craving a better smoker

[nhgrumpy]

I started off with a MES 30 electric smoker to see if I would like it. Upgraded to a Traeger 780 which is around 4 years old now. I use it every weekend and smoke for 3-4 familes. Now I want to upgrade. Do I need to ...no but I have the itch. Been looking hard at the Yoders and Gators. A friend loves his rectec and is trying to talk me into the 2500. Looking online I like how big the 2500 is but I really likes the look of the Yoder but the waitlist is long. I do have a dealer getting some in July just not the color I wanted. The gator seems to be built like a tank. What are your thoughts or recommendations?

 

[DougE]

The only direction I would go from a pellet grill, is to a stick burner, but I'd not get rid of the pellet grill, the stick burner would be in addition to. Both have their places.

 

[Sowsage]

I agree with Doug. If your ready for another one why not a different style. Charcoal or a stick burner. Like was said. Each have their place. And it's fun to try out and master a different type.

 

[ofelles]

I have a Yoder 640, great cooker rock steady every time I use it..
A couple pf years ago I got the urge to upgrade and ended up getting an LSG insulated cabinet smoker.
https://lonestargrillz.com/collections/smokers/products/large-insulated-cabinet
Best investment yet. Charcoal with wood chunks puts out stickburner quality taste. Used with a FireBoard controller and a PIt Bull fan and it's there with the Yoder in set and forget.

 

[Sven Svensson]

@ofelles , Now you’re giving me ideas I don’t need to have. That cabinet smoker looks very intriguing.

 

[culpepersmoke]

Like you, I started out with several types of smokers and I kind of settled in with a pellet smoker. I too got a "itch" and started shopping for a stick burner. Was all set to pull the trigger on a Lang 48" when I discovered the HBT smokers. I bought what they call the Deluxe and I love it. I got mine made with smooth steel verses their trademark diamond plate. I justified it (in my head anyway) since we have a family gathering of about 20 adults maybe once or twice a year. Now even when I cook for just my wife and I, I will generally pull the Deluxe out of the garage instead of using the pellet cooker.

 

[sandyut]

I have the rec teq rt700 and love it and the company. Works great every time and makes great meats. The 2500 would be my vote

 

[civilsmoker]

Those are all good smokers. I have the RT 1250 and LOVE it. The 2500 will handle a lot of food. But like others have said having a different type of smoker is also nice.... I have 2 pellets, 2 reverse flows, a baby charcoal, and the X-Fire.....I know I have an problem....

 

[Brokenhandle]

Those are all good smokers. I have the RT 1250 and LOVE it. The 2500 will handle a lot of food. But like others have said having a different type of smoker is also nice.... I have 2 pellets, 2 reverse flows, a baby charcoal, and the X-Fire.....I know I have an problem....

Can't decide what you want next huh?

Ryan

 

[civilsmoker]

Can't decide what you want next huh?

Ryan

Exactly! .......

 

[Winterrider]

.I know I have an problem..

I just consider it options

 

[nhgrumpy]

I pulled the trigger on a 640. Dealer in connecticut has some coming in this month.

 

[BB-que]

I started off with a MES 30 electric smoker to see if I would like it. Upgraded to a Traeger 780 which is around 4 years old now. I use it every weekend and smoke for 3-4 familes. Now I want to upgrade. Do I need to ...no but I have the itch. Been looking hard at the Yoders and Gators. A friend loves his rectec and is trying to talk me into the 2500. Looking online I like how big the 2500 is but I really likes the look of the Yoder but the waitlist is long. I do have a dealer getting some in July just not the color I wanted. The gator seems to be built like a tank. What are your thoughts or recommendations?

I have a LoneStarGriilz cabinet being built right now, should have it in May. Heard great things, as close to set it and forget it while getting the wood flavor of a stick burner. I have a RT too and it’s been great, will continue to use but can’t wait for the cabinet. You should check them out.

 

[civilsmoker]

I pulled the trigger on a 640. Dealer in connecticut has some coming in this month.

Congrats that is a very nice unit!

 

[bauchjw]

I pulled the trigger on a 640. Dealer in connecticut has some coming in this month.

Congrats! Is that the one with the color you didn't like? I was just going to recommend putting a different color on it!

 

[hugho]

I started off with a MES 30 electric smoker to see if I would like it. Upgraded to a Traeger 780 which is around 4 years old now. I use it every weekend and smoke for 3-4 familes. Now I want to upgrade. Do I need to ...no but I have the itch. Been looking hard at the Yoders and Gators. A friend loves his rectec and is trying to talk me into the 2500. Looking online I like how big the 2500 is but I really likes the look of the Yoder but the waitlist is long. I do have a dealer getting some in July just not the color I wanted. The gator seems to be built like a tank. What are your thoughts or recommendations?

My son gave us a big Masterbuilt 1050 gravity smoker which seems to work like a charm using pure hardwood charcoal. We beefed it up with mods from LSS to give it hopefully longer life. We have just cooked chops and roasts so far and have smoked some of our homecured bacon. We had a traeger given to us which was fine but took a lot of attention. We have snow on the ground for over 6 months so a unit which is self tending on our covered porch is pretty sweet.

 

[tx smoker]

I know I have an problem....

No sir. You may be developing one but you're not there yet. If you wanna see somebody with a problem, you need to come visit I currently have 7 on the patio and 3 more in the garage due to not having room for all of them. Maybe my problem really is that the patio is just too small. At 1000 s.f.I didn't think I'd ever say that but mayhap it's true.

I pulled the trigger on a 640. Dealer in connecticut has some coming in this month.

Excellent choice. I was actually gonna give you another option before seeing that you'd already pulled the trigger. Pack up and come to TX. Bring a truck, a trailer, and your checkbook. We will build you one in whatever style you want Oh well, you're not going wrong in any way with what you have coming.

Robert