Lead me to the promised land...

[JD McGee]

Hi guys...HELP!!! Lol! I have been driving myself (and Rhana) crazy lately trying to decide on a pellet smoker. I am looking for one pellet smoker large enough to cook two 12-14lb briskets and two 8-10lb pork butts in competition. I like the quality and design of the DW Smokers non-insulated (below)...but the price may take me out...$2500.00. So...that brings me here...looking for advice from the pros!

 

[squirtthecat]

Buy two MAK 1 Stars. Problem solved!

 

[JD McGee]

Can you cook two butts and two briskets using the upper shelf?
JD

 

[squirtthecat]

I can do 2 big packer briskets (one on top, one on the bottom) using the shelf, or roughly 6 butts.

You might be able to fit 2 flats on the upper shelf, and then 2-4 butts underneath it.

 

[squirtthecat]

Here are some pics to give you a sense of scale..

2 whole shoulders.

 

[JD McGee]

Cool...thanks! I see two half pans in the top pic...will a full size pan fit? I'm thinking two butts (in pans) top shelf and one packer (in full size pan) on the lower...
JD

 

[Pappymn]

That is some serious bark. Impressive.

 

[FLBentRider]

I can get 8 pork butts on my MAK 2 star.

 

[sparky]

you can put alot of ribs in them also.

.

lots of room.

 

[FLBentRider]

Did someone say ribs? 9 racks on one level, so you could get 18 racks with the upper rack and another rib rack.

 

[squirtthecat]

Cool...thanks! I see two half pans in the top pic...will a full size pan fit? I'm thinking two butts (in pans) top shelf and one packer (in full size pan) on the lower...
JD

Yes, that should fit fine.

Let me double-check the clearance on 2 pans up top. I know that would fit in the 2 Star - it has a high domed lid.

 

[JD McGee]

Very cool! Next questions

1. Is the temp between the upper and lower racks significant enough to worry about for a low-n-slow smoke?

2. Green Mountain and Traegar (sp?) are big up here and I can buy two of those for the price of one MAK...why?

3. If I wanted to cook chicken @ 350 degrees will I get ANY smoke at all?

Thanks again guys!
JD

 

[FLBentRider]

1. Not really. I think there is a little more smoke exposure on the top rack.

2. I have not seen a Green mountain, and just a casual look at a traeger. I can tell you that the materials, fit and finish are top notch on the MAK compared to the Traeger. Thicker steel, stainless fasteners, etc. One word - Solid, like a tank.

3. Some, but not as much as if you run it on "smoke" for an hour first.

 

[JD McGee]

Keep 'em comin' guys...so...sounds like quality is the biggest factor between the GMG, Traegar, and MAK...so now tell me about the Memphis Pro vs MAK...any significant differences?