Mak 2 Smoke Generation

[TDS1]

Hi all -

I had a 2017 Mak 1 and really loved it but decided it was time to upgrade to the current Mak 2. I have been using the 2019 Mak 2 for a few weeks, and all I can say is "Wow!". I am amazed at the amount of smoke generation and smoke flavor, even at higher temperatures, compared to my 2017 Mak 1 with Lumberjack hickory pellets. Great for grilling as well. Currently, I am using the bag of Bear Mountain Hickory pellets that came with the new Mak 2. My usual pellet is the Lumberjack 100% hickory pellets. Haven't tested them on the Mak 2 yet.

That leaves 3 possible reasons which I can come up with to explain why I am getting so much better smoke generation:

1) The new firmware on the pellet boss from 2017 to 2019. Not sure that would explain this.
2) The Bear Mountain pellets compared to the Lumberjack pellets. Certainly could be the reason, but hard to imagine it makes such a big difference.
3) The flame zone insert in the Mak 2 compared may have some effect. Not sure I can explain why it would, but it was a variable I considered.

Any thoughts? I am almost out of Bear Mountain pellets, so it should be pretty clear regarding #2 once I return to Lumberjack hickory. I am getting great smoke generation up to 250, and even decent smoke at 275. Previously, I was using smoke tubes on the Mak 1 at all temps to increase the smoke output. Definitely doesn't seem necessary now!

 

[mike243]

Its hard to say but when you start the bag of lumber jack you might taste or see a difference or not. congrats on the new smoker,

 

[SlowmotionQue]

Hi all -

I had a 2017 Mak 1 and really loved it but decided it was time to upgrade to the current Mak 2. I have been using the 2019 Mak 2 for a few weeks, and all I can say is "Wow!". I am amazed at the amount of smoke generation and smoke flavor, even at higher temperatures, compared to my 2017 Mak 1 with Lumberjack hickory pellets. Great for grilling as well. Currently, I am using the bag of Bear Mountain Hickory pellets that came with the new Mak 2. My usual pellet is the Lumberjack 100% hickory pellets. Haven't tested them on the Mak 2 yet.

That leaves 3 possible reasons which I can come up with to explain why I am getting so much better smoke generation:

1) The new firmware on the pellet boss from 2017 to 2019. Not sure that would explain this.
2) The Bear Mountain pellets compared to the Lumberjack pellets. Certainly could be the reason, but hard to imagine it makes such a big difference.
3) The flame zone insert in the Mak 2 compared may have some effect. Not sure I can explain why it would, but it was a variable I considered.

Any thoughts? I am almost out of Bear Mountain pellets, so it should be pretty clear regarding #2 once I return to Lumberjack hickory. I am getting great smoke generation up to 250, and even decent smoke at 275. Previously, I was using smoke tubes on the Mak 1 at all temps to increase the smoke output. Definitely doesn't seem necessary now!

Congrats on the new smoker. But if you’re asking for thoughts, and it appears that you are, well then my belief is that it’s a combination of #2 and perhaps the placebo effect of getting a new smoker.

If someone handed you say a wing or a drumstick from off of your old grill and your new grill, had you take a bite and repeated that 10 times, do you think that you could score 100% in identifying which of your smokers each wing or drumstick came off of if the same pellets were used and you had no prior idea of which sample came off of which grill?

Or even if they came off different grills at all? You think you could go 10 for 10 in identifying which food was cooked on each MAK?

I’m leaning towards a change in pellets and placebo.

 

[mike243]

Well its been proven that pellets smoke more at lower temps and running them there or having swings that cause more smoke help, whether or not that smoke sticks may be the reason for more flavor, moist meat has more potential for smoke to stick so imo spritzing often will get you more flavor. lots of airflow will dry stuff out quicker and maybe cut down on flavor. put 2 of the same meats on and then spritz 1 and don't the other, then have somebody that's not been hovering over the smoker taste test . spritz every 30 minutes for 2 hours then just smoke as needed

 

[TDS1]

Thank you to everyone for the replies!
Makes sense that it is a combination of things, and certainly could be some placebo effect. I definitely could benefit from more spritzing of meat as I am cooking. That's a great suggestion!

 

[schlotz]

I went from a 2014 MAK 2 Star to a 2018 Version that also included some Bear Mountain pellets. The biggest difference I experienced was how quickly the MAK got to temp, thus the smoke flowed quicker which was the result of the improve interior design and flashfire igniter. Can't really say there was a noticeable increase in the smoke amount. Not certain what the differences are in the interior setup for the 2017 MAK 1 Star compared to the current MAK 2. Regarding the Bear pellets. Wasn't really impressed, they seemed to leave considerable more ash than my usual pellets so after using them up I continued with BBQr's Delight which I've had very good results with since 2014. Congrats on the new MAK. Certainly don't have to tell you how good they are :D

 

[bregent]

I used Bear Mountain exclusively for years before switching to Lumberjack 100% hickory. IMO, the LJ has considerably more smoke flavor.

 

[TDS1]

Update, I am through the Bear Mountain and into the Lumberjack 100% hickory. Without doing a side by side comparison, smoke generation seems similar. Harder to comment on flavor but seems similar as well. Both seem vastly improved in terms of smoking ability compared to my 2017 Mak 1. Don't think it's placebo but you never know. Whatever the reason, very pleased!!

 

[SlowmotionQue]

Update, I am through the Bear Mountain and into the Lumberjack 100% hickory. Without doing a side by side comparison, smoke generation seems similar. Harder to comment on flavor but seems similar as well. Both seem vastly improved in terms of smoking ability compared to my 2017 Mak 1. Don't think it's placebo but you never know. Whatever the reason, very pleased!!

As long as you’re happy, that’s all that really matters.

Enjoy the new MAK and smoke on.

 

[texomakid]

MAK sure looks like a quality cooker and although I've never used a Lumberjack pellet yet I just purchased a bulk of LJ pellets based on how many here in SMF sing their praises. I'll know soon. Congrats on the new MAK. If anything ever happens to this Yoder I'll probably buy a MAK.

 

[WBDubya]

I’ve been using Lumberjack in my 2019 MAK 2 Star with great results. I did have a flameout on a long cook (14 hours) with LJ one time. MAK recommended switching from LJ to Bear Mountain or BBQ Delight. I love this grill!

 

[schlotz]

The best answer is to find pellets you like and have low ash residue. With those that produce more ash, it's best to clean out the fire pot before each smoke although it get a bit more problematic for those really long smokes i.e. 14+ hours.

 

[norwestie]

I had a 2012 Mak 2 Star, lost it due to house fire and now have a 2019 2 Star with the latest firmware upgrade. In between, I've had GMG, Traeger and Camp Chef. With a variety of different pellets, nothing compares to the smoke output of the new Mak. I absolutely love this beast. The amount of smoke hasn't changed as I try different brands of pellets so I can only conclude that the good people at Mak have designed it right!
The photo is of my meatloaf cooking @ 350ºF