$1000-1500 to spend, leaning towards GMG Bowie

[beerlover]

Hey all-

Looking at making the leap to pellets. Title says where I'm at, that price includes all extras needed like a cover, possible heat wrap, smoker tubes, and grill grates. Priority is temperature control, good low temps for jerky and cold smoking, and good high temps for grilling. I was eyeing up a Rec Tec but adding shipping and all extras put me around $1700. Now I'm leaning toward GMG Bowie since I have a dealer close by and that will save $200 or so on shipping. Am I missing another option I should be looking at? Thanks for all advice.

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[gr8day]

Might want to see if you have a Smokin Brothers Dealer in your area or shoot them an email, a 30" or the Premier 30" sounds like they would meet your needs not sure if the Premier is under $1500 though.

They have a lot of youtube vids if you've never checked them out. 

 

[beerlover]

Looks like there may be a dealer an hour away but I can't seem to find pricing. I'll give a call and see what I can find out. Thanks.

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[bregent]

Based on your criteria, I would go with a FE PG500. You won't need a smoke tube or GrillGrates. It produces great smoke, will operate at low temps for fish and jerky, and probably has the highest temps around of any pellet smoker. It has a very customizable controller which allows you to control the smoke output.

Another smoker to look at in your price range would be the FireCraft Q-450. 

How many people are you typically cooking for?

 

[beerlover]

FireCraft fits my price range and looks like it maintains temps nicely. Don't like that it doesn't have a side shelf and the low temp seems a little high for cold smoking.

The FE PG500 looks nice but not sure I can swing that cost once a cover and shipping come into play. How does this one stack up against a Yoder?

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[bregent]

You can get the PG500 now for $1600 shipped. Their cover is about $135 but you can probably find an aftermarket cover that will fit for <$50. I  know many folks don't use a cover. You probably just need to keep it out of the rain.

I own a Memphis,  but am considering a PG500 for its versatility. The PG500 is really a different animal compared to most other pellet grills. The heat source is not under the drip pan, so you don't end up with much burnt on grease that needs to be scraped. It's probably the easiest pellet grill to keep clean. The downside might be size for the indirect side. You can probably get up to 4 butts, but more than 3 full racks of ribs might be tight.

 

[gr8day]

FireCraft fits my price range and looks like it maintains temps nicely. Don't like that it doesn't have a side shelf and the low temp seems a little high for cold smoking.

The FE PG500 looks nice but not sure I can swing that cost once a cover and shipping come into play. How does this one stack up against a Yoder?

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Believe FireCraft currently has a front shelf and a upper shelf for the cooking chamber currently in production, you could give them a call and see when they will be available and not sure if the front shelf is folding or fixed.  

The PG500 quality wise is on the same level as a Yoder if not better imo, it has a better controller and since it's SS it won't rust, the Yoder paint will need to be touched up from time to time and if not will rust. 

 

[beerlover]

Good to know. I'll give them a call. You are right about their heating design being vastly different. Looks beautiful physically...

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[pellet user]

beerlover,

I would look at the Pellet PRO 1190 also.  Their PID control is very good and the customer service is excellent.  I order parts for my Traeger there and they are very friendly.  This grill is tops on my list for a new grill for price and quality.