Looking for opinions on a pellet grill

poker · 03-29-2011, 09:13 AM

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.

pnoon · 03-29-2011, 09:15 AM

I don't own one Kelly. But a good friend of mine does and he can't say enough good things about Traeger.
Posted via Mobile Device

T.G · 03-29-2011, 09:28 AM

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.

CasaDooley · 03-29-2011, 09:46 AM

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.

poker · 03-29-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CasaDooley

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.

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.

pnoon · 03-30-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

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.

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

Posted via Mobile Device

poker · 03-30-2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

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.

Posted via Mobile Device

I wonder if we can get a discount if we buy 2?

EDIT: well, it appears discounts wont apply for 2. I called 5 places.

T.G · 03-30-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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.

Posted via Mobile Device

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 · 03-29-2011, 09:39 AM

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

shilala · 03-29-2011, 09:52 AM

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?

Aero95 · 03-29-2011, 09:53 AM

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

marge796 · 03-29-2011, 10:04 AM

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

Chris.....

CasaDooley · 03-29-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aero95

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

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.

poker · 03-29-2011, 10:31 AM

Thanks again folks for the great info

Aero95 · 03-29-2011, 11:02 AM

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.

qsalinas · 03-31-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

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.

pnoon · 03-30-2011, 10:33 AM

Should we start a group buy?

Posted via Mobile Device

03-30-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnoon

Should we start a group buy?

Posted via Mobile Device

I'd would be interested

markem · 03-30-2011, 11:03 AM

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

pnoon · 04-01-2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

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.
Posted via Mobile Device

03-29-2011, 09:13 AM	#1
poker 1:11 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kelly Location: SoCal Posts: 5,280 Trading: (7)	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. __________________ Cigar Asylum: A cigar board birthed without agendas, without profiting, and without advertisements. Amor puro Character is what you do when no one is watching

03-29-2011, 09:15 AM	#2
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	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. Posted via Mobile Device

03-29-2011, 09:28 AM	#3
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,543 Trading: (37)	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.

03-29-2011, 09:46 AM	#4
CasaDooley Herf Crew of 2 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kevin Location: The birthplace of Fathers Day Posts: 2,465 Trading: (41)	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. __________________ *Founding member of the Lilac City Dedicated Herfers*

03-29-2011, 09:39 AM	#9
Aero95 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Aaron Location: Loveland Ohio Posts: 295 Trading: (2)	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. __________________ "If I cannot smoke in heaven, then I shall not go." -- Mark Twain

03-29-2011, 09:52 AM	#10
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	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? __________________

03-29-2011, 09:53 AM	#11
Aero95 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Aaron Location: Loveland Ohio Posts: 295 Trading: (2)	Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill Kevin how long do the 20lb bags last on the smoke setting? __________________ "If I cannot smoke in heaven, then I shall not go." -- Mark Twain

03-29-2011, 10:04 AM	#12
marge796 It Just Doesn’t Matter!!! Join Date: Feb 2009 First Name: Chris Location: Topeka KS Posts: 1,624 Trading: (28)	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. Chris..... __________________ “Don’t talk to me about naval tradition. It’s nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash.” -Sir Winston Churchill

03-29-2011, 10:31 AM	#14
poker 1:11 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kelly Location: SoCal Posts: 5,280 Trading: (7)	Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill Thanks again folks for the great info __________________ Cigar Asylum: A cigar board birthed without agendas, without profiting, and without advertisements. Amor puro Character is what you do when no one is watching

03-29-2011, 11:02 AM	#15
Aero95 Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Aaron Location: Loveland Ohio Posts: 295 Trading: (2)	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. __________________ "If I cannot smoke in heaven, then I shall not go." -- Mark Twain

03-30-2011, 10:33 AM	#17
pnoon YNWA Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Peter Location: San Diego Posts: 29,919 Trading: (20)	Re: Looking for opinions on a pellet grill Should we start a group buy? Posted via Mobile Device

03-30-2011, 11:03 AM	#19
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,515 Trading: (47)	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 __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx