Help me out, is pellet right for me?

[burritosandbeers]

So, I want a smoker. I have a gas grill, a small charcoal kettle grill, and wifely approval to get a smoker. I've smoked before on the grills, but it really wasn't what I was looking for in capacity, and the amount of babysitting I felt was required.

I've been eyeing a few differnet smokers, one pellet, one gas, one charcoal and one electric, and I would REALLY appreciate some first hand experiences from those who own more than one type on what they like and dont.

I have a pile of kids, so set it and forget it is a REALLY nice thing for me. I really cant afford the time to babysit the smoker when I am cooking.
As far as my cooks, I want to smoke pork butts, brisket, ribs, and sausages. I make my own sausages, and would like to look at more smoked meat options like home cured bacon and pastrami.

I like that with a pellet grill, I dont have to keep messing with it, I fill the hopper, add the meat, and wrap when I want to. Most interaction I need is probably spraying it with some moisture if I want to, and this attracts me, but there are good options on all fronts for this type of set it forget it cooking.

The options I'm eyeing are the Camp Chef SmokePro STX for pellet, Masterbuilt Thermotemp for gas, the Weber Smokey Mountain 22 for charcoal, and the Masterbuilt Electric 20075315 for electric.
Thoughts? Am I missing anything else major in the sub $400 range that I should really look at? $400 is the top end of the budget range, so suggesting something in the $1k range really isnt helpful, but thanks.

Thanks in advance. I've posted this in more than one forum here so I can get good feedback from the people who love their specific smokers.

 

[retiredbadge]

 

[kruizer]

A pellet smoker is truly "set it and forget it" The rest will have some degree of attention required for fuel or smoke generation.

 

[Rings Я Us]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pit-Bos...AsCAEALw_wcB&dclid=COC4oNTKx9oCFQhvAQodbkANRQ

 

[Rings Я Us]

https://m.dickssportinggoods.com/p/...aA1H0TeEfuwjDM2YgAM7sxA_K6jMv_VkaAgpBEALw_wcB

 

[ross77]

I started with a Weber Smokey Mountain charcoal smoker. Too much setup, baby sitting and cleanup. But the smoke taste was excellent. I then bought a Masterbuilt electric smoker. Easier to use but required the wood chips to be replenished every 30 min. Their are modifications that can be done but after the electronics failed I got rid of it. I also didn't like the smoke taste, too bitter and ashy.

After having a couple kids I decided to get a RecTec 680. It is truly set and forget. Pork butts and briskets overnight are easy as can be. With the 40 pound hopper I never have to worry about running out of pellets. I smoked a packer brisket for 19 hours and the only thing I did was wrap it when it hit 160. It held 225 within 5-10 degrees for the entire cook. I also use it as a grill. I haven't touched my Weber gas grill after almost 2 years now.

The only downside is that the smoke flavor is not as heavy as other types of smokers. You can add a smoke tube if the flavor isn't heavy enough. I use 100% hickory pellets and I'm satisfied with the flavor.

You can also smoke with your Weber charcoal right now. Not set and forget but it can be done.

 

[bmudd14474]

If you like charcoal get a WSM and get a guru system and it is pretty set and forget.

 

[burritosandbeers]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pit-Boss-7-0-cu-ft-Vertical-Pellet-Smoker-with-Rear-Hopper-77700/304062449?cm_mmc=Shopping|THD|google|&mid=sG8eBDkW7|dm_mtid_890338a25189_pcrid_140426713082_pkw__pmt__product_304062449_slid_&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_ODWBRCTARIsAE2_EvWHlSI-JtyEvm3LObsoiILoNM4hZ-YhRIZt0_Rqh8YBaKUxqEtZVF4aAsCAEALw_wcB&dclid=COC4oNTKx9oCFQhvAQodbkANRQ

So I saw the pit boss 5 at walmart for a price in my range, but is that a good option? from what I have seen the pit boss stuff doesnt have a great rep on their controllers, and thats a really new product without a lot of reviews todate

 

[Blue Kettle]

I'll answer, yes, a pellet grill is absolutely right for you. I faced much the same questions you did. I've got a toddler that keeps us plenty busy. Babysitting a grill was becoming problematic as this little guy has become mobile (and having a chimney of lit coals around even for a 20-30 minutes is also sub-optimal). The pellet grill is an amazing workaround. It's real smoke. It runs itself with minimal input from you. You throw a smoke tube in to up the smoke flavor if need be. Go for it.

So I saw the pit boss 5 at walmart for a price in my range, but is that a good option? from what I have seen the pit boss stuff doesnt have a great rep on their controllers, and thats a really new product without a lot of reviews todate

I almost bought a Pit Boss but went with the camp chef precisely based on online reviews indicating the CC was likely to be better. Then I ended up having to buy fireblack (gasket) for the camp chef so it would consistently run right because there was a pretty significant lid gap (it was only $11, but still). At this price point I just sort of wonder if you aren't rolling the dice in one way or another. Maybe the Pit Boss would be a problem. Maybe you'd get a good one. Who knows? (There's also the Green Mountain Grills in this same price level to consider) I think the takeaway is you're more likely than not going to enjoy the experience on balance regardless of which major brand you buy.

 

[SmokinGame]

I love my pellet just because of not having to watch it much (just make sure you have enough pellets in the hopper ... temp sure drops when you run out ... LOL ... experience). I have a Camp Chef SmokePro DLX and have been very pleased. Temps do swing some when smoking in colder weather (<40F) probably due to more heat loss. For the $$ I believe it is a good value. I don't use the meat probe on mine. I have a 6 channel Chugod set up that my kids gave as a gift. Has the Bluetooth app on my phone which makes the watching even less.

 

[Rings Я Us]

I just point that out because it's a smoker and not a grill if you already have a grill.

So I saw the pit boss 5 at walmart for a price in my range, but is that a good option? from what I have seen the pit boss stuff doesnt have a great rep on their controllers, and thats a really new product without a lot of reviews todate

 

[muskyjunky]

My PB just arrived from Walmart today. Gonna set it up this weekend . I'll give a report when she's up and running . Thing is heavy , I can say that much already .

 

[ravenclan]

i just bought a PitBoss 700FB after two smokes beefribs and then a Brisket and baby back ribs i like it

 

[Geebs]

I have a WSM with a blower system, I really enjoy the flavor that I get from this smoker. On the other hand I have the CampChef Woodwind pellet smoker and really enjoy how set it and forget it is. The WSM needs only a little babysitting but the pellet grill needs none. I enjoy both, but I enjoy the flavor I get from my WSM mountain more then the Woodwind, even with a AMNTS. I would say from what you are saying you want a true set it and forget it, I would get the pellet grill and not the WSM.

 

[jbellard]

You should go with a pellet smoker and try to get the extra smokiness from a smoker tube.
I have a Bradley as well and don’t use the pucks. I use pellets and just add them to the heat plate as needed. Also put chunks on it and that lasts for a good couple of hours.
Still with little ones I would go with the pellet smoker and get th nicest one you can with your budget.

 

[JeffersonDad]

I have a Pit Boss and love it - I think it's a great starter pellet grill

 

[tag0401]

I have a Masterbuilt Electric JMS1500 and I love it. It's not 100% set and forget but it does not require the attention I was having to give my gas grill when smoking.

 

[gmc2003]

To me there is nothing more satisfying then sitting in the back yard with the wife, kids and dog listening to the ballgame and smoking some good BBQ while enjoying the pool. Granted the WSM does require a little bit of prep work, but that only takes about an hr. Also my kids aren't little(in their 30's) but I used to do the same thing with the Kettle when they were just little tykes. It was always something I can remember - quality family time together.

Chris

 

[forktender]

@burritosandbeers

https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/...ill-18ccfu24bttrplltxcfp/18ccfu24bttrplltxcfp

Hard to beat $400 for this smoker.
Good luck.

 

[Beanhall]

I posted the non dicks sporting goods version for $299 two weeks ago.

https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/camp-chef-smokepro-pg24stx.274153/#post-1814961