe my god.. You get smoke flavor, combined with carmelization of the sugars in the meat... resulting in yummy mfking goodness...

500- 850, well thats alot of coal, but a short period.. once your done cooking, close the vents, fire,goes out... majority 80% of what you started is still usable...for the next cook.

I rarely use lump.. mostly kingsford with wood chunks... typical chunks are tennis ball size, is my preference...

That size is great with kingsford.. I can go on for hours why, but most people on this thread have no interest in learning.... (think smoking is about soaking wood chips lol), pm me your number and i will explain all the reasons why, i believe/ cook in these methods... at home in Texas, mesquite is free..pecan is free, so i don't use coal when I visit my family in Texas... pure natural wood.. California, well that much wood comes at a price, so charcoal and wood is what I can afford.

Lump burns to inconsistent... with huge temp fluctuations... I rarely use it,

Saying that its better than kingsford for Pizza... burns about 100 degrees hotter lb / lb,

Which is why I rarely use it.. Daughter is in college, when she comes home, she loves pizza, and thats about the only time I prefer lump... easy 750-850 degrees, is no problem.. but can be to hot for pizza.. 650-750 gets the job done with our home made pizza dough..To clarify to the neysayers.. I dont cook pizza often.. i am mostly keto,, pizza is for my daughter... when she comes home from school.. maybe 4-5 times a year.... 650 ish

Can I hit 900 degrees... with a summit.. i have not tried yet, but willing to test it out in the near future.

 

[Xring01]

Don't think that's the case, just very passionate about it. I under estimated the cost in previous post they start at $1700 and the upgraded one with the table is $2400.

To the peeps that browsed, versus read my comments...

I BOUGHT IT USED ON CRAIGSLIST FOR A FRACTION OF RETAIL PRICES

A self professed cheap bastard....

Re. Re. Reeee reread my posts before you embarrass yourself, for making comments regarding Details that I covered many comments/ posts prior.

 

[Xring01]

Probably doesn’t help when things like “pellet pooopeeers”, “throwing his money away”, “waste of money”, “know it’s goin to break”, “replace all the parts 12 times”, “and I don’t know maybe a dozen other negative statement are made?

But we’ll go with the pellet fans theory.

All the dude asked was which Traeger was a better value.

Did i create the post on having a drawer full of spare parts via amazon.
Or did a treager owner... that guy MADE MY POINT.

Re re read my posts.. I have owned pellet grills...

Waited for parts for months, GMG. 3 months for parts under warranty.

Sold that POS....

If a truck is a POS. Will you buy it?
If a boat is a POS. Will you buy it?
How about fill in the blank.. will you buy something with a high failure rate.


Yet guys on this thread admit they have drawer full of spare parts to fix it when it breaks, and still recommend it it to you, how can you trust that guy...

If I tell you aaaa will solve this problem... bbb. Solves this problem... obviously this thread should truly show you that my opinion, standards, integrity, honor, is not for sale.. I can back up my opinion with experience.

If, there was a power outage.. Summit still gets the job done, with or without propane ignition system. Truly nothing can fail that makes it useles.. GMG was useless for 3 months.

You may disagree, but I challenge everyone of you guys to a cook off,

Bring those pellet poooooppppeeerrrs.... blind taste test... lets make this Texas style..

How much $$$$ are you willing to bettt...

I name first round. Steaks, ribeye... using Summit, you pellettt
You get second choice... but you only use a pellet, i only use summitt.

Combined score wins.

How much $$$ are willing to gamble..

Before you take this challlenge.. search the thread on what our users names mean..... take a look at what mine means..

 

[Phil Niblack]

Did i create the post on having a drawer full of spare parts via amazon.
Or did a treager owner... that guy MADE MY POINT.

Re re read my posts.. I have owned pellet grills...

Waited for parts for months, GMG. 3 months for parts under warranty.

Sold that POS....

If a truck is a POS. Will you buy it?
If a boat is a POS. Will you buy it?
How about fill in the blank.. will you buy something with a high failure rate.


Yet guys on this thread admit they have drawer full of spare parts to fix it when it breaks, and still recommend it it to you, how can you trust that guy...

If I tell you aaaa will solve this problem... bbb. Solves this problem... obviously this thread should truly show you that my opinion, standards, integrity, honor, is not for sale.. I can back up my opinion with experience.

If, there was a power outage.. Summit still gets the job done, with or without propane ignition system. Truly nothing can fail that makes it useles.. GMG was useless for 3 months.

You may disagree, but I challenge everyone of you guys to a cook off,

Bring those pellet poooooppppeeerrrs.... blind taste test... lets make this Texas style..

How much $$$$ are you willing to bettt...

I name first round. Steaks, ribeye... using Summit, you pellettt
You get second choice... but you only use a pellet, i only use summitt.

Combined score wins.

How much $$$ are willing to gamble..

Before you take this challlenge.. search the thread on what our users names mean..... take a look at what mine means..

Wow you should just go ahead and by yourself a trophy now! Any ways the new Traeger models were shipped to my store yesterday and they are a good looking unit with a lot of nice upgrades from the pro series. The pro 34" has dropped in price from $999.00 to $749.00 and the 22" has dropped from $799.00 to $649.00. My company is Harlows Kitchen Concepts in San Bernardino if anyone wants to see them in person. Phil

 

[Riverbound]

Texas BBQ sucks

 

[was thatguy]

Texas BBQ sucks

The guys I was talking about soaking their chips and ruining meat were in Texas.

 

[was thatguy]

Did i create the post on having a drawer full of spare parts via amazon.
Or did a treager owner... that guy MADE MY POINT.

Re re read my posts.. I have owned pellet grills...

Waited for parts for months, GMG. 3 months for parts under warranty.

Sold that POS....

If a truck is a POS. Will you buy it?
If a boat is a POS. Will you buy it?
How about fill in the blank.. will you buy something with a high failure rate.


Yet guys on this thread admit they have drawer full of spare parts to fix it when it breaks, and still recommend it it to you, how can you trust that guy...

If I tell you aaaa will solve this problem... bbb. Solves this problem... obviously this thread should truly show you that my opinion, standards, integrity, honor, is not for sale.. I can back up my opinion with experience.

If, there was a power outage.. Summit still gets the job done, with or without propane ignition system. Truly nothing can fail that makes it useles.. GMG was useless for 3 months.

You may disagree, but I challenge everyone of you guys to a cook off,

Bring those pellet poooooppppeeerrrs.... blind taste test... lets make this Texas style..

How much $$$$ are you willing to bettt...

I name first round. Steaks, ribeye... using Summit, you pellettt
You get second choice... but you only use a pellet, i only use summitt.

Combined score wins.

How much $$$ are willing to gamble..

Before you take this challlenge.. search the thread on what our users names mean..... take a look at what mine means..

 

[was thatguy]

What kind of idiot waits 3 months for grill parts?

 

[Heylam]

What kind of idiot waits 3 months for grill parts?

A very skinny emaciated one.


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