Pellet Grill/Smoker - Who Has One?

[jrsdws]

Ok...getting a little spring fever maybe and I'm starting to research pellet smoker grills. I love cooking outdoors and use my old Weber kettle for everything. I don't like and don't own a gas grill. I do have a cheapie propane smoker from a box store. It can do a good job, but it can be a pain in the butt to keep the temperature regulated and REALLY tough to get a good smoke ring in the meat. It seems to do best for sausages and such, but not so great for briskets and larger cuts of meat......at least I haven't had great luck with it.

So I'm looking to try a pellet smoker/grill. I don't need or want a large unit as we only have a family of four, which includes a teen who is rarely home and will be leaving for college soon. When we entertain it's typically small scale, so a smallish size unit for starters seems like the way to go.

What I'm seeing in my research is that a lot of the smaller units drop the digital temp control and just give you 3 settings. It seems like this could be ok for grilling but maybe not for smoking.

I know Englander has their first model out. It's pretty big and I don't think it allows you to set your temperature. Just levels like on the stoves 1-10. This might be ok if there is a good thermometer installed but I prefer a model that allows setting of say 180deg or whatever.

Who has what...what do you like or dislike about it, etc?

 

[Lousyweather]

2 star general here, MAK grill. Ive had it for a couple years....a bit of a learning curve, but still working. Its digital, can set a temperature, set it and forget it.....well, till the food gets up to temperature, that is!

 

[frogman]

I have a Green Mountain Daniel Boone and i love it i can smoke just about anything on it even cheese I have a cold smoker that i bought separate from the grill. the only dislike to me is smoke flavor you have to understand your using pellets not sticks they have more flavor to release than pellets.. so the short of it is smoke it at 160-180 for a few hours then turn up the heat to 250 or so and finish the cooking. i love cooking salmon and pizza on it they come out great!!

http://greenmountaingrills.com/
http://www.smokedaddyinc.com/smokers.htm
i have the Big Kahuna Cold Smoker

 

[harttj]

Big Green Eggs are real nice. Not pellets but lump charcoal. Mine excels in everything. 14hr Boston butt with great smoke ring and very juicy. Also good for dogs and burgers. We prefer the propane for steaks but everyone differs.

Tim

 

[Andy P.]

Traeger Jr. here. Upgraded digital controller. Ive been running it for a few years and Im still amazed at the food that little bugger kicks out. I would love to upgrade when I get some extra cash and both the MAK and the GMG are FANTASTIC units.

 

[Woody1911a1]

Green Mountain Grills Daniel Boone here .

it will cook everything from slow cooked ribs at 225 to a steak at 500

i paid the extra $90 and got the remote control option allowing me to monitor grill temp and meat temp from the comfort of my warm house i can even change the temp up or down .

 

[Former Farmer]

WoodMaster pellet grill - Works great

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Try going to pelletheads.com They have reviews, recipes, etc. there for pellet grills.

 

[Branson4720]

GMG Daniel Boone.....one of the best purchases I have ever made You have never had food this good! And.....I use Somerset pellets to cook with. The mill uses food -grade oils in their pellet dies.

 

[Branson4720]

Green Mountain Grills Daniel Boone here .

it will cook everything from slow cooked ribs at 225 to a steak at 500

i paid the extra $90 and got the remote control option allowing me to monitor grill temp and meat temp from the comfort of my warm house i can even change the temp up or down .

I NEED to purchase the thermal Blanket

 

[Woody1911a1]

I NEED to purchase the thermal Blanket

yes you do , it makes an incredible difference ! where'd you buy your grill ? i got mine up at Nordic Stove in dover NH .

 

[kinsmanstoves]

I have a 5 yr old Treagger and love it. It is not for searing but smoking is awesome. I use regular pellets in it.

 

[Branson4720]

yes you do , it makes an incredible difference ! where'd you buy your grill ? i got mine up at Nordic Stove in dover NH .

Purchased it at Long Pond in Wauregan, CT., along with the Somersets.

 

[Branson4720]

Baby back ribs and a brisket 175 for 3 hrs., 200 for 2 hrs., 225 for 1 hour.......then rested in covered foil pan for 1 hour. Spritzed continually with a Maker's Mark whiskey/ Worcestershire mixture. They fell off the bone

 

[Branson4720]

The brisket when done. Notice the smoke ring on the outside Absolutely delicious.

 

[jtakeman]

Emmm, Yummy!

I was going to get mine last spring. Splurged on the bass boat instead. Still using the webber charcoal grill. Maybe this spring?

 

[Branson4720]

Emmm, Yummy!

I was going to get mine last spring. Splurged on the bass boat instead. Still using the webber charcoal grill. Maybe this spring?

Buy one......you WILL NOT regret it

 

[jtakeman]

Buy one......you WILL NOT regret it

Ahhh, But I might regret the added weight I'll add to this already chubby body!

 

[Ironhorse74]

I was a rep for Traeger way back when Traeger was square not round. I have been using pellet smokers for 25 plus years. Traeger was sold to an investment group a few years ago when the patent ran out. The investment group promptly closed the Oregon facilities and moved to china. They have really cheapened the grill up. I like Green Mountain Grills. Louisiana grills are insulated if you live in a cold climate. There is also Sawtooth, Man and a few other grills. I understand that kuna is getting into the game too.

Take a look at what you are using for pellets. Traeger pellets are poplar and then oils are added for flavoring. I much prefer the Bear Mountain which are made from the actual wood and mixed with poplar for filler.

I like the digital controllers. What I rely on is my Maverick ET-732 digital wireless thermometer.

Hope this helps

Brad

 

[Heatsource]

this thread is inspiring, and makes my stomach growl!

I recently cleaned my fist commercial size pellet smoker, at a local "smokehouse" http://www.smileyguyssmokehouse.com/
huge unit with 8" primary vent and 6" secondary/bypass vent, automatic dampers, digital temp control and 48" rotisserie

I had to crawl all the way inside the beast to clean it properly- what a mess!
the owner wants it cleaned every 2-3 months as the flue gets very dirty. Love their food so am very happy to do work/trade

 

[jrsdws]

I was a rep for Traeger way back when Traeger was square not round. I have been using pellet smokers for 25 plus years. Traeger was sold to an investment group a few years ago when the patent ran out. The investment group promptly closed the Oregon facilities and moved to china. They have really cheapened the grill up.​

I have read elswhere that they started selling the Traeger at places like Costco and such, but there have been many quality issues since this transition to China. Not uncommon I guess, but not a deal breaker if they support their product and perhaps ironed out some start up headaches.

I really like the looks of the Daniel Boone and it appears to be around my max price limit. I know they can get much pricier, too. Looking at these on GMG website, it looks to have all of the features I want and includes the meat probe.

Any others in this price range to consider?

 

[PoolGuyinCT]

, I've owned all sorts of pits.

BBQ is my other obsession. Suck up the hit $$ and get a quality kamado.

 

[Woody1911a1]

I have read elswhere that they started selling the Traeger at places like Costco and such, but there have been many quality issues since this transition to China. Not uncommon I guess, but not a deal breaker if they support their product and perhaps ironed out some start up headaches.

I really like the looks of the Daniel Boone and it appears to be around my max price limit. I know they can get much pricier, too. Looking at these on GMG website, it looks to have all of the features I want and includes the meat probe.

Any others in this price range to consider?

not really under 1k . there's quite a few between 1,200 and 2k , but you'll need to find a local dealer for them or add 150-200 shipping . GMG has quite a good dealer network and top notch customer service .

post #7 former farmer posted the name of a great forum for all pellet grill users so i won't repost it .

 

[RCR]

harttj X 2

I have a big green egg knock off Kamado Joe ceramic grille. This is charcoal not pellet. Seeing the prices of the pellet grilles WOW a big green egg can be had for far less than 1k. Mine sits uncovered in northeast winter will not rust . ever. Smaller and less expensive versions are availible as well.

They have fan units availible that control the heat even by i phone if you are super lazy.

What is the highest temperature on a pellet grille? Can you put a pizza stone in them ? 1000 degrees is attainable in a ceramic grille. Great to sear steaks and for pizzas as well.

low heat slow cooking (even overnight) , high heat, smoking Egg can do it.

Pellets are for heating , Charcoal is for cooking. Just my opinion

 

[fossil]

I believe England Stove Works has a pellet grill/smoker on the market now. Might be worth a look-see. Rick

ETA: Looks like they're marketing it under the Summers Heat name:

http://www.englanderstoves.com/51-shpg100.html

 

[343amc]

Saw one of these the other day.

http://mygrilla.com/

Kinda pricey, but they look cool.