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Pellet smokers

Discussion in 'Food Talk' started by ColoradoTJ, May 14, 2017.

  1. May 14, 2017 at 10:30 AM
    #1
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    It is about time to start smoking my meat. Looking at some of the pellet smokers, and I have heard great things about Traeger smokers.

    What size do you recommend for a family of 4? I have also heard smoking a pizza is awesome.
     
  2. May 14, 2017 at 12:08 PM
    #2
    PermaFrostTRD

    PermaFrostTRD Tumescent Member

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    The flavor isn't as good when there's no sweat, blood, and anxiety mixed in.

    Naw I've heard nothing but great things about the traeger smokers. As for size, I think anything the size of a conventional grill is sufficient. Unless you plan on catering or doing large cookouts / smokes.
     
    niru316 and ColoradoTJ[OP] like this.
  3. May 14, 2017 at 12:11 PM
    #3
    PermaFrostTRD

    PermaFrostTRD Tumescent Member

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    And yes get a pizza stone. It's amazing.

    (Smoke some meat first and get the grille broken in, just adds to the flavor once everything is good and seasoned with a few slabs of pig or brisket under your belt)
     
    ColoradoTJ[OP] likes this.
  4. May 14, 2017 at 3:57 PM
    #4
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    I have a Traeger Junior that I've had for 5 years that is a good size for the 3 of us, they're built well but some pieces leave a little to be desired. I had to replace the drip pan at 2 years and the heat deflector is done for right now, stainless parts are available through 3rd parties.

    I love how easy it is to operate and the fact that there are no flare ups. We've done normal everyday grilling to apple pie, pizza is fantastic and it's great to be able to do food without firing up the oven and making the house even hotter.

    If I were buying again I'd look strongly at Mak, Yoder, Louisiana and Green Mountain since they're all still US made.
     
  5. May 14, 2017 at 4:16 PM
    #5
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    This is the information I'm looking for.

    I would like a US made smoker....it matters to me.
     
  6. May 14, 2017 at 4:34 PM
    #6
    Festerw

    Festerw New Member

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    There are quite a few made here really depends on what you want to spend I've seen anywhere from about $600 to $4,000 and up.
     
  7. May 14, 2017 at 6:05 PM
    #7
    PermaFrostTRD

    PermaFrostTRD Tumescent Member

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    Just saw a tv advert for a cabelas pellet smoker. Looked like a traeger. Zero knowledge about it though.
     
  8. May 14, 2017 at 6:20 PM
    #8
    Spolar

    Spolar Going broke

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    They're definitely nice and convenient but they can't compete with a simple barrel smoker as far as taste in my opinion. The convienence factor alone is nice, I smoke more meat now just because it isn't so time consuming.
     
  9. May 14, 2017 at 6:41 PM
    #9
    Borgs

    Borgs New Member

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    Love my Traeger Junior.
     
  10. May 14, 2017 at 7:47 PM
    #10
    B_brand

    B_brand New Member

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    I use a pellet grill/smoker all the time. Mine is a Louisiana. You can either get a Chinese or Canadian made one. Mine is the Canadian one and is much better quality than the others. One of the advantages (in my mind) of the Louisiana grill is that you are able to get it really hot for cooking pizza or searing a steak. I've cooked lots of pizza on mine and they taste great! I have also loaded it up with pork butts and smoked them all night. It is very universal. One like mine will run you about $1000.
     
  11. May 14, 2017 at 8:08 PM
    #11
    TundraDan723

    TundraDan723 Not as new as I used to be...

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    I have a Green Mountain Grill. Can't say enough good things about it, WAY better than a Traeger. I can adjust it in 5 degree increments and it has built in WiFi. I can control the entire grill with my smart phone and it will send updates on temp, etc. I would rate it a 5 of 5 and definitely purchase again.
     
    ColoradoTJ[OP] likes this.
  12. May 14, 2017 at 8:14 PM
    #12
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I have really been looking at the Green Mountain grills and the Louisiana grills now since this thread started.

    Well done wise smokers of Tundras.com.
     
    Muleycrazy13 likes this.
  13. May 14, 2017 at 8:15 PM
    #13
    AnonVet

    AnonVet That's what she said!

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    Traeger used to be us made. Couple of parts tend to fail since they outsourced their manufacturing. Luckily I'm a nerd and when the board fails I just hit up frys electronics and replace the bad resistors. I'm big on American made and traeger is still what I roll with. The junior fit a 22lb ham for thanksgiving which is why enough to feed a small army lol.
     
  14. May 14, 2017 at 8:21 PM
    #14
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Thanks for the invite Dan!

    Sounds like a great time man.
     
  15. May 14, 2017 at 9:21 PM
    #15
    AnonVet

    AnonVet That's what she said!

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    Anytime you're in the area brotha!
     
  16. May 14, 2017 at 9:25 PM
    #16
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ [OP] Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    You're a good man sir.

    I'll park in the street since I own a GM. Lol
     
  17. May 15, 2017 at 5:11 AM
    #17
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    I have no experience with any of the pellet grills/smokers.

    If you have any questions about weber kettle grills or the smoky mountain then hit me up, those are what I currently use and crank out some damn good bbq
     
  18. May 15, 2017 at 6:01 AM
    #18
    niru316

    niru316 New Member

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    Agreed! lol I personally have a webber smokey mountain... But I have seen WSM converted to a pellet smoker by Cajun Bandit if that is an option for you.
     
    PermaFrostTRD[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. May 15, 2017 at 6:26 AM
    #19
    HBdirtbag

    HBdirtbag New Member

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    Good timing. Literally picked this new bitch up yesterday...

    IMG_7336.jpg
    IMG_7337.jpg
     
    Pvarela07, AnonVet and ColoradoTJ[OP] like this.
  20. May 15, 2017 at 6:31 AM
    #20
    HBdirtbag

    HBdirtbag New Member

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    It's a yoder YS640. I've been looking for a new smoker for about a year or so, finally pulled the trigger.

    I had a smokey mountain propane unit, as well as a masterbuilt electric (which by far is the most no brainer, set it and forget it smoker that i've ever used, highly recommend to someone just getting into smoking).

    I looked at a few different options, traeger, rec-tec, cook shack, and others. I wanted something that was still electrically controlled and was open to trying pellets (i'm not sure i'll like it in the long run, but we'll see). The reviews for most are great....the yoder just fit my needs in terms of size, reviews, etc.

    I'm a family of 5, but I cook big (3 under 6). I'll usually cook 6-8 racks of ribs at a time, or a full shoulder; and will freeze it into meals for later. I also like that i can use the yoder as an oven or grill as well.
     
    ColoradoTJ[OP] likes this.
  21. May 15, 2017 at 7:30 AM
    #21
    PermaFrostTRD

    PermaFrostTRD Tumescent Member

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    Nice! I had a Webber kettle for the longest time. Just recently got an Oklahoma Joe 3 in 1 (smoker, propane, coals/wood). It's been great. Properly broken in /seasoned and you still get smokey flavor when just using the propane side (for weeknights) as the cook box heats up.
    The steel is a much thicker guage than I've had on previous gas grilles and while it took some gasketing, siliconing, a custom tuning plate(s), and mods to the chimney, it's performed pretty flawlessly. Digital thermometers with remotes and alarms are a godsend.
    The ability to "set it & forget it" is appealing though. Part of me needs to have a little bit of "labor of love" cooked into my food. Haha
     
    niru316[QUOTED] likes this.
  22. May 15, 2017 at 8:03 AM
    #22
    HBdirtbag

    HBdirtbag New Member

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    i've found, nothing is truly a set it and forget it. That said...for me the labor of love is the prep....
     
  23. May 15, 2017 at 11:10 AM
    #23
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    The webers I smoke on are pretty much set and forget it
    I may have to add more fuel on extended cooks but control is a non issue.
     
  24. May 15, 2017 at 11:40 AM
    #24
    HBdirtbag

    HBdirtbag New Member

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    temp stays flat that whole time? That's great :)
     
  25. May 15, 2017 at 11:57 AM
    #25
    niru316

    niru316 New Member

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    I agree! Labor of Love is best! With my WSM Control is EASY just have to play around with how you set up coals... How you setup the coals can determine how long they will last. I've only done REALLY long cooks cause I normally smoke meats for cookouts... longest ive ever done was 18h never again... lol
     
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  26. May 15, 2017 at 12:04 PM
    #26
    HBdirtbag

    HBdirtbag New Member

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    exactly, i'm past the days of wanting something I constantly have to open up vents, mess around to get the right temp. I just dropped $2K on a new smoker, the last thing I want is to have to fuck around with it all day long like some of the ones i've had in the past.

    I'll put my love and labor into making rubs and eating. Plus, i've got 3 kids under 6 now...the more automated I can make anything, the better.
     
    niru316 likes this.
  27. May 15, 2017 at 6:44 PM
    #27
    $1.98

    $1.98 New Member

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    Had a Traeger and it was ok but I now have a Yoder and it is far and above better than the Traeger. Its more money but worth it.
     
    HBdirtbag likes this.
  28. May 15, 2017 at 6:46 PM
    #28
    KCTundra

    KCTundra -Caeleb

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    Be careful with this one. My neighbor and also his brother had this exact model go up in flames due to the caulking failing and allowing air into the main cooking area. Yoder is aware of this and will ship you new parts at a cost when this happens out of warranty.
     
  29. May 16, 2017 at 6:20 AM
    #29
    HBdirtbag

    HBdirtbag New Member

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    Yep, had read a bit about that. Seems the newer models have this solved (this unit was made 2 weeks ago)
     
  30. Jun 16, 2017 at 12:16 PM
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    TXMiamiFan

    TXMiamiFan SSEM #3 and tractor extraordinaire

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