Anyone have one if so what do you think about it.

The EZ Bake oven of BBQ.

Real men use propane......

They’re nice Corey, look at model and reviews some have element issues and hopper issues and look at pellets (quality/cost)

I was looking at the pellets and they are not 100% what they say theyare made of. I was at home depot earlier and they had one on clearance for about 70 bucks cheaper than I can get anywhere else. Been using charcoal for years on a acorn grill thinking I am ready for change.

If the search function works worth a S cheet thundergerbil mentioned someone who makes quality pellets that are what they claim to be. He’s like a true smart azz in the literal sense......

I've got the Pitt Boss version and love mine...... great flavor and relatively easy versus fighting with charcoal or propane

I am looking at the Pro 575

In San Franciso. 😂

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I have a Rec-Tec. Love that thing.

I still grill on charcoal, the pellet grills smoke pretty good but the grilling is mediocre at best. Especially lacking in the char department.

But, I can put a brisket on before I go to bed, and it's almost done when I get up. No 3am firing up the smoker and screwing around with that nonsense. I'm getting too old for that crap. Damnit, hold on.

"Get off my yard you little SOB!"

Ok. Anyway, they're handy. My buddy had Traegers and likes them. He said that the Traeger's auger is a funny size, and that they're picky about pellets.

I have the Camp Chef SmokePro LUX. It's the biggest one they have. It is very convenient, and works well. It will give you a smoke flavor, but it isn't overpowering or as strong as charcoal/wood.

The Camp Chef has an "ash cleanout" that allows you to clean out your fire pot without stopping the cook... Traeger did not have that option, though they may have it now. Also, it has a "hopper cleanout" that allows you to dump out all the pellets to change flavors during a cook if you want. Traeger didn't have that either... though they may have it now.

As far as pellets go... I use Lumberjack Pellets and if you buy them by the 2000 lb pallet (50 - 40# bags) they're about $16.40 per 40# bag. I bought a pallet, then sold the bags for $20-$25 each to make my bags of pellets even cheaper.

All that said... I still prefer my Weber Smokey Mountain. It gives a better flavor (IMO), cooks more efficiently, and is just as easy as the pellet smokers to 'set and forget' if you get a draft control system.

The pellet smokers are NOT efficient, especially if you're trying to cook a lot of meat. It has one fire pot... try to cook 40 pounds of meat with that small fire pot. 🤦

I was looking at Rec Tec also they are made in Ga I believe.

Traegers are for sissies

Charcoal PERIOD!

Get one with a side box.


You cannot get the flavor you really want without using charcoal and chips.. hickory. Mesquite. Cherry, oak, etc.

Ditto........charcoal and mesquite and or pecan chips

I’ve never used a pellet grill/smoker. So I can’t speak about their usefulness. But, I’ve owned my share of propane and charcoal units. I currently use an Old Hickory Pecos smoker. It’s a stick burner so it takes time to lean how to control the heat. It makes the best BBQ I’ve ever cooked or tasted. It will cook 4-6 shoulder butts or 2-3 briskets. Most of the time I use pecan or oak splits with it. The only down side is the need to babysit it for the entire cook.

I have a similar setup. And I can cook some wicked Q on it. But, you got to babysit it is right. I can do it. I can do it well. But I also like hanging out, relaxing and drinking beer. So I compromise. 🍺

Thanks Jamie.

Yeah, like Shawn says, Lumberjack pellets are great and the pricing is excellent in bulk. They are what they claim to be on the label. You can buy bulk orders through their website at bbqpellets.com. I've talked to the owner, Seth, he'll tell you whatever you want to know about the pellets and is a stand up guy. I had placed a 2000# order and due to delays by the carrier, it was due to show up on a day we were closed, so I asked Seth if he could add a "call ahead" request at the shipper. He paid the fees and wouldn't take my money...

Traeger grills are good but their pellets are only like 30% of the wood on the label. The other 70% is oak or alder depending on where they were milled. Except for hickory and mesquite, both of which are 100% oak / alder and treated with oils.

Rec-Tec is sold. Built like a tank.

If I were buying a pellet grill today, I'd probably lean towards the Pellet-Pro line. Their grills are solid and their controller is one of the more advanced ones out there. Other option would be a Green Mountain.

One thing to keep in mind with the pellet grills is that they all suck as grills. They are smoke ovens. You can't cook a steak on them for ****. You still need to keep something you can sear and cook direct heat with; webber kettle, gasser, santa maria, etc...

The new webber pellet grill might be a game changer in those regards, but only a handful of people have gotten to test drive it so far.



Not entirely true. It's really simple, just put some chunks of smoke wood on top of the diffuser plate, put the meat on then start the grill and set it for 450 (or max) and let it rip for about 45 minutes. It'll smoke bomb the meat nicely. Then turn it back down to the desired cooking temp. I do this all the time when I'm too lazy to fire up the pit barrel or the webber.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This. Rec-tec has one of those pellet grills as well, but you just can't beat lump charcoal for getting a nice flavorful sear and crust on steak.

I started smoking briskets 30 years ago on a R2D2 Brinkmann water pan smoker. I worked my way through all the various types of smokers and can run them all. I like the pellet grills for the convenience. My wife can go out, plug it in and get ti going without needing me to fire it up and tend it. I also don't have to get up all night and feed a fire. Bottom line is if it's easier to use, you'll use it more often. And we do.

Is it a compromise? Oh hell yes. But it does a nice job and I'm way happier with it than I thought I would be.

It was meant as a compliment, hope it read that way TG.

Not true my Pitt Boss has a slide so it exposes the direct flame or closes for indirect flame. I cook steaks on mine pretty regular. Now with that said I do wish mine had an ash clean out and a few other options but it's the 1st one I've owned and wasn't sure I would like it.

https://pitboss-grills.com/Shop-Pit-Boss/Grills/wood-pellet/700fb-wood-pellet-grill 

^^^^^^^
This is my model

They aren't the only ones with the sliding diffuser. And, yeah, it works to cook, but there are a few problems with the design on the ones I've seen: It's a very small area, depending on how many you are cooking for, this might or might not be an issue. It's not very even heat, it's very localized and directional, basically cooking on a wood burning blowtorch. Control seemed kind of awkward, you can can slow the pellet rate a little bit, but with the forced draft, it still runs hot. It's not like a charcoal grill where you can let the coals settle down or a propane grill where you just turn a dial. Lastly, with the forced air combustion you are blowing the ash up onto your food.

It's a compromise, if it works for you, great. Personally, I'd much rather spend the money to have a webber kettle, a decent gasser or even one of the $40 square "Australian" folding grills from home depot sitting next to the pellet grill in the yard, than to use the sliding diffuser.


Hey Jamie, I knew what you meant, it was taken as a compliment. Thanks.

^This guy would be my phone a friend on who wants to be a millionaire... and I've called him about all kinds of sh*t.

Grills, smokers, computers, beers... 🍺

True story.