Opinions needed.

themandlj32 · May 26, 2015

Hello everyone. I'm currently in the market to replace a pellet grill. I've narrowed it down to a Mak 2 star, Louisiana grill lg900, yoder, green mtn, or rec tec. After saying that is really doesn't sound like I've narrowed it down at all. :biggrin: All are good just completely unsure what direction I want to go. Any suggestion would be great.

DJ

bregent · May 26, 2015

Have you checked the reviews and posts over at pelletheads?

Rafter H BBQ · May 26, 2015

I've had a GMG DB for bout 2 yrs now & have enjoyed it a bunch ! It's been awesome.... That being said, with the list ya gave above I don't think you'd be disappointed with any of them !

Rafter H BBQ · May 26, 2015

Just one piece of advise, ya can research & check reviews til ya go bonkers.... Just find the one that best suites your needs.... For example, I picked the GMG for a few reasons... one being its low of 150* for doing things like jerky !

jeepdiver · May 26, 2015

If you haven't looked at the cook shack fast eddy PG500, I would add that one to your list.

themandlj32 · May 26, 2015

Thank you for the replies so far. The GMG is a strong front runner but I will surely look at the fast eddy as well.

seenred · May 26, 2015

Themandlj32 said:
Hello everyone. I'm currently in the market to replace a pellet grill. I've narrowed it down to a Mak 2 star, Louisiana grill lg900, yoder, green mtn, or rec tec. After saying that is really doesn't sound like I've narrowed it down at all. :biggrin: All are good just completely unsure what direction I want to go. Any suggestion would be great.

DJ

To some degree, it depends on your budget. You've listed rigs with a wide range of prices. If money were no object, I'd get one of those MAK 2 Stars...those are really nice pits, but they're pricey...start out for around $2600, and go up from there depending on add-ons.

I bought a Rec Tec because I thought it was the best value for the money at just under $1K. Over 2 years later and I'm still very happy with it...that being said, I know there are happy owners of all the rigs you mentioned. They are all good products, each with some different features. My advice, figure out what you want to spend, then pick the pit in your budget that checks off the most of your desired options.

Good luck, and be sure to let us know what you choose! Thumbs Up

Red

kenafein · May 26, 2015

I've never read a bad review of a RecTec, mac2 or Yoder. Rectec is the bargain out of those three.

timtimmay · May 27, 2015

I've had my rec tec a couple weeks and I'm pretty happy. It doesn't hold the temp quite as exactly as advertised but it definitely holds it close enough. I don't like how lose the lid fits, but that's the norm on this grade I think.

themandlj32 · May 27, 2015

Well after researching most of the night I'm thinking of getting the Green Mountain.

westby · May 27, 2015

If money is no object, I wouldn't choose GMG. The Mak and Yoder are both superior and built like tanks. If money is a factor, GMG (or Rec Tec) is the way to go.

Don't let little thinks like WiFi be your deciding factor. There are plenty of nice temp probes with remote or WiFi capabilities out there that do everything you need them to do. I have to admit that changing temps from your phone is cool, but why not monitor temps from inside and go outside and adjust if you need to. Also - I don't think the GMG has a PID controller. They have a proprietary controller, but there is no mention of PID in any of their literature and researching on the web supports that it is not a PID.

Good luck and I hope you are happy with whatever you get.

themandlj32 · May 27, 2015

Very True Westby. My delima I'm now in is do I really want a new toy. I just got a black olive pellet grill. I have a 40in masterbuilt and other toys to make some great food on. So will I end up waisting money in the long run. I think so. But it's sure nice to dream. Lol.

icyhot · May 27, 2015

Can't never have to many smokers. I have four as of now.

thomas phillips · May 27, 2015

icyhot said:
Can't never have to many smokers. I have four as of now.

I have 2 that I use regularly. I don't count my ECB as its gathering dust. But I've been doing a LOT of research into making my own UDS now.....Wife is like "really? you have 3 and now you want to build one" LOL, Hey I say, how many pairs of shoes do you have?

kenafein · May 28, 2015

I remember now, didn't you just buy that Olive? Why don't you play with it a few months before getting a new grill? Do you need the capacity? I know I smoked 2 butts on my traeger jr and had to smoke a 3rd on my weber kettle, for a party(didn't use my old masterbuilt because i only have one plug on the patio). I could really have used something with a larger capacity. I bet I could cook 8 or more butts on a RecTec. I imagine you might only be able to do 2 on your Olive. 3 butts fed an army, though. If I had a slightly larger pellet grill, I'd be golden.

themandlj32 · May 28, 2015

Correct I got an olive a few months ago. But my issue now is I sold my camp chef pellet grill and I'm finding I need a little more capacity. I could fit just enough for myself and a few others on it. But having a larger capicity would be better when I want to just throw burgers or something on. I've got my house plummed for natural gas to the outside but I think I'll hook a fire pit into that. I think I decided to break down and get the GMG.

kenafein · May 28, 2015

Themandlj32 said:
Correct I got an olive a few months ago. But my issue now is I sold my camp chef pellet grill and I'm finding I need a little more capacity. I could fit just enough for myself and a few others on it. But having a larger capicity would be better when I want to just throw burgers or something on. I've got my house plummed for natural gas to the outside but I think I'll hook a fire pit into that. I think I decided to break down and get the GMG.

I have never been a fan of burgers on a pellet grill. I like them cooked hot and fast. I keep hearing good things about these grill grates though. I use my TEC IR for burgers(900-1000 degrees) or my Weber Kettle. I am considering getting some grill grates and trying out my under-powered Weber Genesis Silver. If they're as good as they claim, maybe i can sell the TEC.

themandlj32 · May 28, 2015

I've done sone burgers on the olive and they came out awesome. I won't complain about that.

kenafein · May 28, 2015

Themandlj32 said:
I've done sone burgers on the olive and they came out awesome. I won't complain about that.

That is a different animal, but most pellet grills don't get hot enough for my personal taste. A GMG probably wouldn't work for me, unless you add the grill grates.

jeepdiver · May 28, 2015

kenafein said:
That is a different animal, but most pellet grills don't get hot enough for my personal taste. A GMG probably wouldn't work for me, unless you add the grill grates.

The FEC PG500 pellet grill can hit 900+ at the grate, plenty hot enough for my use

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