1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Don’t kill me, i know this has been asked (new smoker advice)

Discussion in 'Food Talk' started by Hbjeff, Sep 30, 2020.

  1. Oct 1, 2020 at 10:11 AM
    #31
    WestexSBK

    WestexSBK New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2018
    Member:
    #13072
    Messages:
    543
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2019 SuperWhite CM TRD Sport 4x4
    I vote a GMG Davy Crockett. Just get the cheapest basic model you can buy and enjoy. You will absolutely love cooking on a pellet grill.

    OP what kind of charcoal are you using? I’ve found people sensitive to smoke generally do not mind plain old Kingsford blue bag. It’s my go to for everything. If I need a little smoke flavor I will use flavored wood chunks. When I start using lump charcoal that’s when the flavors can bother people.
     
  2. Oct 1, 2020 at 4:17 PM
    #32
    Juanjoolio007

    Juanjoolio007 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2017
    Member:
    #6618
    Messages:
    2,085
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    George
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    2019 Silver Sky Platinum Crew Max
    Bed Rug, Tonneau cover, Window visors, Console organizer, Weather Tech's
    Shhh... don’t let that secret out yet lol. I have my eye on that Bullseye.

    My primary pellet grill is a Traeger Timberline 1300. It’s awesome. Does have a down side though and that’s for small cooks it’s way to big. Hits 500 no problem, has WiFi, and I can feed big get togethers no problem. Going to add either a Weber Kettle with a slow n sear or that Bullseye for small, fast cooks.

    In my opinion if you are a busy person WiFi is a must. The first time I used it I was smoking a brisket for a party and monitor/adjusting temps from work.

    I would look for WiFi, heat range, grill thickness or insulation if you live in a colder area and consider size needed. Pellet grills are awesome but sometimes you may just want a burger/steak cooked over fire. Good luck with your search.
     
    Patch999[QUOTED] likes this.
  3. Oct 1, 2020 at 4:34 PM
    #33
    T500

    T500 # The Dark Side

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2017
    Member:
    #6478
    Messages:
    7,469
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Alfie
    Neptune, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2020 Black
    I have the Pit Barrel cooker, basic but fun to use, no gadgets, so far have made ribs, brisket, smoked salmon, turkey, chicken, wings, sausages!!

    I like it because it’s basic, coals, air vent and that’s it.
     
  4. Oct 1, 2020 at 4:56 PM
    #34
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2019
    Member:
    #35569
    Messages:
    3,678
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bruce
    MB Canada
    Vehicle:
    2019 Cavalry Blue Tundra CM
    Weber Smokey Mountain?

    As for smokers....I vote Kamado. No electricity, not tied to pellets, easily holds temps for 8-10hrs without a single adjustment, versatile in terms of temps.

    I am not against pellet smokers but I don't see them as something I would ever use, no matter how good the food tastes. I think they are more for people who don't want to learn how to smoke over the course of months or years but want to pull off a good brisket the first time and set it and forget it. I cook mainly over lump or when I have the time, a horizontal stick burner. I enjoy tending the fire, adjusting on the fly and the simplicity of them.
     
    TheBlackPearl likes this.
  5. Oct 2, 2020 at 6:15 AM
    #35
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2019
    Member:
    #24845
    Messages:
    4,897
    Gender:
    Male
    Huntington Beach
    Vehicle:
    2010 DC 5.7 2wd
    Trd sways, bullydog, magnaflow, sumo springs
    Thank you everyone. So much good info in this thread i am researching all the suggestions.

    at this point I’m leanIng towards a wifi pellet grill for those days of shuffling between soccer fields and watch the cook!

    @Danimal86 i appreciate your play by play comparison
     
  6. Oct 2, 2020 at 7:01 AM
    #36
    Buckeye1977

    Buckeye1977 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2020
    Member:
    #47643
    Messages:
    116
    If you have kids and are busy hands down pellet smoker! I really prefer the charcoal BUT too busy to screw around with it! I’m super happy with my recteq.
     
  7. Oct 2, 2020 at 8:00 AM
    #37
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2019
    Member:
    #24845
    Messages:
    4,897
    Gender:
    Male
    Huntington Beach
    Vehicle:
    2010 DC 5.7 2wd
    Trd sways, bullydog, magnaflow, sumo springs
    Anyone have the reqtec 340? The warranty being much shorter is concerning, but I don’t need a massive smoker, sadly we don’t have that many friends :/
     
  8. Oct 2, 2020 at 8:19 AM
    #38
    atruckowner

    atruckowner New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2020
    Member:
    #50706
    Messages:
    31
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2020 White Limited CrewMax
    Rough Country DC2 Side Steps, Rod Holders, Yakima Bike Mount
    Absolutely the reason I like the pellet smoker. Automated cooking with a great result. It still requires learning a process of how the food cooks and making tweaks from smoke to smoke to improve.
     
  9. Oct 2, 2020 at 9:28 AM
    #39
    cmack

    cmack New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2014
    Member:
    #9
    Messages:
    235
    Gender:
    Male
    AZ
    Vehicle:
    2018 Burrito
    Go Green Mountain Grills....

    I have a Traeger Tailgator and a GMG Jim Bowie.... The traeger worked decently for the first 3yrs but has given me issues since.... so I snagged the GMG and am much much happier with it so far. The traeger gave me countless temp issues, among other challenges.
     
  10. Oct 2, 2020 at 9:32 AM
    #40
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2019
    Member:
    #24845
    Messages:
    4,897
    Gender:
    Male
    Huntington Beach
    Vehicle:
    2010 DC 5.7 2wd
    Trd sways, bullydog, magnaflow, sumo springs
    Silly question, pellet grills don’t need a water pan for moisture?
     
  11. Oct 2, 2020 at 10:15 AM
    #41
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2015
    Member:
    #2054
    Messages:
    5,549
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rich
    Oklahoma, Toyota seat trim durability tester
    Vehicle:
    2022 Silverado LT.
    Still rolling stock baby....
    Big green egg all the way


    Pellet grills are nice but you need power so keep that in mind and they do require some maintinance

    the egg just cooks.

    as far as temp control I have not had any issues with keeping temps steady
    Yes it takes a few cooks to get the hang of it but it’s not that hard to do
     
  12. Oct 2, 2020 at 10:21 AM
    #42
    9am53

    9am53 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2019
    Member:
    #39811
    Messages:
    411
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    adam
    Vehicle:
    2015 Black RCLB 4x4
    2020 PRO headlights and grill
    I've got a reverse flow offset 250 gallon stick burner and a WSM clone for the smaller stuff. Obviously I prefer old fashioned fire. It is more work, but if thats the sort of thing you like then you'd likely get bored with a pellet smoker. If you want an easier learning curve and quality food more or less right away then go pellet. To make things a bit more "set it and forget it" I got a auberins SYL2615 last month...It has been returned as it wouldn't connect to 2 different routers nor my wife's cellphone hotspot. I will be ordering a thermoworks Smoke X4 with the billows next week so that I can monitor it anywhere on my property, and if I'm doing an over night for catering I can actually sleep. With a stick burner I do get more smoke for sure...I like it that way, but I end up having to wrap with brown paper right around the stall (thats when my food looks the way I want) so it stays the right colour and doesnt go too dark. With my smaller smoker I use briquettes as fuel and small chunks of hardwood for the first hour or 2 and I get a much cleaner smoke flavour, good ring but not too dark.
     
    Buckeye1977 likes this.
  13. Oct 2, 2020 at 10:23 AM
    #43
    TundraPHX

    TundraPHX Ryan started the fire.

    Joined:
    May 5, 2020
    Member:
    #45948
    Messages:
    267
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jared
    I've got the camp chef whirlwind w sear box and I think it's gimmicky. Thing doesn't produce smoke....it heats up just fine and holds a temp and that's why I keep it. I just bought 3 of those pellet tubes from Amazon and get 3 of those going all at once and it gives me enough smoke for hours. I wouldn't buy this grill. Hindsight, I love this grill because it's fire up and go, but ideally for smoking, I'd just get the biggest smokey mountain and call it a day.
     
  14. Oct 2, 2020 at 11:20 AM
    #44
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2015
    Member:
    #2054
    Messages:
    5,549
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rich
    Oklahoma, Toyota seat trim durability tester
    Vehicle:
    2022 Silverado LT.
    Still rolling stock baby....
    with most cookers it’s optional to add a pan of water
    I don’t for my cooks
     
  15. Oct 2, 2020 at 11:28 AM
    #45
    War Machine

    War Machine SSEM # 5 3MW

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2017
    Member:
    #8939
    Messages:
    16,909
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jason
    Texas
    Have you checked out Yoder? I looked at one the other day. It was pretty nice but I’m still going to go with Pits and Spits when I decide to upgrade. Any issues with the P&S yet?
     
    Larmand[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Oct 2, 2020 at 12:36 PM
    #46
    atruckowner

    atruckowner New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2020
    Member:
    #50706
    Messages:
    31
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2020 White Limited CrewMax
    Rough Country DC2 Side Steps, Rod Holders, Yakima Bike Mount
    Some have a water pan and use is optional based on what you are cooking. I just spray with a mixture to add moisture along the way if needed.
     
    Hbjeff[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  17. Oct 2, 2020 at 12:50 PM
    #47
    sotex

    sotex Sic 'em Bears!

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2020
    Member:
    #50432
    Messages:
    261
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    San Antonio, TX
    Vehicle:
    2020 White Tundra SR5 Double Cab 4x2 SX
    No, you don't "need" a water pan. For long cooks I do use one though.
     
  18. Oct 2, 2020 at 12:51 PM
    #48
    sotex

    sotex Sic 'em Bears!

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2020
    Member:
    #50432
    Messages:
    261
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    San Antonio, TX
    Vehicle:
    2020 White Tundra SR5 Double Cab 4x2 SX
    I've had friends over and after they've seen my pellet grill in action (and tasted the results), they've switched from their BGEs. Oddly, the power concern is why I was able to get my current one. We lived in an apartment at the time and they only allowed "electric" grills so my pellet smoker checked that box!
     
    RLHULK[QUOTED] and atruckowner like this.
  19. Oct 2, 2020 at 2:16 PM
    #49
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2015
    Member:
    #2054
    Messages:
    5,549
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rich
    Oklahoma, Toyota seat trim durability tester
    Vehicle:
    2022 Silverado LT.
    Still rolling stock baby....
    Pellet grills are good cookers, I do not deny that and have steered a lot of folks in that direction.

    Only 3 downsides I see to them are they have to be cleaned, and do not leave pellets in the hopper when finished cooking I have seen them set up and cause damage. The need for power is another. No power no cook.

    BGEs are not perfect and have their draw backs as well.

    Its all a matter of personal choice.

    I think for the set it and forget it crowd the pellet grills are the way to go, literally turn it on, fill a hopper, set our temp and go. For ease it cant much simpler than that.

    BGEs, ya you need to know where to set your vents, that comes with use, I let the egg warm up 30 minutes to a hour before I start to cook. Clean up is fairly easy and I only have to remove all pieces a few times a year to get a through clean and I can heat it up to 900 degrees and let it run and it self cleans all the little bits and stuff off and leaves the inside nice and white again.
     
  20. Oct 2, 2020 at 3:07 PM
    #50
    Larmand

    Larmand SSEM #6

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2017
    Member:
    #11835
    Messages:
    4,160
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Lucas
    Fort Worth, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 SLIGHTLY MODIFIED SR5 TRD CM 4x4-CEMENT
    I did check out Yoder, but i figured if i was gonna spend the money, i may as well go all out. I actually wanted the smaller 1. They didnt hqve any and i didnt feel like waiting. So i took what they had available. No issues so far.
     
    War Machine[QUOTED] likes this.
  21. Oct 2, 2020 at 3:12 PM
    #51
    sotex

    sotex Sic 'em Bears!

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2020
    Member:
    #50432
    Messages:
    261
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Jeff
    San Antonio, TX
    Vehicle:
    2020 White Tundra SR5 Double Cab 4x2 SX
    I don’t disagree. For 99% of homeowners, having power isn’t an issue at all.

    I got lucky getting my pellet smoker as it easily gets over 650 (the cheaper ones won’t do that - those get to about 450). I regularly (every 3-4 cooks) vac the fire box and that takes 2 minutes. It’s not a factor to me.

    It all depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.
     
    RLHULK[QUOTED] likes this.
  22. Oct 2, 2020 at 3:24 PM
    #52
    OV-1794

    OV-1794 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2019
    Member:
    #35345
    Messages:
    364
    Gender:
    Male
    @Hbjeff

    I have a Kamado Joe and prefer it over pellets. If you prefer charcoal and want the convenience of the pellets, check out the Masterbuilt Gravity 560 or 1050. Plenty of videos on youtube. I bought one for my dad and he absolutely loves it. Good luck with your decision.
     
    BravoDeltaRomeo likes this.
  23. Oct 4, 2020 at 10:38 PM
    #53
    Hbjeff

    Hbjeff [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2019
    Member:
    #24845
    Messages:
    4,897
    Gender:
    Male
    Huntington Beach
    Vehicle:
    2010 DC 5.7 2wd
    Trd sways, bullydog, magnaflow, sumo springs

    So I’m almost finished with the show, thanks for the suggestion!

    i was almost ready to order a pellet grill then this dang show enticed me with all the fire and coals dang it!
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  24. Oct 4, 2020 at 11:20 PM
    #54
    okietundra18

    okietundra18 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2020
    Member:
    #41620
    Messages:
    40
    Gender:
    Male
    Green Country
    Vehicle:
    2018 Ltd OR
    If you like charcoal, Hasty Bake all the way. Very versatile because you can change the elevation of the heat source. It’s worth checking out. I have never been more pleased with a charcoal fired grill/smoker. Good stuff.
     
  25. Oct 5, 2020 at 12:02 AM
    #55
    Coffee*8)

    Coffee*8) New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2020
    Member:
    #51608
    Messages:
    96
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2020 Tundra Crew Max
    + Trans cooler
    I have an egg, wish I bought a pellet.

    If you are retired and have lots of time and looking for a hobby buy an egg.

    If want easy buy a pellet.


    I did not know what I was doing initially with the egg and ended up over smoking my first couple of meals. My kids decided that they hate smoke even after I learned to how to use it correctly.

    Biggest tip is to make sure the exhaust is clear and not white. Also learned that cold food absorbs more smoke flavor than hot food, so food should be room temp and not just out of the fridge. Also pre-heating the food in the oven reduces smokiness.

    But cooking on the egg is a multi hour affair of tinkering with the controls and obsessing over the temperature.

    My Sister has a pellet and she turns it on, adds the food sets a timer and is done. So much easier. Food has a smoke flavor but is not over smokey.
     
  26. Oct 5, 2020 at 5:32 AM
    #56
    Patch999

    Patch999 SSEM #17 You are what you do when it counts

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2018
    Member:
    #17466
    Messages:
    3,398
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kyle
    TX
    Vehicle:
    2017 Bad@$$ TRD Pro
    I suggest going up to the 590 but you wouldn't regret jumping up to the 700. The 340 seems too small. I have the 380. It's different since it's designed to be a flame thrower but it's not a lot of cooking space compared to the bull. The 340 is going to be even smaller.
    Here are some comparison pics. Ignore how dirty they are both got used this weekend.
    IMG_8805.jpg
    IMG_8806.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2020
    Hbjeff[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  27. Oct 5, 2020 at 8:05 PM
    #57
    Buckeye1977

    Buckeye1977 New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2020
    Member:
    #47643
    Messages:
    116
    Unless you don’t moving your recteq a lot, the competition cart was worth every penny (it was on sale for 1/2 off) the wheels that are standard look like roller blades
     
  28. Oct 5, 2020 at 8:08 PM
    #58
    DaBoro54

    DaBoro54 Beach Fisher

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2017
    Member:
    #11438
    Messages:
    899
    Gender:
    Male
    Leveling kit, 285/70R18 EXOs
    just finished the show. So good
     
    Hbjeff[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  29. Oct 5, 2020 at 9:03 PM
    #59
    395 Runner

    395 Runner New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2019
    Member:
    #28249
    Messages:
    44
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tundra Platinum MGM 4x4 Crewmax
    Weber Smokey Mountain 22”.

    It’s easy enough for me to dial in the smoker for six hours without the need to mess with it. I prefer the charcoal/wood flavor.

    I’ve had electric, custom offset and barrel. Prefer the wsm over all of them.
     
    9am53 and Hbjeff[OP] like this.

Products Discussed in

To Top