Pulled the trigger on the Traeger- 1st Smoke

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jmusser

Smoking Fanatic
Original poster
Jan 11, 2020
421
550
Got the okay from the wife for a pellet grill/smoker. Looked around and got the Traeger Pro34. Bounced between this and the one with Wi-Fire. Couldn't justify the extra $300 and losing 100 sq inches. Ordered an Inkbird Wifi probe on Amazon for a Lightning deal. Got the AMZN Smoker 5x8 as I know the pellet doesn't smoke a much. Lava gasket arriving today. Ran through the seasoning directions and off to the races now that the rain has let up a bit.
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2- Baby backs seasoned with Meat Church HoneyHog
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Threw on a dozen chicken legs as they were on sale and had plenty of room. Threw a smorgasboard at these. Chili oil, sesame oil, SPOG, Tiger Sauce, Soy Sauce. Also found a discounted half rack of "spare ribs with brisket removed", that was also tucked under the ribs. Ironically I am home alone today with no wife or kids. Looks like the neighbors will be happy.
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Will post pics as the smoke progresses...
 
Been told the tray has issues staying lit in a pellet smoker, tube does better they say. No problem with a tube, good luck they are habit forming lol
 
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Looks great so far! Congratulations on the new toy too. Looks like you and the neighbors will be eating well today!
 
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Been told the tray has issues staying lit in a pellet smoker, tube does better they say. No problem with a tube, good luck they are habit forming lol
Funny you say that as I read the same after I got the tray. I figured I can use the tray in my other smokers too for additional smoke and cold smoking. Will prob end up with a tube also. Smoking is habit forming. LOL. And ya end up buying new stuff all the time!
 
Currently at 225* with Traeger Signature pellets.

You might wanna check into some better pellets in the near future, Traeger pellets are flavored wood pellets using wood particles, lubricant, and flavored oils!!

Here is their patent where it specifies it in the abstract: US Patent 7517371

Abstract
The present invention relates to flavored wood pellets and a method of making flavored wood pellets. The wood pellets of this invention include wood particles, lubricant, and wood oil. Another aspect of the invention is a method that includes mixing wood particles with lubricant and wood oil, heating the mixture, and forming the mixture into pellets.
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PitBoss, Bear Mountain, Lumberjack, anything is made with more REAL wood than Traeger pellets.
 
You might wanna check into some better pellets in the near future, Traeger pellets are flavored wood pellets using wood particles, lubricant, and flavored oils!!

Here is their patent where it specifies it in the abstract: US Patent 7517371


PitBoss, Bear Mountain, Lumberjack, anything is made with more REAL wood than Traeger pellets.
Ha, look at my learning curve already! Appreciate it. ANy and all tips, tricks, mods for my new toy are appreciated.
 
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You might wanna check into some better pellets in the near future, Traeger pellets are flavored wood pellets using wood particles, lubricant, and flavored oils!!

Here is their patent where it specifies it in the abstract: US Patent 7517371


PitBoss, Bear Mountain, Lumberjack, anything is made with more REAL wood than Traeger pellets.
Don’t forget PelletHead pellets if you see them. Good also.

As to the tray vs tube, I thought the tube was for higher elevations (thinner air)? I use a tube in my Yoder and can sometimes be a challenge to keep it lit. I mage my own maze for my big smoke house, it too can be a pain. I’m at 6400’ elevation though.
 
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Looks like some good eats, wish the pellet tray worked in my pitboss, i have to use the tube. I think the tray has a cleaner smoke than the tube.
 
Thanks all. Had pretty good smoke rolling whole way between Traeger and AMNPS. No prob wit tray going out.Had great color on chicken and ribs. Ribs were great that I had. The "brisket" part was actually really good. Gave away chicken to great friend and a neighbor. Neighbor got the first rack of ribs too. I combined leftovers from baked potato bar we had yesterday along with additions and smoked. MMMMMmmmmmm......
Ribs: Sweet Baby Ray reg sauce
BB Ribs Meat Church Honey Hog- haven't tried yet.
Spare was the wild mix not the chicken. Too much going on with spice but good final product. Great color and smoke.
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Taters- left over baked taters, spices, cheddar cheese, Sour Cream, Nacho Cheese, green onions, butter, broccoli, and bacon in half for non meaters. Just smashed in pan and smoked. Was actually REALLY happy with these. Definitely a base to build off. Final pick of the two going to neighbors failed.


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Chicken Legs: Avocado oil, kosher salt, course black pepper- cooked to temp. Gave away, looked awesome
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All in all a goo deal. Second rack of ribs was feisty and took 8 hours to hit 187*. That was with 2 hours in butcher paper and 5 probes. Still figuring out the whole cooker and hot/cold spots. Just great to have lots of smoke rolling!!!
 

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Why hell maybe we should be asking you tips your spread all looks awesome.

Lumberjack pellets, buy them at Rualking if ya have one near you, if not buy them at Dick's and have them price match Rualking's prices. Just pull up the pellets on R.K's site on your phone to show it to the cashier, and you're golden.

Use the search function and search "pellet grill door gaskets" and decide if it's worth it too you or not.
I'm in the it won't really help with much camp from what I've seen.

Dan
 
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