In the market for a new smoker. Any recommendations?

[chopsaw]

used Smoking Brothers Pellet grill,

Been looking at those myself . Just because really . There's a place here that sells them , I just might go stand in front of one . Not in the market right now , but maybe down the road .
Whatever you decide , make your list and stay with that list . Get opinions from memebers that own or have used what you're looking at . Not everyone likes the same thing .
I've heard good things about the smokin bros . but no real experience .

 

[sandyut]

Whatever you decide , make your list and stay with that list . Get opinions from memebers that own or have used what you're looking at . Not everyone likes the same thing .

Solid advice. When I was shopping I made the list of what I wanted it to have and then what was in budget and read everything I could find about the top three contenders which were MAK 2 (out of business), Rec Teq and Yoder.

 

[912smoker]

I would definitely choose the Smokin Brothers between those 2.
Made in the USA and they appear to be top quality. I've only seen 1 in person and it was stout.

Keith

 

[chopsaw]

Smokin Brothers between those 2.

My SmokeFire is still getting it done . Makes great food with plenty of smoke profile and features .
I had been scoping out a Mak incase I had to move on from it . Since things have changed with Mak , I was looking into the Smokin Bros . I like it .

 

[bigfurmn]

I see that your budget number won't fit this but check out the Stump's brand of smokers. I have a Stump's Baby and that thing is going to outlive me. It makes the best BBQ I have ever had. Hands down. The cabinet is insulated so it holds heat well in the winter. I smoke meat all year round if I can.

It is a vertical feed charcoal burner with smoke wood under the burn grate. Simply out, I love this unit! Was worth waiting the extra time to save enough for this smoker. My $0.02.

JC

Well hello there Mister Fancy Pants. . Totally kidding but they look like nice rigs.

 

[Elf@shore]

I appreciate all of your replies. I am faced with three choices right now. Would love your thoughts. I have the opportunity to purchase a used Smoking Brothers Pellet grill, purchase a new Grilla Pellet or a new Grilla Kong. The Kong seems to be a better version of the Akorn, which is what I have been using for the past 5 years. I am interested in what your thoughts are between a used Smoking Brothers and new Grilla pellet?

HI! Grill choices:
I almost got a used pellet grill, but then said why put good $ into a big Maybe it will last ?
Not worth the risk of buying used electrics IMO ?
I looked for over a year before buying one.
As far as reviews go?: Traeger has many but are not the best?
Grilla ships direct, therefore they are not in yur typical Big Box store.
I liked the Grilla features above the Rectec:
1st looked @ the Chimp model:
Double walled: cold cooking, upgraded pellet pot.
SS grates, top rack standard, Not an add on
Wifi: Smoke mode along with other nice perks, A Stall mode: temps will not peak during an opening.
Auger , RTF, adjustments, comes with a Temp probe.
Decent pellet load: 15 lbs
I got a nice price for the old 1.0 WIFI : $500 with a cover shipped to my door.
No sales tax and free shipping within a few days.
Saved over $300!.
Not to mention I get more for the $ in feature upgrades.
Not going to pay few $100 more for less features? with a RECTEC?
BBQ Labs has you tube reviews on Grilla grills, including the Kong.
I feel he has an unbiased review .
FYI: Grilla did have sales during the year, such as now:
Grilla OG and Silverback XL now.
Kong was on sale last year around XMAS.
I have no idea of that Smokin Bros. unit?
What model is it ?
What condition is it in?
Is it priced right ?
If its reasonable and you plan on adding a few $100 down the road to replace electric parts?
Hope this helps?
ELF

 

[schlotz]

Couple of things regarding the Smokin' Bros. I noticed the upper rack is only 8" deep. There is no mention of a pellet dump feature. That would be an issue for me. Moisture over an extended time can decompose the pellets and when they in turn dry it becomes a concrete mess freezing the auger in place. Dumping the pellets & letting the unit continue to run until it flames out due to no more pellets being fed ensures this will never happen. Can't say I'm that fond of the non-stainless steel approach. JMTC

 

[chopsaw]

There is no mention of a pellet dump feature.

Back when I bought mine , I had a list of features I wanted . The Rec tec RT-700 didn't have a pellet dump and was the first one crossed off the list .
It's a deal breaker for me too . So if the Smokin Bros. doesn't have one , I wouldn't even consider it .

I actually just dumped the pellets in my SmokeFire . This time I vac'd out the chute too , and found some hard pellet dust at the bottom of the auger . Amazing how hard that stuff gets . Happy I found it , or it was going to be an issue at some point .

 

[Elf@shore]

Back when I bought mine , I had a list of features I wanted . The Rec tec RT-700 didn't have a pellet dump and was the first one crossed off the list .
It's a deal breaker for me too . So if the Smokin Bros. doesn't have one , I wouldn't even consider it .

I actually just dumped the pellets in my SmokeFire . This time I vac'd out the chute too , and found some hard pellet dust at the bottom of the auger . Amazing how hard that stuff gets . Happy I found it , or it was going to be an issue at some point .

Grilla OG:
Reviews : there are over 400!
Not sure where that previous statement:few reviews?
Has a pellet dump!
Also a 2nd shelf extension available.
There is a bundle with it and a cover
$737 Price.
You Tube has a guy with a 6 month review, that’s pretty honest about it.
He showed a smoke ring on a piece of meat: pretty impressive for a pellet smoker!
Grilla had some videos too.

 

[chopsaw]

I'm just looking around at different smokers . Not in the market right now , and next one will be a step up from the middle if I want one . The Griila's look good though .

showed a smoke ring on a piece of meat: pretty impressive for a pellet smoker!

The SmokeFires are the same way .

 

[zwiller]

Get opinions from memebers that own or have used what you're looking at .

+1000. I asked @chopsaw a BUNCH of stuff and checked out the Weber forums. Honestly, I think was pics of his beef runs with the smoke ring like above that did it for me. Since owning one, I personally think there is unjust bias towards pellet smokers as they are easy to use. In the end, the people eating don't care what smoker was used.

 

[JC in GB]

This, or save a ton of money, and build a great 55 gal barrel smoker, for well under $200. You can make them as fancy as you'd like, but the OG drum smokers still kick out smoke of the best Que I've ever stuffed into my face. If interested click here> https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forums/uds-builds.199/

I agree with you on this. Those 55 gallon drum smokers really seem to work well. I can't say for sure as I have never used one but folks that have tell me they love them. This might be just what the doctor ordered.

JC

 

[forktender]

I agree with you on this. Those 55 gallon drum smokers really seem to work well. I can't say for sure as I have never used one but folks that have tell me they love them. This might be just what the doctor ordered.

JC

Jeff, they do work good, and I love my drum with your home built PID controller that you made me, and they are easy to use. You definitely don't need a controller. I'm just O.C.D and like the layer of safety they provide from heat spikes/ over runs for comp cooking and long smokes.

I'll be using my drum and the controller that you built me this Sat. I have a rib cook off, and I need to defend my title, which means the drum gets dusted off, flavor...flavor...flavor!!!

I use the drum and run one small basket of wood coals, when that burns down it's time to wrap and transfer the meat over to the pellet grill, for convenience. It's just easier, so once they get wrapped they go onto the RT Beast 1000 pellet puker to finish off. I love my new Beast, the app. is sweet, it keeps you informed for any temp drops or spikes.

I'm gonna try out my new Green MT pizza oven attachment tomorrow night or Thursday night, if all goes well with Dad's surgery today.
Poor dude is having a kidney removed due to cancer. I'm a wreck as I type this, he is still in surgery, it's been 4 hrs, and was only supposed to take 2-2 1/2 hrs. My gut is in knots right now, waiting to hear how he did, he doesn't handle things like this well at all.