Shopping for a new pellet smoker

[Neal]

Okay folks, as some may recall, a few months ago I had a GMG pellet hopper fire which killed my GMG Daniel Boone by overfilling the hopper which caused the lid to remain up. I decided to go full on Texas and got an Oklahoma Joe longhorn reverse flow smoker. I used it one time, I didn't do well. However, the grill is rusting, mainly the firebox area. I reached out to OJ this morning and they would not assist or even replace the rusted parts. They went on a little bit, I told them it's an outdoor grill. My blackstone and weber don't have this issue. They told me take it up with Amazon. Long story longer, Amazon is refunding the money, even outside of the return window, and sending someone to pick it up Thursday which is way cool. Thanks Jeff!!!

So I think the Texas thing ain't my thing and I need to revert back to a pellet smoker. I don't want to break the bank but I want something nice. What are your suggestions for a quality pellet smoker for the house?

 

[Wemustrv]

I have a Life Smart pellet smoker Griddle combo at our Brick and mortar . Not a very well known brand. I have had mine for 5 years maybe with no issues other than it was missing a probe and the company overnighted two of them to me the next day. This not a huge smoker but it works great. The pellet feed is good and temperature holds very consistent

https://lifesmartonline.com/product/lifesmart-pellet-grill-and-griddle-combo/

I have done pork butt, Chicken, brisket and pork loin and many other items. It has not failed me yet. When I purchased mine it was $349.00 it is the same grill in the photo above.

 

[sheridany]

A few years ago, I bought a blind box Z grill. For the price, you can't beat it. Works well, and some assembly is required. Given that you own every possible tool there is, I doubt that there will be anything challenging.

Sorry, it is not available from your BFF.

Z GRILLS PELLET GRILL BLIND BOX - 2025 LIMITED EDITION – Z Grills

www.zgrills.com

 

[stang37]

I have one of these for may house. I really like it as this is my third smoker. I have the 1250 grill.. https://www.recteq.com/?utm_source=...MI1tiS5ouGjwMVmh9ECB1vHQWXEAAYASAAEgLkNfD_BwE

 

[Magua]

I purchased an Asmoke several years ago. I have smoked, grilled, warmed and anything else you can imagine with it. Great product. Outstanding customer service and a very good product. Temperature stays pretty close regardless of setting. I’m seriously considering buying an another upgraded version. Highly recommend it.
Richard

 

[redbaron]

Sadly the Oklahoma Joe that I own is not what is being sold today. Mine was made in the USA, and sits outside and never has had an issue. I do have a cover for it, and I never leave ash in it overnight, but other than that, I do nothing to protect it.

The grills sold today are disposable at best.

I would find one that you can use for a season or two, and just replace after its done. I don't know of many that will last for years the way the used to.

 

[GlampDaddy]

I’m hearing really good things about the Recteq products. I’ll take a closer look when the new patio kitchen nears completion.

 

[Neal]

Recteq flagship 1100 looks nice.

https://www.recteq.com/products/rt-1100-flagship

 

[Neal]

A few years ago, I bought a blind box Z grill. For the price, you can't beat it. Works well, and some assembly is required. Given that you own every possible tool there is, I doubt that there will be anything challenging.

Sorry, it is not available from your BFF.

Z GRILLS PELLET GRILL BLIND BOX - 2025 LIMITED EDITION – Z Grills

www.zgrills.com

Z Grills coming up a lot in search too.

 

[Neal]

Pit boss Sportsman 1100 - watching on YouTube compared to Z Grill. Looks nice.

 

[Neal]

Recteq flagship 1100 looks nice.

https://www.recteq.com/products/rt-1100-flagship

This is probably what I'll get. 40 lb hopper had me at hopper!

Now to wait for sale, most likely Black Friday as there's no rush.

 

[Neal]

Weber searwood another candidate.

 

[Neal]

Nah, back to recteq. The smoke box accessory looks cool. Yeah, I'm watching YouTube videos on all of these

 

[stang37]

I added the smoke box to my 1250 and got a cover for which covers the whole grill including the smoke box. These are all stainless steel, there pellets are a very reasonable priced and ship free. I've had the grill almost two years and I've probably used over 200# of pellets. the wifi features work great also. There sauce and dry rub are also very good. Customer service for me has been outstanding.

 

[Jim]

I’ve got a Masterbuilt 850 Gravity Series Smoker that runs on charcoal instead of pellets. Aside from the two-day assembly marathon, I love this thing. It can slow-smoke ribs or just knock out a few burgers. Swap the manifold, drop in the grill rack, and you can feed an army breakfast, eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, the works.

It's lived its life outside, although covered, for five years, and the only hiccup was an LED display that Masterbuilt replaced free of charge when it was three years old, pretty good of them. Earlier this year, when what we think was a small tornado took down my RV barn, the barn landed right on top of the smoker. After cleaning up the mess, it was still standing. A little bent, but I wrangled it back into shape. A testimony to its build!

I don’t remember exactly what I paid, but I think it was around $800. Like I said, the assembly takes the patience of a saint, but once it’s together, it’ll give you years of dependable service. May even be the last smoker/grill that you have to buy.