Bigjay73
Well-known member
I had a traeger and really liked the way it cooked, but Jesus it built with thin materials, and I can't justify purchasing another. I'm watching this thread closely
traeger type grills cheap versions
- Thread starter 300stw
- Start date
JohnCushman
Well-known member
I'm watching this thread. I'm in the market for a pellet smoker. I'm tired of having to feed a wood tray every 20 minutes on my propane smoker. I'd love to put a brisket or pork butt in the smoker at 3 am and go back to bed and leave it alone.
Jamen
Well-known member
I have an insulated blanket for mine and it works well up in North Dakota Winters
cahunter805
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 27, 2014
- Messages
- 2,527
I have a Traeger and it’s been good. I do find for some things it’s not enough smoke but I use a pellet smoke tube to solve that issue.
That said if I was buying another and didn’t want to spend as much as a Yoder I would get a pit boss for sure and not a Traeger.
That said if I was buying another and didn’t want to spend as much as a Yoder I would get a pit boss for sure and not a Traeger.
Bugle 'Em In
Well-known member
I have the GMG with insulated cover here in MT. I use it year round and would absolutely buy it again if I was in the market.
LuketheDog
Well-known member
I've had a Pit Boss for 5 years now, it's been pretty good but maintaining temp is not perfect. My dad just picked up a new Camp Chef though and the Pit Boss is facing early retirement now.
Same here, also in ND. Before I received a fitted, insulated cover for my pellet grill I used a cheap welding blanket purchased from Harbor Freight. It works well keeping the temps more stable on those cold, windy ND days.
Jamen
Well-known member
very nice moose in your picture!
SDbuckmaster
Member
I just got the camp chef had a pitboss think I like the camp chef better. Hold temp better and can adjust smoke settings.
TimeOnTarget
Well-known member
I
I love my Camp chef with the blanket, I'll be putting a brisket on it tomorrow with an overnight low of -22f.
Thanks! Once in a lifetime ND moose 2020.
Frenchy
Well-known member
I'm still breaking in my first pellet grill. I went with the Camp Chef Woodwind, and so far have been happy. Good smoke, and easy to use.
Bambistew
Well-known member
I shopped around last spring and wanted a pellet grill. I looked at a bunch of different models/versions. TBH, I looked at Traeger Grills, and wasn't that impressed with the "quality" for the price. I'm sure many will disagree, but look at the fire box and sear panels in various makes, they are almost identical, as in probably made in the same factory in China. There wasn't a whole lot of difference between them and "cheap" pellet grills, other than the flashy name badge and the controls on the auger. The metal used in the body on the Traegers are pretty thin, like cheap gas grill thin. They may have revolutionized the grill market, but they are pretty cheaply made now. Their profit margin is either high, or they had to sacrifice quality to maintain. I have a friend who has 3 of them, long story, big house and he doesn't like going up and down stairs... He has 3 different generations. The older one is the best made, its like 15-18 years old but he did put a new auger in it.
I bought a Pit Boss, combo propane and pellet smoker. I think I paid $600 on sale. I wouldn't call it cheaper quality, its better made than the Traegers. Its a beast and I really like the propane option for when you want an actual flame grilled steak and seared steak, which is really hard to do on a pellet grill with such a small flame box/searing area. I also like the propane when I don't have 2 hours to cook dinner. Yes all those recipes that say 20-30 min on the pellet smoker... double that.
The Pit Boss is better made has thicker box and holds the heat well. I can also indirectly smoke on it, things that need cold smoking, like cheese or lox. The smoke can be channeled to the propane side, and the heat doesn't follow. Even on the smoke setting with a single chamber grill, it still gets too hot on the pellet side. I also have a big smoker that I use for meats, fish etc.
I bought a Pit Boss, combo propane and pellet smoker. I think I paid $600 on sale. I wouldn't call it cheaper quality, its better made than the Traegers. Its a beast and I really like the propane option for when you want an actual flame grilled steak and seared steak, which is really hard to do on a pellet grill with such a small flame box/searing area. I also like the propane when I don't have 2 hours to cook dinner. Yes all those recipes that say 20-30 min on the pellet smoker... double that.
The Pit Boss is better made has thicker box and holds the heat well. I can also indirectly smoke on it, things that need cold smoking, like cheese or lox. The smoke can be channeled to the propane side, and the heat doesn't follow. Even on the smoke setting with a single chamber grill, it still gets too hot on the pellet side. I also have a big smoker that I use for meats, fish etc.
Jamen
Well-known member
heck yea!! I got my moose in 2017 and elk in 2013!
Nick87
Well-known member
Fact.
Nick87
Well-known member
Was just looking at the store today, I think I'm going to upgrade to a bigger pit boss. Looking at the Austin xl.
BRI
Well-known member
A co-worker has a Zgrills 700 and loves it. I just pulled the trigger on one today. I told my wife be prepared to gain 20 pounds and spend more money!
2rocky
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2010
- Messages
- 5,137
I'm seeing the combo is $799 right now at my local Lowes. I like the Digital control look.I shopped around last spring and wanted a pellet grill. I looked at a bunch of different models/versions. TBH, I looked at Traeger Grills, and wasn't that impressed with the "quality" for the price. I'm sure many will disagree, but look at the fire box and sear panels in various makes, they are almost identical, as in probably made in the same factory in China. There wasn't a whole lot of difference between them and "cheap" pellet grills, other than the flashy name badge and the controls on the auger. The metal used in the body on the Traegers are pretty thin, like cheap gas grill thin. They may have revolutionized the grill market, but they are pretty cheaply made now. Their profit margin is either high, or they had to sacrifice quality to maintain. I have a friend who has 3 of them, long story, big house and he doesn't like going up and down stairs... He has 3 different generations. The older one is the best made, its like 15-18 years old but he did put a new auger in it.
I bought a Pit Boss, combo propane and pellet smoker. I think I paid $600 on sale. I wouldn't call it cheaper quality, its better made than the Traegers. Its a beast and I really like the propane option for when you want an actual flame grilled steak and seared steak, which is really hard to do on a pellet grill with such a small flame box/searing area. I also like the propane when I don't have 2 hours to cook dinner. Yes all those recipes that say 20-30 min on the pellet smoker... double that.
Bambistew
Well-known member
The bluetooth is pretty cool the App sucks though.
I have a mild bbqing obsession and went really deep into the pellet grill research rabbit hole. I settled on a rectec. Even without a blanket I never have a temp swing of more than 5 degrees and that's in the middle of no where in ND. I also cannot stand things rusting and the rec tec is stainless all around. My brother has a pitboss and for the price is a very good deal, but his is 5 years old and rusting out. So he's looking at getting a rec tec as well.
