Smokin

This city has abundant BBQ experts, I'm assuming many of you do some of your own at home and are quite good at it.

What are the top brand's of wood pellet smoker; which have you had your best success with?

I bought a Traeger, used it twice, both times it would not maintain the temperature I had it set on. Set it at 185; the temperature ranged from 160-300.

I returned it and still looking?
Unique_Carpenter's Avatar
If you're disappointed with Trager, I doubt any of the new things can do what you wish. But I'd be interested in what others think also.

For myself I resurrected an old cast iron last month.
Even with that, feeding the wood (or pellets or charcoal) slowly and timely is the key.
If you're disappointed with Trager, I doubt any of the new things can do what you wish. But I'd be interested in what others think also.

For myself I resurrected an old cast iron last month.
Even with that, feeding the wood (or pellets or charcoal) slowly and timely is the key. Originally Posted by Unique_Carpenter
Maintaining a constant temperature on a $600+ smoker doesn't seem like an unreasonable expectation.
https://www.smokingmeatforums.com/

I would suggest joining this forum and reading up on the different types of equipment and then, once you have some familiarity with the different options, ask on there for input.

I had originally planned on a propane or electric but, after some time on SMF, decided to go with a Weber Smokey Mountain.

Every style has it's pros and cons.
Unique_Carpenter's Avatar
Maintaining a constant temperature on a $600+ smoker doesn't seem like an unreasonable expectation. Originally Posted by Two Under
Agree.
Sometimes reality is a bit short of the sales pitch.
Try Cookshack. A bit pricey, but they are great!
grandotuono's Avatar
You will never get good smoke from a pellet smoker. If you want that you need something better. Look at American BBQ Systems The are a bit more than pellet smoker, but they are made locally, in Olathe, and they are an awesome company. I bought one and the president of the company personally delivered it to me. I can fill it with charcoal and wood chunks. Set the dampers and it will burn for 8-10 hours @250 F with very little adjustments. Just my $0.02 worth. They do have a wood pellet option, but I haven't heard anything about it. If you want a quality smoker be prepared to spend over $1000 for it, probably more now.
Big Green Egg. It took a few runs before I figured out how to dial it in. But once you figure it out, it does a great job. I've had mine for about 12 years now. It's built like a beast.
I've got a home made on from some Cuban friends. They call it a pig box as you can do a small pig in it. Works like a charm every time. Getting ready to fire it up Sunday morning for the Easter pig roast.
I got my Weber Smokey Mountain for under $300 on sale a few years ago. A bit of a learning curve but I'm happy with it.
I've got a Little Chief electric that I mainly use for nuts and cheese.
As is already apparent you're going to get as many different answers as you get respondents.
Go to the link I shared and do some research to see what fits your style.

As with other subjects on this board , spending more doesn't always mean getting more.
I got my Weber Smokey Mountain for under $300 on sale a few years ago. A bit of a learning curve but I'm happy with it.
I've got a Little Chief electric that I mainly use for nuts and cheese.
As is already apparent you're going to get as many different answers as you get respondents.
Go to the link I shared and do some research to see what fits your style.

As with other subjects on this board , spending more doesn't always mean getting more. Originally Posted by JohnnyGleet
Thx Johnny; appreciate the link.
SMF as johnnyg said is a great resource. I have a yoder pellet smoker. You are going to get temp jumps just due to the nature of the beast. I supplement my smoke flavor with an amazin tube. The brand of pellets has a big effect on the taste. I prefer lumberjack.You arent going to match the flavor of a stick burner with pellets. Sacrifice some flavor for convenience. I also have a lang stick burner that is hard to beat. Figure out your budget and go from there and do the research.