New Pellet Grill

[phoenix921]

Hey Guys, I am wanting to buy a new pellet grill this spring and can't decide what to purchase. I am new to smoking meats and would like a user friendly unit. It will be used for smoking meats as well as burgers, steaks, and chicken. I would like a wifi controlled unit. I have researched camp chef and rec tec as both seem to be quality units. What about pit boss? Any wifi models? It seems like most shy away from Traeger. Any help is appreciated.

 

[BigW.]

Welcome. Both those choices are good. Lot of Rec Tec love on this forum. Search around in the forum. Lots of opinions. I am looking forward to Weber Pellet grill coming out. But my GMG works for now.

 

[kruizer]

I have the Camp Chef Woodwind and it produces very good product. You can't go wrong.

 

[jcam222]

If money isn’t a concern I’d go Rec Tec for sure. The feedback I read on build quality and customer service is stellar. It’s what I’d buy if I wanted a good pellet cooker I’d use frequently. That said I looked at an entry level Pit Boss that’s on clearance at Lowe’s for $189 marked down fromc$399 and I was really surprised by the heavy gauge lid and overall build. Pretty sure I’m grabbing one for my boys as a Christmas gift today as they share a house.

 

[Winterrider]

Camp Chef is pretty good quality. I was down to the RT Stampede and the Grilla Grill Silverbac Alpha. Choose the Stampede. Have only done a few cooks so far but really like it.
I wouldn't be afraid of the Traegers new Timberline units. Seem to be heavy duty units.
Pit Boss would certainly serve the purpose but not sure if Wi-Fi available

 

[Steff3]

Camp Chef is pretty good quality. I was down to the RT Stampede and the Grilla Grill Silverbac Alpha. Choose the Stampede. Have only done a few cooks so far but really like it.
I wouldn't be afraid of the Traegers new Timberline units. Seem to be heavy duty units.
Pit Boss would certainly serve the purpose but not sure if Wi-Fi available

Pit Boss new units with WiFi available in January

 

[bregent]

What's your price range?

 

[ofelles]

You didn't mention a budget. The new Yoder YS640S has the Fireboard tech built in. Along with probes. I have a pre WiFi model and love it and will upgrade if/when controller goes south

 

[eddiememphis]

My lil Green Mountain has a tri-tip in it right now. Never had a problem in six months of weekly use.

Make sure you use high quality (Lumberjack) pellets and smoke at a lower temperature than you would with a different smoker and you will have some great results.

 

[phoenix921]

Thanks for the replies, for price range I would like keep it around $1000. The rec tec 590 looks like a good unit and it has wifi. I may wait to see what the pit boss units look like with wifi before I purchase.

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

For what it's worth, my Rec Tec Mini has been a tank going on 5 years now.

 

[gr0uch]

Thanks for the replies, for price range I would like keep it around $1000. The rec tec 590 looks like a good unit and it has wifi. I may wait to see what the pit boss units look like with wifi before I purchase.

Although the Rec Tec is an amazing unit it's not what ultimately sold me on their brand. It was actually the customer service that changed the perspective for me.

I bought the RT-700 instead of the 590 and I couldn't be happier. It's for sure got more real estate than I need, but who ever said, "I wish I would have gotten a smaller smoker?" ?

 

[sandyut]

I am one of the Rec Tec lovers on here. Had my RT700 just over a year and cant say enough good about it. They are very responsive after the same too. Good People!

 

[mooncusser]

Another RT-700 owner here. Rec Tec offers serious equipment, and like sandyut says the customer service reputation is very strong.

 

[2008RN]

I agree with the others, within the $1000 price range, the Rec Tec is a good unit. If you can swing it the RT700 is a step up with more sq in of cooking surface. Seems like you can never get enough space, especially if you plan on cooking a bunch of burgers and steaks. Good luck.

 

[Smokin' in AZ]

I just bought a Rec Tec Trailblazer (RT-340) and have done 4 cooks and all have been fantastic.

Only used Lumberjack pellets and am very impressed with them.

John

 

[JimInFla]

I have A GMG Daniel Boone. About 10 cooks in now and for the most part, it's been flawless.

Things I have learned:

1. If your pellets are dark (like the Jack Daniels pellets), the low pellet sensor cannot "see" the pellets and assumes the hopper is empty, which will make it alarm continuously. Makes sense.... hopper is black.... pellets are black... sensor can't see.

2. The GMG Gold Pellets worked flawlessly, The JD ones jammed once in the auger and created the sensor problem above

3. If you are stuck with 40# of JD pellets, you can disconnect the sensor from the control board and it will cook fine and stop the insanely annoying alarm. I found this out after calling GMG tech support. The sensor is a Molex connector on the left side of the control board.

4. GMG will tell you that B&B and Lumberjack pellets are problematic in the smoker. Not sure how true that is.

Jim

 

[bregent]

GMG will tell you that B&B and Lumberjack pellets are problematic in the smoker.

Sounds like they borrowed that from the Traeger playbook.

 

[gary s]

I'm an RF guy but good luck

Gary

 

[kstone113]

If you can swing the RT-700 Bull price, go for it. I'm almost at a year old and absolutely l LOVE my Bull. But I hear great things about the Stampede if you need to save a few hundred.