Pellet Smoker**

Been debating back in forth between the two for some time. What are the general thoughts? I like old school and tending to the fire. However I am in the military and move every few years and moving a 650lb smoker is a pain.

I have not dealt with Pellet's at all, but have heard generally good things. Anyone have any insight/ potential best pellet's on the market?

I have stuck burner on a trailer that's so large as to be unusable except on special occasions. I want a pellet smoker for the backyard. That's what I'd lean toward.

Thanks for the feedback!

Do you know anything about the Camp Chef SmokePro LUX? Can't figure out where they sale those Outlaw grills

Egg is the most versatile but expensive
Pellet is easy but pretty monosyllabic. It's and oven with some smoke flavor
Offset stick burner is best for smoking meats but little else, but gives an excuse to sit in the yard and drink

ORAggieFan said:

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Can't beat a Weber Smokey Mountain with temp control.

If you go pellet, go high end and research pellet quality.

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What kind of temp control do you have on your WSM?

I've recently 'reacquired' my WSM after several years of not having it.

I'd like to improve it a bit - I'd hate to get a whole new smoker because (like you say) it's already a pretty decent rig.

I've had a Traeger for a few years. Used to use an offset. Traeger are incredibly convenient -- you can do a short smoke on a steak and then reverse sear, do wings, chicken, etc. Very easy to use, and very easy to clean. The newer versions generate more heat and more smoke.

It's a myth that you can't get enough smoke with a Traeger, if you use it correctly. Best part is I can wake up very early, throw on a brisket (or pork butt) and go back to bed.

Had the same internal debate for a while. Ended up with a RECTEC Bull and couldn't be happier.

Was a stick-burner purist for a long time. Had the large Lyfe Tyme (fire box, main chamber, left-hand closet) for several years and loved it. Switched to a Traeger a year ago and it's awesome. Plenty of heat, plenty of smoke, precision temp control, easy to clean, and it frees me up to do other things while I'm cooking. Highly recommend.

CajunAggie said:

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Was a stick-burner purist for a long time. Had the large Lyfe Tyme (fire box, main chamber, left-hand closet) for several years and loved it. Switched to a Traeger a year ago and it's awesome. Plenty of heat, plenty of smoke, precision temp control, easy to clean, and it frees me up to do other things while I'm cooking. Highly recommend.

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+1 to this.

Kamado Joe

Man I would go with the pellet or electric in general. Yes, with a fire box you may get a better cook (maybe?) but the convenience of a pellet/electric means would actually lend to you actually using the smoker more than just a handful of times a year. I bought a Smokin-it model #1 electric smoker and I couldn't be happier. I use that sucker like a crock pot. I put the meat in, go to work, then check at lunch. It is so simple and easy that I use it ALL THE TIME. I had an offset that I ended up using only a couple times in 4-5 years. It was just a hassle. Plus now I have 4 kids. I don't really have the time to doctor a fire.

I've got a buddy who has a couple Traegers and he loves them. He's able to keep up with them via Bluetooth from his office.

I just wanted to chime in and say there's no wrong choice. People with stick burners love them. People with WSMs love them. People with pellets love them. People with BGEs love them.

Pellets are easy, but to keep them running smooth there is a clean up time afterwards.

If you're leaning towards fire then do that!

Pit boss 700 under $400. Thing is amazing. I cook everything on it. Roast veggies , ribs , brisket, smoke burgers , fish even wood fire pizzas. I quit going out to eat cause its so easy and awesome to use!!!

I bought a Memphis 3 years ago....one of the best investments I've ever made. Always stays on temp with no fluctuation.

AgTrip said:

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Pit boss 700 under $400. Thing is amazing. I cook everything on it. Roast veggies , ribs , brisket, smoke burgers , fish even wood fire pizzas. I quit going out to eat cause its so easy and awesome to use!!!

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How long have you had it? I'm wondering about longevity on units at this price point.

AgTrip said:

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Pit boss 700 under $400. Thing is amazing. I cook everything on it. Roast veggies , ribs , brisket, smoke burgers , fish even wood fire pizzas. I quit going out to eat cause its so easy and awesome to use!!!

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Just bought one and did s brisket. Ended up being the easiest cook I've ever done. Had a nice smoke ring and good bark. Looking forward to trying new things on it.

Neighbor has both. The pellet smoker tends to not give the flavor he likes if used for long cooking. He'll start briskets on his smoker, then transfer to the pellet smoker for the last 2-3 hours.

Diggity said:

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Couldn't you do the same thing with an oven instead of the pellet smoker?

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I guess it depends if he is wrapping or not.

Been researching pellet smokers all week as well. Think I've narrowed it down to the Rec Tec RT-700 Bull or the Traeger Timberline 850. Wish I could see the Bull in a store, but its not distributed by dealers so you have to know someone who owns one to get a look/feel for craftsmanship. Took a good look at the Timberline 850 (2019) at Elliot's Hardware yesterday and it is surely and upgrade over past models. Does anyone have experience with either of these?

Have you looked at Green Mountain? I was in the same boat on Rec Tec. My final two were Trager and GM. I ended up with GM. The price was a lot better than Traeger and there was not a drop off in product. I have had it for about a year and we use it weekly if not more.

https://greenmountaingrills.com/products/grills/daniel-boone-wifi-prime/

There is not a second level, but there are some that you can grab from amazon to increase you cooking area for $30.

Once it hits 145 or so you don't get more smoke flavor wrapped or not, but you do get more color.

Enjoy your new oven, wink

quit thinking about it and just get a MAK

I just got a camp chef 2 weeks ago and it is fantastic. The easy ash clean out is what made me choose it over pit poss. I've cooked ribs and smoked a meatloaf on it already and both have been excellent. It's super easy and convenient.

toothy00 said:

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Been researching pellet smokers all week as well. Think I've narrowed it down to the Rec Tec RT-700 Bull or the Traeger Timberline 850. Wish I could see the Bull in a store, but its not distributed by dealers so you have to know someone who owns one to get a look/feel for craftsmanship. Took a good look at the Timberline 850 (2019) at Elliot's Hardware yesterday and it is surely and upgrade over past models. Does anyone have experience with either of these?

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The RT has a PID controller and heavier guage steel.

If you're willing to spend that kind of money, I'd go with the RT.

Pellet.

Do you like jerky? They make great jerky. Set it and forget it.

Ok, looking for info on the Traeger, I see this. If true, it's a definate no on having to buy pellets only from Traeger:

"the bad It's expensive and uses special wood pellets made only by Traeger. You have to clean it often, otherwise it won't ignite properly. You need to tend it periodically or risk the grill's fire to fizzle out unexpectedly."

Cassius said:

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Ok, looking for info on the Traeger, I see this. If true, it's a definate no on having to buy pellets only from Traeger:

"the bad It's expensive and uses special wood pellets made only by Traeger. You have to clean it often, otherwise it won't ignite properly. You need to tend it periodically or risk the grill's fire to fizzle out unexpectedly."

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You can use any wood pellets you want.

I would agree with you. I know this thread is about stuff outside of the Weber Smoky Mountain...and that's OK. That said, My Weber SM is the bomb...and I've rocked Brisket, Pork Ribs, Beef Ribs, and Pork Boston Butt. It is way beyond my expectation.