First Pellet Smoker Purchase Advise

[cowdog]

Getting ready to purchase my first pellet smoker/grill and have been doing a bit of research to help with my decision. However, I am seeking advise from those that have been pelletheads for a while. I have narrowed down my choices to the Memphis Pro, and the MAK 2-Star General. From reviews and reading others discussions, these two are very close in quality, design, even heat throughout, etc... I live in Norther Virginia and plan to smoke and grill year round. I plan to cook for just my wife and I, and for parties of 8-10. Cooking brisket, ribs, butts, burgers, steaks, and veggies. I also want to smoke turkey from time to time.

So, basically, is one really better than the other? Is one better than the other for a novice? One request, if you do reply with advise, please add accessories you would recommend go with the smoker. Thank you in advance.

 

[txpgapro]

Memphis Pro is insulated and really holds the temps. I love mine!


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[FLBentRider]

I have a MAK 2-Star. I love it.

It has done everything I have asked it to do, and the programmable pellet boss controller is the bees knees.

Just set the sequence of temps and/or times you want, and away you go.

I live in Florida, so I can't speak to much cold-weather smoking.

 

[ACW3]

I have a MAK 2-Star. I love it.

It has done everything I have asked it to do, and the programmable pellet boss controller is the bees knees.

Just set the sequence of temps and/or times you want, and away you go.

X 2

I used to live in Herndon, VA and now live in North Carolina. Year-round temperatures/weather here are not too different than they were in NOVA. In addition to the Pellet Boss, the MAK 2 Star has a cold smoking side that I have used more than I thought I would. I have smoked fish, cheese, nuts, chocolate candy, and even tried some marshmellow Peeps. I went through the same decision process and decided on the MAK. No regrets. Besides, there are now a number of options for configuring your cooking area that weren't available when I bought mine. (I may still pick up a few more options one of these days.) Advise given to me was to match my style of cooking to the grill. Since I like to experiment with different approaches to cooking, the MAK 2 Star was a natural for me. Good luck on your decision.

Art

 

[Bear]

I don't know how anything could be any easier that the Memphis Pro.

I love mine!

 

[El Guapo]

Getting ready to purchase my first pellet smoker/grill and have been doing a bit of research to help with my decision. However, I am seeking advise from those that have been pelletheads for a while. I have narrowed down my choices to the Memphis Pro, and the MAK 2-Star General. From reviews and reading others discussions, these two are very close in quality, design, even heat throughout, etc... I live in Norther Virginia and plan to smoke and grill year round. I plan to cook for just my wife and I, and for parties of 8-10. Cooking brisket, ribs, butts, burgers, steaks, and veggies. I also want to smoke turkey from time to time.

So, basically, is one really better than the other? Is one better than the other for a novice? One request, if you do reply with advise, please add accessories you would recommend go with the smoker. Thank you in advance.

Tom,

I was in the same boat you are in just a couple of weeks ago. I ended up order the MAK 2-Star, which will arrive on Friday. I went back and forth a hundred times before I finally pulled the trigger. I don't think either grill is a bad choice, but after talking to the owners of both, I just made up my mind on the MAK. Everyone I talked to that has a Memphis Pro had nothing but great things to say about them. However, the MAK owners were emphatic about how great their grills are, almost like a cult following.

It reminds me of my last two trucks. I like the truck I have now. Never had a problem with it, it does what I ask of it, drives well, gets decent mileage (for a truck), looks good, has all the options and, based on that, I would recommend one to anyone who would ask. However, my previous truck, I loved. If I had it to do over again, I would have bought the exact same truck, just the newer model, rather than the one I did buy. That being said, I don't regret buying the truck I now drive, but I just get more excited talking about my previous one. Both are great trucks, but the previous one just gets me more excited, and that's the feeling I got from the MAK owners I talked to, more so than the Memphis owners.

I guess I'll find out this weekend if I made the "right" choice, but I don't think between the two there could have been a "wrong" choice.

Good luck with your decision, and let us know which one you go with.

Eric

 

[cowdog]

Thank you for the responses. I truly appreciate everyone taking the time to reply.

@ACW3, I live in Stafford, and I agree, the weather is not much different here than in NC.

@ El Guapo, I am still a couple of weeks out from ordering, so please let me know how the MAK works out for you. I am fairly certain you will not be disappointed. Just as you said, I am getting rave reviews for both smokers, and probably can't go wrong either way.

Maybe at this point a better question would be, which of these two grills are better suited for a novice smoker? I am being nice with the Novice part. When I do get the smoker, the first brisket, ribs, and/or butt that I smoke, will be the first I have ever smoked. I have only smoked steak and burgers on my gas grill using a smoker box.

 

[CarterQ]

The MAK pellet boss will help even a novice cook like a star, it really is easier than you think to crank out great food on a pellet grill.