looking for opinions on a pellet smoker / grill

[coldsmoker]

I thought i would try this site to hear some opinions on pellet smokers. I am thinkin of getting a Mak 2 general, treager or a green mountain grill. I am wondering how they handle real cold weather -30. Brcause all the time is BBq time. In Canada. Iu

 

[RickB]

I thought i would try this site to hear some opinions on pellet smokers. I am thinkin of getting a Mak 2 general, treager or a green mountain grill. I am wondering how they handle real cold weather -30. Brcause all the time is BBq time. In Canada. Iu

Seriously? Minus 30? I would'nt go outside if my house was on fire!

 

[coldsmoker]

Yep in the winter it does get chilly here... That's why Canadian beer has so much alcohol in it we have to keep the blood flowing.

 

[RickB]

Yep in the winter it does get chilly here... That's why Canadian beer has so much alcohol in it we have to keep the blood flowing.

I dont think any pellet grill would stand up to those temps. You would have to be pumping some major BTU's to stand up to those temps. Add a little wind and kiss it goodby. But how often would you be cooking under those conditions? My guess is not often. Highly recommend the Mak 2 under resonable conditions.

 

[FLBentRider]

I think he means -30C which is -22F (says the guy from Florida, LOL)

I would worry about the lubricants for the auger and fan not working well at start-up in those temps, for a MAK or any pellet grill, for that matter any grill with moving parts!

 

[squirtthecat]

I've run my Traeger and MAK (1 Star) at zero (F) and less than zero temps, and they started and ran OK. But you are going to burn a LOT of pellets.. I'm thinking *pounds* per hour.

 

[Tatonka3A2]

Well we first got our Yoder in Jan here in North Dakota and were dying to use it. So we shoveled a path in the driveway and wheeled it out there to get smokin in the snow!!!

We did buy a thermal jacket for it because we knew it would be cold for a few months that we would be cooking with it. We have smoked with it when it was 10 degrees and 30 mph winds...held the temps just fine!!

I think any of the pellet grills will work - may burn through a lot more pellets. I have seen people use welding blankets on their smokers to help them keep temp.

You need to get creative when it is gets that cold!!

 

[coldsmoker]

I have used an old barrel type smoker charcol type smoker but there were no moving parts to freeze up but I did use a lot of wood to keep the BTUs up. But a pulled pork sandwich and a cold beer even in the dead of winter is worth it. So with pellet smoker real cold weather cooking is out. So then what are the overall opinions of a mak 2 general, treager, green mountain grill or others. Does one really need to spend 2000+ to get a quality pellet smoker. Or when it comes to pellet smokers you get what you pay for.

 

[Big Poppa]

You get what you pay for everytime....the most expensive thing is to buy an entry level one

 

[TentHunter]

First off, Welcome to the forum!

Like Squirt, I ran my MAK 1 Star this past winter in some pretty dang cold & windy conditions. It took a little longer to ignite, and yes it used more pellets, but it ran absolutely fine with no problems. When it was super cold and/or windy, I just left it sitting just inside the garage which helped.

Any grill is going to use more fuel in cold weather.

Does one really need to spend 2000+ to get a quality pellet smoker. Or when it comes to pellet smokers you get what you pay for.

With pellet grills You definitely get what you pay for! You'll get the best possible quality with MAK.

 

[Chili Head]

I cooked on my 2 star all winter, at least three days a week! And Illinois can get damn cold! I did get a welding blanket to cover the front, top and back side. I didn't cover the sides because that's where the vents are. My baby needs to breath. The temps rose a good 30 plus degrees with the blanket. Just remember to NOT grab the handle on the lid as soon as you take the blanket off...it's sorta hot hehehehe .
Don't let the cold temps sway your decision..just plan on burning more pellets in the winter. And you do get what you pay for..don't skimp get the max you can afford.

 

[So Cal Smoker]

Buy the best first and save money. If you buy entery level first, you'll want the best later, spend more and buy the best now.

 

[Jables]

These guys are right. The traeger on my deck cooks great food and I'm glad it got me on to pelletsmoking, but a mak is a far superior product. Someday my ill tex will need replacing. For now I'll just keep repainting it. Bc winters are hard on coatings.

 

[Memphis]

Check out the Memphis Wood Fire Grill. They are built in Minnesota. Two winters ago we tested the product at -17F and all of the product achieved and maintained their max temps. If you plan on smoking year 'round, take a close look at the Pro or Elite. Theses grills have a double walled and sealed construction in the entire grill head. They do an excellent job in cold weather and reach max temps of 650F and 700F respectively. This construction method allows them to use far less pellets in cold weather...