Need a new smoker

[Brent860]

Hey guys so my electric smoker died and am looking to get a treager pretty set on that, but trying to figure out what size to get. I’m looking to be able to do big briskets like 10+lbs and be able to do at least 3 racks of ribs and also beer can chicken( I have a double can set) is the 575 big enough for that or do I need to go up to the 780? Thanks in advance!

 

[jcam222]

Before you lock in on the Traegar I’d suggest you look at the RecTec Bull.

 

[bregent]

Hey guys so my electric smoker died and am looking to get a treager pretty set on that

What's the reason why you are set on Traeger, rather than another brand?

 

[3-2-1]

I wanted a vertical pellet smoker with a water bath but treager doesn't make vertical smokers so I went with LG aka PitBoss and love it

 

[Buttah Butts]

Stay away from traeger and GMG and go with a Rec Teq. You will thank me later.

 

[unclebubbas bbq]

Don't do the Traeger, you will regret it down the road

 

[schlotz]

There are better choices than Traeger. Time to rethink...

 

[Brent860]

What's the reason why you are set on Traeger, rather than another brand?

I guess I’m really not, but still looking for something that I can set and forget but still get a big bold smoke flavor

 

[Winterrider]

RT
CC
Grilla Grill
Should be checking besides your Traeger.

 

[bregent]

I guess I’m really not, but still looking for something that I can set and forget but still get a big bold smoke flavor

OK, so if you are looking for set and forget then a pellet grill may be a good choice. But as you have seen, lots of folks here think you can do better for the money than a Traeger. What is your budget?
As for big bold smoke flavor - I like the smoke profile I get from my pellet grill, but everyone has different preferences and some feel that pellet grills don't provide enough smoke flavor. If you think you might be in that camp, then you might consider getting a gravity feed charcoal smoker. Masterbuilt has a few models out now that are very popular.

 

[Brent860]

OK, so if you are looking for set and forget then a pellet grill may be a good choice. But as you have seen, lots of folks here think you can do better for the money than a Traeger. What is your budget?
As for big bold smoke flavor - I like the smoke profile I get from my pellet grill, but everyone has different preferences and some feel that pellet grills don't provide enough smoke flavor. If you think you might be in that camp, then you might consider getting a gravity feed charcoal smoker. Masterbuilt has a few models out now that are very popular.

I’m thinking 1000 or less, I have a Weber kettle that I love to use with my quicker stuff but I used to do a lot of brokers and pork butts in my electric which I just cant do with the kettle without tending to it all the time, with the electric I would fill the chip pan with pellets and use an a-mazen pellet tray so don’t know if this helps which what I should look for. Thanks for the advice!

 

[bregent]

For under a grand, the RecTec RT-590 is hard to beat if you go pellet, and has lots of fans.

The Masterbuilt gravity series charcoal smokers have been out for a while now and several folks in this forum have them. Check out the long thread in the charcoal smoker forum for more details and ask in there if you have questions: https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/forums/charcoal-smokers.108/

 

[mike243]

Just remember on the MB it has a chute issue that will need repaired sooner rather than latter, they will have to change something or lose a lot of customers in the future

 

[Brent860]

Just remember on the MB it has a chute issue that will need repaired sooner rather than latter, they will have to change something or lose a lot of customers in the future

What’s the shoot issue? Been doing a lot of research on this and seems like exactly what I’m looking for, so before I do pull the trigger on it, is the problem a simple fix that with parts readily available?

 

[unclebubbas bbq]

They use thin metal in the chute and it will eventually burn out on you. They do make a replacement sleeve for it though, just not sure how much it is

 

[Basco]

I bought a Traeger and so far it has treated me ok. I just bought a tube for the long smokes but have not tried it yet. I hear is a great improvement , Like others have said here, pellet smokers have less smoke flavor. I understand and lately we ordered out from locals and Dickey’s and the flavor is not there and heard they use commercial pellet smokers. I have far better results on a charcoal smoker but more work than a pellet smoker.

Before I have a charcoal smoker and the best thing for smoking but I needed something with a bit less watching. I kept old but if the wife needs to smoke, she has it and she wont take the trouble to warm up the charcoal chimney.

 

[offsetNick]

I bought an OJ Offset for the pandemic (keep me out of the house and divorce free). I learned a lot about smoke flavor and temp control. On days that I dont want to spend 5+/- hrs tending the fire I found a need for a pellet smoker. Also want to use it for long cooks where i start on the Offset for bark and then transfer to pellet so i can walk away. I found on FB Marketplace a Pit boss lexington for $225, then I found a pit boss 700 on walmart black friday for $299. Then I read the reviews about the Rectec 500, started drooling but $900 compared $300 for a second grill became a sticking point. I ordered it and am hoping for the best (dec 11 delivery).

Fridays turkey pieced out on offset run at 450F 30min, 325F for remaining 2.5 hrs. No brine, no injection, oak burn with added apple chunks. Thighs/legs closer to hot box cooked to 170F in 2.5hrs, and breast boned to 160F (rested to 167f) in 3hrs total.
basted with Butter/hot sauce/wosteshire during cook.
typical pepper/salt/onion/garlic/cayenne/brownsugar/paprika rub
Moist and nice smoke flavor.