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OT - Non Egg Grill for Beside Pool?

Mayberry
Mayberry Posts: 751
in EggHead Forum
I have a Large Egg and a KJ Jr on my deck.  I've used them for years and love my Kamado ceramic grills.  We put in a pool at the end of the summer and I want a grill out by the pool (40-50' behind the house) for this upcoming year.  I want something that's easy to clean, and mostly for fast cooks.  But, I don't ever want a gas grill again.  I've considered a Traeger type grill, but can't make up my mind.  They seem to have a vast following, and seem very easy to clean and keep clean.  But, I don't know much about the quality of food that comes off of them.  I'll mostly be doing pork chops, burgers, brats, steaks...high temp fast cooks, and I won't be using it as a smoker very much, if at all.  I just want something that is convenient beside the pool that won't get grease, dust and make a mess of my pool deck.  I know many people here have every type of grill imaginable.  What are your thoughts on Traegers and Pit Boss pellet grills?  Any other recommendations that might fit the bill better?     FWIW, I do have an electrical outlet beside the pool, along with a garden hose bib.  
Athens, GA
XL BGE, Large BGE and RecTec590
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Comments

  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,936
    I think you need to plug a traeger in.  Personally, I’d go with a good gas grill but if you’re set against that, Weber kettle.
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
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  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,936
    Weber kettle and a weed burner.
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
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  • Mayberry
    Mayberry Posts: 751
    I guess the new clean out systems on the Webers are a little cleaner than the old versions, aren't they?  They have that pan that comes off and can be dumped without getting ash all over the place, I think.  I'd just have to store lump and a mapp torch out there, which isn't a huge deal.  I do always miss having a Weber kettle, but the Egg and KJ have satisfied every type of grilling or smoking I've wanted to do for the past 7-8 years.  
    Athens, GA
    XL BGE, Large BGE and RecTec590
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  • kl8ton
    kl8ton Posts: 6,421
    PK grill?  @Lit

    ?
    Large, Medium, MiniMax, 36" Blackstone
    Grand Rapids MI
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,710
    I've been watching this one, you may want to check it out.
    https://www.masterbuilt.com/products/gravity-series%E2%84%A2-560-digital-charcoal-grill-smoker

    canuckland
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  • caliking
    caliking Posts: 19,780
    I think you just described a Weber kettle. You can smoke on it too, with a wee bit of planning. 

    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
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  • Calbbqer
    Calbbqer Posts: 69


    I have a Mak pellet grill and used it for a lot of high temp cooks. Doesn’t get good grill marks but does the job. 
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  • GregW
    GregW Posts: 2,678
    I have a PK Original. I wouldn't recommend it. The cooking grate is flush with the grill side- food rolls off easily. As others suggest, go with a Weber if you can't tolerate a gasser. For reference, the new PK 360 suffers the same problem with a flush cooking grate and food rolling off.

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  • Mayberry
    Mayberry Posts: 751
    I've looked at the PK grills.  I don't like that they are aluminum. And if I go that route, I agree...I think a Weber Kettle would do the job.  The pellet grill still piques my interest, though.  Seems easy, other than the electric start up.  And they seem to almost clean themselves with the side drip pan.  Also, not having to keep another torch out there to light seems very easy.  I think I'm down to a Weber or a pellet grill and just can't seem to decide.  My bottom line is I want easy to start, easily kept clean, and my primary focus is eating well cooked food while maximizing my time in the pool and not by the grill.  
    Athens, GA
    XL BGE, Large BGE and RecTec590
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  • Calbbqer
    Calbbqer Posts: 69
    Check out the Mak on youtube or on their website. I have the older model and start up takes about 15 minutes to get to 275. I use the egg more, but the pellet grill is easier. 
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  • td66snrf
    td66snrf Posts: 1,838
    @Calbbqer nice looking post. Couldn't miss the Philippe's mustard. Where are you located? 
    XLBGE, LBGE, MBGE, SMALL, MINI, 2 Kubs, Fire Magic Gasser
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  • Calbbqer
    Calbbqer Posts: 69
    San Francisco. Can’t go to Socal without eating at Langers and Philippes
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  • Mayberry
    Mayberry Posts: 751
    td66snrf said:
    @Calbbqer nice looking post. Couldn't miss the Philippe's mustard. Where are you located? 
    Agreed.  I was leaning Weber until I saw your pictures.  I'm thinking a pellet grill may possibly be in my future.
    Athens, GA
    XL BGE, Large BGE and RecTec590
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,527
    edited January 2020
    You mentioned high temperatures and fast cooks a few different times. I'm no pellet expert but isn't that the exact opposite of what the definition of a pellet smoker might be? Isn't a pellet smoker geared for lower temperature cooks?

    I've watched or read about Webers new pellet grill being able to accommodate high heat cooks. I think they start at $1,200+ though. 

    How about a Santa Maria type of grill? Something that will do high heat cooks and handle burgers, brats, and steaks all day long. Plus it would just be fun to play around with next to a pool.  


    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    edited January 2020
    Early reviews on the Weber smokefire pellet grill are pretty stellar:

    https://www.weber.com/US/en/grills/wood-pellet-grills/smokefire-series/

    There is a lot of innovation much of the competition has missed. It also can sear at very high heat. 


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  • Mayberry
    Mayberry Posts: 751
    I had high hopes for the Smokefire....but the price is ridiculous.  No way I would ever spend more on a Weber than I can get an XL BGE for.  
    Athens, GA
    XL BGE, Large BGE and RecTec590
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  • Griffin
    Griffin Posts: 8,200
    Why don't you like that the PK are aluminum? They'll never rust out on you. There is the issue of the grate right at the edge of the grill, but just be careful

    Rowlett, Texas

    Griffin's Grub or you can find me on Facebook

    The Supreme Potentate, Sovereign Commander and Sultan of Wings

     

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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,316
    edited January 2020
    Pool owner here... If it's a vinyl liner, how close will this grill be to the pool? The last thing you want is charcoal sparks flying around burning holes in your liner. 
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • Mayberry
    Mayberry Posts: 751
    It is vinyl.  It'll be 10-12' from the shallow end steps.  14' or so to the pool edge.  
    Athens, GA
    XL BGE, Large BGE and RecTec590
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  • HogFather
    HogFather Posts: 264
    Why not just have a BGE there? It meets all those things you want to do
    Fighting off the trolls 1 by 1
    Large Egg

    Pig, KY 
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  • cookingdude555
    cookingdude555 Posts: 3,196
    edited January 2020
    Mayberry said:
    I had high hopes for the Smokefire....but the price is ridiculous.  No way I would ever spend more on a Weber than I can get an XL BGE for.  


    If you can get an XL for less than $999, I think you answered your own question. I would go for the XL. I love my XL. 
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  • SonVolt
    SonVolt Posts: 3,316
    Will it be covered?
    South of Nashville  -  BGE XL  -  Alfresco 42" ALXE  -  Alfresco Versa Burner  - Sunbeam Microwave 
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  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    edited January 2020
    FWIW for the type of cooks you describe (hot fast cooks), most pellet grills are not the best tool for the job. My neighbor has one of the camp chef pellet grills and he mainly just uses it as a smoker. He has a kettle he uses to "grill". I haven't tried to use one personally, but if you look at the design there is just a single burn pot in the middle so it seems like it would be a PITA to cook a lot of burgers. 

    The new weber mentioned addresses this issue. IMO if you are considering a pellet grill I would look at the Weber smokefire, otherwise I would just go for a kettle or another egg. 

    I also wouldn't rule out a gasser. I was "anti-gasser" for years when I first got my egg, but a good gas grill like a genesis will turn out some great food. I have a little Weber-Q and I like burgers off of that better than my eggs. 

    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

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  • unoriginalusername
    unoriginalusername Posts: 1,146
    MiniMax or Joe jr give you enough space?  It’s familiar, easy to move, no power etc 
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 13,710
    edited January 2020
    Masterbuilt Gravity Series, link above. Convenience of pellet grill with wifi, burns charcoal/wood, hits 225 in 7 min, 700 in 13 min, $499.  I'm on the fence until they iron out any initial bugs.
    canuckland
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  • Legume
    Legume Posts: 15,936
    Go a season without one, or halfway at least.  First year having a pool is like the first year of being married.  40-50 ft doesn’t seem like an issue to me.  If you’re planning on going from grill to plate to mouth out by the pool, you’ll need more than just the grill out there.
    THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
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  • JohnEggGio
    JohnEggGio Posts: 1,430
    As some others have suggested, I would go with gas (some form of Weber Genesis), but excluding gas, I’ll echo Weber Kettle (with the ash can on bottom).  The kettle is very versatile, and the ash can gives you easy, mess free, disposal of ashes.
    Maryland, 1 LBGE
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  • unoriginalusername
    unoriginalusername Posts: 1,146
    Canugghead said:
    Masterbuilt Gravity Series, link above. Convenience of pellet grill with wifi, burns charcoal/wood, hits 225 in 7 min, 700 in 13 min, $499.  I'm on the fence until they iron out any initial bugs.
    Have you seen one up close?  The build quality wasn’t stellar but I agree the concept is awesome 
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  • Mayberry
    Mayberry Posts: 751
    No doubt gas grills are more convenient. I just hate cooking on gas and never find the flavor as good as food cooked on charcoal.  I tend to use lump even in a weber kettle.  I really appreciate all the feedback and comments.  The more I read, the more I keep leaning back to the Weber Kettle.  They're definitely easy to keep clean and the cook well, and are versatile.  
    Athens, GA
    XL BGE, Large BGE and RecTec590
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