What pellet pooper, if any, to buy?

nrok2118 · 12-13-2010, 05:33 PM

Well Im thinking about commiting some money to my bbq hobby, and have been searching around for a good smoker in the $1000-$1500 range. My goal is to make a delicious product that can feed a few or a bunch of people and possibly dabble in a local comp or two. I started with a wsm, built a UDS, and have produced some good food. I was looking into stickburners but stumbled across pellet grills in my price range (I always assumed they were much more costly). After some reading and research I like the idea and ease of use. Yeah its badass to throw logs into your pit every hour but at the end of the day I like the idea of set it and forget it, which is why I went with a wsm as my initial smoker.

So after looking around the popular models are the Traeger Texas and the Country BBQ 680. I found some posts from years back talking about the two but seems the Traeger has advanced a little more since than. It appears the Traeger uses a digital temp control leading me to beleive the feeding system works on actual pit temp not just a constant feed rate? If this is true does the CS-680 still work on a time-based feed system?

All input is greatly appreciated, Id love to hear what owners think. In all my research so far I havent found anyone who owned one and didnt like it.

Thanks!

BBQ Grail · 12-13-2010, 05:41 PM

If it were my choice again I would save up $500 more and get the MAK Grill.

I have fairly extensive review on my blog. I'll post the link when I get home.

Sir Larry of Rocklin

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

landarc · 12-13-2010, 06:06 PM

I do not own a pellet cooker, but, I can tell you of two dealers, no names, that really do not like Traegers, one even dropped the line completely. They both had significant problems with customer service. YMMV

bandityo · 12-13-2010, 06:34 PM

I love my CS680...has better build quality in my opinion on the steel and whole structure and yes, I have seen both in person before buying my 680

David

nrok2118 · 12-13-2010, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBQ Grail

If it were my choice again I would save up $500 more and get the MAK Grill.

I have fairly extensive review on my blog. I'll post the link when I get home.

I searched MAK Grill and found your review, very nice! Though i noticed for a larger price tag it only has 429 sq in cooking space compared to 648/680 of the other models. I like the idea of the "User Programs" and other cool features but honestly, as with buying anything, it started as looking for something $500-1000 range than became 1000-1500. I just dont think I could pull the trigger on a $2000 grill.

That being said, how do you like your traeger with conventional bbq items like your ribs, butts, brisket?

Ron_L · 12-13-2010, 06:55 PM

Besides the Traegers and Country Smokers, take a look at Green Mountain Grills. One of our members in Milwaukee let me cook on his and i was impressed.

You should also look at the Memphis Pro line of pellet grills by Hearthland products. i have a Memphis Pro and love it.

Willie's Smokehouse · 12-13-2010, 06:57 PM

i second the green mountain grills....they are great cookers

nrok2118 · 12-13-2010, 07:50 PM

I have found some posotive things about green mountain cookers, Im just afraid of the build quality with them

BBQ Grail · 12-13-2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nrok2118

I have found some posotive things about green mountain cookers, Im just afraid of the build quality with them

I was not impressed with the quality when I had a chance to look them over and use one.

Rev's Smoke · 12-13-2010, 08:44 PM

More than your budget, but I have a Cookshack FEC 100 and wouldn't trade it for anything. Great machine that produces great product, in spite of the cook!

BRBBQ · 12-13-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev's Smoke

More than your budget, but I have a Cookshack FEC 100 and wouldn't trade it for anything. Great machine that produces great product, in spite of the cook!

Everyone that own's one say's that, but I can't find any PICS of butts or briskets smoked by one, FEC100 that is

Ron_L · 12-13-2010, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRBBQ

Everyone that own's one say's that, but I can't find any PICS of butts or briskets smoked by one, FEC100 that is

What are you expecting/hoping to see? they look pretty much like any other brisket or butt I have cooked on any of my other cookers. 90+% of the butts and briskets that I cook in my FEC are for competitions and the only pictures that i have of them is the turn in boxes. i suspect that a lot of other FEC owners are in the same boat.

Rookie'48 · 12-14-2010, 12:30 AM

I've only used the Traeger 075 that I bought used from Plowboy. I'm very satisfied with it except fot two things: 1) it needs to have a work shelf on the front, and 2) it could use a second cooking rack. Luckily both of these are easy home-made fixes. Oh yeah, mine is one of the older made in USA models so it has heavier metal than the newer ones.

Hub · 12-14-2010, 06:55 AM

For your budget you should look at Memphis (Hearthland), MAK, FE (Fast Eddie - Cookshack among others. Yoder has just come out with a pellet offering also but I haven't seen it tested.

rabeb25 · 12-14-2010, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRBBQ

Everyone that own's one say's that, but I can't find any PICS of butts or briskets smoked by one, FEC100 that is

Here ya go:

That was my first ever cook on mine.

Here is a recent cook:

How about some bacon on the FEC

How about some Bread...

Pizza...

What else would you like to see! ;)

12-13-2010, 05:33 PM	#1
nrok2118 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-02-10 Location: Sellersville, PA	What pellet pooper, if any, to buy? Well Im thinking about commiting some money to my bbq hobby, and have been searching around for a good smoker in the $1000-$1500 range. My goal is to make a delicious product that can feed a few or a bunch of people and possibly dabble in a local comp or two. I started with a wsm, built a UDS, and have produced some good food. I was looking into stickburners but stumbled across pellet grills in my price range (I always assumed they were much more costly). After some reading and research I like the idea and ease of use. Yeah its badass to throw logs into your pit every hour but at the end of the day I like the idea of set it and forget it, which is why I went with a wsm as my initial smoker. So after looking around the popular models are the Traeger Texas and the Country BBQ 680. I found some posts from years back talking about the two but seems the Traeger has advanced a little more since than. It appears the Traeger uses a digital temp control leading me to beleive the feeding system works on actual pit temp not just a constant feed rate? If this is true does the CS-680 still work on a time-based feed system? All input is greatly appreciated, Id love to hear what owners think. In all my research so far I havent found anyone who owned one and didnt like it. Thanks! __________________ Lang 84 Deluxe / 18.5 wsm / 22.5 WSM / 22.5 Gold Kettle / UDS /

12-13-2010, 05:41 PM	#2
BBQ Grail somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 08-11-03 Location: Rocklin, CA	If it were my choice again I would save up $500 more and get the MAK Grill. I have fairly extensive review on my blog. I'll post the link when I get home. Sir Larry of Rocklin Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ Larry Soon to be a Texafornian. For a limited time I will be issuing Moink Ball Certificates. I'm working on a special COVID 19 Verson. Email me for details.

12-13-2010, 06:06 PM	#3
landarc somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-26-09 Location: sAn leAnDRo, CA	I do not own a pellet cooker, but, I can tell you of two dealers, no names, that really do not like Traegers, one even dropped the line completely. They both had significant problems with customer service. YMMV __________________ [COLOR=DarkGreen][COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]me: I don't drink anymore Yelonutz: me either, but, then again, I don't drink any less [/SIZE][/COLOR][/COLOR][SIZE=1][COLOR=DarkRed] [COLOR=Pink]SSS[/COLOR] [/COLOR][/SIZE]

12-13-2010, 06:34 PM	#4
bandityo On the road to being a farker Join Date: 06-11-10 Location: Chattanooga	I love my CS680...has better build quality in my opinion on the steel and whole structure and yes, I have seen both in person before buying my 680 David __________________ Louisianna Smokers CS-680, Cookshack, Char Grill Large Akorn, Weber Genesis

12-13-2010, 06:55 PM	#6
Ron_L Moderator Join Date: 12-09-04 Location: Wandering, but not lost Name/Nickname : Captain Ron	Besides the Traegers and Country Smokers, take a look at Green Mountain Grills. One of our members in Milwaukee let me cook on his and i was impressed. You should also look at the Memphis Pro line of pellet grills by Hearthland products. i have a Memphis Pro and love it. __________________ "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

12-13-2010, 06:57 PM	#7
Willie's Smokehouse On the road to being a farker Join Date: 12-04-09 Location: Brandon,Fl	i second the green mountain grills....they are great cookers

12-13-2010, 07:50 PM	#8
nrok2118 Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-02-10 Location: Sellersville, PA	I have found some posotive things about green mountain cookers, Im just afraid of the build quality with them __________________ Lang 84 Deluxe / 18.5 wsm / 22.5 WSM / 22.5 Gold Kettle / UDS /

12-13-2010, 08:44 PM	#10
Rev's Smoke Found some matches. Join Date: 09-29-10 Location: Summerville SC	More than your budget, but I have a Cookshack FEC 100 and wouldn't trade it for anything. Great machine that produces great product, in spite of the cook!

12-14-2010, 12:30 AM	#13
Rookie'48 Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-12-06 Location: Des Moines, Iowa	I've only used the Traeger 075 that I bought used from Plowboy. I'm very satisfied with it except fot two things: 1) it needs to have a work shelf on the front, and 2) it could use a second cooking rack. Luckily both of these are easy home-made fixes. Oh yeah, mine is one of the older made in USA models so it has heavier metal than the newer ones. __________________ Dave Compton KCBS MasterCBJ # 22569 Member of the 100+ Contest Club Judge Number 6 competition BBQ team Possibly the only judge ever to get an award from a bunch of cooks UDS 075 UCB WSM and a bunch of other stuff.

12-14-2010, 06:55 AM	#14
Hub Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 09-01-10 Location: Lincolnton, NC	For your budget you should look at Memphis (Hearthland), MAK, FE (Fast Eddie - Cookshack among others. Yoder has just come out with a pellet offering also but I haven't seen it tested. __________________ [FONT=Impact][SIZE=3][COLOR=red]Committed Pellethead[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] KCBS MCBJ & CTC Memphis Advantage NOS American Made Traeger 075 Weber Performer Author of [I][FONT=Times New Roman]Burn It In The Back Yard[/FONT][/I] Grillin' and Smokin' like crazy for over 40 years :whoo: [COLOR=red][I]There's No Smoke Alarm In My Outdoor Kitchen![/I][/COLOR]

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