No-brainer pellet smoker for an experienced griller

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RSMBob

Found some matches.
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Hi all, just got permission from the boss to add another piece to the outdoor cooking arsenal. No doubt I'm a griller and NOT a smoker so smoking is where I want to focus.

Current equipment
Weber 6-burner NG Summit with rotis/side burner
Weber charcoal kettle with Gabby Grill Santa Maria attachment and rotis

I currently am using the kettle/GG about 70% of the time grilling over charcoal/lump/red oak doing a lot of beef/pork/chicken with occasional turkey or lamb as well as veggies/sides

Looking at adding pellet grill/smoker with the focus on the smoking...do not need a high heat grill . Caveat here...as much as I'd like to and as much as I enjoy the "manual" grilling, I don't want to spend hours monitoring a full bore smoking rig, and my wife is enthralled with the "set it and forget it" of her cousin's Traeger (and quite frankly, we had some absolutely superb ribs over the weekend).

Do I go with something like a Traeger or Camp Chef or other pellet grill, or would I be better suited with a vertical smoker or other.

Appreciate and advice and recs from you.
 
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bump the budget a cpl hundred and get the Camp Chef WoodWind Pro with wood chunk drawer

https://www.campchef.com/woodwind-p...ellet-Grills-and-Smokers-Woodwind-Pro-24.html


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VJOQSaJ4CA


I recently got a Grilla Silverbac for Grilling mostly (with an aftermarket sear station), as I have Smokers......

if you want to stay under $1000 look at Grilla, RecTec and maybe Pitboss.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Pit-Boss/5013683653

https://www.recteq.com/products/rt-590-wood-pellet-grill

https://www.grillagrills.com/products/silverbac-alpha


This video compares 8 brands/models :

The Best Pellet Grill Under $1199 | Best Pellet Smokers for 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIl_4W-x65s

.
 
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Spend a Little more and get the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro. Firebox is amazing and you can turn smoke up to 10. I have only done a half a dozen cooks but you can hardly see the patio once the smoke is rolling. sold in early Memphis pellet grill years ago, because no matter what I added never got enough smoke. This is a game changer and I think he will be very happy if you like the smoke! I just added to sidekick grill, forgot how much fun cooking out can be!
 
"set it and forget it?", just put everything in the oven and throw some liquid smoke on it
 
We have your budget, what about size? How many mouths do you feed on a regular basis, and do entertain often? Wondering if a full sized pellet smoker is needed, or a more compact.
 
rwalters said:
We have your budget, what about size? How many mouths do you feed on a regular basis, and do entertain often? Wondering if a full sized pellet smoker is needed, or a more compact.
Click to expand...

Great question, and it is primarily family so no large quantity needed.
The Woodwind Pro 24 seems ideal but at $1200 would really stretch the budget, and that's without adding any extras. Their standalone smoker XXL Pro at $899 would work but is more size (and less versatility) than the Woodwind Pro. Honestly, give me a smaller version of the XXL Pro for $200-300 less and I'd probably be all over it.
 
RSMBob said:
Great question, and it is primarily family so no large quantity needed.
The Woodwind Pro 24 seems ideal but at $1200 would really stretch the budget, and that's without adding any extras. Their standalone smoker XXL Pro at $899 would work but is more size (and less versatility) than the Woodwind Pro. Honestly, give me a smaller version of the XXL Pro for $200-300 less and I'd probably be all over it.
Click to expand...

.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Pit-Boss-Pro-1077-Sq-in-Black-Sand-Pellet-Smoker/5013310445
 
I have the camp chef xxl from before they added the smoke drawer/box or whatever it is. The door is pretty flimsy as smitty mentioned but that’s never been a problem for me. It’s bigger than I need most of the time but I like having the option to cook for a party and have done so a couple of times. I actually wish it was a bit bigger because I once tried to cook a brisket with a tray under to catch the drippings but had to remove the tray because the temperature above it was much lower than the temperature below it, if it was a little bigger I don’t think it would have that problem. Oh well, that just means I have to clean it more often.

FYI for size, each rack can hold 1 brisket or 2 pork ribs although probably not 2 pork spareribs.
 
Hi all, thanks for the replies and info so far. Really seems that if I want convenience plus some semi-serious smoke, Camp Chef rules with their Pro models, the Woodwind Grill/Smoker and the XXL Vertical Smoker. Woodwind for more versatility (and $300 more plus any side accessories) or the XXL with lots of capacity.
 
May I offer a slightly different perspective? Though all the analysis and budgeting is worthwhile, sometimes situations like this have only one viable option when your spouse is enamored over something new. If you get anything other than the Traeger, and the ribs are not up to her standards, it must be the cooker's fault. If you get the Traeger, sub-par ribs are simply a matter of experience. So, consider pulling the trigger on the Traeger while the spouse is on board. If you wait, you run the risk of her changing her mind and not getting anything. :-D Just food for thought and YMMV
 
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