Char Griller Pellet Smokers

[mrclean28]

I would say yes for as soon as this guy buys my BrownEgg I am getting it.

 

[smokinadam]

Yup. Even cooks pizzas

 

[yahoot]

If you still have your masterbuilt, you might want to try an a-maz-en 5x8 ( http://www.amazenproducts.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=AMNPS5X8 - not recommending you buy it there, only giving it as a reference). I got a couple at a trade show a couple of years ago - definitely put out more/better smoke than the masterbuilt's own tray. Todd (owner of amazen) said the 5x8 was designed specifically for the masterbuilt - and it fits perfectly.

I use my pellet smoker most of the time, but we use the old masterbuilt and the 5x8 quite a bit too (keep it at my daughter's house). Sure uses a lot fewer pellets too. Also a great solution for cold smoking fish, cheese, etc.

Nice to have alternatives.

 

[yahoot]

I am looking to purchase this pellet grill. I have always had a smoker and a separate grill. Is it possible to grill burgers/hot dogs on this as well?

You can, but you may not be thrilled with the result.

Pellet smokers generally work on indirect heat and work best "low and slow". There is an inverse relationship between smoke and heat in pellet smokers. The hotter they run, the cleaner they burn and the less smoke you will get.

So, you can crank up many pellet smokers hot enough to cook burgers/dogs or even pizza - but they won't get much smoke flavor. Also keep in mind that you will have to burn a LOT of pellets in a hurry to get those high temps, so it is not very economical.

Some pellet grills have a "searing" feature/accessory (like this one for a Louisiana Smoker http://www.louisiana-grills.com/sho...-TG300-&-TG300ss/p/48464914/category=17769002 ) that can help make a smoker cook more like a direct grill, but it still won't be like a classic BBQ grill. 

That said, you can slow smoke hot dogs (wonderful flavor) on the pellet smoker, and my kids beg for slow smoked stuffed burgers from the pellet grill - however, if you are looking for "traditional" grilled burgers and dogs, it can be done, but not well (IMHO).

So, personally, I still keep my trusty 15 (?) year old gas grill (the first charbroil stainless - when they offered a real lifetime warranty that they have grown to regret) that I use to burn up burgers and dogs, and we have several pellet smokers (and several other smokers too!).

 

[mrclean28]

I will maintain my Masterbuilt but really plan on the pellet grill.

 

[trav2305]

I recently purchased one at lowes a month ago and have realized that it wasn't producing a lot of smoke so I called customer service and they said that it's not really a smoker more of a convection oven so I am going to try other smoking products to help get more smoke just beware before you buy

 

[jrsterling]

So this thread hasn't received much attention in a while.  Let me share my thoughts. 

As soon as I got it setup it kept tripping breakers.  Chargiller customer support rapidly sent me a new hotrod and temp gauge.  Let me tell you that was not easy to change out but I got it.  No issues on the smoker working since the fix.

I have had my CG pellet smoker for about a year.  Honestly I still cant form an opinion.  Mainly because I have doubt the entire time I'm smoking due to the fact that there is very little visible blue smoke.  That being said one of the first times it did well and had a nice smoke ring on a boston butt.  The worst smoke was a turkey last month.  I switched and used applewood pellets(might have been the problem).  The turkey had very little smoke and looked like your mother in laws baked boring bird.  The smoker cooked it to temp with no problem and it tasted great with a slight smokiness.  I injected it and seasoned it well which contributed to the taste. 

Here is my big issue and if I can get some answers might solve my problems.  The unknown pandoras box of the temp and P settings.  Here is what I have learned so far.

The Smoke setting I basically for cold smoking.  On P7 it will hang around 120 on a normal outside temp day.  This has the best   Which obviously will not smoke ribs, BB or brisket.  If you lower the P setting it will increase the temp but diminish a lot of the visible smoke.  I am going to test the cold smoke theory by doing my bacon soon.

180 - On a higher smoke P setting it struggles to get to 180.  Again depending on the outside temp.  If you increase the P setting it will hold temp and even go above which fine.

There should be setting here in between 180 & 225.

225 - This should be ideal but it in is the cook mode at this point and not a smoke mode.  The computers sends in pellets to hold temp and pauses to create smoke.  In my opinion the pause time is not long enough to create a substantial amount of smoke.  I get that it is tough for a computer setting to have to figure how much smoke I like.

In regards to burgers, steaks etc.  You have to accept the fact that this turns into an oven above 225.  There is no smoke once it gets hot.  The auger is working steady to maintain a hot temp.  This grill will not hot sear.  It will create grill marks and a slight sear.  You will have to cook burgers and steaks longer.  It does put out some good food you just have to learn how to grill on it.  Especially a higher fat content burger.   

Overall I like it but it is a struggle to figure out.  Please share your thoughts and experiences and we can all get there together.

JRS

 

[mrclean28]

I set the little timer on the top and seems I get enough smoke coming out more often. When I bought it I did nto play witht he littel pellet timer now I am set I know this doesn't help to much

 

[tkdf03]

I just purchased this grill and I'm currently smoking ribs.
I'm still not all caught up with how to work the temp and all that. Any advise would help. I've looked at videos and other forums but using different pellet smokers. Any help is would be great to get a better understanding on this bad boy.

 

[tkdf03]

Haha

 

[whitefish]

I purchased a Green Mountain Daniel Boone pellet grill recently. $549 at a local dealer. Assembly was a piece of cake. Love it. Temperature control from 150 to 500 in 5 degree increments. Good smoke from 150 to 275. Above that it's an oven or grill. Customer service has been excellent so far. I agree, why pay double
for a Traeger? Or the same for a small portable Rec Tec?

 

[mrclean28]

I purchased a Green Mountain Daniel Boone pellet grill recently. $549 at a local dealer. Assembly was a piece of cake. Love it. Temperature control from 150 to 500 in 5 degree increments. Good smoke from 150 to 275. Above that it's an oven or grill. Customer service has been excellent so far. I agree, why pay double
for a Traeger? Or the same for a small portable Rec Tec?

Cool any photos yet in action?

 

[jmcconnll]

I believe Lowe's carries pellets for this in 20lb bags but only one flavor of wood which is a mixture of several.  I haven't tried them yet however.

Jeff

Walmart carried them in apple, hickory, and compation flavors

 

[jmcconnll]

Do you know what brand, flavor and price?  I'm always looking to try different pellets if I can find them cheap.

Red

Check walmart they have 3 flavors.

 

[smokin indiana]

I've been using mine for around 4 years now and I absolutely love mine. IMO it's the best chicken and rib cooker around. Cold smoke that chicken for about an hour or so then kick up that heat to about 450 and you'll have some tasty chicken with crispy skin in no time, you can also finish them on the grill.

To all you guys and gals that can't get enough smoke, you got to buy a smoke tube. The best place I've found to put it is on the right side about an inch or two from the thermometer. It may take a little bit of effort to keep it going but once it does it goes for quite awhile. I got the 6 and 12-inch tube and love them both. I use a brass tube about 1/4"x 3 foot long and I just kick that lid open and use the brass tube to stoke that fire in the smoke tube, you may have to do that a couple of times but it'll get going with a little patience. If anybody has a better location please let me know.

The P setting, I've also found it's best on 4, I've never had a problem with it on that setting. Sometimes higher P settings can cause it to stall because it's feeding more pellets than it can burn and the pot gets overloaded. Never tried the smoke setting on P7 only on P4, I would get around 160 but will have to try that soon cause 120 sounds better for smoking salmon. I like to cold smoke steaks among other things then finish them on the grill

Anywho that's my 2¢ Have a wonderful day everybody and keep smoking.

 

[norwestie]

I found a used Char-Griller that didn't work. I bought a new igniter and temp control from Amazon and a new Ortec controller on eBay. It works as well as my old (US built) Traeger, GMG Daniel Boone and smoked nearly as well as my (lost to a house fire) MAK. I even found a cover for it on eBay that was designed for a Traeger Pro 34. It just goes on with the label facing backwards, since CG is sorta a mirror image of the Traeger. Not bad for a total of about $225!

 

[Zhaas1983]

I found a used Char-Griller that didn't work. I bought a new igniter and temp control from Amazon and a new Ortec controller on eBay. It works as well as my old (US built) Traeger, GMG Daniel Boone and smoked nearly as well as my (lost to a house fire) MAK. I even found a cover for it on eBay that was designed for a Traeger Pro 34. It just goes on with the label facing backwards, since CG is sorta a mirror image of the Traeger. Not bad for a total of about $225!

What did you do with the old controller? What was wrong with it? Mine burnt up it's first igniter after my 4th year, and the control board ended up shorting a triac and powering the new igniter constantly. I tried a Traeger controller, without the P setting, as it's a direct fit, and it was aweful. Couldn't keep it below 225-260° on smoke and any setting up to 250°, and without the P adjustment there was nothing I could do. Sent that back, order a $1 triac, soldered it on to the original board, and I'm back in business. Only overshoots by 10°, and goes under by 5° of the setting. Smoke setting I can get anywhere from 150°-180° by adjusting p. I did order an ortech as well as I would like the shutdown cycle, but we will see how it works. Is yours keeping consistent temps?

 

[norwestie]

I tossed the old controller. There was quite a bit of crud behind the LED display and I figured for $70 I'd get a better controller. It has worked very well but I'm not using the smoker anymore. I just bought a new Camp Chef PG24 DLX, so the old girl is on craigslist.

 

[Zhaas1983]

I tossed the old controller. There was quite a bit of crud behind the LED display and I figured for $70 I'd get a better controller. It has worked very well but I'm not using the smoker anymore. I just bought a new Camp Chef PG24 DLX, so the old girl is on craigslist.

I have been really happy with mine, couldn't imagine changing to a different brand anytime soon. I hope to get at least 4 more years out of it. I have been looking at a couple that have some different options, but I'm really happy with what this one is. Not super fancy, but easy to operate and cook on.