Any Built-In Recommendations?

[PelletNewbie]

Hi all,
I've owned a Weber Smokey Mountain for about 5 years and love the taste of the food it produces, but am turned off by the effort required to fire it up, maintain temperature, and clean it. I had the opportunity to use a friend's Traeger Texas grill and loved how easy it was to get started and maintain temperature (assuming, but there was no way to verify outside of the hood thermometer).

We're beginning the process of building an outdoor kitchen right now and am planning on including a built-in pellet smoker. I realize the built-in route limits my options, but in order for my wife to agree to the smoker I had to compromise with a built-in.

Does anyone have any recommendations for built-in pellet smokers?.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[muebe]

Check out the Memphis line of built-in pellet grills.

I think Big Poppas can hook you up with one

https://www.bigpoppasmokers.com/store/bbq-smokers-grills/2012-memphis-pro-built-in-pre-order

 

[PelletNewbie]

Thanks Muebe. I figured my options were limited and the Memphis line was one of the few that caught my eye. Appreciate the recommendation.

BTW - loved your wet aging post. Can't wait to try that myself!

 

[muebe]

Oh and welcome to the forum BTW

 

[PelletNewbie]

Thanks - excited to dive into the pellet world!

 

[Pappymn]

The Mak 4 star is an impressive beast. Worth a look.

 

[PelletNewbie]

So it is! I'd love to have it, but I think it's way out of my league. Thanks for the suggestion Pappymn.

 

[Salmonsmoker]

Welcome from the PNW. Where do you hail from Newbie?

 

[PelletNewbie]

Thanks Salmonsmoker! I'm in Dallas, TX

 

[scooter]

MAK 2 Star makes a good choice for a built-in. Click the image to go to the thread chronicling Smokeslinger's whole build process.
Welcome to PelletSmoking!

 

[PelletNewbie]

That's really cool. Thanks for passing that one along.

 

[Bigoclif]

I was advised by MAC to have the left side of smoker (i.e. the air intake side easily accessible for the occasional repair. Have you taken this advice into consideration or are you gonna have to fight the smoker out of that housing for said repairs? You are obviously incredibly handy, so i am guessing that this doesn't concern you. I am not, so i am having my outdoor kitchen professionally built and i don't know what to do about this. At this point, i think the best way is to leave the thing on it's wheels so that it can be rolled out for repairs. This is not the ideal cosmetic way, but the best i can think of considering repairs.

 

[scooter]

The 2 Star slides in and out fairly easily for maintenance when needed. It's not bolted in at all.

 

[TrickyDick]

I was faced with a similar decision, and decided to get the 4 star. Its a beast of a grill. Honestly, I think I'd have been happy doing a 2 star modified to build in. I have yet, and likely never will come close to reaching the capacity of the grill. Like ANY large grill, it takes more time to clean and heat up. Pellet grills, take longer than gassers to heat up. Something to think about if this is going to replace a propane grill or just the old smokey mountain (and it probably can do the duty of both).

Also, be sure if you build in, and its against the wall, to make sure the backsplash is granite or stainless. granite will hide stains better. you don't want stucco or something that won't take the smoke and discolor and then be impossible to clean. Also you will need a hood. The pellet grills can put out incredible smoke. I suggest a remote fan to reduce noise in the kitchen area, and have the fan near the exhaust vent on the roof, or exterior wall or whatever.

If you decide to go with the MAK 4 star, I might suggest you consider the cart option and have it roll into the cabinet recess under the hood. Easier to get behind it for cleaning. Can still do this without the cart option, but it is more difficult.

Good luck!

TD