Portable / Small Pellet Grill Thread

pjtexas1 · 10-08-2018, 09:31 PM

Wanted to start a separate thread for those wanting or having questions about small pellet cookers. The "official" thread is getting big and is mainly about higher end cookers.

I'll start with my situation. I'm looking in the $600 and under area for something that will fit a 10lb brisket. Would be nice to have a PID controller. I'm not looking to wow anyone just something that works reliably. Are the little GMG and Rec-Tec T-340 the best options?

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Joshw · 10-08-2018, 09:42 PM

Don't know much about the lower end units, but if I were in the market for something portable, I would probably go with a Davy Crocket. Use the extra money on meat and pellets.

rwalters · 10-08-2018, 09:54 PM

Bang for buck, I’ve seen a lot of happy GMG Davy Crockett owners on various forums.

sleebus.jones · 10-09-2018, 06:50 AM

The GMG Davy Crockett was the first pellet grill I started out with. For the two of us, it's the perfect size, and it was the one I used most frequently. I have cooked a LOT of shoulders, ribs, brisket, steaks etc. on this little thing, and it does a great job. It honestly does a very good job on steaks...flavor is great! It is also very economical on pellet use since it's so small. Overnight cooks are no problem with a full hopper...just make sure your briskets don't exceed 17" in length!

Only thing is that I've got one that has the two-piece drip pan. This is so you can slide it and get direct heat, or slide it the other way and get indirect. Over time, the top pan gets a bow to it, and it no longer closes the holes as well, so you get somewhere between direct/indirect heat. This will catch up to you on longer cooks. GMG has released a solid SS pan to fix this. It's only $10 and a snap to change out. Barring that, you can wrap the top pan in HD foil, which will work similarly.

I've been very happy with the purchase. I've had it for a bit over 2 years in heavy use. Haven't needed any parts. Portability is great; I'm planning on bringing it to the bash. :) Happy to answer any questions you have.

jstrand · 10-09-2018, 09:32 AM

I'll second the DC, I've done a 12 pound brisket, put a metal bowl under it for a while till it shrunk enough not to touch the ends of the grill, turned out great. 5 racks of ribs using a rib rack. Wifi, if you like those things. Its nice to be in the warmth checking the meat or grill temps on the phone and changing the temp if necessary. It's worked great when it's below zero too. Variable speed fan. I've been really happy with it. Only problem is now I want a bigger one.
https://www.amazon.com/Green-Mountai...crockett+grill

SmokyDick · 10-09-2018, 09:34 AM

Y'all making me want a DC.

Being single I don't need anything large. Just something that I can do a couple racks of ribs in or a butt/small brisket.

Hows the pellet consumption?

sleebus.jones · 10-09-2018, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokyDick

Hows the pellet consumption?

As stated above, it's VERY easy on pellets.

SmokerKing · 10-09-2018, 10:18 AM

My nephew has a Davy Crockett, he's in Denver and he claims that thing eats pellets like crazy. Has to be the altitude. He's tried 4 or 5 different kinds of pellet manufacturers as well.

sleebus.jones · 10-09-2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokerKing

My nephew has a Davy Crockett, he's in Denver and he claims that thing eats pellets like crazy. Has to be the altitude. He's tried 4 or 5 different kinds of pellet manufacturers as well.

If he thinks that's bad, he should try a BIG one like a Jim Bowie.

DouG M · 10-09-2018, 04:43 PM

Thanks to all who have posted on the Davy Crockett for I'm looking at one, it's on sale. UDS ok but would like the more set and let it do it's thing. Doug M

jasonjax · 10-09-2018, 04:52 PM

I'd consider a Rec Tec Bullseye also. I have been super happy with that thing, and I'm pretty sure it is actually lighter than my GMG DC.

I switched from the DC to the Bullseye for steak cookoffs, and I can say the bullseye is a LOT easier to move around if that is a consideration for you.

It doesn't have a PID, but I have been very happy with the temperature control, and this is coming from a guy who owns a Cookshack FEC-100, and FPG-500. (gave the GMG DC to my father in law.

Smokie185 · 10-09-2018, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DouG M

Thanks to all who have posted on the Davy Crockett for I'm looking at one, it's on sale. UDS ok but would like the more set and let it do it's thing. Doug M

This is the cheapest price I have seen with free shipping.

https://www.bbqguys.com/green-mounta...let-grill-dcwf

SmittyJonz · 10-09-2018, 06:20 PM

I’d get the lil RecTec.......

https://www.rectecgrills.com/rec-tec...s-trailblazer/

SmokeDaddy has a smaller unit ........

https://smokedaddyinc.com/product/pe...-pellet-grill/
.

pjtexas1 · 10-09-2018, 06:22 PM

Nothing good or bad about the Rec-Tec models? Pellet consumption? Issues? Build quality?

The bigger GMG models felt thin/ light. I'm assuming that's why ya'll are saying they go thru pellets?

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pjtexas1 · 10-09-2018, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmittyJonz

I’d get the lil RecTec.......

https://www.rectecgrills.com/rec-tec...s-trailblazer/

SmokeDaddy has a smaller unit ........

https://smokedaddyinc.com/product/pe...-pellet-grill/
.

Why?

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10-08-2018, 09:31 PM	#1
pjtexas1 somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 12-28-11 Location: Belton, Tx Name/Nickname : Texas Pete	Portable / Small Pellet Grill Thread Wanted to start a separate thread for those wanting or having questions about small pellet cookers. The "official" thread is getting big and is mainly about higher end cookers. I'll start with my situation. I'm looking in the $600 and under area for something that will fit a 10lb brisket. Would be nice to have a PID controller. I'm not looking to wow anyone just something that works reliably. Are the little GMG and Rec-Tec T-340 the best options? Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk __________________ Paul (aka Texas Pete) SF 24x36 Midnight Edition / Mak 1-Star /Abe's 48" Insulated Cabinet / 22.5 OTG / 28" BS / Jimmy with CB Roti and pizza kit / Red Box on custom cart / Char-Griller Kettle / Barrel House Cooker / Pit Boss Copperhead / Char-Griller Akorn Jr Sign Up for The 2022 Texas BBQ Brethren Fall Bash Here! ([URL="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12NjP4bH3uLyH6-RJnI4gSfDr0nKQ6_4cxdw_GhmrKq0/edit#gid=1935530835"]Link[/URL])

10-08-2018, 09:54 PM	#3
rwalters Quintessential Chatty Farker Join Date: 06-08-12 Location: Columbia, TN Name/Nickname : Robb	Bang for buck, I’ve seen a lot of happy GMG Davy Crockett owners on various forums. __________________ 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

10-09-2018, 06:50 AM	#4
sleebus.jones is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 09-12-16 Location: Fulshear, TX Name/Nickname : sleebs	The GMG Davy Crockett was the first pellet grill I started out with. For the two of us, it's the perfect size, and it was the one I used most frequently. I have cooked a LOT of shoulders, ribs, brisket, steaks etc. on this little thing, and it does a great job. It honestly does a very good job on steaks...flavor is great! It is also very economical on pellet use since it's so small. Overnight cooks are no problem with a full hopper...just make sure your briskets don't exceed 17" in length! Only thing is that I've got one that has the two-piece drip pan. This is so you can slide it and get direct heat, or slide it the other way and get indirect. Over time, the top pan gets a bow to it, and it no longer closes the holes as well, so you get somewhere between direct/indirect heat. This will catch up to you on longer cooks. GMG has released a solid SS pan to fix this. It's only $10 and a snap to change out. Barring that, you can wrap the top pan in HD foil, which will work similarly. I've been very happy with the purchase. I've had it for a bit over 2 years in heavy use. Haven't needed any parts. Portability is great; I'm planning on bringing it to the bash. :) Happy to answer any questions you have. __________________ -=<[url=http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265227]Cookshack PG1000[/url] \| GMG Davy Crockett WiFi \| GMG Jim Bowie WiFi \| [url=http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=246017]Cindy, the cinderblock reverse flow pit[/url] \| Fireboard>=- [url=https://dashboard.ambientweather.net/devices/public/d621760bf243b5f50d0f8503aba2bdca]The weather in Sleeb's backyard[/url]

10-09-2018, 04:43 PM	#10
DouG M Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-13-15 Location: ingersoll	Thanks to all who have posted on the Davy Crockett for I'm looking at one, it's on sale. UDS ok but would like the more set and let it do it's thing. Doug M __________________ Grilla Grill Chimp / U D S / Brinkman smoker converted to U D S

10-09-2018, 06:20 PM	#13
SmittyJonz somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-17-13 Location: Burleson Tx	I’d get the lil RecTec....... https://www.rectecgrills.com/rec-tec...s-trailblazer/ SmokeDaddy has a smaller unit ........ https://smokedaddyinc.com/product/pe...-pellet-grill/ . __________________ NO Such Thing as Over Smoked - just Over Dirty Smoked.............

10-08-2018, 09:42 PM	#2
Joshw Babbling Farker Join Date: 09-25-17 Location: Oklahoma	Don't know much about the lower end units, but if I were in the market for something portable, I would probably go with a Davy Crocket. Use the extra money on meat and pellets.

10-09-2018, 09:32 AM	#5
jstrand Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 01-29-17 Location: Waconia, Minnesota	I'll second the DC, I've done a 12 pound brisket, put a metal bowl under it for a while till it shrunk enough not to touch the ends of the grill, turned out great. 5 racks of ribs using a rib rack. Wifi, if you like those things. Its nice to be in the warmth checking the meat or grill temps on the phone and changing the temp if necessary. It's worked great when it's below zero too. Variable speed fan. I've been really happy with it. Only problem is now I want a bigger one. https://www.amazon.com/Green-Mountai...crockett+grill

10-09-2018, 09:34 AM	#6
SmokyDick Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 07-13-18 Location: KY Name/Nickname : Rich	Y'all making me want a DC. Being single I don't need anything large. Just something that I can do a couple racks of ribs in or a butt/small brisket. Hows the pellet consumption?

10-09-2018, 10:18 AM	#8
SmokerKing is Blowin Smoke! Join Date: 09-07-10 Location: Sunny AZ	My nephew has a Davy Crockett, he's in Denver and he claims that thing eats pellets like crazy. Has to be the altitude. He's tried 4 or 5 different kinds of pellet manufacturers as well.

10-09-2018, 04:52 PM	#11
jasonjax Babbling Farker Join Date: 12-20-07 Location: Ponte Vedra, Florida Name/Nickname : Jason	I'd consider a Rec Tec Bullseye also. I have been super happy with that thing, and I'm pretty sure it is actually lighter than my GMG DC. I switched from the DC to the Bullseye for steak cookoffs, and I can say the bullseye is a LOT easier to move around if that is a consideration for you. It doesn't have a PID, but I have been very happy with the temperature control, and this is coming from a guy who owns a Cookshack FEC-100, and FPG-500. (gave the GMG DC to my father in law.

10-09-2018, 06:22 PM	#14
pjtexas1 somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 12-28-11 Location: Belton, Tx Name/Nickname : Texas Pete	Nothing good or bad about the Rec-Tec models? Pellet consumption? Issues? Build quality? The bigger GMG models felt thin/ light. I'm assuming that's why ya'll are saying they go thru pellets? Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk __________________ Paul (aka Texas Pete) SF 24x36 Midnight Edition / Mak 1-Star /Abe's 48" Insulated Cabinet / 22.5 OTG / 28" BS / Jimmy with CB Roti and pizza kit / Red Box on custom cart / Char-Griller Kettle / Barrel House Cooker / Pit Boss Copperhead / Char-Griller Akorn Jr Sign Up for The 2022 Texas BBQ Brethren Fall Bash Here! ([URL="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12NjP4bH3uLyH6-RJnI4gSfDr0nKQ6_4cxdw_GhmrKq0/edit#gid=1935530835"]Link[/URL])