Hey Lurkers! How many of you got your first pellet smoker for the Holidays?
- Thread starter Big Poppa
- Start date
gwapogorilla
New member
I gotta wait til tax return time...the wife and I wanted to get the kids taken care of first. But, she did surprise me with a meat mixer! No more cold stiff hands when making sausage!
Traeger Jr. from Costco. This is my first pellet smoker. I also have a bigger "stick smoker" a Char-Broil offset that is down at our barn. I like the Traeger the cooking results have been positive to say the least. Our kids are grown so if I have a big event I can resort back to the larger one.
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Bradleys? Anyone on here have one/like it? I have several buddies that hunt, and used bradley smokers for thier deer jerky, etc... and 4 out of five hated them. All had issues. This has been a few years ago, all but one have swapped out for electric masterbuilts or went pellet.
I have no direct input, as I havent owned one - but it is the only cooker I can think of that has only had negative feedback hit my ears (usually I hear of someone who likes it). I'd love to hear they are better/different now.
Sounds like they may have gone upmarket a little if there is one with a PID in it these days! I'd love to hear any current views on them...
I have no direct input, as I havent owned one - but it is the only cooker I can think of that has only had negative feedback hit my ears (usually I hear of someone who likes it). I'd love to hear they are better/different now.
Sounds like they may have gone upmarket a little if there is one with a PID in it these days! I'd love to hear any current views on them...
So Cal Smoker
New member
I started on a Masterbuilt, had a lot of fun and cooked some good food with it. Good not great food. I found temp swings of 40* and smoke control just to aggravating. That's when I got into pellet smoking. However, if I were to buy another unit it would be a Masterbuilt 40" from Sam's Club.
pikes peak smokin
New member
I got a Traeger Lil Tex Elite from Costco. I am really enjoying it! Burgers and brats were excellent, prime roast roast, biscuits were sensational. I smoked a pork loin on Saturday that I thoroughly enjoyed (for a couple meals!).
FLBentRider
New member
I have an OBS with an auber dual probe PID. It has been rock solid for me. I have put a ton of meat through that smoker. They have had some issues with batches of bad elements somewhat recently, but customer service has been good.
I also have 2 Bradley propane units, good for camping, just not for high heat or windy areas.
I got the MAK primarily to replace my gasser and add capacity to smoke large quantities of stuff like brisket and pork butt, but the vertical is better for small items like moink balls, nuts, etc.
I should get someone to weld up a vertical tower to go over the MAK, just remove the cover and bolt in place...
Kevin Arsenault
New member
I got a hand-me-down traeger, since my mom got a MAK.
To bad I probably wont get much use out of it till I leave campus housing in a year or so.
To bad I probably wont get much use out of it till I leave campus housing in a year or so.
smokeNcanuck
New member
Pulled the trigger on a FEPG500. Hopefully will have it with in the next month, super excited to become a pellet head.
I also have a Bradley, OBS with auber dual probe. I Love it and have not had any real problems with it. It is
fantastic for sausage making. I have made some darn tasty butts, brisket,bacon and many other things with it.
The only thing I would trade it for would be a six racker, would like the extra height inside for hanging sausage.
GREAT site BP!!
Cheers,
sNc
I also have a Bradley, OBS with auber dual probe. I Love it and have not had any real problems with it. It is
fantastic for sausage making. I have made some darn tasty butts, brisket,bacon and many other things with it.
The only thing I would trade it for would be a six racker, would like the extra height inside for hanging sausage.
GREAT site BP!!
Cheers,
sNc
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sparky
New member
not the flavor profile i was looking for. so, its getting shipped back. going to save up a little more money and get myself a hasty bake.
CarterQ
Moderator
BP is right Spark, the MAK and Hasty Bake are a beautiful combo! Well worth saving for.
sparky
New member
once again, candy sue hit it on the nose. i cooked 2 chickens, 2 racks of ribs, butt and some sausage. all were thrown in the trash. everything tasted like it came out of campfire ashes. way brown and could not eat. saving for my hasty bake.
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My Sister did a wonderful, moist, flavorful turkey on her Traeger, at Thanksgiving, and my Wife says "I want one of those for Christmas."
I start researching; discovered this group, MAK, and the rest, as they say is history.
The Christmas 2 Star living on our back porch has already done two briskets, several loads of spatchcocked chickens, moinks, a fattie, and a couple of loads of ABTs. (It's all turned out great)
My next victim will be the pork butt presently residing in the basement fridge.
Thanks to you all for your generously shared wisdom and insights, and to Big Poppa for the site!
I start researching; discovered this group, MAK, and the rest, as they say is history.
The Christmas 2 Star living on our back porch has already done two briskets, several loads of spatchcocked chickens, moinks, a fattie, and a couple of loads of ABTs. (It's all turned out great)
My next victim will be the pork butt presently residing in the basement fridge.
Thanks to you all for your generously shared wisdom and insights, and to Big Poppa for the site!