Pellet smoker, should I ?

[Arod0525]

Been looking into Traeger pellet smoker and been thinking if its worth it. Im use to the traditional wood burner but been thinking one of these might be fun to give a try. Any reccomendations or negatives that come from a pellet smoker?

 

[Axxe55]

Some pretty good information on pellet smokers in this thread.

https://www.texasguntalk.com/threads/considering-a-pellet-grill.98066/

 

[IXLR8]

I bought a Pit Boss, with half a pellet smoker and half a LP grill. If I had it to do over again, I would probably just bought a larger smoker. In addition to smoking meat, I also use the smoker it to cook steaks. Steaks cooked over a wood fire win every time. It is fantastic having the hot areas and cooler areas available. It is possible because you can open a sliding screen over the actual fire. The fire is in a stainless cup and can be very hot. Opening or closing the sliding screen allows it to be a cooker and a smoker.
If you have used a charcoal or LP grill in the past then you will need to read up recommended ways of doing things. You will also need to clean it fairly often, like every 3 or 4 uses. I just vacuum mine out with a shop-vac and clean any stragglers off of the grills.

 

[baboon]

If that's what will bring happieness to your life do it. I recently assembled a rifle that I don't plan on shooting, just because I don't have a gun I didn't shoot. Next will be an ACOG for it.

 

[Dawico]

My brother loves his pellet smoker. All I can say about them is the food cooked on them is very good.

 

[Axxe55]

My brother loves his pellet smoker. All I can say about them is the food cooked on them is very good.

Most people I know that have one, once they learn how to use them, love them.

 

[lbbf]

The only advantage to pellet is ease of use. Granted it is a HUGE advantage. You dial in your temp and forget it. My experience is the food is really good but I like the flavors off my BGE more. I find controlling how much smoke is difficult with a pellet grill. Its either a lot or very little. My pellet seems to dry out the meat more as well. I got the rectec 340 so I could take it camping. For that use I love it.

 

[Arod0525]

If that's what will bring happieness to your life do it. I recently assembled a rifle that I don't plan on shooting, just because I don't have a gun I didn't shoot. Next will be an ACOG for it.

I like the way you think! Happiness just happens to be a smoked brisket for me right now haha

 

[Arod0525]

The only advantage to pellet is ease of use. Granted it is a HUGE advantage. You dial in your temp and forget it. My experience is the food is really good but I like the flavors off my BGE more. I find controlling how much smoke is difficult with a pellet grill. Its either a lot or very little. My pellet seems to dry out the meat more as well. I got the rectec 340 so I could take it camping. For that use I love it.

I am right there with you man. I love and will always prefer the traditional way of smoking but the convenience is really the selling point on these pellet smokers to begin with. Also, my wife is wanting to start cooking dinner on the grill and I think I rather her fire up a pellet smoker than my big stick burner haha

 

[TxStetson]

For years I was a smoker snob. Nothing but stick burners. I have now had a pellet grill/smoker for a year and half, and I don't see me ever going back. Also, my wife has breathing problems, and would choke up anytime I lit my smoker, and anytime I brought meat in the house afterwards. For some reason, she has no problems with the pellet smoker as long as the smoke isn't blowing into the house.

 

[SQLGeek]

Some pretty good information on pellet smokers in this thread.

https://www.texasguntalk.com/threads/considering-a-pellet-grill.98066/

Seconded. I got lots of good info in this thread.

I went with a RecTec and have been making some very tasty food on it. With a solid smoke ring and flavor too.

I initially looked Traeger and Pit Boss but decided the PID and stainless construction of the RecTec was worth the premium.

 

[billtool]

For years I was a smoker snob. Nothing but stick burners. I have now had a pellet grill/smoker for a year and half, and I don't see me ever going back. Also, my wife has breathing problems, and would choke up anytime I lit my smoker, and anytime I brought meat in the house afterwards. For some reason, she has no problems with the pellet smoker as long as the smoke isn't blowing into the house.

Must say- I’m currently and have been a smoker snob. My method of smoking is time time consuming, sometimes messy, and a pain in the ass thatI truly enjoy. As what was said earlier- if it makes ya happy- do it. The food will be good. Maybe not AS good because it’s missing that love. Bit good nonetheless.

 

[Axxe55]

Must say- I’m currently and have been a smoker snob. My method of smoking is time time consuming, sometimes messy, and a pain in the ass that

I'm not so much a smoker snob, just that my smoker will probably outlast me, so I can't see investing in a new style smoker.

Plus, it allows me more beer drinking time!

 

[lonestardiver]

I have considered a pellet smoker for awhile now. But alas my wife bought me a new offset smoker for Christmas the year before last when I was recovering from neck surgery. She apparently didn’t like my New Braunfels Black Diamond anymore.

Last year our gas grill bit the dust (it was a prize from a Home Depot Promotional event that lasted 3-4 years). So for my birthday this year I got a gas/charcoal grill. Uses propane on one side and charcoal on the other side as well as a gas burner on the side.

I don’t mind tending the smoker as needed for briskets and such. It is part of the process checking it and adding wood as needed.

Maybe one day I will get a vertical pellet smoker.

 

[Mike_from_Texas]

A Traeger, no.

There are several others that will turn out great food and be much more versatile than the Traeger.


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[Evictor]

I would say go for it. You're not going to turn out authentic pit style que but for the lazy/easy cooks it's fine especially if you're the type that wraps stuff and foil and finishes it in the oven.

What I found was my Trager did an exceptional job on pizzas and chicken. But it it did not generate enough smoke on its own for anything like brisket or butts. It didn't okay job with ribs and anything wrapped in bacon. I also found out that it did a poor job on cooking steaks it just would not get hot enough for a proper sear.

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[Evictor]

Forgot to mention adding a smoke generator would probably make up for some of the limitations of a pellet grill


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[avvidclif]

I was in the same boat a while back. Wanted to try pellet smokers but didn't want to spend much in case I didn't care for it. I bought a Country Smokers Traveler. It can be bought thru Lowes for under $200 (with GI discount). Which is below my threshold of pain. So far it has been great. It's not large enough for a decent brisket but can handle 3 racks of BB ribs and make the meat fall off the bone. For just 2 people it's perfect and easy to use.