Should I get a pellet grill/smoker?

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cornfedkiller

Newbie
Original poster
May 28, 2015
24
11
Hey guys, new here-

I'm on the fence about pulling the trigger on a pellet smoker.  I know which one I want to get, so that isn't the issue.  

My "problem" is that I currently have a Masterbuilt 30" electric smoker that I dont use a TON because I don't like it that much.  Maybe I don't know what I'm doing with it, but I seem to have trouble getting things right with it.  I love the way ribs turn out on it and I've made a brisket that was pretty good, but I've tried venison roast several times that didnt turn out well at all (used my friend's recipe, and his venison is awesome).  I also seem to get a flavor that is almost TOO smoky for my liking, although maybe I'm putting too much wood in?

Anyways, I currently have a gas grill for all my grilling, and its starting to get to the end of its life, so I was thinking about getting a pellet grill to replace it and then also have it for doing my smoking rather than using my MES.  I hear nothing but rave reviews of pellet smokers, but I'm a little nervous that its not going to do anything any better than my MES.  I'm a little worried that after I buy it, I'm just going to wish I would've saved my money and learned to use my MES a little better.  

Help me out guys..
 
I've had both and I think it is far superior to the MES.  It can do everything the MES can do and then some.  The flexibility is remarkable.  I can do a low and slow pork butt for 15 hours and the next day do pizzas at 450 degrees that taste like they came out of a brick wood fired oven.  At temps of 250 or less you are putting a good smoke on things.  Temps above that lose that smoke flavor the hotter you get (the pellets are burning cleaner at hot temps).  One thing they are not remarkable at is getting hot enough to sear, but the searing grates that come with some grills help in this regard.  I will never look back.  When / if my Rec Tec wears out, I will be buying another pellet grill - no doubt about it.
 
I love my pellet grill for so many things. However, after having the GMG for about 4 years I did go out and buy an electric smoker (similar to MES) for making jerky and sausage. The pellet grill does not get low enough temps for me and though some use pans of ice and crack the lid, etc., I wanted something that cooked at 125 without a problem. I still use a BGE for high heat cooks, like steaks, but for ribs, butts, brrisket, etc the pellet grill is fantastic. I knwo the newest GMG DB comes with a drip pan that opens some slots for direct grilling, which is a great plus. I do use the electric for things and as stated purchased it after hqaving the pellet grill for years. I dodn;t think a pellet grill would completely replace your MES.
 
I've got a smoke vault that i have never had a ton of luck with and actually now it has a collapsed burner for the second time.

I'm going to retro fit it with a pellet pro hopper so that may be an option for you if you can't brin yourself to trash your current smoker and still have some money left for a small gas grill?
 
I love my pellet grill for so many things. However, after having the GMG for about 4 years I did go out and buy an electric smoker (similar to MES) for making jerky and sausage. The pellet grill does not get low enough temps for me and though some use pans of ice and crack the lid, etc., I wanted something that cooked at 125 without a problem. I still use a BGE for high heat cooks, like steaks, but for ribs, butts, brrisket, etc the pellet grill is fantastic. I knwo the newest GMG DB comes with a drip pan that opens some slots for direct grilling, which is a great plus. I do use the electric for things and as stated purchased it after hqaving the pellet grill for years. I dodn;t think a pellet grill would completely replace your MES.
I don't do any jerky or sausage (as of now I guess), and the majority of my smoking is going to be ribs, brisket, chicken, maybe some venison and the usual stuff I grill like steaks, brats, etc.

I actually decided to pull the trigger on a pellet grill a couple hours ago and have one on the way to my house. Looking forward to trying out all kinds of new things!

Question about your electric smoker (since I'm thinking about selling mine and then just picking up another one if I happen to get into jerky and stuff a couple years down the road).. Does yours have trouble making smoke at lower temps like that?  One of the reasons I wasnt that impressed with my MES was that I could never get any smoke at any temps under like 200, and a lot of times I wanted to cook lower than that. 
 
 
What brand / model did you end up ordering?
I ended up going with a GMG Daniel Boone.  Fit my needs and budget the best out of all of them. Dealer is out of town right now, but will be delivering it to my house on Sunday. 
 
you'll be very happy with the GMG DB.  Its the same one I have had now for a little over 4 years. I got the one with remote control, so I can check temp of grill and food in the house, and adjust it too. It Smokes, BBQ's and cooks very very nicely.  I do jerky as well, but I do have an old MES 30" that I blow the cobwebs off of once a year for a batch.  Otherwise I do everything on my Daniel Boone.  I love it..you will too!
 
I use pellets in my pan for the smoke and once lit they work very well. They actually sell different device made for burning pellets to enhance the smoke fflavor in grills and/or cold smoking. Make sure you get the newest Daniel Boone. The new models come with the stainless steel drip pan with the holes that open for direct heat to grill. There is a thread for GMG owners at pelletheads.com with great information.
 
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