Which pellet smoker is a good one?

[sandyut]

I have great success with Lumberjack competition blend.

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

While I would love a Reqtec… I pulled the trigger on a Camp Chef 24 DLX model at the grand opening of a local sporting goods store! Got it at almost half off due to the grand opening sale! To be honest I have been very impressed with it! It has a decent amount of room to cook, the pellet hopper is about standard, but the thing I like the most is the PID controller! That’s a game changer IMO!

 

[chopsaw]

I looked at several , and came down to the camp chef 24 DLX . Then Weber dropped the price on the EX's , and that's what I really wanted . The 100 returned is what pushed me in that direction .
The Camp Chef is a nice cooker with some really good options .
Bottom line is you really can't go wrong with any of the better name units .

 

[jaxgatorz]

I know this wasn't your question.. If you are ok with the WSM, and just want set it and forget it.. Maybe think about a temp controller like flame boss or guru. I ran my 22 WSM with one and it was awesome to not worry about anything... Sleep all night while it's cooking.. Just used my FB on my new vertical smoker and it ran 225 within 2 degrees for 15 hours.. Heck, there are guys on the forum that will help you build one ! Just a thought... Good luck

 

[sandyut]

I know this wasn't your question.. If you are ok with the WSM, and just want set it and forget it.. Maybe think about a temp controller like flame boss or guru. I ran my 22 WSM with one and it was awesome to not worry about anything... Sleep all night while it's cooking.. Just used my FB on my new vertical smoker and it ran 225 within 2 degrees for 15 hours.. Heck, there are guys on the forum that will help you build one ! Just a thought... Good luck

Gild you brought this up. Used a BBQ Guru control for a few years and it was dreamy. Kept the temps tight and the WSM used way less fuel.

I had a PartyQ which I think they stopped making but it worked great.

 

[nygiant]

Very good point….didn’t even think about that for the WSM. The other thing in addition is getting the thing out, filling up with charcoal, start more charcoal to dump on it. It really isn’t a lot but the convenience of the pellet smoker just seems like the flip of a switch. Something my wife would be more inclined to use too. Plus, a lot more room on a pellet. I struggle to do 2 racks of ribs on my WSM, I have the smaller one and sometimes have to cut them to get the lid on. Seems like I’m making excuses for myself now to justify a pellet…ha ha.

 

[bigfurmn]

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.

 

[sandyut]

TBH-I prefer my rec teq over the WSM. It’s just easier. I can start it from the kitchen and its ready in 5-15 minutes depending on the outside temp.

 

[spohnat]

i just got a grilla grills as debating between this and recteq. I saw the main differences as the grilla has two controllers (pid and one w a greater temp swing), insulated barrel and cheaper. Both have warranties, & good customer service. before last week, you could say Grilla was the smaller company. Grilla was acquired for 27 million by American Outdoor brands.

 

[sandyut]

Grilla was acquired for 27 million by American Outdoor brands.

WOW…. I feel like customer service takes a big hit when this happens. I hope it doesn’t but time will tell.

 

[chopsaw]

i just got a grilla grills

Congrats on the new purchase . I'm sure you'll love it . Take time to learn it and post up some cooks .

 

[civilsmoker]

I have recteq and a green mountain and love them both. I think a pellet is a must have BBQ tool for a busy lifestyle. I also have 2 reverse flows and two open fire type and use them all. Camp Chefs have a true PID so they are a good unit. My advice is to get one with a true PID and ceramic rod as it is the thing that give people the most issues....

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

I have recteq and a green mountain and love them both. I think a pellet is a must have BBQ tool for a busy lifestyle. I also have 2 reverse flows and two open fire type and use them all. Camp Chefs have a true PID so they are a good unit. My advice is to get one with a true PID and ceramic rod as it is the thing that give people the most issues....

Good grief civilsmoker ! Do you have any room in your backyard? Or do you play volleyball diving around the smokers?

 

[civilsmoker]

Good grief civilsmoker ! Do you have any room in your backyard? Or do you play volleyball diving around the smokers?

Well.....that's a good question! Have a 200sqft covered enclosure planned so they can have their own "home".....

Oh and don't forget the Weber Smoke Fire.....was looking at it over the weekend as I got one of the new 2022 Genesis' (after 19 years of service from my old one).

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Well.....that's a good question! Have a 200sqft covered enclosure planned so they can have their own "home".....

Oh and don't forget the Weber Smoke Fire.....was looking at it over the weekend as I got one of the new 2022 Genesis' (after 19 years of service from my old one).

Ha, awesome! We are thinking of moving… sooo the smoker pad will definitely be in the plan!

 

[nygiant]

So wanted to check back in since it’s been a few days. I’m leaning hard towards the rec tec 700. I see they have a sale where they’re $200 off now so I probably need to jump on it. If there is one complaint/concern, its that there is no second shelf inside. I have not seen one in person but I guess the inside is big enough to where that should not be a concern? I was just looking at the Traegers at Home Depot and they all have a second and sometimes third shelf depending on the model. I wonder why that is with Rec tec?

Also while in Home Depot on separate business, I saw this masterbuilt gravity fed charcoal smoker (pics attached). Since when can you set the temperature on lump or briquet charcoal? Never seen anything like it!

Also for giggles……a $3,800 Traeger!!! Crazy!

 

[ross77]

My two cents. I started with a WSM and loved the flavor but not the work once I had kids. I sold it and got a MES. Easier but never did like the flavor profile. Next was a ReqTec 680. Very convenient but you give up smoke flavor IMO. Yes you can lower the temp but then everything takes longer. Also, without a direct flame option it’s not really a sear, more like a really hot oven heating up grill grates. Getting up to high temp does take time.

I bought the Masterbuilt Gravity 560 a couple years ago and I love the flavor as it’s very close to the WSM. It’s almost as easy as a pellet smoker but requires just a bit more work. The response time is worlds better than a pellet grill as it gets up to temp quick and it gets HOT. The only downside is the build quality as I don’t see this lasting 10 years. Maybe if it was only used for low temps. But the flavor is superior as the wood chunks smolder in the ash bin. You can also burn wood with the charcoal.

I recently picked up the Oklahoma Joe Bronco barrel smoker at a big discount to add to my collection. I sold the WSM, MES and ReqTec. I also have a BlackStone….

 

[schlotz]

Bottom line: you can make great smoked meat off of all the ones mentioned in this thread. So selection comes down to options, ease of use, longevity, clean up & maintenance oh... and the compromising trump card being affordability.

Some are used to higher smoke levels, and it's their prefered profile. Not a problem as there are smokers suited for that preference. Personally the wife & I want smoke that does not completely mask the flavor of the meat I'm smoking. Pellets hit that mark for us and if a bit extra is needed the added tube does the trick. I went through the process a number of years ago when wanting a pellet smoker. In the end my priorities lined up with what I still use today buy everyone bases their priorities on specific individual needs. A good due diligence should match you up with the right smoker.

Let's us know how you end up!

 

[nygiant]

My two cents. I started with a WSM and loved the flavor but not the work once I had kids. I sold it and got a MES. Easier but never did like the flavor profile. Next was a ReqTec 680. Very convenient but you give up smoke flavor IMO. Yes you can lower the temp but then everything takes longer. Also, without a direct flame option it’s not really a sear, more like a really hot oven heating up grill grates. Getting up to high temp does take time.

I bought the Masterbuilt Gravity 560 a couple years ago and I love the flavor as it’s very close to the WSM. It’s almost as easy as a pellet smoker but requires just a bit more work. The response time is worlds better than a pellet grill as it gets up to temp quick and it gets HOT. The only downside is the build quality as I don’t see this lasting 10 years. Maybe if it was only used for low temps. But the flavor is superior as the wood chunks smolder in the ash bin. You can also burn wood with the charcoal.

I recently picked up the Oklahoma Joe Bronco barrel smoker at a big discount to add to my collection. I sold the WSM, MES and ReqTec. I also have a BlackStone….

Thank you for your feedback. Sounds like me starting (and still having) the WSM. The one think About don’t want to do is but something that falls apart or won’t last. Hence, me owning a Weber smokey Mountain and a Weber kettle grill. Moved in from cheap made gas grill that weed rusting out and falling apart every 4 years. That’s why I’m probably going with the Rec Tec 700. Some, like you, say the smoke flavor is not enough. I was watching a video on YouTube made by the owners of rec tack and they say you can put a handful of pellets on the heat deflector or even a woodchuck in it gives you extra smoke flavor. Also the smoke tubes are an option as well. I really like the build quality, the customer service, and the ease of operation. That’s why I think I’m probably going that route.

 

[nygiant]

Bottom line: you can make great smoked meat off of all the ones mentioned in this thread. So selection comes down to options, ease of use, longevity, clean up & maintenance oh... and the compromising trump card being affordability.

Some are used to higher smoke levels, and it's their prefered profile. Not a problem as there are smokers suited for that preference. Personally the wife & I want smoke that does not completely mask the flavor of the meat I'm smoking. Pellets hit that mark for us and if a bit extra is needed the added tube does the trick. I went through the process a number of years ago when wanting a pellet smoker. In the end my priorities lined up with what I still use today buy everyone bases their priorities on specific individual needs. A good due diligence should match you up with the right smoker.

Let's us know how you end up!

I hear you about the smoke flavor sometimes being too strong. I’ve done a couple cooks like that on the weber smoky mountain. Not necessarily the unit itself but probably user error and putting into much wood. that rec TEC 700 really looks like it fits the bill. Build quality, ease of operation, and the price point is right on. I think my wife wants to give it to me for Father’s Day or my birthday which are both in June. I want that sucker right now but if I bought it now, I know that would make her upset.