Another "which of these smoker is best" thread...lol

[HogJaw&PossumGrits]

Ok guys, I know this has been beat to death, but lets beat the dead horse one more time....lol
I know these smokers are constantly changing from one minute to the next, so keeping up on which bells and whistles are top of the food chain can be difficult at times.
Anywho.....I have narrowed my choices to RecTec Bull, Yoder 640, and Blazn GridIron.
The problem is that there is NOWHERE for me to look at these grills, so I kinda have to go off of what others say that have seen them all, or better yet used them all. I know lots of people say that Yoder is top of the food chain, but can anyone explain why its better than the Blazn?
Im really interested in differences in controllers is regards to which one is MOST accurate with the SMALLEST temperature swings. It looked like Blazn was the best choice till I saw that you had to add wifi for another two hundred bucks so at that point you were getting into Yoder pricing.....??? Kinda confused here and not being able so see any in person isnt helping....lol

Thanks for any and all help!!

 

[sandyut]

being a very happy Rec Tec Bull owner - I would say you cant go wrong there.

here is a more recent new owner: https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/new-rec-tec-bull-first-cook.288749/#post-1974602

 

[sandyut]

But that said - it more about feature, warranty, looks for some, budget, etc.

 

[jake0531]

I would personally go with the Yoder. I’m about 60 miles south of where yoders are manufactured in Kansas and for a chance to see them making them. You won’t find a better quality built cooker out there, and I don’t even own a Yoder, I have a GMG (which I’m very pleased with). This is all my opinion of course.

 

[banderson7474]

3 votes for the bull.

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

I have the Rec Tec mini and it has been a tank for several years. I will say that if, or when it finally craps out on me, I'm going to take a hard look at the Yoder.

 

[ofelles]

I would personally go with the Yoder. I’m about 60 miles south of where yoders are manufactured in Kansas and for a chance to see them making them. You won’t find a better quality built cooker out there, and I don’t even own a Yoder, I have a GMG (which I’m very pleased with). This is all my opinion of course.

I do own one and love it. Once it warms up and settles in, about 30 minutes, it is quite actuate. The new ones have the FireBoard WiFi built in. I use the Thermoworks Signal.
I to was confused and it just seemed like the more I looked the more confused I got. The solid construction and made in USA helped sell me.
Good luck. What ever you end up with will work I'm sure. They are all reliable and have loyal followers.

 

[radio]

No experience with the Rec tec, but a friend owns a Yoder 640 and it is built like a tank compared to other pellet grills I have looked at. I just now googled the RT700 and the YS640 for weight. The Bull weighs 195 pounds VS the Yoder YS640 weight of 335 pounds!
That alone would settle it for me in Yoders favor. The Yoder just looks like a heavy, wellbuilt smoker and the Rec Tec looks like a barrel with chrome horns.
Looking at the specs I am willing to bet the Yoder holds heat better and uses less pellets than the Rec Tec.

 

[sandyut]

one thing that was a negative for me about the yoder was they rust. Mine sits outside in the snow and rain, covered or not it will get condensation and if not made of stainless, rust.

 

[Misplaced Nebraskan]

I was stuck on this same exact list! Was all set on Blaze, then Yoder, then moved on to Pitts & Spitts Maverick 850. Convinced myself to go with the Maverick 1250 though. Funny thing is I started by looking at pit boss. Budget be damned

But, those three offer awesome pits. The blaze clean out pot is an awesome feature and the Yoder is a tank. You can't go wrong with any of those but of those three I had Yoder>blaze>rectec

All depends on your budget.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

No experience with the Rec tec, but a friend owns a Yoder 640 and it is built like a tank compared to other pellet grills I have looked at. I just now googled the RT700 and the YS640 for weight. The Bull weighs 195 pounds VS the Yoder YS640 weight of 335 pounds!
That alone would settle it for me in Yoders favor. The Yoder just looks like a heavy, wellbuilt smoker and the Rec Tec looks like a barrel with chrome horns.
Looking at the specs I am willing to bet the Yoder holds heat better and uses less pellets than the Rec Tec.

I’ve heard that because of the heft and thickness of the iron that the Yoder is made of, that it actually takes more pellets to heat up all of that metal.

I’ve also heard about the rusting at joints and hinges.

They also do not have a center mounted fire pot, if that’s important to you.

Yoders are nice looking grills/smokers, enjoy a great and no doubt, well earned reputation and I’d certainly be proud to own one. The Yoder 640s will run you nearly $1800.00 by itself.

You’ll need to buy a cover at around 120 bucks, and any other extras you might want.

If you’re in the market to drop that kind of dough, around 2 grand or more on a pellet grill, well then have at the Yoder or a MAK.

But for the money that Rec Tecs go for, brand new, Rec Tecs are just hard to beat.

 

[Fueling Around]

Post your location or start a new thread "looking for someone near ...... that has a ..... pellet grill"
Maybe someone close by has one of the units you are looking to purchase.

I live in what I consider a behind the times area for smoking and proper barbecue. (Yes, many still call grilling as barbecuing.)
Yet, I know people with Traeger, Green Mountain, PitBoss, WoodMaster, Rec Tec, and Yoder pellet poopers.

 

[2008RN]

I am in the same boat, not ready to buy yet, I am still saving money up. On my list is/was Rec Tec, Yoder, Blaz'n grill works Gridiron, and Pitts and Spitts Maverick.

I really want something build in the USA, so I deleted Rec Tec. Don't get me wrong I thing the Rec Tec Bull is a great Grill.

Blaz'n grill works Grid iron was going to be my choice. The 2 things changed my mind. first they are founded this Company in 2012 when they had a thriving Wood Heating business and just pulled the plug when the government made more stringent air quality guidelines. They sort of apologized for just shutting the business down, (no warranties on the products they just sold). They were just a hole on the wall. The owners (man and wife) are in their 70s, and I am not sure when they will pull the plug again, They only have 30 employees and I don't know if they are dedicated to those employees to keep the business going. I want a product that is going to be supported for the next 20 years. #2 reason is the following ad https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/blazin-grill-gridiron.287853/#post-1965817

Pitts and Spitts Maverick: I really like this unit. Wow! I think it is a step up from Yoder. Has all the features I want. only negative is the they are a really small business with 13 employees. I wonder about longevity of this business.

Yoder YS640: I like some of the updates this year, with the Wifi and controller update it makes it more competitive with the other companies. I am not as worried about rust. I living in rainy Oregon and have restored metal products in the past. Just means a little more maintenance. Company is around 100 people, and it looks like the owners son is heavily involved. Maybe they will be around for the next 20 years.

I also looked at MAK general 2 Star. Rally Nice Stainless steel unit. I grill is just a little small, I just want more then 429 sq inches on the main surface. I company is only 150 miles away so I could actually go look at one.

I agree with the previous post abut seeing if you can find a fellow member that would be close to you to check out the grill. I would a drive 200 miles and supply the meat to eval and grill that I was going to spend over $2000 on by the time I'm finished with accessories.

 

[sweetride95]

I would caution anyone who wasn't familiar to pellet grilling from just going out and dropping $2k on a grill.
A very competent Rec Tec would cost you half. If any of their reputation is true, a normal guy would have an impossible time wearing it out.
My buddy uses his "measly" Pit Boss 3-4 times a week, no issues, loving life.
Are we cooking food or bench racing grills?

 

[Misplaced Nebraskan]

Pitts and Spitts Maverick: I really like this unit. Wow! I think it is a step up from Yoder. Has all the features I want. only negative is the they are a really small business with 13 employees. I wonder about longevity of this business.

They've been doing it for 30+ years though. Good thing is, even if they vanished, it would take a lifetime for that pit to wear out. controls can be bought second hand.

Obviously I'm a little biased towards P&S but I did go through all of the above points in my process as well and am very happy with my decision.

I would caution anyone who wasn't familiar to pellet grilling from just going out and dropping $2k on a grill.
A very competent Rec Tec would cost you half. If any of their reputation is true, a normal guy would have an impossible time wearing it out.
My buddy uses his "measly" Pit Boss 3-4 times a week, no issues, loving life.
Are we cooking food or bench racing grills?

Caution yes, but if you do your research and feel comfortable doing it, go for it.

While I agree you can get near the same experience from almost any pit/brand - I mean, it's a hopper, auger, fire pot, controller, and cook chamber. Differences being build quality, controllers used, metal thickness, warranty and customer support.

I don't think anyone is knocking any brand from "measly" Pit boss on up. I've been part of some cooks on one and they perform great! It was my first choice when I started down my rabbit hole of searching.

And yes, in the end, there is a little bench grilling as you've stated. Happens with almost all material possessions.


The main thing is, Take lots of pictures of the pit and subsequent Q and share it with the forum!

Variety is the spice of life!

 

[Misplaced Nebraskan]

Post your location or start a new thread "looking for someone near ...... that has a ..... pellet grill"
Maybe someone close by has one of the units you are looking to purchase.

also, this. hopefully someone local can let you kick the tires on a pit or two.

 

[jake0531]

If you’re wanting to stay American made as well, check out smokin brothers. Good quality, most run off a Savannah stoker controller which is very consistent and accurate from my experience, and they are made in Missouri. I have 4 buddies who have them and love them.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

I would caution anyone who wasn't familiar to pellet grilling from just going out and dropping $2k on a grill.
A very competent Rec Tec would cost you half. If any of their reputation is true, a normal guy would have an impossible time wearing it out.
My buddy uses his "measly" Pit Boss 3-4 times a week, no issues, loving life.
Are we cooking food or bench racing grills?

This is an excellent point.

Dropping at or around 2 grand on a first pellet grill is a leap of faith, in that food cooked on pellet grills has a different taste to it than food cooked on charcoal smokers and grills and stick burners.

One can only imagine, spending 2 grand or more on one of these more expensive offerings, and then discovering, 2 grand later; “ hey, this isn’t what I thought it would be. I prefer food cooked over charcoal or with wood.”

Now they’re looking to sell that expensive purchase, and that means having people making serious and non serious inquiries.

Strangers and tire kickers coming to your house to see it, etc.

 

[HogJaw&PossumGrits]

I probably should have given a little more info in my original post......sorry about that.
I started with a Kamado Joe, then went up to a Primo for more space, but had to leave it with the last house because i built it into the outdoor kitchen area.
SO while living in a rental and waiting to build our new home I just bought a cheaper Pittboss from lowes and have grown to really like the ease of use with a pellet smoker.
However, the Pittboss has NOT been super reliable. It throws a breaker every now and then, and has some temp swings that my friends traegers don't have.
SOOOO.....I was thinking since we are getting ready to move, I would just upgrade, and I thought I would stick with a pellet grill because the wife can grill dogs or chops when I'm not around. She never felt comfortable with the Kamado.....lol

 

[SlowmotionQue]

I probably should have given a little more info in my original post......sorry about that.
I started with a Kamado Joe, then went up to a Primo for more space, but had to leave it with the last house because i built it into the outdoor kitchen area.
SO while living in a rental and waiting to build our new home I just bought a cheaper Pittboss from lowes and have grown to really like the ease of use with a pellet smoker.
However, the Pittboss has NOT been super reliable. It throws a breaker every now and then, and has some temp swings that my friends traegers don't have.
SOOOO.....I was thinking since we are getting ready to move, I would just upgrade, and I thought I would stick with a pellet grill because the wife can grill dogs or chops when I'm not around. She never felt comfortable with the Kamado.....lol

Sorry to hear that the Pitt Boss hasn't been super reliable, has temps all over the place and has thrown breakers.

That would have to be frustrating.

Well, then it goes back to how much money you want to spend.

If it's in the $1,000.00-$1200.00 range, well then I'd definitely reocmmend Rec Tec.

If it's more than that, then I'd start inquiring about MAK and Yoder offerings.