Looking At Getting A Pellet Smoker, Thoughts?

[duffman]

I am looking at getting a pellet smoker so I have a little more flexibility on my smoking. I love my WSM and playing with the fire but sometimes I just want to throw something on the smoker easy-peasy or not have to sit outside and for an hour to get it setup and then watch it all day. I have never used one but I they seem to be popular so I thought I might take the plunge this spring. The local Menards has a few Pit Boss smokers on sale I was thinking about trying. A cheaper Pit Boss PB700 for $350, a Pit Boss Competition Series 850 for $499 and a Pit Boss Competition Series 1250 for $675. Additionally I get an 11% rebate back on any of those as well. Anybody have any thoughts or suggestions, or another model or brand I should look into for a similar price? Thanks for the help!

 

[Colin1230]

Duffman, I think you should buy the Pit Boss size that best fits your needs. Good deals to be had at Menards for sure. That way you can decide if it cooks as good as your WSM. It is certainly more convenient. I had the itch for a pellet grill also. Sold my gas grill and WSM and bought a SmokeFire. Sold it two years later and went back to an E-210 and 18" WSM. Buying the pellet grill was not a mistake, it was a learning experience for me. Get that grill and enjoy. Just don't sell your WSM.

 

[texomakid]

I'm gonna tell ya to get one if you want one. Every cooker has its advantages as well as its shortcomings so with that said most of both categories have been hammered out in this forum as well as other places on the inner webs. The 2 main things to consider is #1) It's not a stick burner and you'll never get that depth of smoke flavor. #2) They allow the user to absolutely manage a wood/pellet heat source with relative ease and they do have their own layer of smoke flavor from the pellets.

I have zero regrets buying my pellet cooker. Good luck with your decision but if I was considering a pellet cooker I'd probably be buying a pellet cooker. I absolute love mine and so does my circle of family and friends.

 

[smokerjim]

I have an offset but for the same reasons as you I got a mes 30, then a few years later my wife got me pitboss 1000. I do use the pellet smoker some but i get a much better smoked taste with the electric. Just my thoughts.

 

[jcam222]

My neighbor loves his Pit Boss Pro series which has the PID controller. I'd for sure want one with that controller. My other friend who wanted hands off went with the MB 1040 Gravity feed. He's had it about 4 years now and loves it. I've had Q from both and they are good but the gravity feed gives the best results hands down. It's hard to tell it from food from my Lang.

 

[sandyut]

I started on a WSM and moved to pellets. Much easier.

I got a req Teq over a decade ago and it’s the best. Runs like new every time. Give them a look. Many users here and we all pretty much feel the same

 

[nchapelheel]

I bought the Green Mountain pellet grill 5 years ago. I don't get the flavor that I got using the
Masterbuilt electric smoker, but it sure makes it easy for long cooks. It is a perfect smoker for
salmon. Over 40 pork butts have been through the GVG. Excellent results with the pellet grill
and a smoke tube added for flavor. I DO want a gravity feed charcoal smoker. Saving for it
now.

 

[zwiller]

I LOVE my Smokefire. Throw something on, forget about it, and come back to good eats. Wish I woulda grabbed mine a LONG time ago. Heads up you go through more pellets than you'd think.

 

[jcam222]

I LOVE my Smokefire. Throw something on, forget about it, and come back to good eats. Wish I woulda grabbed mine a LONG time ago. Heads up you go through more pellets than you'd think.
View attachment 716270

Looks amazing and great smoke ring! Are you using a smoke tube as well or just running it stock?

 

[zwiller]

Looks amazing and great smoke ring! Are you using a smoke tube as well or just running it stock?

Tasted as good as it looked. Totally stock.

 

[chopsaw]

I am looking at getting a pellet smoker so I have a little more flexibility on my smoking.

If you have the money , and the room , I say get one .
They make great food , and allow you to do other things .
Pitt Boss is a great choice . Never owned one , but I look at them at Lowes , and that Pro series seems solid .
I always suggest making a list of features you want , then start crossing brands of the list .
Like a pellet dump on the hopper or the type of auger feed .

Like Sam I have a SmokeFire EX4 . They have a newer design out called a searwood .
Might see some closeouts on the SmokeFires though .

People say that you can't get good smoke from a pellet grill . Not true with the SmokeFire .
It's great at low and slow smoking and high heat grilling . Great smoke flavor .
It's a brisket smoking machine .

 

[jcam222]

If you have the money , and the room , I say get one .
They make great food , and allow you to do other things .
Pitt Boss is a great choice . Never owned one , but I look at them at Lowes , and that Pro series seems solid .
I always suggest making a list of features you want , then start crossing brands of the list .
Like a pellet dump on the hopper or the type of auger feed .

Like Sam I have a SmokeFire EX4 . They have a newer design out called a searwood .
Might see some closeouts on the SmokeFires though .

People say that you can't get good smoke from a pellet grill . Not true with the SmokeFire .
It's great at low and slow smoking and high heat grilling . Great smoke flavor .
It's a brisket smoking machine .
View attachment 716271

Man you and zwiller are getting amazing results with those!

 

[DougE]

I bought my Camp Chef SG24WIFI for the same reasons stated. Convenience of not having to manage a fire, but with decent results.

Do I get the same results as a stick burner? No, but the convenience of not having to babysit a cooker is nice.

Keep in mind that even these pellet rigs aren't just set and forget ......... you still need to keep an eye on things during the cook, but not to the extent of feeding a stick burner or charcoal cooker.

 

[jirodriguez]

I had a 22.5" WSM for about 7 or 8 years and then decided I wanted to be lazy and got a Green Mountain Grill (Jim Bowie). I did buy an aftermarket double rack system from BBQHQ in California for an additional $250. I got better quality and end product off of my WSM..... but the ease and convenience of my pellet grill has me using it way more often. I can do a brisket at 225 one day and the next a couple of tri-tips at 550.

Also be aware your WSM has no moving parts and no electronics.... a pellet grill does, so you will need to clean, replace, or repair something every once in a while (not often but be aware). I am really interested in the new Recteq RT-B380X Bullseye Deluxe - it can get upwards of 950°+ for true searing, or as low as 200° for low and slow.

 

[duffman]

Thanks for all the thoughts and info. I think I am heading out tomorrow after work to pick one up in hopes of getting it put together over the weekend.

Does anyone have any thoughts on pellet buying strategy at first? Is one bag enough to play with a few smokes or should I pick up a few bags while I am there just to be safe?

 

[schlotz]

Depends if you are planning on multiple long smokes, otherwise a single 20lb bag should be fine. Personally I would get two bags and be covered.

 

[BigW.]

If you can find Lumber Jack pellets, buy those. Congrats on the soon to be purchase.

 

[chopsaw]

Matt has good advice . Get a bag or 2 to get started , then settle in on what you like and stock up . I like B&B , Lumberjack if you can get it . Anything that is on sale .
I buy some just as fuel , and others for the smoke flavor .

 

[sandyut]

If you can find Lumber Jack pellets, buy those. Congrats on the soon to be purchase.

Thats all I use. the competition blend is great on everything!

 

[DougE]

Thats all I use. the competition blend is great on everything!

I normally buy straight wood Lumberjack pellets and blend my own. Last time I went to Rural King, it was pretty much hickory and competition blend on the pallets so I went with the competition blend. Been through several bags and like it pretty well.