I am new to this blog and to pellet smoking/grilling and in the market to purchase a Pellet Smoker for the first time. I am trying to decide between the MAK 2 and Memphis Elite. I am impressed with how well the Memphis Elite is sealed with an oven gasket for heat retention, particularly for smoking in cold weather since I live in NJ. I also note that it is able to go to higher temps than the MAK2 for searing and grilling steaks. I am puzzled, however, why neither has a smoke stack. Does it matter? Can anyone provide me with pros and cons for MAK2 vs Memphis Elite to help me decide which to buy. I am told that the electronics for the MAK are the best in the industry, plus it has a warming rack. Thank you in advance.
Memphis Elite vs. MAK 2 Star General
- Thread starter dms3554
- Start date
Pappymn
New member
IMO you have narrowed it down to the two best. I went with Mak. I don't use it for high heat grilling, but some do. I love my Mak. Mak Daddy and staff are the best. Zero regrets. Memphis folks love their cookers too. Mak has more toys......I like toys.
Can't go wrong with either.
Can't go wrong with either.
scooter
Moderator
They are both fine American made grills! You'll be happy with the performance of either but I think if you consider the laundry list of innovations that MAK has to its credit, the lower high temp will pale in importance. Besides that, consider that when you go high temp with a pellet cooker it will throw a beating on the finish whether it's SS or powder coat. SS will prematurely stain brown and powder coat will turn gray. I want my pit looking nice as long as possibly so I keep the temp down below 400 and use a drum or Weber kettle for high temp searing.
The newest innovation is MAK's WiFi control system! Currently in beta testing. Control your MAK from anywhere you get a cell signal with your internet connected smart phone or from a laptop or PC with internet connection! No other pellet pit can offer that right now. Other pellet manufacturers are blowing their horns about bluetooth! MAKs been there and done that, now they're moving again into the lead position with WiFi control.
I could go on and on but it's been said many times already. The search button is a handy tool for anyone looking for info. Currently there are 3 active threads with MAK vs this or MAK vs that. Please read them to see testimonials.
The newest innovation is MAK's WiFi control system! Currently in beta testing. Control your MAK from anywhere you get a cell signal with your internet connected smart phone or from a laptop or PC with internet connection! No other pellet pit can offer that right now. Other pellet manufacturers are blowing their horns about bluetooth! MAKs been there and done that, now they're moving again into the lead position with WiFi control.
I could go on and on but it's been said many times already. The search button is a handy tool for anyone looking for info. Currently there are 3 active threads with MAK vs this or MAK vs that. Please read them to see testimonials.
Big Poppa
Administrator
I actually never tire of this question..MAK or Memphis...I sell them both for a reason. The customer for a pellet grill/smoker can be served by these two cookers.
I ask people what they want to cook the most....slow or hot. Both will do both but for simplification You could name the MAK the MAK Smoker and the Memphis the Memphis grill.
Using Camera terms I tell people that the Memphis is a point and shoot...the MAK can do that but really has so much to offer with the pellet boss for the more serious cook.
For people looking for a built in in the MAK has the large 4 Star but the Memphis has the Pro and the Elite and they usually get the built in nod.
For real usable capacity the MAK gets the nod....they publish similar stats but the memphis is stair stepped and the MAK you can truly double your cook.
The Memphis is all Stainless...THe mak a hybrid between super high quality powder and stainless
The MAK has a ton of great accessories like the griddle, smoking box, searing grate, full upper rack, half rack
THe Memphis has a small searing area but is a industry leader for pellet searing
The MAK continues to offer upgrades like the soon to be released out of beta true wifi. When you buy a MAK they make sure that when they offer an improvement that it is retrofittable
THe true heart of a pellet cooker is the controller and the MAK is the only one that is ground up designed for their cooker by them. It is in a category of its own. The Pellet Boss truly lets the pellet know who is boss. There is no better controoller out there and we have had close to zero failures. Built like a rock and can control your cook like no other.
I could go on....but really you should call us and we can usually talk you through the pro's of each...TI sell them because there really aren't any cons....they are fabulous and I cook on both. 877 828 0727 Buy from us and keep this place rolling!
I ask people what they want to cook the most....slow or hot. Both will do both but for simplification You could name the MAK the MAK Smoker and the Memphis the Memphis grill.
Using Camera terms I tell people that the Memphis is a point and shoot...the MAK can do that but really has so much to offer with the pellet boss for the more serious cook.
For people looking for a built in in the MAK has the large 4 Star but the Memphis has the Pro and the Elite and they usually get the built in nod.
For real usable capacity the MAK gets the nod....they publish similar stats but the memphis is stair stepped and the MAK you can truly double your cook.
The Memphis is all Stainless...THe mak a hybrid between super high quality powder and stainless
The MAK has a ton of great accessories like the griddle, smoking box, searing grate, full upper rack, half rack
THe Memphis has a small searing area but is a industry leader for pellet searing
The MAK continues to offer upgrades like the soon to be released out of beta true wifi. When you buy a MAK they make sure that when they offer an improvement that it is retrofittable
THe true heart of a pellet cooker is the controller and the MAK is the only one that is ground up designed for their cooker by them. It is in a category of its own. The Pellet Boss truly lets the pellet know who is boss. There is no better controoller out there and we have had close to zero failures. Built like a rock and can control your cook like no other.
I could go on....but really you should call us and we can usually talk you through the pro's of each...TI sell them because there really aren't any cons....they are fabulous and I cook on both. 877 828 0727 Buy from us and keep this place rolling!
Thanks. It seems that everyone raves about the MAK for slow and low, but no one has openly attested to its ability to grill a good steak versus the Memphis. That is my biggest concern. I am sold on the MAK feature for feature, but I also don't want another grill for steaks and crispy chicken skin. I want one unit to do it all. So, you asked what I would cook. Yes, low and slow brisket and beef ribs, turkey, chicken wings and thighs, grilled sausages and hot dogs, and mostly, chicken thighs, whole chickens, rib steaks, skirt steaks, hanger steak, flank steak, burgers and rib roast. I love all of the MAK conveniences, I just want to make sure it will do the job for the grilling part. Thanks to all for any help. Tough decision. Oh, one last thing, it needs to hold temperatures low and high in the cold, I live in Northern NJ. Winters 20-30s.
Scallywag
New member
I can vouch that the Mak does a great job.. with the flame zone and sear grate you cant go wrong.. and I cook a lot of steaks! And as far as operation in the cold..I'm in Suthern Ontario and my Mak still works amazing even on the coldest of days.
SmokinMAK
New member
DMS3554 - will this sear do you?View attachment 1981
Done on a MAK 2 star.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Done on a MAK 2 star.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
scooter
Moderator
I guess I didn't specify what I was trying to say earlier. Yes, a MAK will sear a steak, especially the new ones. I have seared many steaks with beautiful grill marks on #28 and it's not quite the searing machine the new 2012 models are. The Memphis will also as it goes even hotter. What I was trying to say earlier is there will be a price to pay for all that high temp grilling. A year down the road of going high temp on your pellet cooker will exact a toll on the finish. I think you'll need to come to terms with that.
I started out only wanting one cooker on my deck but soon began adding more. The BPS drum makes an awesome combination with the MAK with the drums direct and semi direct cooking style combined with the MAKs semi direct and indirect styles.
I can't answer your second question as I live in the SF bay area where we don't really get freezing weather.
Last edited:
SoDakSmokerGolfer
New member
As for searing on the MAK it does a good job. The pic above was done on a 2012 unit... Keep in mind This was with using grill grates... And as for working well in the cold I live in South Dakota and have no issues with the cold and grilling. The pic above was cooked when it was around 10F.
Wow: Now those look like the sear marks were photoshopped they are so perfect. If the MAC can hold the temp in SD, there is no doubt it can do it in NJ. I did speak to BP last night who is an unending reservoir of knowledge. After seeing your post, as well as a few others I my concerns have been alleviated. Thanks so much. When I get mine which will be late spring or June, I am sure I will have allot of rookie questions.
Thank you Scooter. I am also beginning to lean toward thinking about a MAC 2 Star and maybe a Chargrill of some kind. That being said, I may begin with the MAC alone and if it does the job, great, if not, I now know what direction to take to augment it for the best combination. I certainly have the deck space and we were thinking about renovating the deck anyway. This gives me a good excuse. Thanks again.
