Looking for opinions on a pellet grill

[T.G]

Originally Posted by poker

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.

Originally Posted by pnoon

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


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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.

[Aero95]

Originally Posted by T.G

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.

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

[markem]

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

[Lear31MX]

The green mountain has a remote, thats cool

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Smokin Gator

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

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

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by pnoon

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

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

[Aero95]

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

[qsalinas]

Originally Posted by aero95

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.

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.

[Aero95]

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

[qsalinas]

Originally Posted by aero95

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

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 .

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by markem

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

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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[Aero95]

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

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by aero95

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

I have. They look great but a bit beyond my budget.
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[Aero95]

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.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by aero95

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.

Been there, too
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[T.G]

Originally Posted by pnoon

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.
Posted via Mobile Device

Originally Posted by pnoon

I have. They look great but a bit beyond my budget.
Posted via Mobile Device

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.

[CasaDooley]

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! ( Your gonna have to trust me on this one )

[CasaDooley]

Originally Posted by pnoon

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.
Posted via Mobile Device

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

[markem]

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.

[CasaDooley]

Originally Posted by markem

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.

Forgot to mention that. Good catch Mark!