Pellet Grill Only?

[Joemannnnn]

I've been wanting to buy a small pellet grill and have been researching options. I have a small Weber Spirit 2 burner that's been my only grill for years. I have a vegetarian wife and 2 young kids, so it's been plenty of grill. Mainly grilling burgers, steaks, and chicken. Have been wanting to do more pork, beer can chicken, ribs, etc and wanting a pellet for that.

I planned to keep the Weber and add a pellet grill. Upon further review recently, my Weber is in need of replacing... The cart has rusted out pretty significantly and I'm down a caster wheel. I knew I needed burners, flame shields, and some other parts, but I can't justify the money since it's rotting out on me.

All that being said, I'm seeking opinions as to whether others utilize just a pellet grill, or if they have both still. My Weber maxed out at 500 and that sufficed for me for steaks and searing. Can any of the pellet grills get in that range? Can the pellet grill suffice on it's own?

Appreciate any input. Thinking about a pellet grill purchase first and trying it on its own before buying another small Weber. But if the Weber is still thought to be needed, well that impacts the budget and pellet grill decision. Trying to figure out the best approach

 

[bdskelly]

Given your situation let me suggest something. Buy a charcoal Weber Kettle and a smallish pellet grill. The kettle is absolutely the best bang for the buck (99 bucks for the base model) when compared to any cooking machine.
I’m my opinion, pellet grills function better as smokers than high temp grills. I find myself using both every week.
Just my 2 cents worth. B

 

[SonnyE]

I'm not one to beat a dead horse. There comes a time to replace.
I'm also not one to go overly large on any grill or Sm00ker.
Something that steered me back to an electric was that I like doing cold or warm smoking.
That is something the Pellet grills weren't really meant for.
But I was drooling over a Green Mountain Grills Danial Boone. Because my thoughts was for taking it along camping.
Big enough for me, yet small enough to be agile.
If you go with a pellet grill, they make a searing grate folks use to get those great grill lines.

 

[Quibbley]

I second bdskelly's recommendation about getting a Weber kettle for the reasons he stated. I have a smoker, Weber gasser, and a Weber kettle. Between the smoker and kettle I haven't used my gasser in over a year.

A charcoal grill takes a little more time and effort but if you like or prefer the flavor that charcoal imparts onto the food then it’s worth it. It’s hard to get that flavor on a gas grill.

While you can grill at higher temps on a smoker, especially with grill grates, it won't perform quite as well as a kettle or gas grill at the task of grilling. Most descent pellet smokers should reach 500 degrees. In fact I did a 450 degree burn on my smoker a few weeks ago and I noticed some of my hard earned seasoning flaking off, not much but a little. So higher temps can remove some of the seasoning on the smoker albeit a minor concern. But something of which to be aware.

 

[bangstick]

I own a Camp Chef Woodwind and for me, it does it all. The grill itself will reach 500 degree but if I need something hotter, the sear box will reach 900 degrees. Its versatility is what drew me to the Woodwind.