GrantMeThePower
Wandering around with a bag of matchlight, looking for a match.
Hi guys,
Really pumped to have found this site!
I’ve been smoking meats as a hobby for about 15 years now. I started out on a SmokinTex electric smoker until it died, and then switched to a Grilla pellet smoker.
To me, pellet smokers are the perfect smoking solution. I don’t have the time or energy to patiently manage a stick burner through a 16 hour cook (though I deeply admire those that do).
What I’m still slightly unhappy about with my Grilla, though, are two things: 1. Cleaning it is a bit of a pain the way it is designed and 2. (And this one is MUCH more important) the temperature variance is killing me.
What I’m seeing is a delta between the front and the back of usually about 25 degrees...and the swings in any one spot can get to be like 75 degrees.
I’ve gotten a Thermoworks smoke and begun graphing the temps over time and putting the ambient probe in different places and have enough data now I realize that it is simply a design flaw of the smoker and limitation of the controller. It’s fine but I’m ready to step up. And that’s where hopefully you guys come in.
What I’m looking for:
1. A dedicated smoker. I do not care for grilling or need seating or direct heat at all.
2. Capacity- I do not need a large volume, competition sized smoker. At most, three butts or three racks of ribs. If it fit two briskets that’s a plus but that would be extremely rare.
3. Quality-I will pay for “the best” but I want it to hold up over time, have excellent temp control and uniformity, ease of cleaning, a well designed cover (it lives outside in the elements but in Southern California where the weather is relatively mild.)
Some of the models I’ve seen mentioned as “the best” don’t seem to fit my needs. Things like the FEC100 or MAK3 are much too big. I’m looking at the Pitts and Spitts, the Yoder line, the treager timberline...
I have a feeling that this is a niche within a niche-the very best dedicated smoker with no need for “grilling” where cost is no object but is not a large volume cooker for competition that keeps a relatively compact profile.
Would love to see what ya’ll think about this. Thanks!!
Really pumped to have found this site!
I’ve been smoking meats as a hobby for about 15 years now. I started out on a SmokinTex electric smoker until it died, and then switched to a Grilla pellet smoker.
To me, pellet smokers are the perfect smoking solution. I don’t have the time or energy to patiently manage a stick burner through a 16 hour cook (though I deeply admire those that do).
What I’m still slightly unhappy about with my Grilla, though, are two things: 1. Cleaning it is a bit of a pain the way it is designed and 2. (And this one is MUCH more important) the temperature variance is killing me.
What I’m seeing is a delta between the front and the back of usually about 25 degrees...and the swings in any one spot can get to be like 75 degrees.
I’ve gotten a Thermoworks smoke and begun graphing the temps over time and putting the ambient probe in different places and have enough data now I realize that it is simply a design flaw of the smoker and limitation of the controller. It’s fine but I’m ready to step up. And that’s where hopefully you guys come in.
What I’m looking for:
1. A dedicated smoker. I do not care for grilling or need seating or direct heat at all.
2. Capacity- I do not need a large volume, competition sized smoker. At most, three butts or three racks of ribs. If it fit two briskets that’s a plus but that would be extremely rare.
3. Quality-I will pay for “the best” but I want it to hold up over time, have excellent temp control and uniformity, ease of cleaning, a well designed cover (it lives outside in the elements but in Southern California where the weather is relatively mild.)
Some of the models I’ve seen mentioned as “the best” don’t seem to fit my needs. Things like the FEC100 or MAK3 are much too big. I’m looking at the Pitts and Spitts, the Yoder line, the treager timberline...
I have a feeling that this is a niche within a niche-the very best dedicated smoker with no need for “grilling” where cost is no object but is not a large volume cooker for competition that keeps a relatively compact profile.
Would love to see what ya’ll think about this. Thanks!!
