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Q-talk *ON TOPIC ONLY* QUALITY ON TOPIC discussion of Backyard BBQ, grilling, equipment and outdoor cookin' . ** Other cooking techniques are welcomed for when your cookin' in the kitchen. Post your hints, tips, tricks & techniques, success, failures, but stay on topic and watch for that hijacking. |
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01-11-2019, 04:27 PM | #1 |
Got Wood.
Join Date: 01-08-19
Location: Redmond, WA
Name/Nickname : Maynerd
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I can't decide what pellet grill to buy
Hey all,
Im looking at potentially purchasing a new pellet grill. Ive used pellet grills for about 5 or so years, so Im familiar with how they work and their limitations. Ive been researching for a while (too much probably) and have reached a point of diminishing returns on further deep research and now need some people to chime in for me. 😊 My current grill has a cooking surface of approximately 450 Sq/In of primary cooking area and no shelves so 450 is where I max out. I dont really want to go smaller than this and going a bit bigger would be a plus. Here is how I will use the grill. Cooking for a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children) 75% of the time Cooking for 6 adults 20% of the time Cooking for 7 or greater adults 5% of the time If I were to guess these are the types of cooks I do Short cooks Steaks and chicken (less than 2 hours) 70% of the time Medium cooks Ribs and roasts (2-6 hours) 25% of the time Long cooks Pulled pork and Briskets (6+ hours) 5% of the time Important things for the new grill Prefer to stay under $2500 Big enough to feed my family and a couple of friends Quality I need this one to last for a while or my wife will kill me High temp cooking - ability to sear steaks (I love me some good steak) Ease of use Easy to maintain Not absolutely necessary but very nice to have Wifi capability Double walled Pellet dump Method to expose firepot to allow for searing of steaks Pellet drop fire pot I had some burn back into the auger and smoke in the pellet hopper on my first grill (Traeger) and having the pellets drop with a short auger just seems like a better design Now the line up in price order. I've decided to try to stay with grills built in the USA but am open to others so don't hesitate to suggest something not on my list that maybe I hadn't thought of based upon my needs (when calculating total price I included options such as extra shelf, cover, wifi, searing option, shipping costs and tax) Grill: Memphis Advantage Base Price: $2299 Out the door price with accessories, shipping and tax: $2857.80 Main cooking enclosure warranty: 7 Electronics/etc warranty: 3 Low Temp: 180 High Temp: 600 Hopper size: 12lbs Pellet Dump: No Pellet Drop: Yes Primary grilling area size: 427 Sq/In Expandable additional shelf size: 136 Sq/In Pros: Local dealer I can work with if I have issues Highly praised pellet grill All stainless (403 stainless) Grill grates are broken up making it easier to clean/handle Searing kit for high temp cooking Wifi Cons: Expensive Small hopper size No pellet dump Not double walled Main cooking area is under 450 Sq/In (563 Sq/in with second shelf) Possible propensity for grease fires (found a number of people online discussing fires in the grill) Grill: Mak 1 Star Base Price: $1700 Out the door price with accessories, shipping and tax: $2685 Main cooking enclosure warranty: 3 Electronics/etc warranty: 3 Low Temp: 170 High Temp: 450 Hopper size: 20 Pellet Dump: Yes Pellet Drop: No Primary grilling area size: 429 Expandable additional shelf size: 429 Pros: Praised by many owners Wifi capable Searing option Popular grill people say it puts out a lot of smoke Cons: No local dealer Expensive No Pellet Drop Not double walled Main cooking area is under 450 Sq/In (848 Sq/In with second shelf) Short warranty Grill: Pitts and Spitts Maverick 850 Base Price: $1749 Out the door price with accessories, shipping and tax: $2553.96 Main cooking enclosure warranty: 10 years Electronics/etc warranty: 3 years Low Temp: 180 High Temp: 600 Hopper size: 35 lbs Pellet Dump: Yes Pellet Drop: No Primary grilling area size: 425 Expandable additional shelf size: 425 Pros: Its a TANK heavy and high-quality metal Long warranty Quality build Welded Huge pellet hopper Great lid design Wifi capable Searing option Cons: No local dealer Expensive No pellet drop Main cooking area is under 450 Sq/In (850 Sq/in with second shelf) Not double walled but with such thick metal does it matter? Grill: Kuma Platinum SE Base Price: $1699 Out the door price with accessories, shipping and tax: $2353 Main cooking enclosure warranty: 5 Electronics/etc warranty: 3 Low Temp: 180 High Temp: 600 Hopper size: 18 lbs Pellet Dump: Yes Pellet Drop: Yes Primary grilling area size: 465 Expandable additional shelf size: 673 Pros: Above 450 sq/in for primary (673 sq/in with one additional shelf 3 additional shelves max) Easy to switch to direct flame Wifi capable On paper checks the most boxes Double walled Cons: No local dealer Front to back grilling area (depth) is short 15.5 Limited information from owners online makes it hard to determine quality and long-term use Grill: Cookshack PG500 Base Price: $1795 Out the door price with accessories, shipping and tax: $1954.97 Main cooking enclosure warranty: 2yr Electronics/etc warranty: 90 day parts and labor Low Temp: 180? High Temp: 600 Hopper size: 22 lbs Pellet Dump: Yes Pellet Drop: Yes Primary grilling area size: 324 Sq/In indirect & 180 Sq/In Direct Expandable additional shelf size: 280 Sq/In Pros: Amazing indirect cooking Nothing but good things to say by owners Unique door design Multiple cooking zones Cons: No local dealer Primary grilling area size for indirect cooking is very small @ 324 Sq/In (784 Sq/In total cooking area) Not double walled Multiple zones may be difficult to manage No Wifi Grill: Yoder YS480 Base Price: $1224 Out the door price with accessories, shipping and tax: 1778.81 (I might add shelves for 269) Main cooking enclosure warranty: 10 Electronics/etc warranty: 3 Low Temp: 150 High Temp: 600 Hopper size: 20 Pellet Dump: No Pellet Drop: Yes Primary grilling area size: 480 Expandable additional shelf size: 320 Pros: Lowest price of all grills Im considering Above 450 sq/in for primary (800 sq/in with one additional shelf) Cons: No local dealer No Wifi Not double walled Questionable quality regarding paint, users reporting rusting early into ownership |
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01-11-2019, 04:39 PM | #2 |
Moderator
Join Date: 12-09-04
Location: Wandering, but not lost
Name/Nickname : Captain Ron
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Honestly, it would be hard to go wrong with any of those!
I've had my Memphis Pro for about 7 years (lost count) and love it! I haven't had any issues at all and it is built like a tank! I haven't seen the Advantage in person, but just based on my experience with the brand, and having access to a local dealer, that would be my recommendation. My second choice when i bought the Memphis was Mak, so I would list that as my number two recommendation.
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"Ron Rico, Boss. You can call me Captain Ron..." Naked Fatties Rock! PKGo X 2/PK360/Weber Q1000/Blackstone Camping Griddle/Pit Boss Pro Series 850 |
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01-11-2019, 05:57 PM | #4 |
Quintessential Chatty Farker
Join Date: 06-08-12
Location: Columbia, TN
Name/Nickname : Robb
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I can't decide what pellet grill to buy
Question first
which ever direction you go, will the cooker be exposed to rain or will it always be under a patio cover?
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MAK 3 Star Camp Chef FTG 900 26.75 Weber kettle Weber Q3200 Follower of Jesus, Husband of 1, Father of 9, Lover of people "Ya don't win friends with salad!" Come follow my adventures on Instagram: @rwaltersbbq |
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01-11-2019, 06:00 PM | #6 | |
Got Wood.
Join Date: 01-08-19
Location: Redmond, WA
Name/Nickname : Maynerd
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Quote:
I have a small gazebo that covers most of the downward falling rain but anything coming from the side will probably hit the grill. I will buy a rain cover for when it is not in use but I sometimes am lazy and forget to cover the grill since I have to wait for it to cool down first. So the grill will be exposed to the rain but it won't be just sitting out there 24/7 without any cover. |
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01-11-2019, 06:01 PM | #7 |
Got Wood.
Join Date: 01-08-19
Location: Redmond, WA
Name/Nickname : Maynerd
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Oh the wifi is no good on the Memphis? What sort of problem are you hearing about?
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01-11-2019, 06:08 PM | #8 |
Babbling Farker
Join Date: 08-30-03
Location: Richmond, VA
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I can't decide what pellet grill to buy
WiFi works fine on the Memphis.
You can sear very well on the Memphis and Yoder (I have owned both). Searing space is more limited on the Pitts and spitts than the Memphis. Mak will not sear as well as a Memphis or Yoder (with grill grates and 2 piece diffuser) IMO as it doesnt get as hot and there is no direct flame access. That being said, awesome cooker and likely a better smoker than my Memphis?? Kuma- lots of great features. I would like to see one in action Memphis Elite Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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01-11-2019, 06:09 PM | #9 |
Babbling Farker
Join Date: 08-30-03
Location: Richmond, VA
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I should add the pg500/1000 would be great choices if they are big enough for your needs. Awesome char broiler. I like the pg1000 much better than the 500 due to the doors and looks
Memphis Elite Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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01-11-2019, 06:23 PM | #10 | |
Quintessential Chatty Farker
Join Date: 06-08-12
Location: Columbia, TN
Name/Nickname : Robb
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Quote:
The reason I was asking about rain, is because of the way that Kuma has designed the logo into their lid. If you look closely, you will see that the logo is actually a cut out. Smoke escapes through it, and of course rainwater would get into it. Thinking back, that is the only question that I have never asked the company nor a Kuma owner. I am not sure how the lid/grill is designed to handle rainwater. Definitely something that I would want to know before buying. Other than that, I honestly do not think you will find a grill on the market that is more closely suited to your needs :-) One more thing that I really like about the Kuma, which I do not think you mentioned, is that they use aluminized steel under their high temp powder coat finish. By using aluminized steel, you will never have to worry about rust issues which is a huge plus!
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MAK 3 Star Camp Chef FTG 900 26.75 Weber kettle Weber Q3200 Follower of Jesus, Husband of 1, Father of 9, Lover of people "Ya don't win friends with salad!" Come follow my adventures on Instagram: @rwaltersbbq |
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01-11-2019, 06:26 PM | #11 |
Babbling Farker
Join Date: 12-07-15
Location: Wernersville, PA
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If you do yoder get the 640. All I got
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Matt |
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01-11-2019, 06:32 PM | #12 | |
Got Wood.
Join Date: 01-08-19
Location: Redmond, WA
Name/Nickname : Maynerd
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Quote:
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01-11-2019, 06:53 PM | #13 |
Knows what a fatty is.
Join Date: 01-29-18
Location: Westford, MA
Name/Nickname : Chris
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You really can't go wrong with any of those, I can give you my experience with my YS480.
First of all, if you leave a Yoder outside year round, it will start bubbling rust under the paint in a year or two. If you don't have a way to store it inside when not in use, I am going to guess you will not be happy how it looks in short order. Stainless steel excels in the long-time longevity game. Problem is, thick stainless is cost prohibitive. The Yoder is 1/8" steel and with very basic maintenance will last forever. I much prefer the painted finish over powder coat which looks nice but is impossible to touch up. I use my Yoders down to zero degrees and they have no issues maintaining smoking temperatures. I cooked 80 pounds of butts on my YS1500 just last week for a party with a whipping wind. The firepot is offset which is a huge advantage as a smoker, but a disadvantage as a grill. The left third of the grill is searing hot at all times, and food will burn there easily. The best tasting steak I have ever had has been off my Yoder with the grill grates, it imparts an incredible wood flavor that nothing else can reproduce. I have tried everything, Solaire infrared, gas torch, cast iron pan, charcoal, etc, the Yoder taste is the best. I don't know if I would love it as an everyday grill though. I have a Weber Summit (stainless of course) for burger and chicken duty. You need to rotate the meat through the searing zone otherwise everything does not get cooked evenly. As a parting thought, go for the YS640, not for 480. Even if you don't need the extra 6" for cooking, it is nice to have the option to place a water pan, or just move things around. I have never heard anyone wish their grill was smaller. I also like the competition carts, it makes the grill much easier to move and look more substantial. Chris
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"Because attending a Ribfest sounds better than attending a Buttfest." -16Adams |
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01-11-2019, 07:06 PM | #14 |
Full Fledged Farker
Join Date: 04-20-14
Location: Oklahoma
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Ive just heard it isnt all that great. Same thing with most pellet cookers WiFi it seems. Ive seen a lot of people complain about the rectec WiFi as well. I wouldnt base your decision on that.
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01-11-2019, 07:32 PM | #15 |
Is lookin for wood to cook with.
Join Date: 04-07-13
Location: Texas
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My Yoder has been under my patio since the beginning. Today, it is covered in rust. I regret it’s purchase despite the fact it works very well. I look forward to replacing it with a MAK.
The Yoder pisses me off every time I look at it, my Shirley on the other hand... |
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