BGE or Traeger for new house

[Kevin DeShazo]

Been a while since Ive posted but I pop in when I can. Life has been busy with work, packing and moving to a new house and just life in general. So I know this technically could go into either pellet or kamado cooker section but Im bucking the system and posting my question here. Too bad, in situations like this you cant post in both sections in on post.

So we just bought a new house and thinking it may be time to upgrade from my MES 40 to a big boy cooker, thinking either a large BGE or Traeger of some flavor.

I have zero (Traeger) and next to zero (BGE) experience with either cooker. My brother has a BGE and have eaten off that, food came out amazing. I cant say much for the Traeger though. Thats about all the experience I have with either.

I Know both are great cookers and each have their pros and cons. Would you smoking folks go BGE or Traeger. They both have a learning curve to them but kinda leaning towards the BGE, which I also know will require a bit more work over the Traeger.

What say thee wiser than I am, BGE or Traeger?

 

[normanaj]

Can't help you with that decision.

Don't get rid of that MES40,add a PID and a mailbox mod and you get one hell of a smoker.

 

[sandyut]

If you are considering a pellet grill, I would suggest looking at Rec Teq. Ive had mine for over a decade and it runs like day one. solid and reliable, makes great meat products.

I am not a Trager fan. known too many guys that had issues. No experience with the Kamodo.

 

[chopsaw]

BGE or Traeger?

Since those are your choices , I'd lean Traeger . Pellet platform keeps things easy if you're busy .
I agree with Norm , Don't get rid of the MES .

 

[mike243]

I would take the BGE over a pellet smoker for taste, the pellet is easy but lacks some smoke flavor.

 

[texomakid]

Why not both?

 

[bmudd14474]

Depends on if you want pellets or wood/charcoal. If pellets i would go rec tec as another suggested.

 

[Colin1230]

If life is busy the BGE won't get used much, where the pellet grill will fire right up. Around here Rec Tec is the number one choice for pellet grills, hands down. With that said, everyone that I know who has a Traeger likes them.

 

[schlotz]

BGE requires some attention so if you are willing to do that then it might be the right choice. If not, then going with a pellet smoker is advisable BUT, like sandyut (David) indicated, I too have read too many posts regarding Traeger issues. It's just the opposite with Rec Teq that consistently has great reviews. Many people here use them, so if going pellet I'd recommend Rec Teq.

 

[Kevin DeShazo]

I dont mind the work using the BGE but yall have peaked my interest on the Rec Teq, kinda gotten spoiled to the set it and forget it of the MES.

So fill me in on the Rec Teq a bit.

Side note, the MES is not going anywhere that Im aware of, has turned out some tasty grub.

 

[sandyut]

I dont mind the work using the BGE but yall have peaked my interest on the Rec Teq, kinda gotten spoiled to the set it and forget it of the MES.

So fill me in on the Rec Teq a bit.

Side note, the MES is not going anywhere that Im aware of, has turned out some tasty grub.

Rec Teq makes great pellet smokers. I have the RT700, its been replaced with an upgraded model. Wifi controls work great. Rock solid units, killer support and assistance as needed. I called about some advanced settings when it was above 100 degrees out. Called once asking if my probes were still working, they sent new ones long past warranty. I love the 40LB pellet bin, long cooks are no issue. super stable temps etc etc. I really have no complaints or regrets more than a decade in. Id buy another tomorrow.