Need a recommendation on a pellet smoker/grill combo

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nickmv

New member
So, I'm making the next big step from my 18.5 WSM, to a pellet-fed combo smoker/grill. I don't have a grill currently (been using the WSM occasionally w/middle section removed for grilling), so it'll be nice to have the best of both worlds.

My budget is around 1300, so I've narrowed it down to 3 models:
Rec Tec smoker/grill
GMG Jim Bowie Stainless w/remote
Yoder YS640


Recommendations? I like cooking ribs, briskets, pork shoulders, butts, chickens, all kinds of stuff, but of course it'll need to serve as a grill as well for burgers, steaks, etc.

I've heard great things about the Jim Bowie, and I know Rec Tec is just now establishing themselves, but neither gets above 500F. I like the fact that the Yoder hits 600F, but at the same time, it's super-heavy and the most expensive.

Any help is appreciated.
 
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soupyjones

New member
Around here most folks will suggest a mak. Sadly I have no knowledge of any of the units you mentions except the yoder which is supposed to be a nice rig. If you are in the 1300 range look into a Mak 1 star. Big Poppa smokers can help you out with that.
 
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nickmv

New member
Yeah I'm seeing that people are recommending Mak. Then I take a look at it and am shocked at how small they are. Neither of their 2 models come close to matching the size or cooking space of the options I was looking at.

I'm not looking to get into competition. I want a quality smoker that can handle a good bit of meat, and this Mak just doesn't look like it's gonna handle quantity. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it's a great smoker, but damn are they small.

I'm reading great things about the Yoder YS640, save for some electrical issues from like 2 yrs ago. Sounds like they've worked out most of the kinks, and they offer firmware updates as well. At this point I'm leaning towards that, but I've still got a couple weeks left before placing my order. I move in on May 1st so I'm hoping to hit the ground running relatively soon.
 
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Silverback51

Member
Just one more thought. And this can be applied to anything.

Pick what you really want, not what you can afford. After picking what you want, then see if you can afford it. If not, continue saving until you can afford it. I have always found that buying something I can afford, over what I really wanted resulted in never really being happy with what I bought and then selling it at a loss and buying what I really wanted.

But that's me. You may be different.
 
MossyMO

MossyMO

New member
Wife and I have the Yoder YS640 with the 2nd shelf option which provides 1070 square inches of grate surface, love it!
 
RickB

RickB

New member
nickmv said:
Yes but I also noticed that adding a second rack only barely gets me to matching the space with 1 rackon the others.
Click to expand...

Just my opinion but just looking for space is a bad way to pick smoker/grill. If your using this for home cooks you need to rethink your priorities . I can get 4 pork shoulders or 6 racks of baby backs on my Mak 2 easily. The maks have the finest pellet boss available on
The market today. Not counting the best customer service. Think again my friend.
 
Big Poppa

Big Poppa

Administrator
I just got another RGC with the mak....you have to look at whether you want an imported grill first and then seconde innovation and reliablity..MAK is tops in that.
 
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