Question What is the best pellet smoker?

[J&JD]

I have been envious reading about pellet smokers, and the wonderful results on this forum. I have been researching, and realize there are many good choices. I am thinking of asking for it for Christmas. This first one will be for our home. I am interested in just a medium size that is easy to use, fairly easy to clean, and capable of a long, slow smoke for brisket without a huge amount of effort. I am considering Traeger, Green Mountain, Rec Tec etc. I figure my best resource would be honest opinions from this forum. Luckily, we livei in a temperate area where we can use it year round. I would be grateful for your sage advice! Many Thanks, Judy D

 

[sheridany]

@J&JD I have had everything from Traeger to competition smokers ( A past lifetime) and I have to say going with pellet smoker is by far the easiest of all of them. Traegers are really popular as are Green Mountain. I myself am eyeing a portable one that I can carry in the rig so for me it would come down to either the Green Mountain like @Neal has or the portable Traeger. Both lines have handy features like temp probes and i know Traeger has a bluetooth app that works with certain models (maybe not portable units but not sure) and the Green Mountain might have that as well. The pellets are easy to store and its about as close to "set it and forget it". The flavor profile is incredible and you can make so many things. Try baking chocolate chip cookies in the smoker and it is heaven sent. Check out the recipes on the traeger website if interested...so many creative ideas. In the spirit of full disclosure, i have heard that some people have had issues with a treager but it seems sporadic and not really one thing from what I read.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I'll be watching this thread asI am considering doing the same. I'm sure someone we all know will be along shortly to recommend the GMG Davy Crockett and I am strongly considering buying one myself. That said, I am interested in other options as well.

TJ

 

[J&JD]

I'll be watching this thread asI am considering doing the same. I'm sure someone we all know will be along shortly to recommend the GMG Davy Crockett and I am strongly considering buying one myself. That said, I am interested in other options as well.

TJ

That would be the choice for the coach, but Iam looking for a choice for home that can do a seriously long smoke for a primo brisket without constant attention. I would not want to subject my neighbors in a rv situation to that sort of smoking.
i am sure we will get some great advice? Judy

 

[redbaron]

The ranger or scout traeger are really the perfect size. I carry the ranger with me and have been very happy. All accessories fit nicely inside and it easily fits in the bay of the rv.

 

[J&JD]

The ranger or scout traeger are really the perfect size. I carry the ranger with me and have been very happy. All accessories fit nicely inside and it easily fits in the bay of the rv.

What do you use at home for bigger stuff?

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I was just looking at the Recteq grills and was impressed that they are stainless steel. Especially for larger grills at the sticks-and-bricks, that should mean better durability. Lots of interesting features and they have a 200-500 degree temperature range; high enough to do pizza (marginally).

All that said, I'm still looking too.

TJ

 

[redbaron]

What do you use at home for bigger stuff?

I have the traeger tail gater, and then a large smoker that I use wood in. I find myself rarely using the large one, as pellet is just too simple.

 

[Neal]

I am a loyal Green Mountain Grill fan and be sure to get the WiFi option so you can view/control it from your phone (grill temp, food temp probe, etc.)

At the S&B I have the Daniel Boone which I'll be using tonight with sear grates to cook steaks.

I keep a Davey Crocket in the RV which fits perfectly in the slideout bay.

Home

Green mountain grills, top-of-the-line wood pellet bbq grills and barbecue grill accessories. Premium barbecue smoker pellet grills make grilling easy

greenmountaingrills.com

Find your local GMG dealer/seller and go visit them.

 

[NWIP]

I followed @Neal’s recommendation 2 years ago and got GMG Davey Crockett and been very pleased ?. Actually just did ribs last night and they were great. Carry in the back of the Colorado.

 

[redbaron]

I followed @Neal’s recommendation 2 years ago and got GMG Davey Crockett and been very pleased ?. Actually just did ribs last night and they were great. Carry in the back of the Colorado.

I used to carry the tailgater in back of my pickup. It is similar in size to the Davey Crockett. When I purchased the jeep, i realized I had lost a lot of real-estate. The ranger fits nicely in my 1/2 bay slide tray, and is much lighter.

 

[sheridany]

I like the looks of the Davy Crockett and it appears to be solid construction. How heavy is the smoker?

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I like the looks of the Davy Crockett and it appears to be solid construction. How heavy is the smoker?

On the GMG website, they say "57 pounds." I don't know if that is shipping weight or actual unit weight. Seems pretty heavy for just the grill.

EDIT: Looks like the Traeger Ranger is listed at 60 pounds and the Recteq RT-340 at 80 pounds. And these are all "smaller" grills? Yikes...gonna have to get back into the gym again!

TJ

 

[NWIP]

It specs out at 57 lbs and the older I get the heavier it gets?

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

It specs out at 57 lbs and the older I get the heavier it gets?

That may be a deal-breaker for me to carry in the coach. Now rethinking my strategy. Maybe just adding a larger pellet grill to the sticks-and-bricks for the time we're here is a better solution. Hmmmmm.

TJ

 

[Neal]

The way the legs fold up it makes a good carry/lift handle and if there are two of you then it's even easier, grab each end and it's a non-issue. There is a lift handle on one side (pellet box) and the chimney (good handle) on the other. It fits in my slideout bay with no problem. I suggest keep your eyes peeled at your CG visits and if you see one go check it out. It is heavy per se as is the awkward 22in blackstone griddle but you struggle for 1 minute tops and you're done, no struggle if you have help. The cook is worth it. And no mess, just vacuum out the burner box a few times a year, I use my dyson handheld. It's also nice (GMG Davey Crockett) in that it comes with 12V battery alligator clips so you can take it to any other destination too and use for tailgating, etc. which is what it's designed for.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

Look for one that has stainless burner box, My next one will have one.

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Hey y’all. Glad to hear the positive comments on the GMG and their WiFi app. Thank you; I was contracted by GMG years ago to design the first version to send to the programmers and love to see it grow and gain popularity! They are one FANTASTIC COMPANY!!

The issue with the Davey Crockett can be the height and weight. It’s a bit unwieldy for one person.

Instead, I’ve been carrying the Camp Chef Pursuit, which fits PERFECTLY sideways in my half bay next to the tool bay! It has folding “lambs legs”, I call them, kinda like a gurney. The handles on each END make it MUCH easier to lift with two people. What’s great with the Pursuit is that you DO NOT have to extend the legs to use it; just set it on a table or ground. The ash pot dump is INGENIOUS and can be done with a pull of a lever...not taking the grill apart to vacuum out!!! The grill and hopper lids are secured with travel latches...brilliant! As to the grilling features, it does an excellent job. The sliding shield for Direct Flame is a good feature that sets it apart.

Only thing with these baby smokers, is they won’t get to super high temps, ie 500+. But, I’ve seared and cooked everything in them beautifully.

If you need a great resource, I highly recommend my great friend and fellow RV-er @Ericrowley18. He is the quintessential Grill Geek and, so much so, he started a business In 2012 called TheBBQHQ and now carries dozen of lines and grills and supplies. He’s killing it now!

There isn’t a grill Eric hasn’t used and is a wealth of information!!

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Instead, I’ve been carrying the Camp Chef Pursuit, which fits PERFECTLY sideways in my half bay

But, again, it weighs in at 82 pounds! That's fine for two capable people to handle, but when you have an older couple, one with two artificial knees and the other a bad back, this kind of weight becomes problematic.

TJ

 

[CaptainGizmo]

But, again, it weighs in at 82 pounds! That's fine for two capable people to handle, but when you have an older couple, one with two artificial knees and the other a bad back, this kind of weight becomes problematic.

TJ

Correct TJ. Trust me, it’s easier to pick up than the DC. Frankly, there isn’t a lightweight pellet grill suitable for carrying in an RV.
For this reason, Eric is going to start carrying a PK Grill in his trailer. He loves the ease of use and it’s SO light to carry and move. But, it’s still charcoal, and doesn’t have the computer controlled “set it and forget it” that people have come to enjoy with the pellet grills.

Eric and I have toyed with developing a pellet grill on a slide out which would never have to be removed. Unfortunately, there are a lot of obstacles to overcome; from space to weight to enough clearance so your rig won’t get smoked up.

So, we continue to lift the 80 pound Pursuit which is not that bad for us right now. What’s so nice about our community, is that there always seems to be a kind person to help you out. Just toss them a rib or two for thanks. ?