Pizzed.

[DocSteve]

So let me set the stage. Single, retired, no one to awnser to, cook for only me.
I have been a fire box smoker for my life. Decided to go pellet. Got a GMG 2 years ago and it has been a piece of junk. Replaced almost every part in it. Mother boards x3, burner elementx3, etc.
Half my smokes worked, half quit. Today, 3/4 through a $120 rib smoke the grill shut down and went to room temp.
Given that, and I know people will be biased, what pellet smokers would members reccomend in the $1500 range. I can go higher but that tends towards bigger smokes.
Thanks.

 

[RCAlan]

So let me set the stage. Single, retired, no one to awnser to, cook for only me.
I have been a fire box smoker for my life. Decided to go pellet. Got a GMG 2 years ago and it has been a piece of junk. Replaced almost every part in it. Mother boards x3, burner elementx3, etc.
Half my smokes worked, half quit. Today, 3/4 through a $120 rib smoke the grill shut down and went to room temp.
Given that, and I know people will be biased, what pellet smokers would members reccomend in the $1500 range. I can go higher but that tends towards bigger smokes.
Thanks.

Do you know why your GMG pellet grill flamed out?? Was the burn pot full of ash... and when was the last time the burn pot was cleaned out? I can recommend a few very good pellet grills for you, but I also want to understand what really went wrong with your last cook. Also on a side note with your GMG pellet grill, are you using a 12 gauge extension cord or something different?

Pellet Pro Austin XL and a few more mods... in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[DocSteve]

Do you know why your GMG pellet grill flamed out?? Was the burn pot full of ash... and when was the last time the burn pot was cleaned out? I can recommend a few very good pellet grills for you, but I also want to understand what really went wrong with your last cook. Also on a side note with your GMG pellet grill, are you using a 12 gauge extension cord or something different?

Pellet Pro Austin XL and a few more mods... in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

12 gauge cord, fire box cleaned every smoke. Anal enough I have a spoon to scoop out ashes.
Twice now I have had to sand and temp paint spots on the grill due to rust.
This is not a GMG bash post. I'm done with it.
What is better and reliable?

 

[RCAlan]

12 gauge cord, fire box cleaned every smoke. Anal enough I have a spoon to scoop out ashes.
Twice now I have had to sand and temp paint spots on the grill due to rust.
This is not a GMG bash post. I'm done with it.
What is better and reliable?

1. Rec Tec 590 or 700... https://www.rectecgrills.com/grills/rt-590
2. Camp Chef Woodwind Wifi.. https://www.campchef.com/wifi.html
3. Pit boss Platinum Series KC COMBO $750.00... https://pitboss-grills.com/platinum-series
4. Grilla Grill Silverbac Alpha... https://grillagrills.com
5. Pellet Pro 1190... https://smokedaddyinc.com/product/s...-stainless-steel-pellet-bbq-grill-model-1190/

Also another option for you to consider is the Masterbuilt Gravity Feed 560 GF grill. https://www.masterbuilt.com/products/gravity-series™-560-digital-charcoal-grill-smoker
All of the grills listed are great choices and are within your price range. Good luck

Pellet Pro Austin XL and a few more mods... in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[fullborebbq]

I will second the pellet Pro unit. There DIY smoker unit is what I have in my home made smoker(see link in signature).
The smoke unit has been rock solid and I have the older original PID. Love my Smoke Daddy products.

P.S. Just my 2 cents........

 

[mike243]

I would probably look at a Mac, seems to be a high quality unit ,rec tec would be my 2nd choice , pit boss was in my range when I got the urge for 1 and has been great so far.

 

[sweetride95]

In your price range, seriously consider the Rec Tec 700 Bull.

 

[sawhorseray]

I'm not a pellet popper guy so my 2¢ worth might not be worth half that, but I have read a lot of posts on this forum about them. I'd say the most highly rated and trouble free units seem to be made by Rec-Tec, guys seem to produce great cooks and rave about their customer service department. Going by the "you get what you pay for" theory one would have to consider the Yoder 640, built to last.

https://www.yodersmokers.com/ys640-pellet-grill.html........................$1800.00

https://www.rectecgrills.com/RT-700-Pellet-Grill_3................................$1200.00

I doubt you could go wrong with either one, good luck in your search. RAY

 

[negolien]

Yoder and rec tec seem to be the happy pellet grills.

 

[DocSteve]

1. Rec Tec 590 or 700... https://www.rectecgrills.com/grills/rt-590
2. Camp Chef Woodwind Wifi.. https://www.campchef.com/wifi.html
3. Pit boss Platinum Series KC COMBO $750.00... https://pitboss-grills.com/platinum-series
4. Grilla Grill Silverbac Alpha... https://grillagrills.com
5. Pellet Pro 1190... https://smokedaddyinc.com/product/s...-stainless-steel-pellet-bbq-grill-model-1190/

Also another option for you to consider is the Masterbuilt Gravity Feed 560 GF grill. https://www.masterbuilt.com/products/gravity-series™-560-digital-charcoal-grill-smoker
All of the grills listed are great choices and are within your price range. Good luck

Pellet Pro Austin XL and a few more mods... in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

Thanks.

I would probably look at a Mac, seems to be a high quality unit ,rec tec would be my 2nd choice , pit boss was in my range when I got the urge for 1 and has been great so far.

Leaning towards Rectech.

 

[6GRILLZNTN]

My Rec Tec has been solid for around 5 years.

 

[Johnny Ray]

I have owned several different pellet cookers over the years. Traeger, Yoder, Cookshack FEC100 and Rec Tec.

Based on customer service and overall performance of the cookers listed above I would choose the Rec Tec every time. The RT700 is a workhorse that will serve you well for many years. Maybe larger than you really need just for yourself but within your price range.

The Cookshack FEC 100 would be my second choice but it is pricey (~ 5K) and way too big for what you’re needing.

Good luck with whichever you decide to go with.

Take care,
Johnny Ray

 

[Blues1]

Just got a Rec Tec RT700 and could not be more satisfied. Well built, fantastic customer service, easy to contact. They will see to it that you are happy and satisfied.

 

[Smokin' in AZ]

Another very happy REC TEC owner!

RT590 or if you want more space the RT700

I actually have the portable RT340 so I can move it between houses easily. I will probably relegate it to my camper and move up to the RT590 at some point.

Oh and the best pellets out there are Lumber Jack....just my .02 cents.

John

 

[JWFokker]

MAK or Pellet Pro

 

[DocSteve]

Another very happy REC TEC owner!

RT590 or if you want more space the RT700

I actually have the portable RT340 so I can move it between houses easily. I will probably relegate it to my camper and move up to the RT590 at some point.

Oh and the best pellets out there are Lumber Jack....just my .02 cents.

John

RT is in the top running. I'm a little (alot) anal about researching purchases. Should have it narrowed down in 6 months.
Temp, metal thickness, options, durability, etc.

 

[Charles Kosal]

I am another very happy RecTec owner. I have the 700. Love it! You will find an rare issue in posts on some forums like wi-fi or warped heat deflector from guys, but they will all agree RecTec never gives up trying to please them until they are happy. In fact, in another forum i read a post where a guy said he went through 3 heat deflectors and they all warped. Sounds terrible except RecTec kept sending him new ones. No questions asked. (i would of asked questions - ha).

I love mine! Couple of pics including today's ribs... I am sure Yoder is great too. It was my second choice. I am sure i would of loved that too. BUT.. i am very happy to have the extra $600 in my pocket as an owner of the RecTec. Ha.

 

[mrad]

If your still looking, do some research on this one. I bought one 4 years ago. I have had to replace the temp probe twice (owner covered it both times) and the igniter once (at my cost), however, the new ones come with a ceramic igniter.

http://www.blazngrillworks.com/the-grid-iron

With that said, this past summer I had a friend ask what brand pellet grill he should buy. I told him the rec tec 700. With the 7 year warranty, it looked like the best value for the dollar.

My friend did stop over at my place while I was doing a cook after he bought his and questioned why I steered him towards the rec tec instead of the Blazn Grillworks. He noticed instantly that mine was a much heavier duty unit.

If your interested in the Blazn, Call the owner. He will answer all your questions and list all options. They also usually have sales where they throw in accessories. Mine came with the insulated lid and the copper vein powder coat. I believe I paid $1499.

 

[sandyut]

Rec Tec Bull all the way! I have used mine for about 1.5 years with no issues. Love it!

 

[texomakid]

Since you're single if you look at Yoder I'd recommend the Yoder YS480. It's a bit smaller that the YS640 and would be perfect for what you've described except for the rust. If rust spots give you heartburn I really don't know what to recommend. The yoder is so well built the rust doesn't seem to bother me. After 2 years of hard use on my YS640 I plan to do a bit of clean up and refurbish to it soon but I've run close to 2000 lbs of pellets through mine so any cooker used to that level has to have maintenance. I love my Yoder - good luck with your choice.