Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Do you have one? Are you happy with it?
Im looking at replacing an old Weber charcoal grill with something nicer and was reading a bit about pellet grills that use wood pellets and indirect heat (I think).
Was looking at the Traeger models.
Thanks in advance for any info you could share.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I don't own one Kelly. But a good friend of mine does and he can't say enough good things about Traeger.
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Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Aside from the high cost of the unit, I don't think I've never heard a bad thing said about Traeger.

One comment I would have is that if you use exotic or uncommonly used smoke woods, unless you can find a source for them in hard pellet form, you will have to give them up as Traeger only offers the most common/mainstream smoke woods in pellet form.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Only bad thing I have heard is that the metal is a bit thin. Other then that Ive heard great things about them.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Kelly, I bought my first Traeger in 1994, the Texas BBQ 075. I still have it. I picked up another Texas BBQ for my parents in 96 and they still have theirs. My best friend owns 3 of em and in 2006 I picked up a newer Texas because I wanted the auto start feature. Needless to say I love em. I worked in the retail construction trades for 15 years, started out in fireplaces, BBQ's, etc. PM me with any questions you have Bro.:D
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...KDpics0005.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...pics0036-1.jpg

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I never heard of them, but I do know it took a big adjustment for me to change from charcoal to gas. It makes me wonder if it kicks out the same kind of flavor as charcoal does?

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Kevin how long do the 20lb bags last on the smoke setting?

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I have two Traegers and if the CFO would allow me I'd buy a third. The best pellet smoker/grill out there IMO.


:tu


Chris.....

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Aaron, You can get an average of about 30 hours of cooking time with each 20 pound bag of pellets, that's equal to at least 10 cookouts. On Smoke setting (180 degrees) you will use about one half to two-thirds of a pound per hour (it depends on what pellet wood you're using, 30 to 40 hours is my best guess from experience). On Medium (300 degrees) you will use about 1 pound per hour. And on High setting (425 degrees) you will use about 2 pounds per hour.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

The Texas model was the one I was most interested in. Its looking more and more like Im going to bite the bullet and get one.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Thanks again folks for the great info:tu

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Thanks Kevin! I want to get a grill made by http://www.bbqpits.com but its hard to find wood and to store it here in Cincinnati. We do have a store here that sells Traeger.

Thanks, Kelly.
Because of you and this thread it looks like I am on the fast track to get myself a Traeger.

:dance:
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Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I wonder if we can get a discount if we buy 2? :D
EDIT: well, it appears discounts wont apply for 2. I called 5 places. :r

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Should we start a group buy? :D
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Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I found all the local places that are Traeger retailers dont carry the Texas model in stock but rather they are ordered as needed. Just called Traeger and they verified they have them available in both their Northern & Southern California warehouses so ETA's are minimal.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

:tu
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Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I'd would be interested:D

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I never heard of this style grill until right now. Pretty cool. For those who want to know more: http://www.traegergrills.com

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

You will love the Traeger!! We have been using a Lil Tex for several years as our chicken cooker for our competition BBQ team. After seeing it my brother bought an 075 and loves it as well.

Here is a GREAT source for good quality pellets. They make all the difference in the world:

http://www.cookinpellets.com

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Two or three times last year Traeger came through some of the local Costco stores on a roadshow and their grill prices were a few hundred dollars lower than the normal B&M store and online prices. They also had very good pricing on pellets - buy three at the already discounted Costco price, get one or two free, something like that. Plus, some of the Costco membership cards and amex cards have the % back at the end of the year on top of all that.

I'm not sure where to look to find out the roadshow schedule though, or if it's even been determined yet.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Costco was in the Cincy area last week with the grills.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I have a Traeger. They are made about an hour from my house. I've rented the huge tow behinds for parties (cooking for 175 is a biatch!)

There is another company, also local, that makes a pellet smoker/grill that I think is bit better than the Traeger. The company is Green Mountain Grills and the principle difference is that the grill temps can get to about 100 degrees hotter than the Traeger. This is the only downside of the Traeger, in my opinion. I haven't cooked with the GM grill myself, but have been to some parties where the owners of the company have been cooking (they are old friends of CA member Vorb, aka Jason).

Dunno if they are available in your area or if you would have to have it shipped, but I am considering replacing my lil tex with a green mountain

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

The green mountain has a remote, thats cool

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I looked at that site and all I could find was hickory and their blend.
Am I missing something? :confused:

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I don't think so, that's all I saw too.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Anybody ever heard of mak gills? I.read some reviews and I hear they are very nice.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Yeah these guys are awesome and they make some high quality grills/smokers. I live just a few minutes from their factory and it's really cool to see their product. When you order a grill it's handmade by one guy, from start to finish. And the welds are freaking PERFECT.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Very cool Enrique. Do they ever do BBQ's at there place?

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I don't think so and if they do it's probably just for the employees after work. But I think they have a competition team and I bet their BBQ is :dr.

I learned that Traeger sent their mfg operation to China ~5 years ago. Anyone purchase one recently? I like to buy US made wen I can. But if the quality is still there, I have no problem buying one.

I will look into Green Mountain, too.
Thanks, Mark.
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Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Pnoon check out MAK grills http://www.makgrills.com/ I have read nothing but great reviews about this company and its American made :tu

I have. They look great but a bit beyond my budget.
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Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Ahh my bad. You can also check out this site I found they have reviews on grills. http://www.amazingribs.com/BBQ_buyer...t_smokers.html

Green mountain looks nice also.

:tu
Been there, too :)
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Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Not sure if it's exactly what you are looking for but I think there's a company right in my area somewhere that makes pellet adapters here for Weber kettles (still built in the USA I believe).

I'll do some checking a bit later and get back to you.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

There have been a lot of great grill suggestions put forth here, so I would just say look at the following items when trying to decide what the best pellet BBQ is for you:

How long has the Mfg been in business ( I have seen some grills on the market for a few years then disappear. What good is a grill that will last a decade or more when you can no longer get parts for em. )

How easy is it to get pellets locally ( Shipping adds a lot to the final cost of your pellets. )

When you open the BBQ lid up, how much heat will you lose ( some brands are just designed better then others. )

Do not buy anything that has rubber pieces in the auger feed system.

Remember that a pellet BBQ is not the same as a gas or charcoal grill. You will not get those high high searing temps.

I have cooked everything on my pellet grill in the last 16 years ( If you cook it in your oven, you can do it on your grill ) and the taste is unbelievable! :dr ( Your gonna have to trust me on this one :D )

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I have a few friends that own the China made models and the quality appears to be equal Peter.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

One last item:

If you live in an area with high humidity, make sure that the auger itself is empty if you plan to not use the grill for more than about a week. The achilles heel for these things is that if the pellets in the auger expand, they can wedge it and then when you turn it on you can burn out the auger motor. Happened to me with my Traeger.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Forgot to mention that. Good catch Mark! :tu

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Found it...

Stoven, in Citrus Heights (suburb of Sacramento).

http://www.thepelletbbqgriller.com/s...barbecues.html

Radio interview with the inventor/founder:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8z2NjWEgDw

Not much info or reviews out there on these units. $350 for the stoven + $90 for a Weber 22.5"OTS - not sure how it directly compares or stacks up against the lowest cost Traeger. Doesn't seem to have advanced temp control, but I don't think the entry level Traeger does either.

I did see one comment on a bbq pellet forum about the hopper isn't very big, but I'm not sure of that person actually owns one to make the statements he does about how long the fuel lasts.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

A lot of awesome info here gents. Thank you so much!

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I'm working out in the back yard when my wife calls me from Costco. She says Traeger is there and quotes me prices. Holy crap. Based on size and cost, I was considering the Lil Texas elite. But Costco had the Texas for the same price as the Lil Elite bought elsewhere.

So I bought the Texas. :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

Pellets, normally $20, were $13.69.

Time to get in the game, Kelly. :)

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Congrats Pnoon im sure you will be happy!

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I have no doubt, Aaron.

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

:tu

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

I just got my first pellet cooker after years of using a stick burner. I bought a Traeger and am VERY happy with it!

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Peter, you wont regret it. Now fire that puppy up, toss on a heap of chicken wings, sprinkle liberally with Johnny Salt and experience pellet grill nirvana!:dr

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Awesome Peter!

Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill
 

Congrats, Peter! Be sure to follow the seasoning directions carefully.