Traeger pro 34 or Camp Chef SGX 36?

[drno_1]

i've been researching many brands of pellet grill, from Zgrills, to RecTec, to PitBoss and Louisiana. i've narrowed down to two - based on features, reputation, and price.

i've never owned a pellet grill. from what i can see, they all claim they can sear, some push it more than others. the Traegers say it can be done but it's not prevelant in their online documentation, and it doesn't make sense that you could without either grill grates or a cast iron pan.

Camp Chef are rated very high in many of the rundowns i see - edging out traeger for feature functionality. however, they tend to sell both their SG (slide and grill) and their Woodwind models with the sear box as a recommended attachment. if i wanted a propane grill i'd buy one. had them for decades.

anyone have thoughts on the design of the SG with Camp Chef ? can you sear a steak and burgers okay on it?

that plus the ash clean out and pellet dump to change flavors seem to be pretty compelling to me - however everyone i know is telling me to go Traeger.

I'm not wanting to shell out the RecTec or Yoder dough, these two above seem to be best options.

i welcome anyone's opinions!

 

[kruizer]

I can't say enough good things about my Camp Chef. Just sayin.

 

[Scott Eisenbraun]

Had a Traeger for 5 years. If searing is important to you, I wouldn't go that route.

 

[drno_1]

Had a Traeger for 5 years. If searing is important to you, I wouldn't go that route.

yeah i'm not focused on searing, but for what the decent pellet grills cost i'd like to be able to - even if i have to get grill grates to heat up for it, i'm fine with that, but i don't want to have a propane attachment. so your traeger cooks well, but you don't use it for high temps yes?

 

[drno_1]

I can't say enough good things about my Camp Chef. Just sayin.

do you have one with the slide and grill? interested to hear how that works for basic steak grilling/searing.

 

[bregent]

if i wanted a propane grill i'd buy one.

Just to clarify things a bit, the sear station gets much hotter than a standard propane grill and will sear much faster and better. While you can sear on many pellet grills, it can take some time for the grill and grates to get hot enough. If you're doing a reverse sear, the sear station is very convenient.

that plus the ash clean out and pellet dump to change flavors seem to be pretty compelling to me

I personally don't find either adds much value.

I found the ash dump on my CampChef to be of little use. Only about a teaspoon of ash remains after each cook. Well before enough ash has accumulated in the pot to be of any concern, you need to remove the drip tray to clean out the barrel anyway.

The pellet dump might be useful if you change flavors frequently. But I only use 100% hickory exclusively, as that's the only pellet that gives enough flavor. Different pellet species don't seem to have a great variance in flavor as compared with whole wood burning smokers.

 

[Best Consumer Reports]

Camp Chef vs Traeger, really too hard to find out who wins, I think you should go through main feature: Cooking arae, temperature management, technology used, design and contruction.....

 

[Scott Eisenbraun]

yeah i'm not focused on searing, but for what the decent pellet grills cost i'd like to be able to - even if i have to get grill grates to heat up for it, i'm fine with that, but i don't want to have a propane attachment. so your traeger cooks well, but you don't use it for high temps yes?

I bought a Yoder 640 two years ago. I use Grill Grates over the firebox. We do a lot of quick cooks during the week (Steaks, shrimp, etc.) To me, being able to reverse sear is important. I would look for a pellet grill with a sear area.

 

[FlipprDolphin]

Don't get the SG. I have it. It burns the food with grease fires as soon as you open it if making burgers and other greasy items. Mine also had a leaking barrel that spills grease on the floor every time. They did replace my whole smoker...which I just returned to Dicks. I'm going with an original silverbac for $599.

 

[drno_1]

very helpful on the SG feature thank you! i will rethink my strategy...

 

[drno_1]

Just to clarify things a bit, the sear station gets much hotter than a standard propane grill and will sear much faster and better. While you can sear on many pellet grills, it can take some time for the grill and grates to get hot enough. If you're doing a reverse sear, the sear station is very convenient.



I personally don't find either adds much value.

I found the ash dump on my CampChef to be of little use. Only about a teaspoon of ash remains after each cook. Well before enough ash has accumulated in the pot to be of any concern, you need to remove the drip tray to clean out the barrel anyway.

The pellet dump might be useful if you change flavors frequently. But I only use 100% hickory exclusively, as that's the only pellet that gives enough flavor. Different pellet species don't seem to have a great variance in flavor as compared with whole wood burning smokers.

Thanks for the feedback this is helpful. i see myself changing between hickory, cherry and pecan, and mixing for briskets.

 

[drno_1]

I can't say enough good things about my Camp Chef. Just sayin.

I've pulled the trigger on the Woodwind SG with sear box - cannot wait for it to arrive!

 

[FlipprDolphin]

I've pulled the trigger on the Woodwind SG with sear box - cannot wait for it to arrive!

Enjoy! I couldn't figure out why one would want the SG part of they got a sear box

 

[drno_1]

Enjoy! I couldn't figure out why one would want the SG part of they got a sear box

no price difference might as well. only reason.