Need help deciding on a new smoker

[Chuckcharger]

If you want a great smoker that has a great wood fired char griller, check out the Cookshack PG500.

Do you have a cookshack? Is part of it always direct heat?

 

[Chuckcharger]

The Sidekick on the Camp Chef is a really a great add-on piece. You get a flat-top griddle included with it, and adding the grill box gives you a 30,000 BTU grill and sear station. And they have a pizza oven for it, too (I just got the pizza oven for Christmas and can't wait to try it ). I've also used my Sidekick with a small stock pot to boil/steam crabs and corn on the cob.

I wish the campchef dealer by me had the grill box at there location... I really want to see it in person. When i went to the yoder dealer they actually fired it up. I was really impressed with the smoke output and the grill box. Also would the firebox located on 1 side and the chimney on the other be the cleset thing to an offset there is?

 

[chesterinflorida]

Of all the mentioned pellet grills, I think the Yoder, Cookshack, and Mak are the best dual purposed cookers. The Lonestar is still coming soon and not quite ready yet, but looks good as well.

The Cookshack is unique in that it is direct and indirect at the same time with different zones. If the size limitations of the different zones will fit your cooking style, it is really hard to beat. The Yoder does both grilling, smoking and searing well. Same with the Mak. These are all high quality US made machines

The above are better grade machines than the Rec Teq and Camp chef grills, but they certainly cost more. Of these two Chinese imports the Camp Chef is a better griller with the sidekick. Rec Tecs are good smokers with a good interface, but they do not have a way to expose the flame like the others. It’s not a good machine for searing. Yes, it can be done, but takes a long time to heat up all the way and you need grill grates to get just an ok sear.

One cooker not mentioned is Pitts and Spitts. It has a great build quality and is from Texas. It has a trap door feature to expose the flame' not as big as a Yoder though. They are coming out with a stainless griddle option though, and you will be able to grill all types of stuff on this.

 

[heynow.brian]

I have it narrowed down to 2 smokers. I want to have 1 grill for smoking and grilling.

1.Camp chef 36 woodwind with sidekick and grillbox

2. Yoder ys640s

I like the propane option with the camp chef alot since I grill burgers and dogs for the kids.

I also like the grilling option on the yoder. But i concerned about the amount of pellets i will be using since this will be my only grill.

Maybe there is a grill i having seen yet that you can recommend? Any help is needed. I dont want to spend $1500-$2500 and not be happy

I wasn't happy until I spent $2000 on my Yoder YS480. I'd bee a lot happier if I can sell my Smokin-it 3D

 

[Alphonse]

I would check out the Recteq grills and smokers. I love my Bullseye which will low and slow at 180 degrees up to 700+ degrees for searing. recteq.com

My son and I both recently bought RecTeq products. My son bought a Bullseye, a Matador, and a bunch of accessories. I bought the Matador.

To my dismay, I have discovered that their social media and website reviews are respectively dishonest and sanitized. While I like the Matador that I bought, I am saddened by their lack of openness on their various Facebook groups and their website. Makes me distrust them now. I will say that their customer service is outstanding but I am going to be far more cautious of buying from them in the future. Their behaviour on social media is indicative of trying to hide information from the customer.

 

[bregent]

To my dismay, I have discovered that their social media and website reviews are respectively dishonest and sanitized.

I've heard that as well, and it seems unnecessary. From what I've heard from this and other forums, the products and customer service are both excellent. I don't know why they feel the need to scrub the small number of negative reviews and make it appear they have 100% satisfaction rate.

 

[Tom_T]

I just received my CampChef 24" Woodwind and am really liking it. Only 5 cooks so far but I love the ease of cooking and cleanup. Used the direct grilling option once but will be using my Weber Genesis in the future. I will be adding the Sidekick when they are in stock again, felt the Sidekick would be more versatile than the sear box.
Good luck with your choice but you will like the ease of smoking with pellets.

 

[Chuckcharger]

I just ordered my yoder 640s with the regular stand should have it by August...

 

[Fueling Around]

Congratulations on your choice.

I just ordered my yoder 640s with the regular stand should have it by August...

Now comes the pellet brand discussion. We have months to cover that until August.
That is a really long lead time.