OT: Traeger vs. Others

[NWADawg]

Is the Traeger pellet smokers really significantly better than Pitt Boss and other pellet smokers.

I have a large wood smoker (18" wide with 1/4" in walls for firebox, 30" wide with 3/8" walls for cook zone) that was home made by a relative. It works great for large family gatherings but I'm too lazy to mess with that on a regular basis for smaller amounts of food.

So, looking for a nice easy pellet smoker that will give decent smoke flavor.

 

[Xenomorph]

2 years ago I bought a Camp Chef Z pro for one reason.. the easy clean out. It’s been great and I’ve used it a ton. Probably once a week or more on average. I usually light an A-maze-n smoke tube to bump the smoke flavor.

 

[PBRME]

I’d always liked the convenience of pellet grills, but all the ones I checked in the stores just felt really cheap.

REC TEC popped up in my Facebook feed. Never heard of them. It took me about an hour to be sold. I researched another couple weeks because for me it’s a big decision. I found Grilla when I was researching and they made me hesitate. Yoder and Pitts and Spitts were more than I wanted to spend.

Ordered the RT 700 last February. Best money I’ve spent in a long time. Warranty is incredible. Customer service has been top notch. The thing Is built like a tank. The PID keeps the temp spot on with no swings. I can throw a brisket or butt on before bed and sleep like a baby.

The hardest part about my pellet smoker is learning to leave it alone. I’m so used to adding charcoal/wood, adjusting dampers to correct temp fluctuation, and monitor food temps. Now I just look at my app every once in a while just for reassurance while I’m out doing whatever I want.

 

[ronpolk]

I have a green mountain... I like it a lot and have not had any issues out of it. I don’t think you can go wrong with a green mountain, Rec Tec or traeger. A pellet grill is definitely easy to use and cooking with the wood makes a difference in the food taste.

 

[DawgInCO]

I have a green mountain too. I've never had any problems with it and it cooks great.

 

[Dawgbite]

I picked up a like new Kamado Joe Classic on FB marketplace yesterday for $250. Wife said I didn’t need a 6th grill so I bought it anyway and cut here off!

 

[Nunya.sixpack]

I picked up a like new Kamado Joe Classic on FB marketplace yesterday for $250. !

Some hateful woman got you a good deal.

 

[Dawgbite]

Yep!

 

[The Usual Suspect]

Don't have a pellet grill, but have a Kamado Joe. It is a ceramic kamado like the BGE but red. I had never used one, until I got mine about 4 years ago. Very easy to use and holds temp for a long time. Either brand work the same, probably more options with BGE at ACE Hardware, but Costco used to sell Kamado Joe (not sure if they still do). I'm sure Traeger pellet types do great also, but I prefer the smoker have a little weight to it.

 

[Crazy Cotton]

the Yoder ys640 with a competition cart is the best small smoker around, and it isn't terrible as far as price. And made in Nebraska. I have one and the ys1500 and when I've needed a part or an upgrade I'm talking on the phone with someone who actually works at the place where they are made, and he usually ships me what I need free or at cost within a day or two. Only problem is finding one without a six month wait.