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Was reading Crappie Slingers thread about recipes and saw a few of you have pellet grills. I"ve been thinking about one myself. Kinda pricey but would appreciate any advice from those of you that currently have them. The good and the bad. I've been looking at Traeger and Green Mountain.
I brought mine from academy sports roasted a deer roast for thanksgiving man it was good in my own opinion I think u want go wrong
I have had pellet grills/smokers for several years and would not be without one now. I started out with a Traeger 075 and got a lot of good use out of it. I sold it and bought Yoder 640 which is miles above the Traeger. I also had a Traeger 055 that I just sold to my brother-in-law last weekend.
Honestly I dont think you will go wrong with any of the major brands out there right now. The pellet cooker market is going strong and most all manufactures are producing good quality units.
I went with the yoder due to the fact that it is 3 times heavier metal than any of the other cookers out there plus it is made right here in Kansas. The Yoders are expensive but well worth the money in my opinion.
I average 4-5 nights a week on mine. If you can cook it in your oven, I cook it on the pellet grill. I also smoke brisket, pork butt and ribs frequently. One of the best on the pellet grill is pizza or enchiladas. I have grill grates for the Yoder but honestly I dont use them often. it is a pain to get them set up and to be honest if it is to be grilled I would much rather use the Weber Kettle grill or even the gas grill if I am really pushed for time.
The only down sides I can really think of is cleaning the grill out after every 4 or 5 cooks and finding a good price on pellets. If you buy the pellets at local retailers you will pay out the nose. I buy mine from individuals that buy them by the ton and pay less than half of what they charge in the stores plus I can get much better quality pellets.
I would be happy to answer any questions you have on them.
I've had mine, Traeger Jr., about five years. Use it 5-6 days a week during the summer:biggrin. Pork, beef, chicken, sausages, veggies....the whole meal at once. The wife loves it, no cooking and heating up the house during the hot months. I've the table top conversion for it too so it will set on a picnic table when I'm at the lake for the weekend or a week of vacation. Only thing I don't like about them is not being able to sear a steak on them like a bbq.
I've got the Traeger lil tex elite. Love it. Downside is pellets can get expensive if you use it a bunch. Turns out some great food. Hell I even bake cakes and such in it during the summer so I don't heat up the house.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps827439fb.jpg
Pork Butt
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...5/IMG_0212.jpg
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...5/IMG_0215.jpg
Attachment 144423Attachment 144422Ozark88, don't rule out a ceramic grill/smoker like the Kamado Joe. I've had mine for a few years and it's hard to beat. It can maintain a temp even when it's 2° outside. Hope the pics work, you can see you can sear steak at 700°. Don't know where you're located, but DeVaders Pools and Spas in Topeka has them, talk to Ed or Waylon, great guys. Tell them Craig sent you and they'll take care of you. Have any questions on them I would be more than happy to answer if I can.
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/attac...518148&thumb=1
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/attac...518159&thumb=1
Been using a smoker for years and have used many. But the one I really like is the master Built brand.
Uses chips, chunks, saw dust, pellets....what ever you can put int the tray.
Forums (Smoking website) -Great place to really explore all phases and types of smoking
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Thanks for all the info guys!