OT My son (married and a one year old) wants a pellet grill ($700-800 top spend); inputs welcome OT

lousubcap

@Canugghead- many thanks and an early Happy Canada Day (aka Dominion Day in my youth) to all in the GWN.  See ya Friday night??

Canugghead

Thanks Cap, probably won’t make, something came up.

The Cen-Tex Smoker

JJensen said:

I’d say get a pitboss over a Traeger. Traeger isn’t what it used to be and basically over priced made in china stamped metal. Pit boss is made in China or Canada and cheaper with a better warranty.  

Cons are having to plug them in and augers jamming from humidity soaked pellets. 

They are not as set it and forget it as people say. Maybe to a charbroiled side smoker sure but to the egg it’s not even close. Temps fluctuate constantly, you have to be mindful of your pellets and if they aren’t stuck in the hopper and “tunneling”. That’s a disaster waiting to happen there 

pros are they are easy to operate just need to be babied and cleaned out a lot more often 

if honestly stay away from one. I’m never going back I know that 

I have heard this as well. I've heard the pellets don't flow well even in humid weather and forget cooking in the rain altogether. I've never really wanted one but when I read all this, I really didn't want one. I don't even love the fact that my KBQ has electronics on board but it's still a much more hands-on cook than a pellet pooper (or an egg for that matter). Pellet cookers and Joetisserie are on my no-fly-list. For now

Gulfcoastguy

As humid as my climate is I had better avoid pellet poopers. 

Canugghead

Gulfcoastguy said:

As humid as my climate is I had better avoid pellet poopers. 

unless you empty the hopper and auger after every cook, a PITA 

Matt86m

I bought a Traeger from Costco (the Silverton - made for them) must have been built on a friday. Had troubles with it the entire time I owned it. Traeger was good about it, they threw parts at it without question. But in the end the temp swings were too much (170*) and I sold it.

Replaced it with a RecTec 300 (now they make the 340) Cant say enough good about it!!! Their customer service is great too. Igniter went out, bought one online but I didn't know the previous owner upgraded it to the ceramic, also broke off a set screw on the fire pot, RT took care of me even though Im not the orig owner.

Its back up and running and the PID controller is spot on and doesn't vary more than 5-10* temp.

Lots of good pellet grills out there. Buddy has a Camp Chef and loves his.

bodski

My son got a Louisiana Grills LG900 with a cold smoker box for $599 at Costco, although that was a couple years ago. Still going strong. I think they sold for over $1000 elsewhere. Not sure if they still carry it. I believe Dansons makes both Louisiana Grills and Pit Boss.

Canugghead

Hey cap, how's your son's RecTec?

lousubcap

@Canugghead - he and his wife really like it.  Turns out great food and the ability to monitor fire and forget and manage the cook process remote is a big plus for them.  
I have had great butts, chix and ribs off the rig.  No regrets.  
Thanks for asking.  I would endorse any time.  

Canugghead

Good to know cap, thanks. Will keep that in mind down the road. 

GrateEggspectations

Canugghead said:

Cap, gave it up for more Q(uality) time with family!

Edit: Our son and son in law each bought their first house (this year and last year respectively), neither of them wants a free egg. One bought a Weber gasser; the other got a Weber gasser with the house and I found him a used Traeger.

Can’t give an Egg away? What is wrong with your family?! 😉

Canugghead

GrateEggspectations said:

Canugghead said:

Cap, gave it up for more Q(uality) time with family!

Edit: Our son and son in law each bought their first house (this year and last year respectively), neither of them wants a free egg. One bought a Weber gasser; the other got a Weber gasser with the house and I found him a used Traeger.

Can’t give an Egg away? What is wrong with your family?! 😉

Haha. Actually SIL built a supplemental wood fired pool heater this summer with an old gasser, coil of copper pipe, hoses and pump. He seems to enjoy live fire now,  ummm..egg denier remorse?

nolaegghead

Don't know anything about them but def portable.

https://asmokegrill.com/products/asmoke-as300-portable-wood-pellet-grill-and-smoker-256-sq-in-w-starter-kit-tahoe-blueasmoke-portable-wood-pellet-grill-tahoe-blue?currency=USD&variant=32539588755530&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwjbCDBhAwEiwAiudBy572sPm2yGXx-ferYOYMlON0-_hphpPMXzhB9V90lCsSFZ5fWF89yBoCJ5AQAvD_BwE