Which pellet smoker is a good one?

[chopsaw]

Go get a bag of each and decide what you like . Blends work just fine in my opinion .

 

[civilsmoker]

I have burned over 200 lbs of the pit boss in my RT 1250 and they burn reasonable. A bit “dusty” but a good flavor! I burn Lil’ devils cause I get them for 6.50 per 20lbs.... cause I burn LOTs of pellets (burned 60 lbs in the last 3 weeks alone). They are a blend of alder, apple, hickory, maple, and mesquite....if I can’t get LD’s I get the pit boss one....

PS I had to take my 1250 to the back porch a piece at a time. Worked just fine!

PS congrats and enjoy!

 

[1MoreFord]

.................................The bear mountain has oak in it and I thought I read somewhere that is considered a “filler wood” when it comes to smoking, is that correct?....................

Oak or alder are the "fillers" in many pellets. Both are good smoking woods in their own right. They are generally more plentiful and less expensive than the woods we think of as "flavor" woods so that's why they are used in blends.

I try to buy and use LumberJack 100% Hickory whenever possible. Failing that I'll buy Bear Mtn. or B&B Hickory which are blends.

 

[mike243]

Went yesterday, pu a bag of southwest whatever the heck that is lol

 

[nygiant]

Oak or alder are the "fillers" in many pellets. Both are good smoking woods in their own right. They are generally more plentiful and less expensive than the woods we think of as "flavor" woods so that's why they are used in blends.

I try to buy and use LumberJack 100% Hickory whenever possible. Failing that I'll buy Bear Mtn. or B&B Hickory which are blends.

Interesting, good to know. Thanks for explaining that. I think I might try these to start. Reviews look awesome.

 

[chopsaw]

I have 20 pounds each of Apple , cherry , mesquite and a 40 pound bag of the championship blend in B&B . I'll be going tomorrow to Academy and picking up some Bear mountain . I'm going to get it while the getting's good .
When I had my offset , I would run it with red oak , and throw a couple splits of apple or whatever in there for flavor . Blended pellets seems about the same to me .
When I did a brisket the other day , I put 100% mesquite pellets in the bottom then filled it with mesquite blended pellets . Burn the 100% advertised pellets for smoke boost , then the blend drives it home .

 

[chopsaw]

1MoreFord
Just got back from Academy Sports . The shelves were stocked with B&B pellets and wood chunks / chips . Might be a regional thing . Got 100 pounds for $43.00

 

[zwiller]

I have 20 pounds each of Apple , cherry , mesquite and a 40 pound bag of the championship blend in B&B . I'll be going tomorrow to Academy and picking up some Bear mountain . I'm going to get it while the getting's good .
When I had my offset , I would run it with red oak , and throw a couple splits of apple or whatever in there for flavor . Blended pellets seems about the same to me .
When I did a brisket the other day , I put 100% mesquite pellets in the bottom then filled it with mesquite blended pellets . Burn the 100% advertised pellets for smoke boost , then the blend drives it home .

Didn't know you had an offset. Is the offset legit head and shoulders above other smokers?

 

[chopsaw]

Is the offset legit head and shoulders above other smokers?

Yes . There is nothing that compares as far as I'm concerned . I just had a cheap Char-Griller Smoke pro . Made some great food .
I was way into it . I would start the fire in the smoker , Then I had an old kettle that I used to burn Red oak down to coals . All bark removed , then shoveled the coals into the fire box on the smoker . Sometimes I would add Lump charcoal , but was mostly wood coals . That method is way to much work , but the food is fantastic .
I would love to have a nice offset that held temps .

 

[civilsmoker]

Yes . There is nothing that compares as far as I'm concerned . I just had a cheap Char-Griller Smoke pro . Made some great food .
I was way into it . I would start the fire in the smoker , Then I had an old kettle that I used to burn Red oak down to coals . All bark removed , then shoveled the coals into the fire box on the smoker . Sometimes I would add Lump charcoal , but was mostly wood coals . That method is way to much work , but the food is fantastic .
I would love to have a nice offset that held temps .

Ok, I just have to applaud on the proper BBQ description above!!!!

 

[chopsaw]

Ok, I just have to applaud on the proper BBQ description above!!!!

That was way back in the late 90's . Been cooking with wood since my 20's .
Something truly magical happens with red oak
and meat .
A beef steak grilled directly over wood coals is perfection .

 

[civilsmoker]

Crazy, how mainstream BBQ is today.... I mean good BBQ was often a multi day event with minimal sleep or shifts and was truly an art on how far to burn the coals down and the timing of burning splits down to coals...... Now we turn on our grill from the phone drop a protein on and watch the graph as it cooks only to have the alarm go off and we go take it to the kitchen counter..... no fires to build, no coals to shovel, good sleep..... But it means BBQ almost every day if you want.......

 

[nygiant]

Crazy, how mainstream BBQ is today.... I mean good BBQ was often a multi day event with minimal sleep or shifts and was truly an art on how far to burn the coals down and the timing of burning splits down to coals...... Now we turn on our grill from the phone drop a protein on and watch the graph as it cooks only to have the alarm go off and we go take it to the kitchen counter..... no fires to build, no coals to shovel, good sleep..... But it means BBQ almost every day if you want.......

Evolution. Hence, life in the 21st century too. I was using a Weber smoky mountain and was just spending way too much time getting things going and monitoring etc. Might not be as authentic or even as smoky, but I’m looking forward to my new Rec Teq.

 

[civilsmoker]

Evolution. Hence, life in the 21st century too. I was using a Weber smoky mountain and was just spending way too much time getting things going and monitoring etc. Might not be as authentic or even as smoky, but I’m looking forward to my new Rec Teq.

Oh don't get me wrong, I LOVE my pellet (RT 1250), and have said many times before, if I could only have one smoker it would be a pellet and I have some very nice traditional and wood fire smokers! I use mine 3-4 days a week!

 

[MJB05615]

I've been using my Chargriller as a Charcoal Grill to make Steaks over wood, lately. Thanks to Rich chopsaw 's older post and helped me through the first run a few wees ago. Haven't looked back since and have done several now. Still sourcing Red Oak chunks so I can try those. I have done Hickory and Oak and Post Oak. It's the only way I can eat Steak now. I'll still use my MES for standard smoking though, it's failsafe.

 

[chopsaw]

It's the only way I can eat Steak now.

I need to get back to it . It seems if it's not 30 mph winds , it's raining .

 

[MJB05615]

I need to get back to it . It seems if it's not 30 mph winds , it's raining .

Next stop for me is CI steak. That'll be in a few weeks. Anxiously awaiting that.

 

[Brewing&Q'ing]

Also not what you asked but I have a Pit Boss pellet. I love it but gravity feed charcoal grills have my attention right now.

I am actually thinking of getting a Pit Boss 850 Pro Series from Lowes. I have had my WSM for 10 years and just need more convenience at this point. I was thinking of trying a hybrid cook just to have fun start off on the WSM and finish on the Pit Boss. get the smoke flavor and then the ease of not having to babysit something.

 

[Fraser]

Just my $0.02: We’ve had an RT-680 (predecessor to RT-700) since ‘14. Since then it’s gotten several ‘upgrades’ (including fire rod, fan motor, wi-fi controller, among others), most at little/no cost. Their CS is nothing short of phenomenal. As noted, an email to them triggered a timely phone follow-up, who does that? For me, that level of CS is important in purchase decision.
My lawyers want me to say I’ve never owned a Traeger or other brand of pellet-pooper so can’t comment/compare. But I’ve had stick burners and, frankly, don’t miss the sleepless nights and chimneyithiology. I’m a regular congregationist at the Wi-Fi Church.
As far as smoke levels (and at the risk of having my Texas citizenship revoked for saying this) but I’ve never preferred brisket meteorites, obsidian turkeys or LaBrea chicken, so product with a more subtle smoke is welcome. Just remember you can always add smoke; tricky to remove it. Like sandyut

i set the Rec Tec at 189 (extreme smoke) for an hour or two then bump it up to the planned cook temp

depending on how much I want to impart.
Oh, and don’t neglect pellets. Sawdust may be ok heating a house but the idea of smoking food is the smoke. GrillGrates are also a recommended accessory.

Hope this helps!

 

[silverhawx]

I have had a weber smoky mountain for about five or six years now. While I really like it, I’m just looking for something a little more convenient as life has gotten busier. More of a “ set it and forget it” type of smoker.

I was in Costco last week and they had a special on Traegers but I did not bite. I have seen them in there before. Been looking online and on YouTube and see a lot of positives but negative comments as well. The other one I’m looking at, and my brother has one, is a Rec TEC. Just for reference, I was looking at the Traeger 885 size. I guess the similar rec tec was the 700 model? I haven’t looked real closely at those but I’ve heard they’re high-quality and made in the USA. Just wondering for those that know more about these the me if either one of the ones I mentioned is good and if one is recommended over another? Or am I leaving a brand out that’s just as good?

My wife bought me a Rec Tec. Doing my 3rd smoke on it in the early morning. My daughter made me a Gunpowder rub. So far they have turned out great. I gave my some my old Traeger. Moving forward and not looking back. So much room on the RT700 with the fold down table, extra shelves and the griddle works great for bacon. Ill try to post picks tomorrow.