Pellet grill people input please

[NorseNW]

I've had some pretty good meats off my father-in-laws Traeger over the past several years and I'm debating getting one . myself now.  From many readings and some eating I think I would mainly do large cuts of meats on it - chicken, brisket, ribs, roasts.  Maybe some fish but not sure.

Looking at brands and I just don't have much to go off of.  I'm not a huge fan of the Traeger only because they went to manufacturing in China.  Other brands I've been looking at Green Mountain and Sawtooth.  I'm not taking Traeger off the table completely so any input on these or other brands would be appreciated.  Heck even if you got one and said the craze is a bunch of garbage I'd like to hear that as well.

Thanks

[Crunchy]

Im fond of my Rectec pellet smoker.  Had it three years and no issues.  I love the 40lb hopper, fill it and forget it. 

[Mudman]

Campchef/cabelas I have.  Been great no issues..

[Wolfdog2314]

I’ve got a green mountain, and love it. Have done jerky, all kinds of chicken, ribs, burgers, a whole turkey, steaks, pork shoulder, veggies, you name it. I haven’t used my gas grill since I bought it over a year ago. I cook on it 2-3 times a week.

My buddy just bought a Louisiana pellet grill from Costco. What intrigued me about this grill is that it has a searing section and cold smoking box.

Just remember too, there’s definitlaly a learning curve to cooking on a pellet grill. Give yourself extra time when planning/cooking meals! You end up finding some recipes you love and will cook over and over. Have fun!

[KFhunter]

I ditched the pellet, now I'm specializing in various grills, griddles, smokers and BBQ's.


Good thing I have a fair size deck 

[milldozer]

If you are serious about it I'd look into a Yoder.  They are built like a tank, but about double what a Traeger will run you.

https://www.yodersmokers.com/pellet-grills.html

[Timberstalker]

I have a Sawtooth and have had great luck.
Louisiana’s are garbage.

I demo’d a Yoder and was impressed. That will be my next grill.

[zwickeyman]

I have a RECTEC being delivered on June 4th. I'll let you know how I like it

My brother in law has a Treager and loves it and every thing he grills is fantastic

[Jpmiller]

I have a Chinese built traeger and I like it. No matter what you get though I'd get some lumber jack pellets for it. I was amazed when I made the switch from traeger brand pellets to them. Way more smoke flavor and they seem to last a little longer too. I'd also recommend getting a larger size than you think you want. Good luck and have fun!

[bearhunter99]

I have a Campchef Woodwind with sear box and couldn't be happier. The sear box is unbelievable.  900 degrees for a perfect sear.  The advice I would give is to check the max temp.  The Campchef gets up to 500 degrees. Traeger is maxed at about 400 from what I have heard. 

[fowl smacker]

I've had a Traeger for 8 yrs now (lil text elite), and I can't complain.  It has held up well, only thing I've done is replace the hot rod once.  It has made some fantastic meals over the years.  I do my searing in cast iron, so that is not an issue for me.  When it comes time to replace it, I won't rule out another one, but will more than likely end up with a Mak.   My dad has one and it just seems built better than the new Traegers.

[Moonlite hunter]

Yoder is made in America and you won't have to worry about auger fires nearly as much.  Totally worth the extra money.

[NorseNW]

I certainly appreciate the input gents. 

[wsucowboy]

I’ve had a traeger for a little over a year now and no issues. Cooked a lot of good meals with it and use it year round.


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[Jburke]

I've had a GMG Daniel Boone for about 3 years now and love it.  My best advice to you regarding ANY pellet grill is to always keep it covered when you're not using it.  Wet pellets make for a headache!

[CementFinisher]

love my rectec. I have the 680 with cold smoker box attached. I have cooked on other pellet grills but not owned others. I do not regret my purchase. I would like to try a yoder though

[JeffRaines]

I recently picked up a CampChef smokepro se at Walmart on closeout(89 bucks!) and believe it or not this thing is awesome. I’m sure it’s not as nice as the Yoder or rectec, but for what I use it for - smoking meats for me and my family - it’s awesome.

[acnewman55]

Buy a traeger.

People in China building traegers allow us to enjoy the quality of life we do. It’s called capitalism and it makes my chicken taste amazing.


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[lamrith]

I have a rectec and love it, best decision I have made in a while. just works right every time, and if it does not RecTec has simply the best CS I have heard of in any industry.  True customer 1st from the owner down to the shipping guys.  They send you a business card with your grill that is the owners personal Cell number and they always answer or call right back.

[jrebel]

I have had my trager for quite a few years and love it.   

[Sakko300wsm]

GMG are great!

[mossy8352]

Canadian style bacon, seven day soak in a brine and roughly two hours of smoke/heat. We cook most of out meat and fish on the Traeger and have for the last five years a great unit!! Great steaks jerky ribs and pulled pork!

[Bill W]

I'd talk to a pellet grill repairman and get input from them.  There might be ones that break down a bit more often than others.

[GurrCentral]

I have had my GMG Daniel Boone for about three years now. I use it 2-3 times a week and love it! I’ve done roasts to chicken, to pizza’s and it is consistent with low and high temps in all seasons. Just recently had to get a new meat temp probe, but that is a minor fix and doesn’t involve the internals.

[The Weazle]

I’m about to pull the trigger on a Woodwind.  I’m really looking forward to it.

[KFhunter]

I'd talk to a pellet grill repairman and get input from them.  There might be ones that break down a bit more often than others.

The Traeger breaks down all the way, which I've done several times.  I've had the auger seize up in the auger tube because I left pellets in it during the winter and enough condensation and leakage swelled the pellets and seized the auger.  There's a small screw that shears off and is easy to replace.  I had to work a while to get the auger out of the tube, once out, I reamed it with a drill to clean it up.  Worked great all summer until I left it out again over winter 

I've also replaced the barrel under warranty, the warranty was honored and service was good several years ago.

[GurrCentral]

I'd talk to a pellet grill repairman and get input from them.  There might be ones that break down a bit more often than others.

The Traeger breaks down all the way, which I've done several times.  I've had the auger seize up in the auger tube because I left pellets in it during the winter and enough condensation and leakage swelled the pellets and seized the auger.  There's a small screw that shears off and is easy to replace.  I had to work a while to get the auger out of the tube, once out, I reamed it with a drill to clean it up.  Worked great all summer until I left it out again over winter 

I've also replaced the barrel under warranty, the warranty was honored and service was good several years ago.

If you don't mind me asking...was your treager covered when you left it out? I keep mine covered year round with pellets in the hopper and have never had an issue with pellet swell? Just curious...thanks!

[KFhunter]

For the most part, obviously I didn't put the cover back on immediately after using it and a day or two might have slipped by before I put it back on.

I'm not complaining though as I think it outlived its life expectancy.  I got my Traeger when they were still pretty new to the scene.  I've had it a long time! and I think the cover leaked through the stitching and leaked water between the hopper and the smoker barrel.

[Knocker of rocks]

I've had a GMG Daniel Boone for about 3 years now and love it.  My best advice to you regarding ANY pellet grill is to always keep it covered when you're not using it.  Wet pellets make for a headache!

To be more specific I'd say keep it indoors or under cover of a roof.  I had the factory vinyl cover and even in the garage I had an issue with condensation on the machine under the cover.  Just storing in the garage sans vinyl cover, everthing OK and no condensate.

[Blacktail135]

 After some research, I'm going with the Camp Chef Woodwind w/side sear box and some Lumberjack pellets. Bring on summer and vacations......finally. Been 7 months since my last vacation.

[lamrith]

I've had a GMG Daniel Boone for about 3 years now and love it.  My best advice to you regarding ANY pellet grill is to always keep it covered when you're not using it.  Wet pellets make for a headache!

To be more specific I'd say keep it indoors or under cover of a roof.  I had the factory vinyl cover and even in the garage I had an issue with condensation on the machine under the cover.  Just storing in the garage sans vinyl cover, everthing OK and no condensate.

YES.  honestly in our climate (at least here on wetside) the cover can be a problem as much as a help.  A friend of mine had his covered and did not use for a couple months.  Took the cover off and everything was moldy.  The covers just hold in any and all moisture, then being typically black, the sun hits them and it gets NICE and warm inside.  Best bet if at all possible is to have the grill under some sort of roof for storage when not in use.

[wsmnut]

MAK 2 Star.
I’ve had it with the made in China crap.  Not buying things twice again.

[Jpmiller]

I've had a GMG Daniel Boone for about 3 years now and love it.  My best advice to you regarding ANY pellet grill is to always keep it covered when you're not using it.  Wet pellets make for a headache!

To be more specific I'd say keep it indoors or under cover of a roof.  I had the factory vinyl cover and even in the garage I had an issue with condensation on the machine under the cover.  Just storing in the garage sans vinyl cover, everthing OK and no condensate.

YES.  honestly in our climate (at least here on wetside) the cover can be a problem as much as a help.  A friend of mine had his covered and did not use for a couple months.  Took the cover off and everything was moldy.  The covers just hold in any and all moisture, then being typically black, the sun hits them and it gets NICE and warm inside.  Best bet if at all possible is to have the grill under some sort of roof for storage when not in use.

Why is everyone going so long between uses? Fire those things up! Problem solved 

[Knocker of rocks]

Why is everyone going so long between uses? Fire those things up! Problem solved 

Prison

[Jpmiller]

Why is everyone going so long between uses? Fire those things up! Problem solved 

Prison

 

[Dhoey07]

Figured I'd bump this topic up instead of making a new one......

I just pulled the trigger on a Pit Boss 700.  Amazon has a good price on them and I've been back and forth on it for about a month.  I don't really NEED a new BBQ but whatever......

Should be here on Friday and I'll give a review over the weekend.

[WSU]

When my traeger wears out I'll get another pellet grill.  The problem with the traeger is that it doesn't get hot enough.  That's fine because I like charcoal anyway, but I'd like a grill that gets hot. 

[mossy8352]

My Traeger is still running strong but I will now replace the fire box with a new stainless steel one, add a new hot rod and a fan not bad for four years of constant use. The heat blanket really makes a difference in cold weather and the meat comes out the way we like it. Smoked bacon, Canadian style bacon, ribs, chicken and rack of lamb to name a few with no fare ups and singed meat.

[Mossyoak]

Been doing some research on pellet grills, looks like the Yoder can get up to 600 degrees. I want to be able to get the temp up if I need to. They are not cheap, but may be worth the investment

[zwickeyman]

I have had my Rectec for 2 years, frickin amazing. My brother has had numerous Treagers and he says the Rectec is a better unit.

That being said, all pellet grills will smoke and cook meat and there is quite a gap in prices. Just like anything in life, whats important to you.
Price
Ease of use
Holding temp
How quick to temp
How much smoke genarated
How big is the hopper
How big is the grill
Warranty
Well built

[lamrith]

Been doing some research on pellet grills, looks like the Yoder can get up to 600 degrees. I want to be able to get the temp up if I need to. They are not cheap, but may be worth the investment

Yoders are sweet machines.  Don't doubt they get to 600, but others get over 500 as well.  LOT of it though is pellet quality and ambient temp.

My big Rectec gets mid 500's.  With grill grates the grates are then usually over 600, just takes a while to get that hot due to chamber size.  I bought a Rectec bullseye that I use for my grilling and searing, it is what that unit was made to do and makes a great partner to the big 680.

[TLEVIN40]

Long story short, been wanting a pellet grill and I just purchased a Rec Tec.  Aside from some recipes, any other accessories or advice for a first timer?

I did purchase pellets from Rec Tec as a part of a package.

[lamrith]

Welcome to the rectec way of life!  Which size one did you get?  I have a 680 and a bullseye.

Hopefully you bought the sear kit?  If not check out "grill grates" that is who makes them.  They are pretty key to use on a pellet grill if you want to get sear marks for high temp grilling vs low n slow smoking.

Beyond that RUN IT!

[Crunchy]

The insulated thermal blanket if you plan to smoke a lot in the winter months.  I dont have one for mine, but it is on the list.  When you run out of pellets I recommend Lamrith for his pellets.  Great prices and better quality.

[TLEVIN40]

I got the RT-340. I did not get a sear kit or a blanket. I would love to support Lamrith once I run out of my current stock.


Does Rec Tec discontinue and add new model numbers?

I notice both your 680 and my 340 or no longer listed on there website, or shown as out of stock.

[hothand21]

Got a camp chef and sear box for it last month. Love them both! 

[lamrith]

I got the RT-340. I did not get a sear kit or a blanket. I would love to support Lamrith once I run out of my current stock.


Does Rec Tec discontinue and add new model numbers?

I notice both your 680 and my 340 or no longer listed on there website, or shown as out of stock.

680 was replaced by the RT-700, which is now called the bull
The RT-340 was known as the Mini but now called the trailblazer.
both are in stock on the website.

The trailblazer is small enough it gets nice and hot so it would work without the grates, it gets to temp nice and fast too!

[wadu1]

Was not sure about getting a pellet grill, when Sear outlet had a Z-grill for under $300 I got one. After two week thing are smoking well, it get's up to 500. But most of my smoking has been 250 or less. So far great customer service by on line chats answering questions. I will be replacing the leg screws after being a Boeing for 35 years, they don't meet MIL-Spec for length.