Electric pellet smokers (like traeger) vs traditionial smokers

[dalton]

Had a bad weekend... My homebuilt big daddy smoker burned up! Could have caught the house on fire. So I am seriously considering a traeger for safety and ease of use. I noticed however that not too many folk here seem to use them and I am wondering why? Is it mostly a cost issue? A simple lack of enuf space? The lack of ability to hang sausage (back to the space issue) or are there other big drawbacks to them. My primary smoking is smoked salmon, jerky (beef and other wild game meat) and snack sticks with my jerky cannon. I haven't really gotten to sausage yet bit I'm not ruling it out. My second priority is smoking pork (many types) and would like to get competent with ribs and brisket.

All input is appreciated. Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!!

 

[beer-b-q]

Have you considered an MES 40" with an AMAZE-N-SMOKER for Cold Smoking... A lot of us here have them and are really satisfied with them.

When you consider the price @ Sam's Club of $298.00 and you can get the 3 year extended warranty for only $39.00 more They are a bargain... The AMNS is very popular with members because of its versatility and ease of use.

 

[lookwow]

My dad has been looking into them. They do seem sweet but they are a lot of money and even the bigger ones are not that big for $800 or more. But if you are looking for one every person we have talked to says that the Green Mountain Grills (GMG) are a much better product then the Traegers are.