Getting my First Pellet Smoker

[mybubbles]

I am going to buy my first pellet smoker. I'm on a tight budget. I'm thinking of the Traeger Junior. Looking for suggestions on a decent one on a budget. What about used? I can get a Lil Tex for half price that's only been used a few times. New? Used? Does it matter?

 

[sparky]

i started w/ a lil tex. good grill. get the bigger one. the traege jr is small. if you can try and get a mak 1 star. great grill.

 

[Deb]

when I bought my first pellet grill I was looking at a new traeger junior vs. a used Lil Tex - a friend told me to go with the lil tex because I wouldn't be happy with the size of the jr. I'm glad I listened because I quickly figured out he was right. If the traeger is your budget and the used one appears to be in decent shape I'd go with that one. Your ultimate goal should be cooking with pellets because it is the best way to cook

 

[cenote]

If you have any dealers in the area, go look at them. I am a newbie as of this weekend, and went a looked at a bunch. Ended up with the Green Mountain Grill, Daniel Boone. Slightly bigger than the Treager's for cost, and seemed to have better controls and build over Treager. Was warned about last years and this years model treagers not being up to par because of taken over seas. Looking at them side by side, I would have to agree. Go "BIGGER", less than 36 hrs old, and wondering if I should of spent the extra $200 and bumped up to the next size which was about 50% bigger.

 

[TentHunter]

Yep, I agree. If those are your options, then for now go with the used Traeger but be sure you save your pennies for two reasons:

1) You have to ask yourself, "Why is that Traeger for sale after being used only a few times?" One possible reason is because someone bought it then had buyer's remorse for not going with a better grill. Which brings me to my second point...

2) After getting a taste of pellet smoking, hanging around here a while and seeing the versatility of the MAK grills, you're going to want one. And who could blame you?