Pellet smokers Please help!

[rwalters]

I am willing to adjust my palette a bit as I will admit that at times I have over smoked which I think has led to my occasional indigestion issues that I experience.

I can tell you from personal experience that after the adjustment has taken place, pellets are a hard flavor profile to beat. Sticks and pellets are definitely my preferred flavor now. I have also found that the majority of people I cool for prefer pellets to charcoal/chunks as it’s just a cleaner taste. Still love my charcoal though when the mood strikes [emoji4]

 

[4ever3]

Sounds like a side by side MAK vs sticks is in order....

Llleeeeeeetts get ready to rruuuuuuummmble!

 

[rwalters]

Sounds like a side by side MAK vs sticks is in order....

YES!!!!!!!! Blind taste testing preferred! Bet most wont know the difference.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

I did a slab of St Louis cuts on my WSM last night, running on Royal Oak and a hickory log, set sideways with one end at the 9:00 position and the other end at the 3:00 position, lighting the coals at 9:00, just a hand full of them in the chimney, and letting them burn across the Royal Oak and across the log too at the same time.

The taste difference is remarkable. Bordered on too much smoke for me, but my wife was very happy with them. You'd expect it the other way around.

I can go either way. I like the taste of both. It's like being in the mood for a lager or a pilsner or an ale, a Merlot vs a Cabernet. Bourbon vs Scotch. I like 'em both. Depends on what I'm in the mood for, but I like 'em both.

But the lighter pellet smoke from my Rec Tec Stampede, vs the "in your face" smoke coming from my WSM running lump and wood, has definitely grown on me.

I can't say that one is necessarily "better" than the other. But they definitely "different" from one another. It's hard to explain. One is "seasoned with smoke, the other is letting the smoke do most of the talking.

 

[Bucknekked]

My YS640 is plenty big enough to handle your requirements. I didn't see this thread until today. I love the dang thing. Can't say enough good stuff about it. If you're ok with the investment amount, its a wonderful thing.

GOBS OF ROOM

 

[lonerider]

Tell me Yoder owners, how significant is the paint issue I read about.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

Tell me Yoder owners, how significant is the paint issue I read about.

I'll let them answer, but I'm guessing that it's not anything that periodic spot spraying of Rustoleum for cosmetic reasons wouldn't fix.

 

[gtsum]

Tell me Yoder owners, how significant is the paint issue I read about.

Mine in less than a year.

However I’m quite sure it is because I did a lot of grilling with it (that’s right in front of the firebox). They put out very good food though, and honestly, I like the layout of the yoder better than my Memphis Elite


Memphis Elite





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[lonerider]

Last night and early this morning I had decided that I was between a LSG 20x42 offset and a IVC mini from LSG. Had a nice post about arriving at that decision but dont see it here for some reason. Anyway after soul searching I remembered why I started this thread anyway. I really don't want to commit the time for a stick burner. So no 20x42 LSG. I really have loved the idea of LSG mini for years but that is a lot of coin for something that cooks on the same principal as my 18 1/2 and 22 1/2 WSM's.....and they are payed for so I will keep them if I want a bigger smoke profile.


For better or worse I am getting a pellet smoker. Yoder YS640s or Rec Tec RT700. Yoder is Yoder and I like the stainless steel on the Rec Tec and customer service. I wanted the convenience of pellet smokers and I will learn how to bend pellet cooking to my will and be just fine with it...I think. LOL Not sure which of the two to go with but go with pellets I shall. Whew! It Feels like progress anyway!

 

[BKING!]

Last night and early this morning I had decided that I was between a LSG 20x42 offset and a IVC mini from LSG. Had a nice post about arriving at that decision but dont see it here for some reason. Anyway after soul searching I remembered why I started this thread anyway. I really don't want to commit the time for a stick burner. So no 20x42 LSG. I really have loved the idea of LSG mini for years but that is a lot of coin for something that cooks on the same principal as my 18 1/2 and 22 1/2 WSM's.....and they are payed for so I will keep them if I want a bigger smoke profile.


For better or worse I am getting a pellet smoker. Yoder YS640s or Rec Tec RT700. Yoder is Yoder and I like the stainless steel on the Rec Tec and customer service. I wanted the convenience of pellet smokers and I will learn how to bend pellet cooking to my will and be just fine with it...I think. LOL Not sure which of the two to go with but go with pellets I shall. Whew! It Feels like progress anyway!

Between Yoder and rec Tec I’d go Yoder

 

[Bucknekked]

Between Yoder and rec Tec I’d go Yoder

Those are the two I ended up choosing between. Yoder ad ReC Tec.
I chose the Yoder.
The paint issue just isn't an issue for me. No problems.
However, if you live in a rainy moist and wet climate, a cooker made of just about solid steel may need some touch up or some care. I live in the Arizona desert. No worries here with rust.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

Last night and early this morning I had decided that I was between a LSG 20x42 offset and a IVC mini from LSG. Had a nice post about arriving at that decision but dont see it here for some reason. Anyway after soul searching I remembered why I started this thread anyway. I really don't want to commit the time for a stick burner. So no 20x42 LSG. I really have loved the idea of LSG mini for years but that is a lot of coin for something that cooks on the same principal as my 18 1/2 and 22 1/2 WSM's.....and they are payed for so I will keep them if I want a bigger smoke profile.


For better or worse I am getting a pellet smoker. Yoder YS640s or Rec Tec RT700. Yoder is Yoder and I like the stainless steel on the Rec Tec and customer service. I wanted the convenience of pellet smokers and I will learn how to bend pellet cooking to my will and be just fine with it...I think. LOL Not sure which of the two to go with but go with pellets I shall. Whew! It Feels like progress anyway!

Between Yoder and the Rec Tec, I'd go Rec Tec.

My opinion is biased though in that I own a Rec Tec. The corrosion resistance of stainless steel, Rec Tec customer service and temperature steadiness of the Rec Tec controller, along with the price, make the Rec Tec RT 700 Bull at just under $1200.00 a definite contender if you are considering a pellet grill/smoker.

 

[rwalters]

Last night and early this morning I had decided that I was between a LSG 20x42 offset and a IVC mini from LSG. Had a nice post about arriving at that decision but dont see it here for some reason. Anyway after soul searching I remembered why I started this thread anyway. I really don't want to commit the time for a stick burner. So no 20x42 LSG. I really have loved the idea of LSG mini for years but that is a lot of coin for something that cooks on the same principal as my 18 1/2 and 22 1/2 WSM's.....and they are payed for so I will keep them if I want a bigger smoke profile.


For better or worse I am getting a pellet smoker. Yoder YS640s or Rec Tec RT700. Yoder is Yoder and I like the stainless steel on the Rec Tec and customer service. I wanted the convenience of pellet smokers and I will learn how to bend pellet cooking to my will and be just fine with it...I think. LOL Not sure which of the two to go with but go with pellets I shall. Whew! It Feels like progress anyway!

No matter which way you roll, welcome to the WONDERFUL world of pellet cooking

 

[Bucknekked]

Last night and early this morning I had decided that I was between a LSG 20x42 offset and a IVC mini from LSG. Had a nice post about arriving at that decision but dont see it here for some reason. Anyway after soul searching I remembered why I started this thread anyway. I really don't want to commit the time for a stick burner. So no 20x42 LSG. I really have loved the idea of LSG mini for years but that is a lot of coin for something that cooks on the same principal as my 18 1/2 and 22 1/2 WSM's.....and they are payed for so I will keep them if I want a bigger smoke profile.


For better or worse I am getting a pellet smoker. Yoder YS640s or Rec Tec RT700. Yoder is Yoder and I like the stainless steel on the Rec Tec and customer service. I wanted the convenience of pellet smokers and I will learn how to bend pellet cooking to my will and be just fine with it...I think. LOL Not sure which of the two to go with but go with pellets I shall. Whew! It Feels like progress anyway!

Between those two, you can't go wrong. You'll be happy and well accepted no matter what you choose. Which ever one makes you smile the biggest, go for it

 

[lonerider]

Another question I have is on the Yoder what is the advantage of the two piece diffuser with trap door that adds about $190 to the cost. Is it mainly for grilling and a bit easier to clean fire pot? Is it that difficult to remove standard drip plate or diffuser to clean. I wont be using the Yoder if I go that direction to grill.

 

[sudsandswine]

Ive been happy with the flavor profile from my Mak...while all else being equal I would prefer food cooked on the Shirley, I run a clean fire in it and the Mak gets close enough for me that the convenience factor is worth whatever I "miss". I have a brisket on the Mak today but have other things going on around the house...if my only option for smoking was the Shirley, I would not be able to cook at all today. It sounds to me like being relatively hands off is important to you, so you probably made the right choice going the pellet direction over the LSG.

 

[Nomamm]

Another question I have is on the Yoder what is the advantage of the two piece diffuser with trap door that adds about $190 to the cost. Is it mainly for grilling and a bit easier to clean fire pot? Is it that difficult to remove standard drip plate or diffuser to clean. I wont be using the Yoder if I go that direction to grill.

Yes. If direct grilling, then you really do want the two piece. It also makes it a lot easier to clean the ash out every cook like Yoder wants you to do.

 

[BKING!]

Another question I have is on the Yoder what is the advantage of the two piece diffuser with trap door that adds about $190 to the cost. Is it mainly for grilling and a bit easier to clean fire pot? Is it that difficult to remove standard drip plate or diffuser to clean. I wont be using the Yoder if I go that direction to grill.

If you aren’t going to grill on the Yoder then the only advantage is ease of access to the fire pot which is still nice.

 

[gtsum]

You absolutely want the two
Piece diffuser on the yoder. They shouldn’t even offer the solid one imo


Memphis Elite





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[BKING!]

Ive been happy with the flavor profile from my Mak...while all else being equal I would prefer food cooked on the Shirley, I run a clean fire in it and the Mak gets close enough for me that the convenience factor is worth whatever I "miss". I have a brisket on the Mak today but have other things going on around the house...if my only option for smoking was the Shirley, I would not be able to cook at all today. It sounds to me like being relatively hands off is important to you, so you probably made the right choice going the pellet direction over the LSG.

This is my experience as well. The Mak got me closer to a stickburner than any other type of smoker. It’s also the easiest to use. The smoke profile seems the same to me just the level of smoke flavor is slightly lighter. This can be an advantage or disadvantage. I definitely have more control over the smoke profile and level of smoke on my Mak though. I still think I need another stickburner though lol. My wife wants me to get a Shirley. I’m torn between a M1 and a LSG.