Pellet Grill/smoker

Geerubb

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I've been inspired by the Traeger thread. My propane grill needs to be replaced, and I think it's going to be a pellet grill/smoker of some sort. I've been checking out the different manufactures - and the options are a bit overwhelming. I know Traeger has a good following, but I'm seeing reports of newer models made in China not living up to the name.

So what pellete grills are everyone using? Any features I need to consider? I'm really liking the Camp Chef DLX model at the moment. For $425 it seems to have a lot of the features I'm looking for, at a much lower price.
 
I love my GReen Mountain .. imho pellet "smokers" do just that very well. Any that claim to "grill" very good are just trying to sell you.

Pellet smoker to smoke & bake
Charcoal Weber Kettle to grill
 
Not sure what brand but I noticed academy sports in Burlington had a good sized one the other day for $499
 
I’m using the pitboss classic 700 from Walmart. It was $399 and cooks great for me.


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I've had a Camp Chef DLX pellet smoker for three years now and use it quite a bit. It's better to think of it as a smoker/oven than as a smoker/grill. It definitely did not replace the gas grill; the gas grill is still best for searing and for convenience.

Pellet smokers are very good at smoking but the "oven" part shouldn't be overlooked. Things like pizza or bread or cornbread come out with amazing flavor.

I picked the Camp Chef because of the firebox cleanout feature and that feature is worth it's weight in gold. Without it, you have to pull everything out of your smoker to clean the firebox (which you are supposed to do after every use). Don't know if other manufacturers have started to offer that feature yet.

edit - just don't ever let a pellet smoker get wet. The wood pellets expand to something like four times their original size if they get wet, and when they do they will jam up the hopper and auger. You'll spend the better part of a day taking the smoker apart and cleaning it out before it will work again. Ask me how I know. :oops:
 
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I own a Traeger, but keep a Webber charcoal around to sear/grill steaks/pork chops/etc. A friend of mine at work has the Cabela's brand pellet grill and he claims that it has a grate that can be slid to expose meat directly to the firebox. While that is an interesting concept, I don't think you can beat charcoal for a good sear. I'm very peculiar how my food tastes and can tell when something is cooked on propane or if someone used lighter fluid to start their coals.

I do like Traeger's new Ironside grills, as they have WiFi that will show the temps on your phone. No need to keep checking the temps on the grill.
 
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I've had a Camp Chef DLX pellet smoker for three years now and use it quite a bit. It's better to think of it as a smoker/oven than as a smoker/grill. It definitely did not replace the gas grill; the gas grill is still best for searing and for convenience.

Pellet smokers are very good at smoking but the "oven" part shouldn't be overlooked. Things like pizza or bread or cornbread come out with amazing flavor.

I picked the Camp Chef because of the firebox cleanout feature and that feature is worth it's weight in gold. Without it, you have to pull everything out of your smoker to clean the firebox (which you are supposed to do after every use). Don't know if other manufacturers have started to offer that feature yet.

edit - just don't ever let a pellet smoker get wet. The wood pellets expand to something like four times their original size if they get wet, and when they do they will jam up the hopper and auger. You'll spend the better part of a day taking the smoker apart and cleaning it out before it will work again. Ask me how I know. :oops:
Camp chef is def I my short list. I keep seeing the DLX model mentioned, but I do think I want a model with the sliding plate to expose the direct flame. I think I would have already bought a camp chef is they offered a wifi model. I like the idea of keeping an eye on the meat/grill temp from my phone if I have to run to the store. The wifi thermometer will tell me the temp, but I wouldn't be able to adjust it at all.
 
You don't have to replace your smoker to get wifi if you don't want to - just grab a wifi thermometer.

I'm partial to Thermoworks because all their stuff is amazing. If you sign up for their emails and are patient you can grab pretty much anything they make at a discount.

As others have said, pellet grills do one thing very well, smoke. A buddy of mine just got one and he found out you have to be careful about the pellets and moisture if it's outside. I don't have one so maybe others can comment.

I replied to Vyntage because I have several Thermoworks products and they are excellent. I have the Signals for cooking on my Kamado Joe. I would recommend the Smoke or Signals depending on what you end up getting.
 
We got a Traeger for Father’s Day, everything from it is amazing & 450 deg works fine.
We chose to not use a cover and keep it in the garage when not being used. Moisture’s an issue for electronics and pellets.
 
Camp chef is def I my short list. I keep seeing the DLX model mentioned, but I do think I want a model with the sliding plate to expose the direct flame. I think I would have already bought a camp chef is they offered a wifi model. I like the idea of keeping an eye on the meat/grill temp from my phone if I have to run to the store. The wifi thermometer will tell me the temp, but I wouldn't be able to adjust it at all.

Hmmm. I've never really adjusted the smoker temp during a smoke, let alone remotely. Does anyone else do that?

Monitoring the meat temp, however, is important.

edit - for clarification: monitoring smoker temps is important because if there is a grease fire, smoker temps will soar and you need to know that. Being at the store will not help. Monitoring meat temps is important for triggering events like "wrap in foil" or "crap, it's done". In that case you have plenty of warning of impending events and should not go to the store. :)
 
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I'll be the guy that says... I've left my Treager outside with the factory cover for 3 plus years. All year long.
I've yet to have trouble with the pellets I've left in it. Starts every time , rain or shine , cold or hot.

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Meat is getting done a lil faster and/or slower than I wanted... bump it up during the stall ... food is done, just keeping warm, etc, etc
 
Just picked up a Pitt Boss 820 Pro pellet grill from Lowes , its my first jump into pellet grilling . I will put together this weekend and will probably do a pork shoulder or something to start . I hope it work out..lol but from all my research it seemed Pitt Boss was the way to go.
 
I hope it work out..lol

It will work out just fine..
if you don't know, the first run needs to be empty and set to high for an hour or so. Burn out the mfg.oils and such plus a good season smoke on the insides.
 
It will work out just fine..
if you don't know, the first run needs to be empty and set to high for an hour or so. Burn out the mfg.oils and such plus a good season smoke on the insides.
Yeah I saw a few vids on it and im a stickler for manuals hopefully all info in there .
 
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