Totally confused in Smoker Selection

[bob hardin]

I’m looking for a new pellet grill. I’ve been researching for quite some time and getting more and more confused.

So, here it is:
I am looking between Makgrills, Rec Tec, Blazn, Fast Eddy, and Memphis. I can handle most prices up to $3k +-.
I will only use it for smoking.
I hear most say the Rec Tec isn’t in the same league with Memphis and Mak, but they don’t elaborate much. I understand build quality, but does that really convert to much in longevity of the unit, useability, and temp control? Or is it overkill?
I want a unit that will last many years; a reliable “set it and forget it” unit. Won’t the Rec Tec do that?
I want a unit that will hold temps well. Won’t the Rec Tec do that?
I know pellet useage is less in the Mak, but the $2k price difference buys alot of pellets.

Would someone please help me out here? I inderstand alot of this is subjective, but please be as direct as possible. I love varied opinions and respect all of them.

What would the $2k really buy me?

I smoke maybe twice a month, pork mainly. I love rib, butts and like to experiment. I want good smoke flavor.

I hope I’ve described my frustration. Again, please help.

 

[bregent]

I've got a Memphis Elite and love it, but I think you'll be extremely happy with the RecTec. The build quality of the Memphis is better, but the RecTec will holds temps and produce food just as good. Whether the build quality translates into longer lasting...probably a bit. Memphis is all stainless steel so you don't have to worry about powder coat peeling, but most of the important parts of the RecTec are stainless as well. Mak and Memphis get quite a bit hotter than RecTec, but if you're only using it for smoking then that does not matter.

 

[bob hardin]

Thx bregent. Does the PID/regulator measure up? How about cleanup?

 

[retfr8flyr]

Have you looked at the Traeger Timberline 1300? I just got one and love it. If you want to save money the go with the Rec Tec Bull. It will do what you want and should last a long time.

 

[bregent]

Thx bregent. Does the PID/regulator measure up? How about cleanup?

I believe that the controllers in the Memphis and RecTec are made by the same company (Roanoke) so they should be comparable. Memphis and Mak both have internal grease and ash capture systems. The RecTec has an external grease capture, but not sure if they have any way to deal with ash on their newer systems.

 

[schlotz]

First, they all smoke well. It's going to come down to your actual priorities and order of importance. If its really $$$ then Rec-Tec. Many have gone through this process and in the end it becomes a personal choice. In my case, I didn't want to get into the cycle of buy, regret, buy again, upgrade etc, instead firmly holding to the adage of buy-once-cry-once. The Memphis was a real close second but the deciding factor was the model feedback. Negative MAK comments were almost impossible to come across. So, top of the line, 100% American made with excellent specs, performance and reliability that is continually substantiated by those who own them. After 5 years with the MAK, I wouldn't change a thing.

Matt

 

[texomakid]

I found myself in this same conundrum when I started trying to decide what pellet grill/smoker to buy. There are so many makes & models. Then I walked into a store that carried at least a dozen different makes. I bet there were 20 different models on display and they could get you anything you wanted. More confusion - I'm now overwhelmed.

In the end it boils down to what you want and what features you think you'd like to have. I skipped out on all the wifi stuff. Went for American made, built solid (to last my lifetime), good reviews & the ability to sear/grill on top of smoke/bake/roast, hopper to hold at least 20# of pellets.

By the time I had everything as I wanted I was $2K into a pellet smoker. I originally figured I'd spend $1000 - Not what I had planned to spend but so far I have zero regrets in my purchase. Good luck. My guess is you'll enjoy whichever make & model you purchase.

 

[sbacpo]

Yoder

 

[bob hardin]

Thx for the replies.

 

[Winterrider]

Also eyeballing this. In the near future, gas grill will be replaced.

 

[mike243]

I will never be without my Weber gas grill or Weber performer,I own many cooking devices and aint giving any of them up for any reason,no 1 cooker does all I want or need.

 

[chef jimmyj]

If all your going to do is Smoke Meat. Get a SMOKER. Pellet grills are a jack of all trades and master of none. There are better dedicated smokers, ovens and grills for a quality sear. Grill Marks and Seared Meat are two different things that often get confused.
The Cookshack Amerique meets all your requirements and is a very highly rated smoker...JJ

 

[papadon45]

I’m looking for a new pellet grill. I’ve been researching for quite some time and getting more and more confused.

So, here it is:
I am looking between Makgrills, Rec Tec, Blazn, Fast Eddy, and Memphis. I can handle most prices up to $3k +-.
I will only use it for smoking.
I hear most say the Rec Tec isn’t in the same league with Memphis and Mak, but they don’t elaborate much. I understand build quality, but does that really convert to much in longevity of the unit, useability, and temp control? Or is it overkill?
I want a unit that will last many years; a reliable “set it and forget it” unit. Won’t the Rec Tec do that?
I want a unit that will hold temps well. Won’t the Rec Tec do that?
I know pellet useage is less in the Mak, but the $2k price difference buys alot of pellets.

Would someone please help me out here? I inderstand alot of this is subjective, but please be as direct as possible. I love varied opinions and respect all of them.

What would the $2k really buy me?

I smoke maybe twice a month, pork mainly. I love rib, butts and like to experiment. I want good smoke flavor.

I hope I’ve described my frustration. Again, please help.

Hi Bob, Don from Reno here. I know its confusing so here is some advise a dealer gave me when I was looking, he said. You can spend $700 for a Treager or $2000 for a Rec Tec, but I'll tell you one thing if I put 6 racks of ribs on a table all smoked on different smokers, you could NOT tell be which racks were smoked in which smoker.

 

[bob hardin]

I found myself in this same conundrum when I started trying to decide what pellet grill/smoker to buy. There are so many makes & models. Then I walked into a store that carried at least a dozen different makes. I bet there were 20 different models on display and they could get you anything you wanted. More confusion - I'm now overwhelmed.

In the end it boils down to what you want and what features you think you'd like to have. I skipped out on all the wifi stuff. Went for American made, built solid (to last my lifetime), good reviews & the ability to sear/grill on top of smoke/bake/roast, hopper to hold at least 20# of pellets.

By the time I had everything as I wanted I was $2K into a pellet smoker. I originally figured I'd spend $1000 - Not what I had planned to spend but so far I have zero regrets in my purchase. Good luck. My guess is you'll enjoy whichever make & model you purchase.

Grew up in dallas and fished lake texoma many times. Gr8 fishin!

Hi Bob, Don from Reno here. I know its confusing so here is some advise a dealer gave me when I was looking, he said. You can spend $700 for a Treager or $2000 for a Rec Tec, but I'll tell you one thing if I put 6 racks of ribs on a table all smoked on different smokers, you could NOT tell be which racks were smoked in which smoker.

thx Don. So true

 

[Hawging It]

My Bayou Classic 36" and Ole Big Bertha stick burners are all I need however, I see a lot of square, box type electric and pellet smokers on this forum. They interest me. Gonna start researching those.

 

[Winterrider]

Hawg, looks like you were cooking for a good size party in those photos

 

[Hawging It]

Hawg, looks like you were cooking for a good size party in those photos

Yeah, I blow it out from time to time! Can cook for an army on Big Bertha!

 

[WaydeG]

Yeah, I blow it out from time to time! Can cook for an army on Big Bertha![/QUOTE

I’m looking for a new pellet grill. I’ve been researching for quite some time and getting more and more confused.

So, here it is:
I am looking between Makgrills, Rec Tec, Blazn, Fast Eddy, and Memphis. I can handle most prices up to $3k +-.
I will only use it for smoking.
I hear most say the Rec Tec isn’t in the same league with Memphis and Mak, but they don’t elaborate much. I understand build quality, but does that really convert to much in longevity of the unit, useability, and temp control? Or is it overkill?
I want a unit that will last many years; a reliable “set it and forget it” unit. Won’t the Rec Tec do that?
I want a unit that will hold temps well. Won’t the Rec Tec do that?
I know pellet useage is less in the Mak, but the $2k price difference buys alot of pellets.

Would someone please help me out here? I inderstand alot of this is subjective, but please be as direct as possible. I love varied opinions and respect all of them.

What would the $2k really buy me?

I smoke maybe twice a month, pork mainly. I love rib, butts and like to experiment. I want good smoke flavor.

I hope I’ve described my frustration. Again, please help.

Nothing will replace a stick burner. These are close. Great build.
https://pitts-and-spitts-2.myshopify.com/