Help me spend some money please.

[Majja13]

Hello all,
I am a self proclaimed research-aholic when it comes to spending money on some things, and this is one of those things. I am looking to get get a Pellet Grill (Very strongly leaning towards a Weber Smokefire) And I also retired a very worn out Gas grill (hardware store special). My plan was originally to get the Weber Genesis I have always wanted and then the Pellet Grill for smoking. I have never really found combo tools to be great at both jobs. I also have a Weber kettle that I have had for many years that still gets the job done. I am here in Northen Ut and like to grill or smoke year round. As much as I love my charcoal it is hard to get motivated to get coals going when I am just cooking burgers or chicken sandwiches kinda things, when the snow is blowing and it is cold. I also have a wife and kids that don't always like that smoke flavor.

So my question is: What are the flavors like on mild meats like shrimp, chicken ect on a pellet grill? I am now thinking that Instead of pulling the trigger on the Genesis, and going straight to the Smokefire since I have the Kettle.

Just so I am clear I want the Smokefire primarily for its smoking duties not grilling.

Thank you in advance for your time and your opinions.
Majja

 

[smokerjim]

I'm not familiar with the grills your looking at, I have a pitboss pellet grill/smoker you'll never over smoke anything with it my problem is trying to get more smoke using a smoke tube. I'm sure someone will chime in that's familiar with what your looking at.

 

[TNJAKE]

Reach out to chopsaw he has a smoke fire and loves it

 

[sandyut]

I have a Genesis and its worth keeping around for grilling. Pairs well with my Rec Teq

I love my Rec Teq for smoking. I can relate to the over-investigating. I have a spreadsheet of all the details for several smokers i was considering. I am so glad I bought the Rec Teq RT-700.

Most people like their smokers, so there is that. Its a bias most of us have. I had to find the options and functions that were important to me at a price I could pay. My final three runner ups were Yoder, Rec Teq and MAC. Very happy with my choice 4 years ago.

 

[chopsaw]

o my question is: What are the flavors like on mild meats like shrimp, chicken ect on a pellet grill? I am now thinking that Instead of pulling the trigger on the Genesis, and going straight to the Smokefire since I have the Kettle.

Welcome . You came to the right place . I have some of the options you talk about , or maybe all of them .

The SmokeFire is a fantastic choice . I have the Gen 2 EX4 . It smokes and grills . Perfect smoke profile on meats . Here's a link on a thread I did .
Look through this . Any questions let me know .

Weber EX4 pellet grill

I bought this back in July . Really didn't need one . Really never thought I would ever buy a pellet grill . Since I've been cutting my own hair for the last 2 years ( covid ) , and saving 20 bucks every couple weeks I had some extra money . I like my Weber stuff . I liked the looks of the EX4...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Also , I don't use any additional smoke device with the SmokeFire . Doesn't need it .

Just so I am clear I want the Smokefire primarily for its smoking duties not grilling.

It will certainly smoke , but it is also great at grilling . I just seared some SV'd steaks on mine last week .

 

[Majja13]

I have a Genesis and its worth keeping around for grilling. Pairs well with my Rec Teq

I love my Rec Teq for smoking. I can relate to the over-investigating. I have a spreadsheet of all the details for several smokers i was considering. I am so glad I bought the Rec Teq RT-700.

Most people like their smokers, so there is that. Its a bias most of us have. I had to find the options and functions that were important to me at a price I could pay. My final three runner ups were Yoder, Rec Teq and MAC. Very happy with my choice 4 years ago.

I am not 100% sold on the Weber smoke fire. but has been at the top of the list. i will have to check out the Rec Tec and the yoder was also on the list.

Welcome . You came to the right place . I have some of the options you talk about , or maybe all of them .
View attachment 529438
The SmokeFire is a fantastic choice . I have the Gen 2 EX4 . It smokes and grills . Perfect smoke profile on meats . Here's a link on a thread I did .
Look through this . Any questions let me know .

Weber EX4 pellet grill

I bought this back in July . Really didn't need one . Really never thought I would ever buy a pellet grill . Since I've been cutting my own hair for the last 2 years ( covid ) , and saving 20 bucks every couple weeks I had some extra money . I like my Weber stuff . I liked the looks of the EX4...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Also , I don't use any additional smoke device with the SmokeFire . Doesn't need it .


It will certainly smoke , but it is also great at grilling . I just seared some SV'd steaks on mine last week .
View attachment 529439

that is some fantastic looking eats!! I am strongly leaning on getting the Smomefire 1st and i have all summer to decide when (if) I add a new gas grill back to tue patio.

 

[chopsaw]

I am strongly leaning on getting the Smomefire 1st and i have all summer to decide when (if) I add a new gas grill back to tue patio.

That would be a good way to go in my opinion . I take the cover off the smokefire more than any of the others . Mostly because it makes great food easy . If you have a Lowes near buy , you might go take a look and see if they have one on the floor . I know they still sell them , but they were moving slow and don't stock them anymore . If they have a display left they might work you a deal .
I like my Genesis . I recently put after market heat deflectors and flavor bars in it . Made that thing a different grill .
Keep us posted on what you decide .

 

[mike243]

I put aftermarket deflector bars in mine it didn't protect the flame cross over bar, lesion learned after replacing the the burners and bars with factory parts

 

[Majja13]

The new smoker is my reward for paying off my truck. I currently also have an older SkokeVault that has been a decent rig. With it being the smaller SV i always hated cutting my ribs in half.

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

I recently put after market heat deflectors and flavor bars in it . Made that thing a different grill .

Just out of curiosity what brand of parts did you use? I am fixing to do a makeover on my gas grill and was just looking at stuff yesterday.

 

[chopsaw]

Just out of curiosity what brand of parts did you use?

I bought after market because I wanted the heavy gauge metal . I have a Genesis E-310 . They listed several that fit my grill , but they were different sizes . So I measured what I had , the actual part , not the grill body , and that's what I ordered .
Heat deflectors are Utheer brand . Flavor bars are BoyoTec .
Just watch the sizes .

 

[SmokinVOLfan]

I bought after market because I wanted the heavy gauge metal . I have a Genesis E-310 . They listed several that fit my grill , but they were different sizes . So I measured what I had , the actual part , not the grill body , and that's what I ordered .
Heat deflectors are Utheer brand . Flavor bars are BoyoTec .
Just watch the sizes .

Thanks Rich. I'm going to do the heat deflectors and the burners. Pressure wash the grates. Shop vac out all the shit that has fallen down into it. I have a 7 year old 5 burner Broil King. This thing has been an absolute workhorse. Use it multiple times a week year round and never had to do anything except replace the regulator hose last year.

I currently also have an older SkokeVault that has been a decent rig. With it being the smaller SV i always hated cutting my ribs in half.

First off sorry to high jack your thread talking about gas grill parts. Secondly, I have a smoke vault as well but the 24" version. It's been a great smoker and don't have to cut ribs or briskets to make them fit. Good luck with your search! Look forward to seeing what you decide to go with.

 

[Majja13]

It is all good info so no worries on the hijack.

 

[Brokenhandle]

Curious as what you decide on also! Some good info given to you already!

Ryan

 

[Majja13]

As of now I am still leaning toward the Smokefire. This will not be set in stone u til it is in the back of the truck.

 

[civilsmoker]

I have a Reqtec 1250 and just got a 2022 Weber genesis and I’m very impressed with the Weber.... I have looked at the Smokefire and it is a very nice smoker. If you use a drip pan while smoking you will have virtually zero cleaning..... and if you want to not have flare ups during grill temps you could always set a cast iron pan over the burner to sear then move to the top rack and finish with CI pan under and away from the fire pot. This will give Top Shelf results! And again if you use that drip pan.....no flame up or grease cleaning. chopsaw puts some serious good found out of his. So does another OTBS forum member

 

[civilsmoker]

Oh the prices on the Weber’s are rumored to go up at the end of the month so you might think about that....again a rumor but it would not surprise me....

 

[chopsaw]

If you use a drip pan while smoking you will have virtually zero cleaning..

Very true . Cleaning is brushing the dust into the tray , them dumping the tray .
A little bit of scraping the bottom .
I use a drip pan in everything else . Just not a big deal .
I've started grilling at higher temps , and have had zero issues . Works great as a grill .
Edit :
They also make a system for them now . They call it a " wet smoke " system . I think it's to catch drippings .

 

[Majja13]

civilsmoker Thanks for the heads up.

And again thanks to all the great advice I saw the Wet attachments/Drip tray in the accessories. Are there any other accessories that you all would consider that you can not live with out with the Smokefires?

 

[chopsaw]

And again thanks to all the great advice I saw the Wet attachments/Drip tray in the accessories. Are there any other accessories that you all would consider that you can not live with out with the Smokefires?

I use a broiler pan from the house oven . Works good . I set it up a couple different ways . Just depends on what I'm doing . I will add water to it sometimes .


Here it's under the cooking grate . Normal foil pans are to tall .
That tray is a Weber acc. It works great for several things .

I always suggest getting a grill / smoker and using it before you start buying other stuff for it .
I always buy a cover with a new grill though .