Wannabe Pitmaster

[MickVick]

Greetings, just joined the forum and thinking about getting into smoking and this seems like a great place to learn the craft! I'm 63, live in NC and while killing time recovering from another rotator cuff surgery I came across the Meat Church channel on YouTube.
I'm pretty dang good on a grill and wanna give smoking a try. I think Santa (me) is going to bring me a pellet grill but I don't know what to ask for. It is usually just my wife and I but I could see doing a brisket or some butts three or four times a year. Ideally looking for something I can go low and slow on but also sear. I also like the idea wi-fi and using an app to control temps. Mrs Claus said the budget is $1000. Y'all help me pick a smoker please, or tell me which ones to stay away from. American made would be nice but not a deal breaker.
Four that have caught me eye and are in my budget are Grilla Silverbac, GMG Legend, RecTeq Deck Boss or Backyard Beast and Traeger Pro. Any other suggestions in that price range?
Thanks in advance!
Mick

 

[DieselTech]

Greetings, just joined the forum and thinking about getting into smoking and this seems like a great place to learn the craft! I'm 63, live in NC and while killing time recovering from another rotator cuff surgery I came across the Meat Church channel on YouTube.
I'm pretty dang good on a grill and wanna give smoking a try. I think Santa (me) is going to bring me a pellet grill but I don't know what to ask for. It is usually just my wife and I but I could see doing a brisket or some butts three or four times a year. Ideally looking for something I can go low and slow on but also sear. I also like the idea wi-fi and using an app to control temps. Mrs Claus said the budget is $1000. Y'all help me pick a smoker please, or tell me which ones to stay away from. American made would be nice but not a deal breaker.
Four that have caught me eye and are in my budget are Grilla Silverbac, GMG Legend, RecTeq Deck Boss or Backyard Beast and Traeger Pro. Any other suggestions in that price range?
Thanks in advance!
Mick

If I had the money, get the RecTeq
Grill would be 2nd choice.

Also welcome to the group. Bunch of great people here.

 

[jcam222]

If I ever buy a pellet grill it will be a Rec Teq. My advice is decide on the right size for you and then go a size bigger :)

 

[BlueSwedeSmoke]

Agree on the size recommendation. The only “right sized” grill I have ever bought was one that I considered too big at the time of purchase.

 

[normanaj]

You may wish to look at the Weber Searwood,within your budget and does what you're looking for. Plus it's a Weber.

 

[fxsales1959]

Greetings, just joined the forum and thinking about getting into smoking and this seems like a great place to learn the craft! I'm 63, live in NC and while killing time recovering from another rotator cuff surgery I came across the Meat Church channel on YouTube.
I'm pretty dang good on a grill and wanna give smoking a try. I think Santa (me) is going to bring me a pellet grill but I don't know what to ask for. It is usually just my wife and I but I could see doing a brisket or some butts three or four times a year. Ideally looking for something I can go low and slow on but also sear. I also like the idea wi-fi and using an app to control temps. Mrs Claus said the budget is $1000. Y'all help me pick a smoker please, or tell me which ones to stay away from. American made would be nice but not a deal breaker.
Four that have caught me eye and are in my budget are Grilla Silverbac, GMG Legend, RecTeq Deck Boss or Backyard Beast and Traeger Pro. Any other suggestions in that price range?
Thanks in advance!
Mick

no to crash your party, but in my humble opinion pellets grills (that I have experienced) do not typically offer an end product that tastes like "real smoked" meat. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, just setting your expectations.. While they are an "easy" way to get started, if you are truly interested in getting into smoking meat you might look at a more "manual " smoker like the Weber Smoky Mountain. I requires more interaction but produces awesome food.
Welcome to the group from SE Florida.
you might try the search mode to read more opinions here. There's a bunch of righteous dudes here to help.

 

[chopsaw]

looking for something I can go low and slow on but also sear.

Then look at the Weber pellet grill . I have a SmokeFire , but they have a redesign now being the Searwood . Same basic operation , and design that does everything and does it well .
Puts a fantastic level of smoke on meats on it's own . No extra smoke source is needed .

Might see some closeout deals on The SmokeFires as the Searwood gets more traction .

Low and slow brisket ,


High heat sear on steaks ,

Nothing to switch out or change for smoking to grilling , and you don't need a shop vac to clean it .

 

[Newglide]

Welcome from NC, Can't help you with a pellet grill but good luck in your new adventure of smoking meat.

 

[MickVick]

Thanks guys!!!

 

[bigfurmn]

Welcome from Minnesota. Got some chicken going on my pitboss porker bro right now. I love the ease of use of a pellet grill. Yes it's not as much smoke as a stick burner but it's easier to use.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Greetings, just joined the forum and thinking about getting into smoking

Welcome and quit thinking and get to doing. I have no opinion on pellet grills, I'm a stick burner guy so if you ever need any advice there, I can point you to some seasoned pros who can help...

 

[Fueling Around]

Welcome from a snowbird currently in Florida.
I grill on my Weber kettles. Mostly the 18" Jumbo Joe as it is just me and my wife. It is a sear monster.
I have a Masterbuilt pellet grill. It is discontinued as it was a failure. I live with it and get by smoking and needing a smoke tube to get some flavor in the meat.
So many recommend the Rec Teq, but I would look at the Weber line first. They were later on the market but have adopted many of the wants of users.

 

[WaterRat]

While I cant recommend a specific smoker I would go no no lower than 700 cu/in. I often run out of room on my 440 - roughly 3 racks of St Louis spare ribs. It is also more difficult to find wire racks that fit. My wife and I are pretty fine with the lower smoke profile from my pellet smoker. Hope that helps.