Pellet Cookers

[lazyjacres]

I've been looking around at pellet cookers thinking I might want one for home, and maybe to try at competition. The 2 major brands I have found are Treager and Cook Shack by Fast Eddie.
I was looking for some info for you all about your experiences, and which ones are better functionally and for the money, and which ones seem to cook the best.

 

[Plowboy]

I have cooked on Traeger commercials and backyard models. I have an FEC-100. I've also cooked on Country Smokers.

Country Smokers and Traegers are on par with each other in terms of final product. The Traegers are more expensive, but might be built a little better. If I were to buy again, it would be a Country Smoker because of value.

The FEC-100 uses much less fuel and is super easy to cook with. The vertical cooking is better for bigger meats. The Traegers and Country Smokers are more like Smoker/Grills. You manage them differently. On the FEC, I close the door and come back 10 hours later to wrap my briskets and butts. With the Traeger, I have to turn/flip everything because it cooks a little more direct.

Having said all of this, I know of a GREAT deal on a Traeger 150. It has two firepots and one controller. Lots of surface area and great for an at home or even comp cooker. You can grill and smoke on it. I think the current price is about half the new price and the guy is needing to get rid of it. Its a quality smoker and a great value. If that doesn't interest you and you want to buy new, check out the Country Smokers through www.kck.com.

 

[Bossmanbbq]

I have cooked on Traeger commercials and backyard models. I have an FEC-100. I've also cooked on Country Smokers.

Country Smokers and Traegers are on par with each other in terms of final product. The Traegers are more expensive, but might be built a little better. If I were to buy again, it would be a Country Smoker because of value.

The FEC-100 uses much less fuel and is super easy to cook with. The vertical cooking is better for bigger meats. The Traegers and Country Smokers are more like Smoker/Grills. You manage them differently. On the FEC, I close the door and come back 10 hours later to wrap my briskets and butts. With the Traeger, I have to turn/flip everything because it cooks a little more direct.

Having said all of this, I know of a GREAT deal on a Traeger 150. It has two firepots and one controller. Lots of surface area and great for an at home or even comp cooker. You can grill and smoke on it. I think the current price is about half the new price and the guy is needing to get rid of it. Its a quality smoker and a great value. If that doesn't interest you and you want to buy new, check out the Country Smokers through www.kck.com.

AMEN Plowboy, I'm with you. I will NEVER buy another Traeger. The quality has really gone down over the past couple of years and is the major reason I''m looking else where for a commercial unit. (Guess they need to pay Terry Bradshaw and had to cut corners some where )I would go with country smokers, the prices seem to be a little better and they look to have more room in them.

 

[Plowboy]

the prices seem to be a little better and they look to have more room in them.

True on both counts. Model for model, they are a better value when you compare surface area & cost.

 

[HoDeDo]

True on both counts. Model for model, they are a better value when you compare surface area & cost.

A while back Todd and I did a comparison on the size vs. $$ between the two cookers. I think if you search on Country Smoker you will find some of the nuggets of wisdom out there that alot of folks shared on pellet poopers.

I cook on a set up similar to Todd. I have an FEC and a Whole Hog Country smoker.

I love my CS for ribs and chicken at comps. I use my FEC for the brisket and pork. The CS cooks brisket and pork fine also - they just seem too cook quicker at the same given temp. I little bit more convective air in the country smoker I'm thinking.

If you want to see some pics of food on it, for relative grill size, etc. feel free to check out the ones on my web site or on KCK.com

 

[jminion]

Price of the unit is just the start, when you figure in cost of pellets the FEC is a winner.

Cooked on a FEC 500 in Beaver Creek, CO with DrBBQ for two days we used just over twenty pounds of pellets. Another cook was using the Traeger 200 mobile unit and went through 160 pounds of pellets. Doesn't take long if you cook a lot to see that the FEC in the long run is the better deal.

 

[Sawdustguy]

Lots of big time winners cook on the FEC100. Steve Farrin (YankeeBBQ) and Pellet Envy are just a few.

 

[HoDeDo]

Price of the unit is just the start, when you figure in cost of pellets the FEC is a winner.

Cooked on a FEC 500 in Beaver Creek, CO with DrBBQ for two days we used just over twenty pounds of pellets. Another cook was using the Traeger 200 mobile unit and went through 160 pounds of pellets. Doesn't take long if you cook a lot to see that the FEC in the long run is the better deal.

This is true in the smaller units too. I use less than 10 lbs of pellets in my FEC during a contest, but I will easily use 15-20 per pellet pot of my whole hog.

If you are coming to KC for the Royal - BBQ Bonanza is right over the bridge from AR. You could see them all there. I'm sure there are lots of folks (including myself, Todd, and others) that would be happy to let you check them out "in action".

 

[parrothead]

I've been using my FEC quite a bit lately. Love it. Don't have any experience with anything else though.

 

[AlabamaGrillBillies]

At our last comp we were next to some really nice folks cooking on a FEC 100. They were kind enough to give us a full tour of it. They ended up giving my partner serious pellet envy. I'm still a stick burner at heart, and not much can change that. But I tell you, that was one really nice unit.

 

[vr6Cop]

Not much to add, other than I happened to stop by a small shop in my town that sells Traegers (and Smith & Wesson/Traeger).

They were nice, but once again I'm thankful for this board, because you guys always know the alternatives.

 

[lazyjacres]

I think I'm leaning towards the FEC. I'm not sure which size though, I've looked at the 100, but need to see a 500 to make a comparison. I plan on making it to the Royal, so I may stop in to say hi and check out the rigs.

 

[ThomEmery]

Dont forget that FEC 300

 

[lazyjacres]

Is the 300 rotisserie only? I couldn't tell by the web site.

 

[HoDeDo]

The 300 is a rotisserie, but honestly if you are gonna spend the $10K on it... might as well spend the extra for the 500 and almost double your capacity.

Bob has a new FEC500 in stock too, so you should be able to see both at BBQ Bonanza, if you want to check them out. I dont think a 500 will fit on my trailer, so I'm torn. I may end up with a 300.

Is the 300 rotisserie only? I couldn't tell by the web site.

 

[Brian in So Cal]

Anybody have the link to th FEC's?

Thanks

 

[ThomEmery]

Sure Brian www.stumpssmokers.com
LOL www.cookshack.com

 

[The_Kapn]

I have never used a pure Traeger, but here is my take on the FEC 100.
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

I cooked with DRBBQ and Kevin (HomeBBQ) several times on the FEC with the older rotary controller. Fell in love and finally bought mine. Could only get the newer IQ4 controller--"shucks", I thought!
WRONG---the IQ4 Rocks :lol:

I can cook bacon, jerky or whatever at 140-170 perfectly!
I can cook up to 424 if I want.
It holds temps +/- 2 degrees till it runs out of fuel.
I can change over wood flavors in 30 minutes and go from nut woods for Butts and Brisket to Fruit woods for Poultry or Ribs.

A current example--I have a great time/temp profile for Butts and Brisket for the "comp" schedule. Tonight, I needed to cook a couple of butts, but do not want them done at the same time as normal. I just selected a lower cook temp and am going to bed shortly!
Basically, the machine will do what I want and the way I want it done.
Each and every time

Now, the larger models are tempting if you need capacity!
I have seen the 500 in action and it is impressive. I does really need it's own trailer and CookShack can deal with that if needed.
I have not seen the 750 work.

The 300 just does not make financial sense to me--almost the same price as a 500. But, I am not in that market either.

Just my accolades for the micro stick burners tonight if that is where you want to go! :lol: :lol:

TIM

 

[HOG-QUE-HOLIC]

Go for the FEC'S, Trager has alot of hot spot issues, not even TEMP'S throughout the cooking chamber ! Save a few more buck's and go with CS FEC'S you'll be glad you did, I'm currently interested in THE XL GREEN EGG ! Wonder if they'll ever add a pellet popper to those ? DR. BAR-B-QUE would need to clean out his shorts on that one, I think ! Que on Bro !

 

[Sawdustguy]

Go for the FEC'S, Trager has alot of hot spot issues, not even TEMP'S throughout the cooking chamber ! Save a few more buck's and go with CS FEC'S you'll be glad you did, I'm currently interested in THE XL GREEN EGG ! Wonder if they'll ever add a pellet popper to those ? DR. BAR-B-QUE would need to clean out his shorts on that one, I think ! Que on Bro !

Why not go to cattle call and introduce yourself.