Pellet Smoker - Need advice on first one

[Furby076]

Hello

Ive been smoking for past 1.5 years with chargriller gas/wood combo. It requires a lot of watching (add/remove heat). This means I'm focused on the smoker and not my kids, plus, limited to smoking for 5 to 8 hours.

With that, I'd like to upgrade to electronic pellet smoker. Suggestions/help would be great

Budget : I'd like to spend closer to $1,000, but can go to $1,500
Control: Use an app to set temp, timer, monitor inside of food temp and outside temp. Basically, set it and forget ut
Clean: easy to clean. Ash filter to a bin. The waste bin not get wet it if rains. The grease bin in my current griller fills up with water when it rains, spilling the oil to the ground
Rust resistent (i live in florida. Its humid)
Warranty: decent warranty would be helpful

Thanks

 

[BXMurphy]

I think they will all be fine for you, actually.

My new Weber SmokeFire impresses me after only two roast sessions in 50° F New England spring weather. For you, you might like the shiny enamel paint that's nice and thick. You will still nick it - I did when I installed the shelves - but you will nick all of them. When something rusts, just buy the replacement part.

The Weber's greasepan is in a drawer under the unit. They all are, I'm sure. I think I have to clean the inside of the SmokeFire more often than most others because they say grease builds up inside and catches fire. Not a big conflagration, mind you, but you have to shut it down to clean it out to start the smoke flowing again.

I think your concern with rust and rain will be solved with a good cover. Weber's cover is well made like all their products and fits nicely. I've had rain the last two days and water beads right off. Over time, this will need replacing - just like every other smoker cover, I'm sure.

My main attraction for this unit is that it can easily hit 600° F and stay there. You will go through $5-$10 bucks worth of pellets, though, to get to those temps for an hour or two. Likewise with the grill open to sear some mighty tasty burgers. Pellets are more economical for that low and slow smoke with set it and forget it technology. Wide open like with the SmokeFire and others, you will go through fuel at about $5 bucks an hour.

No matter what you chose, you will get bored with it just like any other household appliance. It just melts into a busy life and does what it does. And, you will always have buyer's remorse that you didn't just slice open a 55-gallon drum and do it old-school. For me, my Chicago-made, Weber-quality SmokeFire makes me comfortable such that I'm done scanning reviews and onto some smoking, roasting, and grilling.

You'll be fine,
Murph

 

[schlotz]

There are a number to choose from and you'll have to line up their specs against each other to make a decision what will best suit you. The two that first come to mind in the price range are RecTeq and The Weber Smokefire. FYI, a simple solution to the grease issue BXMurphy mentions is to use cheap throw away alum pan(s) below to capture the grease then discard.

 

[Furby076]

Appreciate those replies. I like the idea of the smoker with enamel to help protect paint. Also, i agree on using disposable alum trays. Does it fit in the recteq? I like its warranty better

 

[ycastane]

Based on this forum alone, lots of folks love recteq and lots think is glorified. Based on watching a lot of youtube and such i ended with Weber EX6 and used it this past saturday. I have a weber grill that has been uncovered for the past 5 years and doesnt have a single spot of rust. Just replaced the grates from cast iron to SS for the first time as well as the flavorizer bars.

This doesnt mean my smoker sits under the weather. Its under roof and with its cover. With that said i like the Weber for smoking, if i need searing my gas grill does fantastic and gets to 700 in less than 10 mins and maintains it like crazy.

Same goes for the Weber, it maintained 275 for 6 hours straight without a single fluctuation.

At the end make sure you like the looks of it and make sure it performs, there rest is up to you.

 

[G8trwood]

I’ve had a pellet(s) for 7 years now. If gravity smokers were around when I started and then moded…. The struggle for smoke flavor is real on the pellet. The boss approved a gravity fed, just can’t decide.
Just food for thought if you know anyone with one.

 

[Furby076]

I’ve had a pellet(s) for 7 years now. If gravity smokers were around when I started and then moded…. The struggle for smoke flavor is real on the pellet. The boss approved a gravity fed, just can’t decide.
Just food for thought if you know anyone with one.

Gravity fed charcoal? Im super novice and thought pellets were just tiny charcoal pieces so would do the same.

With gravity fed, can a controler be set (e.g. 180F for 10 hours). What are you eyeing up?

 

[G8trwood]

Gravity fed charcoal? Im super novice and thought pellets were just tiny charcoal pieces so would do the same.

With gravity fed, can a controler be set (e.g. 180F for 10 hours). What are you eyeing up?

The Chargriller 980 vs Old country Gravity vs Masterbuilt 1050. Several threads on here on + - of them. Chargriller and Masterbuilt have controllers and probes as part of the build, like pellet.

The pellets do a pretty good job on smaller cuts and chicken. Ymmv. But to me fail on larger cuts. But I went to pellet from a large reverse flow cooker, so different taste buds. Pellet are super easy and convenient, I have two. But as I said different smoke levels especially at higher temps.

Not bashing them, just throwing out different options to muddy the waters ;)

 

[schlotz]

Lot of opinions on all sorts of equipment. Many users are biased to what they currently smoke with and there's nothing wrong with that. If it works for them, that's all that matters. Bottom line you can make good eats from all of them. Pellets (compressed wood fibres not tiny charcoal pieces) offer a simple, less fussing solution for smoking. For those that want stronger smoke flavor you can add a smoke tube or pellet tray. Personally, too strong of a smoke hides the real meat flavor. Pellets hit the right spot for us. Your wallet is your limit.

 

[bigfurmn]

I like my Pit Boss. Nice warranty good flavor and easy to use. If I had the money, I’d probably have Rec Tec. Just make sure to get a good cover for it.

 

[Furby076]

You guys have lots of great info and now im confused, lol

I dont want to sacrifice taste, but charcoal vs pellet...is it THAT much of a difference or subtle?.

Ill investigate gravity fed, but ultimately i think one of my biggest concerns is also ease of use (set it and forget it). If gravity charcoals can do that (set 12 hours at 180..go to sleep) then its a good fit

 

[schlotz]

Gravity might get you there. Clean up with charcoal or pellets has to be dealt with, depending on who you talk with one is easier than the other. Again, this is individual preference. Big debate regarding flavor, which is always going to be a personal thing. Only current data point I have is with my MAC and the smoke level is totally acceptable for us. There are other tangibles that have bearing: grease management (external & critter control vs internal), cost of heat source, proper storage for heat source, manufactured materials used & their longevity and internal cooking space required. Always prudent to think about the next number of years, not just today when looking for a new unit.

 

[MrAhmerGamer]

Pellet Smoker Cook Off
This video was posted when I put up thread asking basically the same thing. It pushed me towards a SmokeFire. Really liked it. Returning it under the 100 money back guarantee because I want the new one that is due out this Spring. The food it makes is awesome. My main complaint would be the pellet hopper and that got redesigned in the new version. Honestly, if they didn't release a new one, I would have kept mine no doubt.

 

[BXMurphy]

Pellet Smoker Cook Off
This video was posted when I put up thread asking basically the same thing. It pushed me towards a SmokeFire. Really liked it. Returning it under the 100 money back guarantee because I want the new one that is due out this Spring. The food it makes is awesome. My main complaint would be the pellet hopper and that got redesigned in the new version. Honestly, if they didn't release a new one, I would have kept mine no doubt.

I saw that video before I bought, too. They gave a slight edge to WSF. Learning about pellet smoke tube to punch up smoke if needed was key. My WSF has a smoke boost setting that I haven't played with yet.

I saw another video with the same guy standing next to a smaller version. Glad I went big.

The chute fix reduces hopper space a little, though. I'm not sure I would trust it over an 8-hour unattended cook. But that's more a function of how cold it is in Massachusetts and the amount of pellet fuel it takes to keep the WSF (and others, I'm sure) up to temp. It is nice that it has a low-pellet sensor and alarm.

I think they're all pretty good. It's not big money like a house or a car and I don't remember researching the big stuff as much as as the smaller purchases. Weird, I know.

Murph

 

[MrAhmerGamer]

The chute fix reduces hopper space a little, though. I'm not sure I would trust it over an 8-hour unattended cook.

According to The BBQ Guys website about the stealth:
"The Weber SmokeFire EPX6 STEALTH pellet grill has a hopper capacity of 20 lbs" I think the current gen is at 22 pounds. 2 pounds is not totally negligible but 20lbs seems like a good amount.

 

[Furby076]

Pellet Smoker Cook Off
This video was posted when I put up thread asking basically the same thing. It pushed me towards a SmokeFire. Really liked it. Returning it under the 100 money back guarantee because I want the new one that is due out this Spring. The food it makes is awesome. My main complaint would be the pellet hopper and that got redesigned in the new version. Honestly, if they didn't release a new one, I would have kept mine no doubt.

It sounds like i should wait until the new one is coming out in spring. What's the model of it?

I also spoke to a grill store and they are recommending the GMG peak prime plus. Do folks have opinions (ok we all do, lol) about this one?

 

[BXMurphy]

According to The BBQ Guys website about the stealth:
"The Weber SmokeFire EPX6 STEALTH pellet grill has a hopper capacity of 20 lbs" I think the current gen is at 22 pounds. 2 pounds is not totally negligible but 20lbs seems like a good amount.

I agree. I almost got 20 pounds in the hopper. The last pound or so would have had to sit on the flat part of the slide or maybe if I stirred down to settle what I put in, that last bit in the bag would fit in. Maybe I could have leveled the pellets off more or just fill it up where the cover is open a crack and it would close as the pellets are used. But, BBQ Guys are close enough for rock and roll. Twenty pounds would certainly fit.

For the original poster and others, please note that my first experience with a pellet smoker was over two days in 45-50° F weather with a playful breeze and faint drizzle. I was roasting at 400° F for 2-3 of hours. First day was a frozen pizza, the next was roasted veggies and a load of kabobs. Another hour spent breaking it in and 2-3 shutdown cycles in between. I opened and closed the cover more than several times to taunt the food.

Weather and cook temperatures are *major* factors in fuel use. Keeping the cover closed makes a big difference, too. "Factory testing" is cover always closed with someone on stand-by to flick that last pellet into the fire.

That last pound of pellets that I couldn't fit in looked like it was going to sit on the slide going to the auger without sliding down. The cook was done; I didn't wait around to see what would happen. I wasn't even mildly curious. The thing worked fine but under those conditions, I wouldn't trust it for eight hours unattended.

But that goes to the point, doesn't it? All these smokers are fine. They are set and forget and will stand up to Florida weather. Your grease requirement is what it is - they all handle grease as designed. They are $1,500 bucks give or take and are going to use fuel that is pricier than gas or electric. You will also tend to cook food (and ruin it now and then) that cost more than a can of SpaghettiOs.

There's a quote in a Mafia movie somewhere: "It is the life that we chose." Look around for no more than 30 days and settle on something that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. If set and forget smoking is what you like; get one. You'll be able to make it work for what you need. This forum will help.

You'll be fine,
Murph

 

[Furby076]

I agree. I almost got 20 pounds in the hopper. The last pound or so would have had to sit on the flat part of the slide or maybe if I stirred down to settle what I put in, that last bit in the bag would fit in. Maybe I could have leveled the pellets off more or just fill it up where the cover is open a crack and it would close as the pellets are used. But, BBQ Guys are close enough for rock and roll. Twenty pounds would certainly fit.

For the original poster and others, please note that my first experience with a pellet smoker was over two days in 45-50° F weather with a playful breeze and faint drizzle. I was roasting at 400° F for 2-3 of hours. First day was a frozen pizza, the next was roasted veggies and a load of kabobs. Another hour spent breaking it in and 2-3 shutdown cycles in between. I opened and closed the cover more than several times to taunt the food.

Weather and cook temperatures are *major* factors in fuel use. Keeping the cover closed makes a big difference, too. "Factory testing" is cover always closed with someone on stand-by to flick that last pellet into the fire.

That last pound of pellets that I couldn't fit in looked like it was going to sit on the slide going to the auger without sliding down. The cook was done; I didn't wait around to see what would happen. I wasn't even mildly curious. The thing worked fine but under those conditions, I wouldn't trust it for eight hours unattended.

But that goes to the point, doesn't it? All these smokers are fine. They are set and forget and will stand up to Florida weather. Your grease requirement is what it is - they all handle grease as designed. They are $1,500 bucks give or take and are going to use fuel that is pricier than gas or electric. You will also tend to cook food (and ruin it now and then) that cost more than a can of SpaghettiOs.

There's a quote in a Mafia movie somewhere: "It is the life that we chose." Look around for no more than 30 days and settle on something that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. If set and forget smoking is what you like; get one. You'll be able to make it work for what you need. This forum will help.

You'll be fine,
Murph

Thank you for the advice and writeup. I also watched that competition, and liked that they clearly preferred the weber ribs and even assumed it was the weber.

Im going to some local places in a week to see in person, and also talking to some companies about building an outdoor kitchen (rain cover will help).

Ty!!

 

[K9BIGDOG]

I'll put this out there: I love my Camp Chef. Their priciest model, the Woodwind 36 WiFi is within your price parameters. They have really good customer service, and if you add the Sidekick attachment you have the possibility of a grill/sear box, flattop griddle and a pizza oven. A couple other nice features are an ash cleanout and a pellet hopper drain.

 

[sandyut]

There are a number to choose from and you'll have to line up their specs against each other to make a decision what will best suit you.

Lot of opinions on all sorts of equipment. Many users are biased to what they currently smoke with and there's nothing wrong with that.

schlotz has covered it pretty well with these two comments. I did exactly this and narrowed the field to 3. Then the choice became clear due to a couple easy factors. And I bought a rec teq. Which I love and always recommend.

Many factors to consider: size, weight, construction, wifi controls, customer service, performance, cost with everything you want added (you have a good budget already which is important as you can go wild on this purchase), etc. Enjoy shopping evaluation and the purchase.