New Englander Shopping for Pellet Smoker/Grill

[TimmyR]

I'm in New England and shopping for a pellet grill / smoker to round out my outdoor cooking options. I have a Large BGE (Fireboard controlled with PitViper fan when needed) and a Napoleon PP665. I'd like a pellet grill to mostly smoke on here year-round. I have a couple of smokers I'm leaning into at the moment (Weber Searwood, Yoder YS640s and LSG 20x36) for various reasons but would like some input. I'm still digging thru the forums reading old posts to see what I'm missing.

Thanks for any and all opinions!

 

[sandyut]

Check out Req Tec. Quite a few owners on here. I love mine and have for a decade at least.

welcome to SMF

 

[BigW.]

Welcome. The above 4 should all treat you well. Just depends on budget.

 

[texomakid]

I love my Yoder YS640. Got it in 2018 and I have used the heck out of it. Replacement parts are easily obtainable. I've heard & read more complaints about rust than anything but any rust my cooker has experienced doesn't affect the function nor the flavor. They are cooking machines!

Full disclosure, I've have no experience with any other pellet cookers but I bet they're are many great cookers on the market. Just choose your poison, dive in a get one!

 

[babydocsmoke]

I have had a Traeger and now have a RecTeq and wouldn't go back. Everything you've mentioned would be fine. In the end I think these days pellet grills are fairly equivalent. It'll just depend on how you use it.

If you need a nice app to monitor things....keep an eye on that. RecTeq has great customer care and support. You can literally text them or call the cell phone of the guy on call and they'll make things right. That's how they earned my business.

 

[sandyut]

If you need a nice app to monitor things....keep an eye on that. RecTeq has great customer care and support. You can literally text them or call the cell phone of the guy on call and they'll make things right. That's how they earned my business.

Yes! This! they are amazing.

 

[jcam222]

I'd lean Yoder and as someone else said also consider Recteq. I think the new Yoder smokers come with built in Fireboard controllers.

 

[TimmyR]

I'd lean Yoder and as someone else said also consider Recteq. I think the new Yoder smokers come with built in Fireboard controllers.

Thanks, I'm leaning Yoder & LSG for quality of build and Fireboard compatibility at the moment.

 

[babydocsmoke]

I'd lean Yoder and as someone else said also consider Recteq. I think the new Yoder smokers come with built in Fireboard controllers.

I've never owned a Yoder, but I've played with one and heard good things. Seems like a very solidly built product

 

[jcam222]

Thanks, I'm leaning Yoder & LSG for quality of build and Fireboard compatibility at the moment.

Here's a review on an LSG https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/threads/lsg-20x42-pellet-grill-early-review.323324/

 

[BigW.]

Thanks, I'm leaning Yoder & LSG for quality of build and Fireboard compatibility at the moment.

And built in the USA.

 

[sandyut]

Thanks, I'm leaning Yoder & LSG for quality of build and Fireboard compatibility at the moment.

over a decade ago my top three were Req Tec, Yoder, and MAC. No regrets on the req tec! I passed on the Yoder because of weight and rust (even though I know it doesn't affect performance), MAC is very nice - my old butcher had one running all the time out front, but it was over budget. Any of these would be solid choices for sure.

 

[schlotz]

RecTeq, Yoder & MAK are still my top choices as well. Each can provide a size to fit one's need. BTW: MAK is 100% American made as well.

 

[TimmyR]

I’ve definitely also looked at MAK and BLAZN. I‘ve not looked closely at Rec Teq yet.

 

[DougE]

I'd be suspicious of any "Made in USA" claims as a reason to pick that one. I have a number of items that say made in USA, but the fine print actually says, "Made in the USA From Global Materials". In other words, it was assembled here. Most of the steel and electronic component production has shifted offshore.

 

[sandyut]

I'd be suspicious of any "Made in USA" claims as a reason to pick that one. I have a number of items that say made in USA, but the fine print actually says, "Made in the USA From Global Materials". In other words, it was assembled here. Most of the steel and electronic component production has shifted offshore.

pretty sure this is true of most things we buy with that claim. please dont flame me for saying this but, I buy what I feel is best and best for me needs first. it just too hard to know the truth about the parts origin anymore.

 

[olecrosseyes]

I gotta back the Yoder Y640

 

[DougE]

pretty sure this is true of most things we buy with that claim. please dont flame me for saying this but, I buy what I feel is best and best for me needs first. it just too hard to know the truth about the parts origin anymore.

Like you, I buy what best suits my needs.

Nothing wrong with supporting products assembled in US factories but just want people to be aware that they can claim, "Made in the USA" on the label even though the materials the product is made from originated elsewhere.

 

[Flatrate]

Another vote for Yoder. Got my YS640s comp cart almost 4 years ago, built like a tank and operates perfect. I have yet to encounter any rust issues, however I treat it like a classic car, stored in the garage with a cover on it and only comes out when no rain/snow is on the radar.

I feel any of the choices you listed are going to be fine and work well, can't wait to see what you snag!

Dave

 

[Apparition]

I'd be suspicious of any "Made in USA" claims as a reason to pick that one. I have a number of items that say made in USA, but the fine print actually says, "Made in the USA From Global Materials". In other words, it was assembled here. Most of the steel and electronic component production has shifted offshore.

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