Portabls Traeger grill? Any good?

[scotsman]

I was at Costco today - they have a small portable Traeger that will fit nicely in the storage basement of our motor home. Apparrently it is an improvement of an earlier version in that it has a digital temp control and comes with an inverter to run on 12 volts.

  I haven't had a smoker grill before and understand it wont do some jobs like bigger grills, but 90% of the time it just me and mama. Have any of you used one of these? Comments?

[jrebel]

I would think small cooks would work awesome......pork loin, pork chops, chicken ect.  I would love to have one to add to the camp trailer.  Smoked cabbage and carrots with olive oil and lemon balsamic.....Mmmmmmmm.  Is it dinner time yet? 

[MacAttack]

I have looked at them as well, but I like the GMG Davy Crockett a little better.

[The scout]

  I will not be buying another traeger. I would go another route

[scotsman]

Scout, curious why you are down on Traegar?

[The scout]

The quality of the new ones being made has gone way down hill. I have an older version that has been great but it is a smaller one so I got the biggest one they make about 2 years ago and the paint was peeling off the front shortly after and it doesn’t heat up as fast and won’t get up to temp unless it’s summer time. I have buddy’s that have the gmg’s and the quality is much better all around. I think traeger got there name with a quality product and once they got it the quality has gone down hill.

[jrebel]

The quality of the new ones being made has gone way down hill. I have an older version that has been great but it is a smaller one so I got the biggest one they make about 2 years ago and the paint was peeling off the front shortly after and it doesn’t heat up as fast and won’t get up to temp unless it’s summer time. I have buddy’s that have the gmg’s and the quality is much better all around. I think traeger got there name with a quality product and once they got it the quality has gone down hill.

Buy the insulating blanket...you won't regret it.  It will not only get to temp faster but maintain a more steady temp (speaking more of winter time cooking).  My experience with GMG has been the exact oposite.  We bought one for work to save a few bucks and it drives me crazy to cook on it.  I'm sure there is a learning curve, but it appears to distribute the heat very inconsistantly.  The wheels on the GMG have almost fallen off and overall quality appears to be poor....the temp guage on the lid stopped working after the first cook.  They even mount they logo crooked. 

[The scout]

The quality of the new ones being made has gone way down hill. I have an older version that has been great but it is a smaller one so I got the biggest one they make about 2 years ago and the paint was peeling off the front shortly after and it doesn’t heat up as fast and won’t get up to temp unless it’s summer time. I have buddy’s that have the gmg’s and the quality is much better all around. I think traeger got there name with a quality product and once they got it the quality has gone down hill.

Buy the insulating blanket...you won't regret it.  It will not only get to temp faster but maintain a more steady temp (speaking more of winter time cooking).  My experience with GMG has been the exact oposite.  We bought one for work to save a few bucks and it drives me crazy to cook on it.  I'm sure there is a learning curve, but it appears to distribute the heat very inconsistantly.  The wheels on the GMG have almost fallen off and overall quality appears to be poor....the temp guage on the lid stopped working after the first cook.  They even mount they logo crooked.

That’s interesting about your guy’s GMG, I haven’t heard that stuff about them before maybe they are going the same route traeger did. For the most part i’m Just speaking of the difference between the older traeger a and the new going down hill. If I decide to keep my traeger I will look into the blanket. I live on the westside and the average temps are 40’s and 50’s and mine won’t hit 400. I am on my second grill from Costco in 2 years so we will see might be in the classifieds before you know it

[skeeter 20i]

The quality of the new ones being made has gone way down hill.

 I think traeger got there name with a quality product and once they got it the quality has gone down hill.

I've heard that from more than one person here at work also.  That's too bad.

[The scout]

Ya I don’t think it’s something thats debatable. But most people have either owned a new one or an old one not both so they don’t see the difference

[kellama2001]

X2 on the gmg. Just got the Davy Crockett for Christmas, it's beyond awesome! Can't wait to take it camping too. Have heard nothing but good about gmg in my circle of friends and nothing but complaints about the traegers. Just my 

[ridgefire]

I have had both and I got better smoke in the Traeger but the GMG better built and way more consistent imo.

[spin05]

just got the GMG davy crockett.  Love it so far and seems well built

[SpringerFan]

NO! I got one for our 5th wheel. Has never not flared up and ruined dinner. It starts ok. Smokes. Turn it to over 250 and major flames.

Very disappointed. Get a GMG Davey Crocket. And I am not affiliated with either.

[Wacenturion]

I have looked at them as well, but I like the GMG Davy Crockett a little better.

I do as well, as that is what I went with for the travel trailer.  Reviews are excellent and it's well made.

[steeleywhopper]

I’ve got a Davey Crocket and we hardly use it. It’s awesome but since we got the Jim Bowie it doesn’t get used. Pretty killer little unit though.

[lamrith]

Rectec makes one now as well.  Used to be called the mini, now called the trailblazer.  I Loce my big Rectec, got to use a mini a buddy owned a year ago and it was very nice.  bigger than the GMG Davey Crocket and heavier built.  The new trailblazer is mostly stainless and includes wifi.