Pellet Grills

riggins44

riggins44

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I have been thinking about getting a pellet grill. I miss my smoker and figure this may be the answer. The problem is a heavy smoke flavor bothers my wife's acid reflux. This is why gave up my smoker.

My question is if pellet grills produce less smoke flavor than a traditional smoker?
 
riggins44 said:
I have been thinking about getting a pellet grill. I miss my smoker and figure this may be the answer. The problem is a heavy smoke flavor bothers my wife's acid reflux. This is why gave up my smoker.

My question is if pellet grills produce less smoke flavor than a traditional smoker?
Click to expand...

Depends if Snoop is there, always smokey. No clue on my end I use propane and propane accessories.
 
I bought a Traeger Ironwood which I highly recommend about a year ago. I barely use my egg or gas grill since. The answer to your question is - it depends. At least with the Traeger, you can set it to Supersmoke but the limitation is you can’t go above 225 degrees for that setting. I’ve done amazing briskets in this thing that have plenty of smoke flavor and a smoke ring. Would it be slightly better on an egg? Maybe slightly but it’s not by a lot. I’ve done everything from meatloaf to brisket to pulled pork to steak to pizza on my pellet grill and they’ve all been awesome. Plus it has a built in wired temp prove with a phone app so you can literally watch your cook on your phone. Honestly it’s just amazing. They have also come out with flavored pellets (Weber has all kinds of blends) so you can add that element as well. The Traeger Ironwood is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.

The ability to literally push a couple of buttons and be smoking/grilling/ baking/roasting withon 10-15 minutes is amazing. I call mine the 747 - because the damn thing almost flies itself. Traeger isn’t the only worthy brand but I can vouch for their stuff.
 
Thanks for the info. I looked for made in USA but they are high end and for competitions. Will research brands to see which will work best.
 
Rec Tec are one of the top two brands you’ll see a lot of fans of and I think probably cheaper than Traeger. Made in China though.
 
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I think most of the very popular pellets are now made in China, but you may be able to find a good US made one if you do enough research. I'd try to get one with a 20lb pellet container and double-walled is a big plus if you plan on using it in the cold months so it will hold it's temperature. Grilla Grills is one of the less expensive brands that also gets a lot of love. Pit Boss and Camp Chef also. Walmart has some amazing Black Friday deals going on pellet grills, many under $500 including some Traegers in that price range.
 
Keto dinner, soon to be heading to the Traeger…

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Just butter
 
As mentioned in an earlier post, I bought a Traeger Ironwood pellet smoker a little more than 3 years ago. I was very happy with it for the first year or so, although I did notice that it sometimes would go roaring past the set temperature after igniting, requiring me to wait until it slowly came back to my set temp. That was really my only complaint early on. Since then though, I have had to frequently re-set up the wife connection (for no apparent reason), there is corrosion in numerous parts (including the firebox), the wifi has become non-functional, and it sometimes requires multiple attempts to ignite and get up to temperature.

If I'm being honest, I regret buying it. Traegers get great reviews - especially the Ironwoods - but I suspect that's because reviewers are testing and reviewing new ones. No grill is going to last forever, but this one has barely made it to 3 years and for me, 5 years of great performance should be an absolute minimum. There are clearly design issues with the electronics and software. I will not buy another Traeger.

I will be looking for another pellet grill in the near future. I have heard good things about Yoders (on the high cost end) and also ReqTeq's (more affordable). If anyone has thoughts I would love to hear them.
 
Boone, sucks you haven't had a good experience with the Ironwood. I got the Pro 34 about 8 years ago. I've had no issues. Every once in a while I have to clean off the temperature probe inside the grill so the temp stays accurate. Mine doesn't have the wifi options and those kinds of things, less electronics to break. I've been happy with mine. I've had no rust or corrosion either.
 
I just got one of these recently because I like being able to control the smoke I put on things and the flexibility to grill all while sticking with my preference of charcoal. Not sure your price range, but thought I'd share.

www.spidergrills.com

THE HUNTSMAN - KETTLE KAMADO GRILL

The New Era of Charcoal Grilling. *All Huntsman Grills will ship in January 2025* Introducing The Huntsman Kettle Kamado - the ultimate charcoal grill for professional grilling enthusiasts. Made with 5mm Carbon Steel walls, this grill is built to last a lifetime. Enjoy high heat searing or low...
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I am looking hard at the Req Teq Backyard Beast. I have heard a lot of good things about Req Teqs.
 
I just smoked my Turkey for Christmas for the 8th year in a row with a Pit Boss 820. Mine is pre blue tooth and without built in probes but when it does kick the bucket I can't see buying any other brand. I do wings at least every other week and butts once a month. The only time my temps. aren't steady is when I open it to sprits or mop. I know it's not built in USA but 80% or more of every thing I buy is not.
 
Take a peek at the charcoal gravity fed grill/smokers. I have some friends who swear by them.
 
Why not a traditional side car? Then you can start the smoke process and just finish it on the grill or in the oven.
 
I have a Big Green Egg and a Weber Kettle if I want to go purist (ie... light my own charcoal, tend a fire, etc..). I am totally sold on pellet grills for frequent use - you just can't beat the convenience, the 'set it and forget it' ability, being able to track progress on your phone, etc...
 
Out Traeger Jr has been solid for 8+yrs now..and I just cooked our prime rib roast on it Tuesday. We usually spatchcock a turkey on it too (Thanksgiving Day).

Mostly though we use it for chicken and pork shoulder/butt (good way to get smoke into sisig).
 
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