Pellet Smokers?

[tommyboy65]

I would like to know how you folks feel about pellet smokers.  I want to learn how to stick burn or use natural lump charcoal  Whats best ?

 

[gary s]

[h1]

Hello and welcome from East Texas. This is a great site, lots of information and great people that are willing to throw in their two cents worth on about anything.   [/h1][h1]  [/h1][h1]Gary[/h1]

 

[seenred]

 
I would like to know how you folks feel about pellet smokers.  I want to learn how to stick burn or use natural lump charcoal  Whats best ?

You could get lots of different answers to that question.  What's best for one might not work at all for another...I use a pellet smoker, and I love it.  Others swear by traditional stick burners, or charcoal rigs, or electric or gas...you get the idea.  It all depends on what you want it to do, what your budget is, whether or not you want to tend a fire, etc.

So to answer your question is to simply give you my opinion:  I've used pretty much every kind of smoker listed above at one time or another.  My opinion, the Rec Tec pellet smoker I'm cooking with now is the best pit I've ever used.  Great tasting food, very consistent performance and cooking temps, and very easy to use.

Red

 

[gary s]

I agree with Red, personal preference, you need to try the different smoker to see what suits you. A stick burner requires more monitoring and time, but produces some great Q. I personally use charcoal & splits and sometimes just wood, got my smoker figured out pretty good so a minimal amount of attention. They all have good points, just what you like.

Gary

 

[show me smoke]

There is not a best...only personal preference,  I own both kinds 2 offsets and a pellet grill.  I like them for different reasons and for different meats.  The pellet is nice set it and forget it, stick burner takes more effort but is more rewarding I think..  I do really like the pellet grill for chicken and ribs and favor the offset for brisket and butts. You can get into a stick burner or charcoal burner for less money.  Look into a Weber smokey mountain or even a UDS (ugly trash can smoker)  300 bucks would get you either one of those.

 

[gary s]

On the stick burners, go with the best you can afford, I posted another thread about this and my 35+ years of BBQing, You can cook on anything as long at you take the time to know your smoker, the only thing with the cheap-o units is they are thin, don't hold heat well and usually leak, all of which can be fixed or compensated for. A good smoker just makes life easier. For me anyway

Gary

 

[tommyboy65]

Still trying to figure out my smoker. Have done just a couple things on it so far.

 

[gary s]

That is the best way.

Gary