I purchased the the Pro Series 2 combo unit with 1262 Cook space. This thing is a damn champ! Lots of smoke out of the pellet side. When using the gas side as a cold smoker, the smoke migrates well to the gas side thru the interconnected tube. I've closed off the vents in the back of the pellet chamber during cold smoking, it didn't make a difference on the cheese that I smoked. I tried that on my 3rd round of cheese after watching how smoke came out of the vents. Thought closing those off would increase the smoke flavor on the cheese. It didn't, which is good to know because it means most of the smoke still moves to the gas chamber.
The only thing i I dislike the lack of ease for cleaning. The slider plate on the pellet side needs to be cleaned often to keep it functional. I thought about getting a different style, but after using indirect heat to cook a tri tip and then reverse searing it by opening the slider for direct heat, I decided not to, the tri tip came out perfect. Cooked it to a 125 internal temp in indirect heat at 225, then I increased the grill the temp to 400 and opened up the slider grate. Ran it this way for 2 minutes, turned the tri tip over and ran it for another 2 minutes. Cooked to a perfect medium rare!
I've had this about 3 months now and in those 3 months I have used it almost as many times as I used my traeger in the 4 years I had it. Maintains temp well, within 15 degrees is what I noticed. My favorite feature is the cold smoke ability. The best thing about a combo unit is the fact I can smoke a brisket on the pellet side all day, but if my wife and I want burgers or dogs for lunch I can fire up the gas side and get it done. Great unit and great price, purchased from lowes for 729. With the cover I paid about 800. Can beat the price for what you get with this unit!
The only thing i I dislike the lack of ease for cleaning. The slider plate on the pellet side needs to be cleaned often to keep it functional. I thought about getting a different style, but after using indirect heat to cook a tri tip and then reverse searing it by opening the slider for direct heat, I decided not to, the tri tip came out perfect. Cooked it to a 125 internal temp in indirect heat at 225, then I increased the grill the temp to 400 and opened up the slider grate. Ran it this way for 2 minutes, turned the tri tip over and ran it for another 2 minutes. Cooked to a perfect medium rare!
I've had this about 3 months now and in those 3 months I have used it almost as many times as I used my traeger in the 4 years I had it. Maintains temp well, within 15 degrees is what I noticed. My favorite feature is the cold smoke ability. The best thing about a combo unit is the fact I can smoke a brisket on the pellet side all day, but if my wife and I want burgers or dogs for lunch I can fire up the gas side and get it done. Great unit and great price, purchased from lowes for 729. With the cover I paid about 800. Can beat the price for what you get with this unit!
