Pellet Grills

[4theCYcle]

80% of it's learning the art/skill, only 20% is the smoker itself... in my opinion. As long as you can hold a steady temp, everything else is quality of life or warranty/longevity related.

When I got the Traeger 2 years ago, it was the best for App control which was important to me to go alongside my Thermoworks Signals. I'm sure others have better Apps than they did back then.

Didn't realize that the initial post was like 2 years ago, but also didn't realize that Pit Boss now has wifi in it. I'm just not sure that my BIL's has that feature now.

I've debated on getting one a couple times, I'm just not 100% certain I want to get one. I'm a little leery based on not sure how my gut handles smoked foods regularly (crohns) so to me I don't know if it would be a healthy need for me yet. I feel at times when I do eat smoked foods I feel a little off. I'm not sure if it's other foods coupled with it or the smoked meat itself. I don't know if there are studies that show smoked foods are harmful or affect a persons gut, I don't really know as I'm kinda on the fence at the moment.

 

[zarnold56]

I have had a Camp Chef Woodwind 24 now for a year and really enjoy it. It has a pretty good wifi controller and app. The ash cleanout device is super nice to not pull the grill apart to clean it out. You can set smoke level up to like 300 degrees. It holds temps like a champ. I was torn between this one, a GMG and a Traeger.

 

[Jer]

Didn't realize that the initial post was like 2 years ago, but also didn't realize that Pit Boss now has wifi in it. I'm just not sure that my BIL's has that feature now.

I've debated on getting one a couple times, I'm just not 100% certain I want to get one. I'm a little leery based on not sure how my gut handles smoked foods regularly (crohns) so to me I don't know if it would be a healthy need for me yet. I feel at times when I do eat smoked foods I feel a little off. I'm not sure if it's other foods coupled with it or the smoked meat itself. I don't know if there are studies that show smoked foods are harmful or affect a persons gut, I don't really know as I'm kinda on the fence at the moment.

My wife always used to have stomach issues with smoked meats - I did too occasionally. Once I got the Traeger we found that it was most likely places adding liquid smoke to their recipe as I don't do that. To test the theory, once I added some to a marinade and we both had issues.

Otherwise I still go low and slow to get a deep smoke ring and she hasn't had any problems with the same cuts of meat. She doesn't have crohns, but something to keep in mind as you can control the recipe yourself this way.

 

[isufbcurt]

Why do we need aps and wifi on our grills? set it to a temp and let it cook

 

[Jer]

I have had a Camp Chef Woodwind 24 now for a year and really enjoy it. It has a pretty good wifi controller and app. The ash cleanout device is super nice to not pull the grill apart to clean it out. You can set smoke level up to like 300 degrees. It holds temps like a champ. I was torn between this one, a GMG and a Traeger.

I wish the Traeger had a bottom cleanout like the Camp Chef. It's not hard to take off the rack, drainage pan, and heat deflector to shop vac it out, but certainly not a clean exercise.

 

[Jer]

Why do we need aps and wifi on our grills? set it to a temp and let it cook

I like it because I do my briskets for roughly 18-20 hours and monitor the grill and IT temp on the Thermoworks Signals app. I can then adjust the Traeger's temp remotely even if I'm out running errands or whatnot.

 

[xboxfever]

Why do we need aps and wifi on our grills? set it to a temp and let it cook

It’s for long cooks such as brisket or pork butt/shoulders. You can monitor the temp of both the meat and the grill/smoker without opening and shutting the lid every so often. You shouldn’t have any use for it otherwise.

 

[isufbcurt]

I like it because I do my briskets for roughly 18-20 hours and monitor the grill and IT temp on the Thermoworks Signals app. I can then adjust the Traeger's temp remotely even if I'm out running errands or whatnot.

I see. I don't do anything that takes that long as I don't have the patience for it. If it's going to take me more than an hour to grill it I'll just go to the restaurant.

 

[zarnold56]

I see. I don't do anything that takes that long as I don't have the patience for it.

Also nice to run overnight brisket cooks and your phone will alert you if temps drops to far and may be out of pellets or other issues.

 

[G-imJustafan]

not a smoker but sure is fun

 

[4theCYcle]

My wife always used to have stomach issues with smoked meats - I did too occasionally. Once I got the Traeger we found that it was most likely places adding liquid smoke to their recipe as I don't do that. To test the theory, once I added some to a marinade and we both had issues.

Otherwise I still go low and slow to get a deep smoke ring and she hasn't had any problems with the same cuts of meat. She doesn't have crohns, but something to keep in mind as you can control the recipe yourself this way.

Interesting and thank you for providing that information. I don't even really know much about liquid smoke or knew it was a thing. I know not all cooking/smoking is the same and sometimes thats what makes eating out tough because I don't always know how my food is prepared. It's not as bad as it used to be, but I still have to keep it in mind for the future so things don't ever get worse.

I just looked it up and read about it. Hmm, that definitely could be an issue and will have to keep that in mind. Thanks Jeremy!

 

[Dandy]

not a smoker but sure is fun

View attachment 113551

The Blackstone trend is dead, right? Like, it was impossible to find one there for a minute and now I rarely hear anyone talk about them.

 

[Jer]

Interesting and thank you for providing that information. I don't even really know much about liquid smoke or knew it was a thing. I know not all cooking/smoking is the same and sometimes thats what makes eating out tough because I don't always know how my food is prepared. It's not as bad as it used to be, but I still have to keep it in mind for the future so things don't ever get worse.

I just looked it up and read about it. Hmm, that definitely could be an issue and will have to keep that in mind. Thanks Jeremy!

One thing you could do to try it out without the expense is to get one of those metal boxes or tubes for smoking that you can put wood chunks into and use it on your grill for a low temp test smoke. Cook something like chicken breast or whatever doesn’t bug you at home but does when you eat out.

 

[Dandy]

Just follow the directions for the initial burn off before any cooking. Doesn't take long.

Initial burn took about an hour. Excited to use it for the first time tonight.

 

[dmclone]

If you want to see an AWESOME smoker, the Scheels in WDM now carries Yoder smokers. These things are built like a tank.

 

[AgronAlum]

I'm sure it's already listed, but both my brother in-laws have Pit Boss's and they love them. Traegers are hyped up and overpriced as you are paying for the name. Other than the internet/wifi controls, which may be your must/kicker that is the slight downfall of Pitboss.

Ive completed a ton of cooks on mine and still love it. It stays true to temp really well. I even use it quite a bit during the winter with one of their insulated covers and other than burning through more pellets, it works the same as a 70 degree day. I have no issues walking away for hours at a time during long cooks.

Our Wi-Fi doesn’t reach where the smoker is at and the Bluetooth range is not great. Now that I have it dialed in, I’m not sure that I’d use it anyways. The two probes that came with the grill are surprisingly accurate though.

 

[AgronAlum]

It’s for long cooks such as brisket or pork butt/shoulders. You can monitor the temp of both the meat and the grill/smoker without opening and shutting the lid every so often. You shouldn’t have any use for it otherwise.

The Pitt Boss has readouts for the probes on the controller. I would have to get a wife extender to use the Wi-Fi controls but I’m not sure I’d ever really use it.

 

[AgronAlum]

Interesting and thank you for providing that information. I don't even really know much about liquid smoke or knew it was a thing. I know not all cooking/smoking is the same and sometimes thats what makes eating out tough because I don't always know how my food is prepared. It's not as bad as it used to be, but I still have to keep it in mind for the future so things don't ever get worse.

I just looked it up and read about it. Hmm, that definitely could be an issue and will have to keep that in mind. Thanks Jeremy!

If you want to test it out, they make smoke bags that are prefilled and you can use them on any type of grill. I’ve never used them but I’ve seen them around. They also sell smoke tubes that you can fill with pellets but as a test, it is kind of expensive by the time you buy pellets, the tube and a decent butane lighter (regular lighters won’t work) to get the pellets started.

Smoke 'Ems™ Variety 4-Pack

A selection of each of our signature Craft Blend™ flavors, this variety pack let's you get a sampling of the delicious smoke flavors to try on a variety of your favorite foods. One of each flavor included. Available in 4-packs of 6 oz bags.

bearmountainbbq.com

 

[Clonefan94]

The Blackstone trend is dead, right? Like, it was impossible to find one there for a minute and now I rarely hear anyone talk about them.

Not sure, but I use mine all the time. I even got a smaller one for tailgating, it’s a very versatile cooking tool. I still have a Weber kettle and a pellet grill as well, but I prefer cooking outside.

 

[FOREVERTRUE]

If you want to test it out, they make smoke bags that are prefilled and you can use them on any type of grill. I’ve never used them but I’ve seen them around. They also sell smoke tubes that you can fill with pellets but as a test, it is kind of expensive by the time you buy pellets, the tube and a decent butane lighter (regular lighters won’t work) to get the pellets started.

Smoke 'Ems™ Variety 4-Pack

A selection of each of our signature Craft Blend™ flavors, this variety pack let's you get a sampling of the delicious smoke flavors to try on a variety of your favorite foods. One of each flavor included. Available in 4-packs of 6 oz bags.

bearmountainbbq.com

A strait up propane torch works just fine for lighting a smoke tube. I use mine for smoking some cheeses that my pellet grill won't get to a low enough temp.