Question What is the best pellet smoker?

[whereRVapp]

I carry a Traeger Ranger in our Bay Star. It works incredibly well and couldn’t be easier to use. The upside is all that is hyped with the Traeger line. The downside is cooking real estate. It has limited space so multiple racks of ribs are a non-starter. Same with a hole turkey. But it does well for grilling over “wood” fire or smoking pork butts, whole chickens, or a rack of ribs.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

I carry a Traeger Ranger in our Bay Star. It works incredibly well and couldn’t be easier to use. The upside is all that is hyped with the Traeger line. The downside is cooking real estate. It has limited space so multiple racks of ribs are a non-starter. Same with a hole turkey. But it does well for grilling over “wood” fire or smoking pork butts, whole chickens, or a rack of ribs.

Can it do a whole brisket? Or, at least a whole "flat."

TJ

 

[whereRVapp]

Can it do a whole brisket? Or, at least a whole "flat."

TJ

TJ,

We have cooked a 3+ pound brisket and there was room to spare. Probably not a whole lot of room but it was big enough for four people with leftovers. I’m amateur enough to not know enough smoking jargon to know the size of a whole flat. Since we are a gasser I can’t go bigger but it works very well.

Bill

 

[murphysranch]

I love my used tailgater Traeger. I bought it at a campsite. Last night I marinated some Columbia River steelhead trout in a small amount of Italian Dressing. Then smoked for 40 min and cooked for another 10. Also sliced up some homegrown yellow squash, partially precooked and then on the smoker with the steelhead. Heavenly dinner! I buy the Traeger pellets at Costco.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

TJ,

We have cooked a 3+ pound brisket and there was room to spare. Probably not a whole lot of room but it was big enough for four people with leftovers. I’m amateur enough to not know enough smoking jargon to know the size of a whole flat. Since we are a gasser I can’t go bigger but it works very well.

Bill

Thanks, Bill. That would be enough for a nice brisket sandwich for me; LadyDi might have to have toasted cheese though. Yes, I do love my brisket!

Just for information, the whole brisket is made up of two parts; the "flat" (generally, the larger part) and the "point," a muscle section that lays on top of the flat until separated. Most folks prefer the "flat" if not cooking a full brisket. And, the "flat" is more commonly found in the meat section of supermarkets. Dedicated butcher shops will probably have a full brisket, if preferred.

TJ

 

[NWIP]

@TJ&LadyDi I have done a whole brisket on my GMG DC Cutting the flat off at the point. I have a rack insert by GMG and use, which allows me to rotate the sections which works great since the point is thinner.

I always have Lisa help moving the grill but is easily done. Lisa gets the handle on the end of the hopper and I use the handle. If stored in the basement on a slide I think it would be something you and Lady Di could handle.

 

[whereRVapp]

Thanks, Bill. That would be enough for a nice brisket sandwich for me; LadyDi might have to have toasted cheese though. Yes, I do love my brisket!

Just for information, the whole brisket is made up of two parts; the "flat" (generally, the larger part) and the "point," a muscle section that lays on top of the flat until separated. Most folks prefer the "flat" if not cooking a full brisket. And, the "flat" is more commonly found in the meat section of supermarkets. Dedicated butcher shops will probably have a full brisket, if preferred.

TJ

Thanks for my lesson! I love good brisket but haven’t got to the point of doing as well as BBQ joints.

 

[redbaron]

The ranger lists heavier than the scout. The difference is the included skillet. This has a lot of weight to it. Removing the skillet, the unit is much lighter, and easier moved. Far easier than the tailgater.

 

[whereRVapp]

The ranger lists heavier than the scout. The difference is the included skillet. This has a lot of weight to it. Removing the skillet, the unit is much lighter, and easier moved. Far easier than the tailgater.

I forgot about the griddle. It is definitely added weight. I don’t use it since I carry a Blackstone.

 

[Gizmo]

I have the Traeger at home and the GM in the coach and both are WIFI. I like the GM better because I can build my profile to my liking. I do Ribs at 411 which I built my custom profile of 4 hours at 225 then alarm - wrap with brown sugar, butter, and agave back on the grill for another hour at 275 - then unwrap with BBQ sauce at 325 then set to keep warm. I have not found a way to build a custom profile with the Treager.

 

[J&JD]

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.

Neal, we have decided on the Green Mountain Daniel Boone Prime Plus. What accessories do you recommend? Many thanks, Judy D

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

Neal, we have decided on the Green Mountain Daniel Boone Prime Plus. What accessories do you recommend? Many thanks, Judy D

Looks like a good unit. It will be interesting to compare notes down the line. I think we are close to the decision point for the sticks-and-bricks as well. Will most likely be going with the Recteq RT-590.

Deck Boss 590

Meet the Deck Boss 590, the perfect mid-size option for family meals, with new upgrades and unbeatable wood fired flavor! The Deck Boss will hold temperatures of 180ºF to 700ºF so you’ll have more heat for every recipe you tackle. The Deck Boss is also built like a tank, with stainless steel...

www.recteq.com

We like the stainless steel construction and 30# pellet hopper among other features. The optional "Competition Cart" with larger wheels is a must accessory for us.

TJ

 

[J&JD]

Looks like a good unit. It will be interesting to compare notes down the line. I think we are close to the decision point for the sticks-and-bricks as well. Will most likely be going with the Recteq RT-590.

Deck Boss 590

Meet the Deck Boss 590, the perfect mid-size option for family meals, with new upgrades and unbeatable wood fired flavor! The Deck Boss will hold temperatures of 180ºF to 700ºF so you’ll have more heat for every recipe you tackle. The Deck Boss is also built like a tank, with stainless steel...

www.recteq.com

We like the stainless steel construction and 30# pellet hopper among other features. The optional "Competition Cart" with larger wheels is a must accessory for us.

TJ

We decided this certain Green Mountain because it has a pizza oven, and rotisserie option. The pizza oven accessorie will get to 700 degrees, not quite as good as our wood fired oven, but will allow us an option in less than perfect weather. At our age, not so concerned about stainless steel lasting longer?. Judy D

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

At our age, not so concerned about stainless steel lasting longer?. Judy D

Hey, I resemble that remark!

With the sticks-and-bricks being here in the far northwest corner of soggy Washington state, things that don't rust are always preferred.

TJ

 

[J&JD]

Hey, I resemble that remark!

With the sticks-and-bricks being here in the far northwest corner of soggy Washington state, things that don't rust are always preferred.

TJ

You are right! Where you live, stainless is a really good idea! When we were camping in Washington last year, the coach next to us had a RT. The gentlemean was talking about how well built his smoker was. I just can’t pass up the accessories available on the GM. I am imagining how good a chicken, or small turkey will be with the rotisserie attachment! YUM!?

 

[Neal]

Neal, we have decided on the Green Mountain Daniel Boone Prime Plus. What accessories do you recommend? Many thanks, Judy D

Congrats! You'll love it. As for accessories, not much needed:

1. Pellets - different types of woods, maybe others here can share their preferences but I can't tell a difference. Texas Blend is my go to: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LCU34PK/?tag=rvf01-20
2. Searing grates as mentioned above, specific to your grill. GrillGrate Sear Station for Green Mountain Daniel Boone
3. Pizza oven is nice: Amazon.com: Green Mountain Grill 2020 Wood Fired Pizza Oven for Daniel Boone and Jim Bowie Pellet Grill: Garden & Outdoor
4. Cover: Amazon.com : Green Mountain Grills 3001 Daniel Boone Outdoor BBQ Grill Protective Heavy-Duty Weather-Resistant Canvas Cover, Black : Garden & Outdoor
5. Front shelf: Amazon.com: Green Mountain Grill Gmg-4009 Front Shelf for Daniel Boone Pellet Grill: Garden & Outdoor
6. Jerry will need one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DUDDQEU/?tag=rvf01-20

As to the stainless discussion, I think it's overkill. If I experience rust or any issues I will gladly buy another.

 

[Neal]

We decided this certain Green Mountain because it has a pizza oven, and rotisserie option. The pizza oven accessorie will get to 700 degrees, not quite as good as our wood fired oven, but will allow us an option in less than perfect weather. At our age, not so concerned about stainless steel lasting longer?. Judy D

Oh you'll be surprised. I don't use full heat. I fried (literally) my first pizza cook. You'll set the grill to around 300-400 which the pizza stone will probably get upwards of 700, who knows, it's crazy hot and you'll want a IR heat gun for this. You'll be pulling out the firebox and laying the pizza oven over the flame and it gets extremely hot!

 

[J&JD]

With the sticks-and-bricks being here in the far northwest corner of soggy Washington state, things that don't rust are always preferred.

@TJ&LadyDi
Here’s the GM model with a stainless hood.

Daniel Boone

Our new Prime grills just got even better with the same great Prime features PLUS a collapsible front shelf, interior grill light, rotisserie enabled mounting and stronger reinforced grates. Our Prime models are built even smarter and stronger. 12V direct power design provides better temp...

greenmountaingrills.com

 

[Neal]

Oh the hood...I was thinking some internal part. Yeah, I think SS is only like $100 more. I think it's more decorative than functional IMHO.

 

[J&JD]

Jerry will need one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DUDDQEU/?tag=rvf01-20

And we both will then need one of these for the inedible result....?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0733Z42S2/?tag=rvf01-20