Tax Return = New Smoker

[Craig Ward]

Hey Guys,

So I'm getting around $1200 back for taxes this year, which obviously means new smoker. I'm looking at either a GMG Prime or Traeger (I get a friends and family discount). Are these the only two pellet grills I should be looking at in that price range? Does increasing the budget get me a "much" better smoker?

 

[bigtattoo79]

What are you smoking on now? And what are you using to read meat and grill temps?

Not sure of your financial situation but don’t feel you need to spend a lot on a smoker to turn out good food. A 22” kettle with a couple fire bricks, or even a $6.00 pizza pan can turn out wonderful meat.

 

[Craig Ward]

I've got a broilking vertical propane smoker, and a converted BBQ to offset smoker. For reading temps I've got a thermopro TP20 from Amazon.

The broil King is nice but I hate the long smokes, I did a 14 hour brisket last summer and hated checking on it every 45 minutes. Maybe it was human error but I could never get the pellets or chips to smoulder they'd just burn black.

I'm looking for a pellet smoker now, just something I can set and forget while I'm working in the yard or chasing the 3 kids around.

I live in Alberta Canada, so it's tough to find dealers and such, so far I've found the Traeger dealer and the GMG dealer, there is a Yoder dealer as well close by but I'm not sure if they're worth the price jump.

 

[bigtattoo79]

I definitely want a Yoder Cheyenne myself but can’t say if they are worth the extra coin or not.....

My best smokes have been on the Weber Kettle using the slow n sear. The only reason I’d ever upgrade would be for more smoking space.

My buddy has a pit boss pellet smoker he loves....I have no experience with them myself tho.

 

[Misplaced Nebraskan]

Slippery slope. When looking at pellet rigs I started at sub 800... Then found for a little more I could get more. Then wound up on Yoder, then ultimately Pitts and spitts. Almost tripled my initial budget

More money 'usually' equates to thicker steel, better controllers, more stainless components, fully welded construction.

But for your range i'd look at rec tec too. Lots of great reviews and recommendations from friends when I was looking. Blaz'n grill as well.

 

[Craig Ward]

Problem with Rec Tec is finding one in Alberta, we're limited in these parts

 

[Misplaced Nebraskan]

Gotcha. Yeah that plays a big factor too. Shopping and importing can blow the budget I'm sure.

Any stores near you to go put your hands on physically? To actually compare in person?

 

[Craig Ward]

The only ones I've ever seen are GMG and Traegers, they have Yoder's, but I haven't went and seen them yet

 

[Misplaced Nebraskan]

The Yoder 480 is right at your price point. At least online anyway. I'd take Yoder over GMG and Traeger personally. But that's all dependant on price and size of cook chamber. Gotta factor that in too

 

[jcam222]

I would vote Yoder over the GMG and Traeger as well. Solid units. If you aren't married to pellet though I have to throw a plug in for a good charcoal cabinet smoker. People often talk about set it and forget it in reference to electrics. I am here to tell you that my 270 vertical cabinet running lump charcoal is more set it and forget it than me MES electric ever was. Little more upfront work getting lit and settled in but it will hold temp then for 8 to 14 hours depending on cook temp with no maintenance. I will always be smoking in charcoal fueled cabinets here forward. If you are tempted try looking for used 270, Humphreys, Backwoods, Stump etc. I bought my 270KC model used for $1200 and I think it was originally $4500 plus shipping to the first owner.

 

[chopsaw]

My vote ,,, put the money in the bank . Get up every day , go to work . Save what you can . When you get to be my age , 58 you can buy and do as you please . I retired at 56 .

 

[Craig Ward]

Haha but I want my brisket now!!

I love my charcoal smoker but the wood chips burn through so fast I have trouble keeping the smoke rolling.

I did just find a local Backwoods smoker dealer though, I'll be looking into them for sure.

 

[motolife313]

Stick burner for sure.

 

[retfr8flyr]

You should really check out the new Traeger lineup, they have improved with brush less auger motor and many other advancements. I love my 1300 and if you have a friends and family discount, the Traeger is a no brainer.

 

[Craig Ward]

I would vote Yoder over the GMG and Traeger as well. Solid units. If you aren't married to pellet though I have to throw a plug in for a good charcoal cabinet smoker. People often talk about set it and forget it in reference to electrics. I am here to tell you that my 270 vertical cabinet running lump charcoal is more set it and forget it than me MES electric ever was. Little more upfront work getting lit and settled in but it will hold temp then for 8 to 14 hours depending on cook temp with no maintenance. I will always be smoking in charcoal fueled cabinets here forward. If you are tempted try looking for used 270, Humphreys, Backwoods, Stump etc. I bought my 270KC model used for $1200 and I think it was originally $4500 plus shipping to the first owner.

The issue I have with my charcoal smokes is that I don't have access to any wood chunks around here, only chips and pellets

 

[jlud]

I just agonized over the decision as well. Didn’t want to spend what I did...went way over budget with the Yoder YS640. Had it delivered Thursday and did break in, grilled burgers one night, ribs the next, and did brisket today.

The Yoder is extremely solid...from the body to the grates to the shelves outside. Does that translate to better food? No idea but so far all cooks have been great. Grilled way better than I thought it would, and ribs and brisket super easy and kids said best I have ever made for all 3. No leftover brisket tonight.

I got the fireboard with it, feel like I got an outstanding smoker and a separate outstanding wifi monitor system. Some of the combined technology ones concerned me...sort of like jack of all trades master of none.

 

[jcam222]

I just agonized over the decision as well. Didn’t want to spend what I did...went way over budget with the Yoder YS640. Had it delivered Thursday and did break in, grilled burgers one night, ribs the next, and did brisket today.

The Yoder is extremely solid...from the body to the grates to the shelves outside. Does that translate to better food? No idea but so far all cooks have been great. Grilled way better than I thought it would, and ribs and brisket super easy and kids said best I have ever made for all 3. No leftover brisket tonight.

I got the fireboard with it, feel like I got an outstanding smoker and a separate outstanding wifi monitor system. Some of the combined technology ones concerned me...sort of like jack of all trades master of none.

Keep us appraised of your experience with your FireBoard. Mine has been very up and down. When it’s worjing it’s awesome, that said I’ve went through far to many probes. I’ve lost confidence in it for cooks where I have a lot of $$$ in the smoker that are temp sensitive.

 

[sandyut]

Problem with Rec Tec is finding one in Alberta, we're limited in these parts

I would reach out to Rec Tec about shipping to your region. they shipped free (or included - how ever you want to say it) to the US. My packed included 200LBs of pellets too. it was shipped UPS ground by truck from August GA. they have crazy good customer service. you may get a deal.

I love my RT700. used it all weekend. best purchase in a long time.

 

[metsfan2152]

I second that for the Rec Tec. See what they can do for shipping to canada. Like sandy said customer service is really good.

 

[jlud]

How long until probe failures start on fireboard? I’ve only used for two cooks so far but seamless.